A Century of Creativity: Hoosier Art Salon Returns to the Indiana State Museum

This summer, the Indiana State Museum will once again become a hub for artistic inspiration as the 101st Hoosier Art Salon exhibition opens its doors from August 23 through October 26. For more than a century—and the past three decades at the museum—this juried showcase has celebrated the diverse talents of artists from Indiana and beyond, earning its place as the state’s premier art exhibition.

Walking through the gallery, visitors will encounter a vivid tapestry of styles and mediums: 145 paintings, sculptures, drawings, and glassworks, each with its own story to tell. Every piece is available for purchase, offering collectors and casual art lovers alike the chance to take home a piece of Indiana’s creative spirit.

The numbers alone are impressive. This year, more than 250 artists submitted 665 works for consideration. From that pool, 129 artists—representing 33 Indiana counties and six additional states—were selected. Among them are nine past best-of-show winners, including 2024’s top honoree, Diane Ubelhor-Wunderlich, who returns with her new painting Roadside Symphony. The exhibition also welcomes 26 first-time participants, adding fresh voices to a century-old tradition.

“This annual exhibition provides a great opportunity for our visitors to experience a mix of different artistic styles and subject matter all in one place,” said Paula Katz, senior curator of art for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. “It also introduces these artists from across our state to new audiences who can connect with and appreciate their works.”

The Hoosier Art Salon’s history is as rich as the art it presents. Founded in 1925 by the Daughters of Indiana, the inaugural exhibition debuted in Chicago at Marshall Field & Company, featuring 253 works by contemporary Indiana artists. After a move to Indianapolis in 1942, the event found its current home at the Indiana State Museum in 1990, save for a brief run at the Indiana Historical Society from 2011 to 2016.

This year’s exhibition will award more than $55,000 in prizes, including a $5,000 best-of-show award. In 2024, participating artists sold over $84,000 in artwork—a testament to the event’s value for creators and buyers alike. To enter, artists must be current or former Indiana residents.

For Rebecca Kubacki, president of Hoosier Art Salon’s board of directors, the collaboration with the museum remains key to its success. “As we celebrate our 101st year, we look forward to our continued partnership and commitment to showcase Hoosier established and emerging artists,” she said.

The Hoosier Art Salon exhibition is included with museum admission ($23 for adults, $17 for youth, and $21 for seniors) and free for members. Tickets and additional details are available at IndianaMuseum.org.