Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

For 100 years, Hoosier Art Salon has helped bring greater recognition to Indiana art and artists.

To celebrate this year’s centennial, visitors can explore the organization’s rich history and legacy through the special Stories of the Salon exhibit along with the annual Hoosier Art Salon exhibition. Both exhibits will run from Aug. 24-Oct. 20 at the Indiana State Museum.

“Just as we have throughout the past, the Indiana State Museum remains committed to working with and supporting Indiana’s artists, and our partnership with the Hoosier Art Salon reflects that commitment,” said Paula Katz, senior curator of art for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. “These exhibitions show that the Salon encompasses a wide range of art and artists that affiliate themselves as Hoosiers. There is a great variety of work, and there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Known as the state’s preeminent juried art exhibition of works by Indiana artists, the 100th annual Hoosier Art Salon will include more than 140 paintings, drawings, sculptures, glass creations and more.

More than 260 artists applied for the 2024 art exhibition, entering 675 original works. Of those, 122 artists were selected, including 20 first-time Hoosier Art Salon artists. To enter the competition, an artist must be a current Indiana resident or have previously lived in the state for at least one year.

“We are thrilled to be partnering again with the ISM to host the Hoosier Art Salon’s 100th exhibition,” said Hoosier Art Salon President Michael Quinn. “The arts in Indiana are blessed to have a plethora of amazing artists. To all who entered and all who were accepted, you are all part of the Hoosier Art Salon family.”

Included among the 2024 artists, last year’s best of show winner Stephanie Spay will have two paintings, “The Breath Between” and “Becoming: Portrait of Stephanie.”

This year’s winning artists will receive monetary awards totaling $100,000, including a $10,000 award for best of show, made possible by Sarah and John Lechleiter. In addition, all works in the Hoosier Art Salon are available for sale.

In addition, the companion exhibition invites visitors to delve deeper into several interesting stories of the Indiana art and artists featured in previous Hoosier Salon exhibitions going all the way back to the beginning. In Stories of the Salon, visitors will see “The Art Jury” by Wayman Adams, which won best of show in 1926. The painting features a group of four of the original Hoosier Group artists, including T.C. Steele. One of Steele’s own works is also highlighted, a 1914 painting titled “The Hill Country” that was recently conserved by the Indiana State Museum.

Works by other historic Hoosier artists, like Estelle Peel Izor and Frank V. Dudley, are showcased alongside renowned artists of today, including Russell Recchion, who was recently selected to complete the official portrait of Gov. Eric Holcomb. In all, more than 50 works come together in Stories of the Salon to provide a complete picture of the Hoosier Art Salon’s vibrant past and present.

Since it was established in 1925, the Hoosier Art Salon has become one of Indiana’s most esteemed and recognized arts organizations. Created by the Daughters of Indiana to increase recognition and opportunities for Indiana artists, the inaugural Hoosier Salon was held at Marshall Field & Company department store in Chicago and featured 253 artworks. In 1942, the exhibition moved to Indianapolis and in 1990 it had its first opening at the Indiana State Museum, where it has been ever since except for a stint at the Indiana Historical Society from 2005-10.

The 100th annual Hoosier Art Salon and Stories of the Salon are free for members and included with museum admission, which is $20 for adults, $14 for youth (ages 3-17) and $18 for seniors. Visitors can save on admission by purchasing their tickets in advance online.

Additional sponsors for Hoosier Art Salon include Ice Miller, Efroymson Family Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc., Bowen Engineering Endowment, Shook Realty Group, Flanner Buchanan and the Indiana Arts Commission.