Discovering Talent
Local
artists, attractions featured
in newly released Arts Trail book
The
book lists artists in galleries
or that take appointments
Staff
Report
Visitors and residents alike will be impressed with the
long-awaited “Handcrafted and Homegrown by Hoosier Hands in Southeast
Indiana,” now available at tourism bureaus and galleries in the
region. The four Artisan Trails, for art lovers, foodies, and road-trippers
will take visitors through seven counties in southeast Indiana. Trails
identify galleries, artists, art events, and unique places to eat and
stay along the way.
• The Cliffs and Valley Artisan Trail will draw visitors to Madison,
where an abundance of art galleries and studios show unique pottery,
paintings, photography and sculpture. With 24 arts-related stops (including
three wineries) and 23 stops open by appointment, art lovers will want
to stay for a while.
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Photo
provided “Handcrafted
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Many of the stops on the Cliffs and Valley Trail are concentrated
in Madison’s downtown National Historic Landmark District. Visitors
will find many cafes, galleries and shops featuring local art and artists.
The Madison Art Club is one of the oldest in the state with over 150
members coming from the Tri-state region.
Madison has long been known for several premier arts events throughout
the year. The 40-year-old Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art in September
brings thousands of art aficionados seeking that perfect piece. Every
fourth Friday evening, art and music lovers stroll the historic downtown
during the Art and Shop Hop.
• Canal and Rivers Artisan Trail begins along the river in
Aurora with the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild, which shows work from
artists all over the region. These 40-plus artists work to promote an
appreciation of visual arts in southeast Indiana and the Tri-state.
• Towers and Spires Artisan Trail focuses on the northern
part of the region, beginning in the “Village of Spires,”
or Oldenburg. This quaint town has preserved its German, religious,
cultural, and architectural heritage. The gallery in Oldenburg also
hosts artists from around the region, from soap makers to potters, to
weavers, to glass artists and more. Versailles features some unique
architecture and arts related attractions and events. Osgood showcases
a unique train mural and some other interesting stops.
Side trips from the Towers and Spires Trail include special stops and
events in Sunman; Milan (home of the “Hoosiers” ’54 Basketball
Team and Museum); Dillsboro artists; and Friendship stops and events.
• The Forests and Farms Artisan Trail for southeast Indiana
shows visitors special places to stop in Seymour, North Vernon, Commiskey
and several other towns.
Vernon and North Vernon, on the Forests and Farms Trail, draws visitors
not only for the special artists in the area (including a stained glass
artist), but also the artist in us all who love to view art in nature,
with a variety of local and national parks.
The book lists artists that can be seen in local art galleries, or are
available by appointment. Copies of the book are for sale at the visitor
information centers in Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jackson, Jennings,
Madison and Ripley counties, and is available at many of the local galleries.
This book was a collaboration of seven southeast Indiana tourism bureaus
along with Madison’s Sally McWilliams of MediaLink.
• More information is available at: www.byhoosierhands.com. A celebration of the trail will be held March 25-26.