Artists Rita Spalding and C. W. Mundy at the T. C. Steele Historic Site. photo courtesy Lyn Letsinger-Miller.
Each artist can submit up to three pieces. Artwork can be done in oils, acrylics, alkyd, watercolor, casein and egg tempera, pastels, drawing, printmaking, and mixed media, and must reflect the legacy of the Brown County Art Colony. If not executed on canvas, pieces must be under glass or plexiglass. Artwork must be framed and available for sale.
Of the 300-400 pieces submitted, 100 are juried into the show. Judging will take place on May 19. The awards reception takes place on June 6. The exhibition and sale opens to the public on the following day.
Since 2006, selected artwork from the show is purchased by the IHA to build the Permanent Collection, which is hung at the Brown County Art Gallery next to the works of the early Brown County Art Colony. Sponsored primarily by the Indiana Heritage Arts, the Brown County Art Gallery, as well as the T. C. Steele State Historical Site, support is also provided by the Brown County Community Foundation.
Beginning three years ago, the IHA partnered with the T. C. Steele Historic Site to put on the event“ Painting Selma’ s Garden” at the site. This year, on June 14, from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m., and free of charge on this day in observance of Juneteenth, visitors can watch the artists at work. Throughout the day, paintings can be purchased, with part of the proceeds benefiting the IHA and the T. C. Steele site.
Lyn Letsinger-Miller, IHA board member and author of the book The Artists of Brown County, describes the paint out:“ Painting Selma’ s Garden is a beautiful event in a glorious location. I often think how pleased Selma and Theodore would be to see all the artists painting in this sanctuary for art and beauty that they created.”
Selma designed and cultivated the beautiful landscapes around the Steele home, known as the House of the Singing Winds. The gardens include heritage varieties of roses, peonies, and botanical descendants of daffodil and iris bulbs planted by Selma. The historic buildings contain original furnishings, collections, and paintings.
The Selma N. Steele Nature Preserve offers five trails on 92 acres with a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and wildlife to view. You might want to bring sketchbooks or cameras to capture the beauty of a hike in the woods.
A reception featuring wine, food, and tours of the Steele home, studio and gardens culminates this special event from 5:30 to 8 p. m., with a cost of $ 45 per person.
There will be a panel discussion at the visitors center regarding a three-year artistic project by two of Indiana’ s top artists, C. W. Mundy and Rita Spalding called“ House of the Singing Winds, En Homage.”
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