GAC receives grant in support of Putnam Visual Arts Exhibit

The Greencastle Arts Council is one of five nonprofit organizations in Indiana’s Region 6 (Greater Terre Haute area) to be awarded an Arts Project Support (APS) grant this fiscal year from the Indiana Arts Commission.

It is the local group’s first IAC award. Other APS Region 6 recipients are the DePauw University School of Music, Indiana State University’s Community School of the Arts and Linda Luebke Strings Festival, and the Terre Haute Children’s Choir.

The purpose of GAC’s application is to underwrite award funds to participants in its annual Putnam County Adult Visual Arts Exhibit, organized by the Greencastle Arts Council in collaboration with the Putnam County Museum. Now in its second year, the exhibit currently is on display at the PCM (1105 N. Jackson St.), through Sept. 26.

The 2021 exhibit, organized around the theme “Living Local,” includes works by more than 40 artists — who live, worked, studied or were born in Putnam County — and explores a diversity of talent and creative mediums ranging from painting, drawing and photography, to ceramics, jewelry making, stone carving, metal and woodworking.

In addition to having their work exhibited at the museum, individuals whose pieces were selected also compete for multiple awards, now totaling more than $900.

In addition to first and second prize and the Audience Choice Award, new this year will be a Purchase Prize for the Putnam County Museum, which it is hoped will allow the museum to add significantly to its collection over time.

This year’s exhibit currently is being reviewed by a panel of three guest adjudicators: Anna Tragesser, artist and community services manager with the Indiana Arts Commission; Johnson Simon, a professional painter and MFA graduate from IUPUI Herron School of Art and Design; and JinMan Jo, a sculptor and member of the studio arts faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

After judging is completed, participants and public alike are invited to attend a closing Meet-The-Artist/Award reception at the Putnam County Museum, on Sunday, Sept. 26 from 2-4 p.m. at which time this year’s award winners will be recognized.

While visiting the exhibit, GAC President Lavinia Hale reminds visitors to vote for their favorite work. “Don’t forget to pick up a ballot and vote for the Audience Choice Award while you are there.”

Museum admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday–Friday and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday.

For additional information, persons may visit the GAC website, greencastleartscouncil.org. These activities are made possible in part by Arts Illiana and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.