April 2026 Hancock County Arts Newsletter
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Spring Exhibit: April 2nd - 25th at TwentyNorth Gallery. All media, processes, subjects, themes, and aesthetics will be presented in this showcase of artists who will share their current works from their studio practices.
Artist Reception: Friday, April 10th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
(open to the public)
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Hancock County Arts Would Like To Hear From You!
What would make you fall even more in love with HCA? Please let us know by completing the HCA 2026 Patron Survey! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us! You can click the link or put your cell phone camera on the URL image below:
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No Joke! April 1st Gallery and Special Events Meeting
Is Open to the Public!
Mark your calendar: the Hancock County Arts Gallery and Special Events Committee has a standing meeting the first Wednesday of each month. All are welcome to come and provide input. The meeting is held at 6:30pm at the Gallery, located at 20-A N. State Street in Greenfield. For details about this meeting, see the HCA website:
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Creativity and Community: Weekly Studio Opportunities in Greenfield!
Open Painting - Tuesdays 9 am-noon, Broadway Flats Studio, 210 S. Center Street, Greenfield, All welcome. Artists, bring your projects and come out to work, exchange ideas, and enjoy the company of other artists. Classes
Figure Drawing - Live Model Tuesdays, 6 - 8 pm, Meeting locations vary. Please contact us at hancockcountyarts@gmail.com to find out more details. All are welcome.
Figure drawing will always help you improve as an artist. Whether you’re practicing quick gestures or more detailed figures, time in the figure room is an artist’s best friend. You'll be drawing the human form in any of its various shapes and postures, using your own drawing media. Come to class with your preferred supplies and easels, as well as a $5.00 model fee.
If you would like to be added to our text notice list, email us to let us know.
A Pause for Words
"April's Mad Reel" By Harold Schaefer
Everything astir, everything frantic
honeybees bopping dandelions
violets rolling out royal carpets
rabbits trading secrets
in the wee hours
of morning’s dewy light,
bluebirds back to embarrass the sky
and the tiny Carolina wren heralding
everywhere,
it’s spring, it’s spring!
Harold Schaefer has a B.A. degree in Fine Arts and English from I.U. His poems have appeared in "Keeping the Flame Alive", "Flying Island", "Indiana Writes" and other publications. His poetry can also be found in the Indiana Poetry Archive. He lives in Greenfield, Indiana.
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April 18th... Two Exciting Events To Celebrate
National Poetry Month!
We invite you to celebrate National Poetry Month on Saturday, April 18 at two events:
At 1pm, honor the to-be-announced winners of the James Whitcomb Riley 250th Anniversary Poetry Contest Winners at Lizabeth Ann's Kitchen at the Historic Boyhood Home of James Whitcomb Riley located at 250 W. Main Street, Greenfield.
At 3pm, join us at the HCA gallery for "Word Out: An Afternoon of Poetry with Coffee." This will be a relaxed gathering to feature poetry readings and create space for poets and poetry enthusiasts to connect and reflect. Whether you are a guest, a published author, or a writer sharing your work publicly for the first time, we would be honored to have you join us.
Both events are free and open to the public. All are encouraged to attend and celebrate the power of words, creativity, and community during National Poetry Month.
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Plein Air Paint-Out June 6 in Eastern Hancock
The 2026 Plein Air Paint-Out will be held on June 6, 8:30 am - 3 pm. Artists are invited to paint outdoors in a variety of locations in and around Shirley, IN. Â Registration for this event will be 8:30-10:30am at Shirley Friends Church. Pieces created during the Plein Air Paint-Out will be on display at the Thrive Center from June 18th through July 24th.
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Call for Musicians: Summer Celebration on June 13th
We are seeking musicians for our June 13th art and music festival. We will have performance spaces in the gallery and in the North Street Living Alley to celebrate our talented artists and musicians. If you are interested in performing during the festival, please contact us at hancockcountyarts@gmail.com for more information.
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2026 Annual Will Vawter Juried Art Exhibition & Sale
(Art Intake: June 6)
Check the HCA website link below for the call for entry and updated details for this year's Will Vawter Juried Art Exhibition. Key dates...
Art Intake: June 6, Noon - 5 pm
Reception and Awards Ceremony: June 12th, 6 - 9 pm
On view: June 13 - July 25
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Tickets on Sale for HCCC's "Land That I Love"
Saturday, April 18th, 2:30 & 7pm
The Hancock County Children's Choir is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with "Land that I Love: A Musical Journey Through These Great United States." Two performances will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 2:30 pm and 7pm at the Greenfield-Central Performing Arts Center, located at 810 N. Broadway in Greenfield. Tickets are available to the public at:
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38th Annual Hancock County Student Art Exhibition
The event will be held from 4-8pm, April 23-24 at Eastern Hancock High School.
The exhibit features artwork from kindergarten through 12th grade students in Eastern Hancock, Greenfield-Central, New Palestine and Mt. Vernon school corporations.
Senior award recognition is at 6pm on April 24.
Stop by to see and support the creativity of our youth.
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Tickets Available for "The Fearsome Pirate Frank"
April 24-26 at HJ Ricks Centre for the Arts
KidsPlay, Inc. presents "The Fearsome Pirate Frank" at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts in Greenfield, IN. This children's production features pirates, dancers, and actors in a fun adventure. Performances are April 24-26. Showtimes and tickets are available at
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TwentyNorth Gallery Art Intake Dates and Exhibitions
May - Open Exhibition - Artist Reception - May 8th
Art Intake April 27 - 28, 3 - 6 pm
All media, processes, subjects, themes and aesthetics will be presented in this showcase of artists who will share their current works from their studio practices.
On view: April 30 - May 23
June/July - Will Vawter Juried Exhibition - Reception and Awards Ceremony - June 12th, 6 - 9 pm
Art Intake June 6, Noon - 5 pm
The Will Vawter Juried Exhibition honors the legacy of renowned American artist Will Vawter by showcasing a diverse selection of artworks from contemporary artists. This juried exhibition features two-dimensional works, with pieces selected on artistic excellence, creativity, and technical skill. The exhibition celebrates both established and emerging talent, offering a platform for artists to present their work in the spirit of Vawter's artistic tradition.
On view: June 13 - July 25
August - bicycle pARTs II - Artist Reception - August 14th
Art Intake July 27 - 28, 3 - 6 pm
"I thought of that while riding my bicycle." -- Albert Einstein on the Theory of Relativity (allegedly). In this exhibition, artists follow Einstein's path and use the bicycle as inspiration for creating works in all media. The bicycle, or some of its mechanical parts, is explored, using traditional or contemporary media and aesthetics to celebrate this beloved mode of transportation and the joy, challenges, an philosophical depths of cycling.
On view: July 30 - August 29
September - America 250 Celebration - Artist Reception - September 11th
Art Intake August 31 - September 1, 3 - 6 pm
All media, processes, subjects, themes, and aesthetics will be presented in this showcase of art celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and founding of the USA.
On view: September 3 - 26
October - Members' Exhibition - Artist Reception - October 9th
Art Intake September 28 - 29, 3 - 6 pm
All media, processes, subjects, themes and aesthetics will be presented in this showcase of HCA artist members.
On view: October 1 - 31
November/December - Small Works 2026 - Artist Reception - November 13th
Art Intake November 2 - 3, 3 - 6 pm
This show calls for small-scale, two-dimensional artworks no larger than 8" x 10" (80 square inches), with the intention of providing original art at accessible price points for collecting or gift-giving.
On view: November 5 - December 19
Other Key Events in 2026
June 6 - Plein Air Paint-Out, 8:30 am - 3 pm. NEW location: Shirley, IN. Artists are invited to paint outdoors in a variety of locations in and around Shirley, IN. Plein Air Paint-Out Exhibition at the Thrive Center, June 18 - July 24
June 13 - Summer Celebration, 10 am - 2 pm. An art and music festival in the gallery and the North Street Living Alley to celebrate our talented artists and musicians.
August 14 - Art War, 6 - 8 pm. Artists are invited to paint anything that inspires them during a one-hour competition (two sessions) held on the sidewalk in front of the gallery, in view of the community. The work is then judged by the public for the prize of best artwork created that evening. This event conveniently coincides with the annual Chocolate Walk hosted by the Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce.
August 29 - Hancock FLAT 50 bicycle race. Celebration of the bicycle continues!
September 12 - Chalkfest, 12 - 4 pm.
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FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
"Hancock County Arts" https://www.facebook.com/HancockCountyArtsCouncil/
Likes, shares and comments help the algorithm spread the word about HCA!
"Hancock County Arts Community Page, Indiana Art Lovers" https://www.facebook.com/groups/315137957535339
Hancock County community groups are welcome to publicize events and classes here.
"Hancock County Arts Literary Community"
A page devoted to the literary arts in Hancock County.
"Hancock County Arts" Instagram
As with Facebook we try to promote our events, artists and classes.
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Art Lovers /Art and Culture Supporters
See more art! You can view more HCA Member artwork at Wooton Hoy, LLC, 13 N. State Street, Greenfield, and at Greenfield Christian Church Gallery, 23 North East Street, Greenfield.
Show art at your business! If you are interested in hanging artwork at your business, let us know.
Donate to Hancock County Arts (Click Here)
Are you Passionate about Art? Or describe yourself as having controllable diversion with Art? Open committee meeting is first Wednesday each month at 6:30pm.
Wheelchair access at back of gallery (west side). For other accessibility accommodations, please contact us at 317.967.2461 or hancockcountyarts@gmail.com at least one week prior to visiting.
Special thanks to the Daily Reporter for their ongoing reporting of the talent,
experiences and the possibilities of all art in Hancock County
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Our Mission
Promoting and Celebrating Arts
for Hancock County Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11 till 2
20A N State Street Greenfield, IN 317.967.2461