Experience the Visual Arts in Richmond and Wayne County

The visual arts are thriving in Richmond and Wayne County, and between local galleries, studios, museums, murals and public art installations, there’s always something to feast your eyes on. Spend a day or a weekend exploring the art and culture of east central Indiana at these creative destinations.
Start your tour at the Richmond Art Museum, the only facility of its kind in the country located on an active high school campus. The oldest cultural institution in Wayne County and the second oldest art museum in Indiana, RAM was founded in 1898 as the Art Association of Richmond. These days, the vibrant museum maintains a permanent collection that includes American Impressionist works, ceramics and decorative art pieces to admire. Best of all, admission is free.

richmond_art_mus_-_couple_viewing_wm_chase_ns.jpg

 
If you like your art with a side of fresh air, cruise out to the Indiana University East Sculpture Garden on Chester Boulevard. Here, seven al fresco works command attention as part of an evolving juried exhibition. Meanwhile, in the tiny town of Boston just south of Richmond, internationally recognized artists Bill and Jeanne Magaw display an intriguing variety of their colorful wind machines and kinetic sculptures in a working studio on their small farm spread.

sculpture_at_i.u._east.jpg

 
Looking for something you can take home? Browse the wares — and grab a cup of a coffee while you’re at it — at Artisans and Java in the Warm Glow Candle Company outlet on I-70, a charming shop that carries a diverse inventory of handcrafted items from Indiana makers. Artist Scott Shaffer sells an array of gorgeous wood-fired pots, bowls, vases, mugs and other handmade stoneware pottery items from his studio just down the road in Centerville.

shaffer_high_res_-_ag.jpg

 
Head west on U.S. 40 to pay your respects to the Overbeck sisters at the Museum of Overbeck Pottery inside the Cambridge City Public Library. Through their embrace of the Arts and Crafts movement, Margaret, Hannah, Elizabeth and Mary Francis established the family as preeminent ceramic artists during the first half of the 20th century. Overbeck works remain highly prized, and in high demand.

overbeck

 
While you’re out exploring, keep your eyes peeled for the more than 80 soaring murals that grace the sides of buildings across Wayne County, and pick up a free Murals Trail brochure at the Old National Road Welcome Center to make sure you don’t miss anything.

firehouse_bbq_blue_model_t.jpg

 
If you’re feeling artsy, than Paint the Towne is the place to go. With over 400 pieces of ceramics to choose from and a variety of classes occurring, you are bound to unleash your creativity here. 

paint the towne

Photo Credit: Paint the Towne Facebook
For other artsy ideas on things to do and for overnight packages in Richmond and Wayne County, browse our website and follow us on social media.