Annual Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition in Nashville

Annual Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition in Nashville at the Brown County Art Gallery

For almost forty years, the Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition and Sale in Nashville has drawn together the work of Hoosier artists.

Although there’s nothing wrong with showcasing fine works of art, this huge juried event even hands out $20,000 in prize money to the winners. That doesn’t include what artists could potentially garner from the sale of their work, totals between prizes and sales could be roughly $80,000).

37th Annual Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition

For those of you who know the early history of Brown County, this will be “old news” to you. For everyone else, it’s important to know that Brown County was the site of one of the first art colonies in the US.

Fittingly, this yearly event is held at one of the oldest art galleries in the state, the Brown County Art Gallery. Began in 1926 by dedicated artists, like T.C. Steel, Adolph Shulz and his wife, Ada Walter Shulz, the gallery had humble beginnings, occupying space of a former grocery store. After a fire, the gallery was switched from its original location to the same spot it has occupied since the 1950s, the corner of Main Street and Artist Drive.

Paintings by current Brown County Art Association members line the main hall. Work from early Indiana artists are on display, and now visitors have a chance to see something else: one of the largest art competitions in the entire Midwest! Unlike many exhibitions of its kind, this giant annual art event even includes artists with ties to our fair state.

Kathy Anderson, Indiana Heritage Arts President, shared in a recent press release that “It’s a great way to see the best of today’s Indiana artists.” She stated, “It’s really an impressive show and we’d like to share these paintings with as many people as possible.”

Hoosier Paintings at the Arts Exhibition

All of the paintings that have become a part of this year’s grand display will be judged by a nationally known Atlanta painter and teacher, James Richards. He is considered by many to be one of the top oil painters and instructors in the country.

Bestowed with the title, “Juror of Selection,” it was his responsibility to decide not only what paintings would be a part of the Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition, but he was also tasked with figuring out the winners–except for one. There is a $500 prize for the “People’s Choice Award” given at the end of the art show. Visitors are encouraged to vote!

The IHA Board of Directors also provides an award, the “Director’s Award,” as they choose the work that will become a permanent addition to the Gallery.

To be considered for this juried event, the artists needed to be eighteen years old or older with selection that have never been in a juried show—and that would be able to be made for purchase afterwards. It had to be original work. No copies here! It also needed to be completed without instructor help.

Judging began on June 1 and the competition winners were announced on June 5, before an invitation-only Purchase Preview and Awards Event at the Brown County Art Gallery.

Visit Brown County Art Gallery

Things to Do in Nashville, Indiana

All of the work is now available to view or to purchase at the Gallery. To view the art at the 37th Annual Exhibition and Sale, you have from June 6–20, 2015.

Regular Gallery hours are:

  • Monday-Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM

More information about this year’s competition and show is available online at the Indiana Heritage Arts website or by calling 812.988.4609.

Small Towns: Destinations, not Drive-Thrus! I’m Jessica Nunemaker and THIS is Little Indiana.

Just don’t forget to tell them that Little Indiana sent you.

Brown County Art Gallery
1 Artist Dr
Nashville, IN 47448
812.988.4609

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