Soak Up Some Culture in Wayne County

Enjoy the sights and sounds of local culture throughout Wayne County. With an expansive variety of artistic talent ranging from music, to paintings, pottery and more, Wayne County has a lot to offer if you just know where to look. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Richmond Civic Theatre

Community theatre first came to Richmond in 1942. Since then, the community has performed hundreds of plays, from Disney favorites to Junie B. Jones to Schoolhouse Rock. They also have a children’s theatre; recent performances include A Charlie Brown Christmas, and upcoming shows include The Jungle Book, Sept 28-29, 2019 and Charlotte’s Web, March 14-15, 2020. Tickets are $18 for individual performances, or $150 for season tickets.

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Richmond Art Museum

Located in McGuire Hall, connected to the  high school, the Richmond Art Museum is the second-oldest art museum in Indiana. Currently it’s displaying works from the “Into the Woods” collection by Dan Woodson, featuring painted landscapes from all over Indiana. This collection will be on display until July 20th. Aside from special exhibits, the museum also houses sculptures and pottery from artists all over Indiana. Admission is free, so head over today to learn more about our local and regional artists.

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Richmond Symphony Orchestra

If you like classical music, get your tickets and head down to the Civic Hall Performing Arts Center to check out the Symphony Orchestra. With two youth competitions, three children’s concerts, and tons of community events each year, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Upcoming works will include songs never-before performed by the orchestra. The next show is  September 21st, with pianist Anton Nel. Admission is $20 for single performances, or $85 for season tickets.

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Magaws Art Gallery of Boston

Just south of Richmond, head 5 miles to Boston and discover the Magaws of Boston. Internationally known, Jim and Jeannie Magaw opened their studio in 1970, and create unique metal and wood sculptures you won’t see anywhere else. Unless of course, you happen to travel to China, where some of their pieces are on display in one of the first garden projects to feature American artists.

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IU East Sculpture Garden

If you’d like to stay local but still want to see some great sculptures, explore the IU East campus and marvel at their sculpture garden. The exhibit gets a fresh look every few years as they accept new submissions to the garden. If you’d like a quiet place to wander through some interesting art, this is the place for you.

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Murals Trail

Over 80 vibrant murals are woven along city streets in an inspiring collage of Richmond/Wayne County’s historic past. Discover fun scenes such as “The Rescue” at Firehouse BBQ and Blues which portrays the buildings history dating back to the early 1900’s when the building was once used as a fire station. The Underground  Railroad located in Fountain City helps tell the story of freedom seekers following the north star leading them to the Levi Coffin House. “Pride of Cambridge City” tells the tale of a local legend, Single G, the real life race horse that placed in 418 heats out of a total of 434 during 10 years.  Where ever you turn, a mural may surprise you and tell a story of the past. Which stories will you discover?

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If any of these ideas are your cup of tea, pack up the car, and head out to a cultural adventure around Wayne County. Grab a cold drink to beat the heat, and start exploring!
 
Written by Guest Blogger: Ally Rae