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The newly repainted Large Studio interior. courtesy photo
Following a reception on a rainy June 15, 220 visitors experienced the new Singing Winds Visitor Center opening activities.
The Visitor Center is 4,600 square feet and includes indoor restrooms; programming space; and a gift shop with literature about T. C. Steele and plein air painting; local artists and products; and convenience items such as insect repellants for hiking the trails. You can view a video introduction to the site that explains possible activity choices. New programming space will allow the hosting of corporate retreats and painting workshops. of all Hoosiers and bequeathed this home and studio to the people of Indiana.
The Steeles’ home is located at 4220 T. C. Steele Road, Nashville and is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. Cathy Ferree, president and CEO of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites said,“ With the new visitor center and activities, we’ re providing an improved visitor experience for everyone who comes to the site.”
Interpretation at the house and studio buildings show in a multisensory way how life was in the 1920s. Background music from that period and scents coming from the plantings in the gardens, and aromas from the kitchen beckon back to days of a living household. Visitors can see original furnishings, books, letters on Steele’ s desk and the scrapbooks of landscaping ideas collected by Selma.
Large Studio. photo by Cindy Steele
The Large Studio that Steele used has been repainted and improved lighting has been installed. Collection paintings will be rotated. Exhibits will show how plein air painting is done and the perspectives employed by T. C. Steele.
The visitor center and new site activities are supported by the State of Indiana, Friends of T. C. Steele, various grant funders, as well as private donors.
For more information visit < tcsteele. org > or call( 812) 988-2785.•
22 Our Brown County • July / August 2019