Brown County, Art Colony of the Midwest

• Backroads Studio tour of artists
• Oldest gallery in Midwest, Brown County Art Gallery
• Many Indiana heritage artists began here
• TC Steele home and studio state historical site
• Brown County Art Guild, museum and gallery for Marie Goth and VJ Carriani

For more than a century, artists and craftsmen have gravitated to Brown County, hearing the call of the pioneers of the art colony. Many stay for the abundant natural beauty which provides constant inspiration, the simpler lifestyle, and the friendships that develop among the artists. In this hilly, verdant, glacial valley, there are, by some counts, over 200 working artists among a population of only 15,000 residents.

The Brown County Back Roads Studio Tour is a free, self-guided event designed to showcase the arts and crafts of this present-day “Art Colony of the Midwest.”

Twenty juried artists and artisans, who continue this cultural heritage begun by T.C. Steele and friends over 100 years ago, will take part in this year’s tour October 1-31st offering a glimpse into the lives of working artists and craftsmen. Gardens will be in bloom and visitors can wander among the blossoms and be inspired by the natural beauty. Go to browncountystudiotour.com

Also see the home and studio of TC Steele, Theodore Clement Steele (1847-1926), noted Indiana artist and member of the Hoosier Group of American regional impressionist painters, was inspired by the picturesque scenes that he encountered in Brown County. Steele was at the forefront of the state’s art movement and remains one of Indiana’s most honored artists.

The house, Large Studio and gardens can all be seen at the site. Enjoy the beauty of each season, and see it reflected in the paintings of T.C. Steele and the historic gardens of his wife Selma. Wander the site’s five hiking trails. Imagine the expansive vistas and quiet forests that Steele captured on canvas.

For more information, visit tcsteele.org or indianamuseum.org/explore/t.c.-steele for more information.

If you go:

Open Tuesday – Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 1 pm-5 pm

Tours:

Hourly guided tours of Steele’s Studio and the House of the Singing Winds are available year-round. The first tour begins at 9:15 am (1:15 pm on Sundays). The last tour begins at 4:15 pm. Contact the site to schedule a special tour for your group.