October 2026 Newsletter - Hancock County Arts
Hancock County Arts Members' Exhibition: October 1st - 31st at TwentyNorth.
Featuring works by HCA Members in any media, process, subject, theme, and aesthetic.
Artist Reception: Friday, October 9th, 6:30-8:30 pm (open to the public)
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Gallery Hours and HCA Booth During Riley Days
HCA will have additional gallery hours and a booth in front of TwentyNorth Gallery during Riley Days. Artists are welcome to donate pieces to the booth to help raise funds. Artists who would like to support HCA by engaging with visitors in the booth are welcome to bring their own art to sell while they are present (with no commission fee!). Gallery and booth hours are:
Thursday, 10/1, 5-9pm
Friday, 10/2, 9am-9pm
Saturday, 10/3, 9am-9pm
Sunday, 10/4, 11am-5pm
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America 250 Exhibit Winners
September's exhibit, "America 250 Celebration," drew entries in a variety of media and multiple perspectives. Here are the America 250 Celebration winners:
1st Place: Jim Jantzen, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Insanity (Remembering Las Vegas)," acrylic
2nd place: Gale Sturm, "Eagle in Flight," stained glass mobile
3rd Place: Nora Sallows, "Liberty and Freedom for All," digital print
Honorable Mention: Sandy Hall, "Dazzled," colored pencil and acrylic markers
People's Choice: Taylor Foreman-Miller, "Stich for Freedom," fabric
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Chalkfest 2026 Winners and Featured Artist Carl Leck
On Saturday, September 19th, Chalkfest 2026 turned Greenfield’s Living Alley and North Street into a colorful mosaic of patriotic pride and community storytelling. Featured guest artist Carl Leck created an eagle in support of the "America 250" theme.
Here are the Chalkfest 2026 winners:
Kindergarten-3rd grade
1st Place: Missy Turner
2nd Place: Ari Trester
3rd Place: Chase Page
4th-9th grade
1st Place: Ariel Titara
2nd Place: Stephanie Taketa
3rd Place: Piper Orr, "We the People"
Adult
1st Place: Kiwi Louis
Team/Group/Business
1st Place: Mt. Vernon Intermediate School Grade 6 Art Club, "George Duckington Crossing the Delaware"
2nd Place: Mt. Vernon Intermediate School Grade 5 Art Club, "America 250"
3rd Place: Greenfield Central Art Club, "American Amalgamation"
Many thanks to our sponsors: Joyner Homes, Hitherto Coffee and Gaming Parlor, Greenfield MainStreet, C&J Well Co, c and j water, Cooper Real Estate Group, Dynamic Legacy Planning, WJ White and Jocham, Leo's Market and Eatery, Psi Iota Xsi-Upsilon Chapter.
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Festival of Jack-o'-Lanterns October 25-31, 7-9pm
James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home & Museum
Hancock County Arts is again partnering with the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum to present the annual Festival of Jack-o'-Lanterns, which features a free glowing garden walk from 7pm to 9pm on the evenings of October 25-31. You can vote for your favorite painted or carved pumpkin at this family-friendly event. Members are encouraged to sign up to help light and extinguish the Jack-o'-Lanterns during this multi-day event. The James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum is located at 250 W. Main St., Greenfield, Indiana.
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Fundraiser: Daniel’s Vineyard Scarecrow Showdown 2026
Vote for Hancock County Arts Scarecrow
Daniel's Vineyard in McCordsville is having their 3rd Annual Scarecrow Showdown, with voting being open October 14th - 28th. The non-profit with the most votes will receive an additional grand-prize donation from Daniel’s Vineyard. Daniel's Vineyard is family-friendly, and kids are welcome. In addition to voting in person, votes may be purchased online.
Voting Period: October 14th–28th
Vote Two Ways:
Online Paid Voting: Patrons can purchase $1 votes directly on website.100% of funds will go to HCA:
https://www.danielsvineyard.com/ (voting will not be available until October 14th)
In-Person Free Voting: Each scarecrow will have a photo and voting box in our tasting room, where guests can cast free token votes. Visit Daniel's Vineyards, vote and enjoy the wonderful wine.
Winner Announced: October 29th at the Family Finale & Winner Announcement Party(6–8 PM)
Daniel's Vineyard is located at 9061 N. 700 W., McCordsville, IN 46055. See you there!
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Vendor Call-out for HCA Holiday Artisan Shoppe
HCA is accepting applications from vendor to participate in the 2026 HCA Holiday Artisan Shoppe. HCA takes a 25 percent commission on all sales. Click HERE for more Information and to apply.
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Call-out for HCA Christmas Festival of the Trees
HCA is currently accepting applications from companies and not-for-profits to decorate a tree in TwentyNorth Gallery during the Holiday Artisan Shoppe. The fee for for-profit companies to have a tree is $35 using your own tree. We have a few trees available to decorate. The fee for for-profit companies to decorate one of our trees will be $45. The fee for not-for-profits to have a tree is $25. Space is limited. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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Art Call-out for HCA Christmas Cards
HCA artists and members are encouraged to submit drawings or paintings for consideration to serve as HCA Christmas cards. All artists will be acknowledged. Please drop off or mail your submissions to Hancock County Arts, 20 N. State St., Greenfield, IN 46140, by November 5, 2026. Thank you!
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A Pause for Words
By Harold Schaefer
A Child's Halloween
An October moon,
A bleached skull of a moon,
Marooned behind flotillas of ghostly galleons,
and way down below on the corner
of Bradbury and Lovecraft
my brother and I stand,
a tell-tale heart thumping in my
eleven-year-old chest.
We look both ways trying to decide
which street blacker than a black cat’s shadow
to plunder this Halloween night.
With flashlight in hand,
glow-in-the-dark fangs
will light the way,
until at home with too heavy a sack,
the candy across the carpet will be strewn,
divvied out by my mother
between us two.
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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Want To Lead an Art Class?
HCA is seeking accomplished artists and teachers who would like to help us expand our class offerings. If you are interested, You can check out our Education tab here or feel free to contact us at: hancockcountyarts@gmail.com
Creativity and Community: Studio Opportunities in Hancock County
HCA Open Studio - Mondays, 1-4pm. TwentyNorth Gallery, 20 N. State St., Greenfield.
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.
Fortville: Open Studio - Saturday, October 3, 3-6pm. Studio 309, 309 Noel Ave., Fortville. $29 for your choice of resin coaster pouring, canvas painting, or paint pouring. All materials included. All ages and skill levels welcome.
HCA Figure Drawing - ON BREAK. Watch for updates in future newsletters.
If you have a studio opportunity you would like to share here, please email us at at: hancockcountyarts@gmail.com
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Volunteer Opportunities
Would you like to meet new people and support your community?
Hancock County Arts (HCA) is a non-profit organization that has been supporting the arts for 27 years. We are a 100% volunteer-led organization, so community engagement is vital.
We have one-time opportunities, on-going projects, and family-friendly options.
Volunteer with us! We have a variety of activities where we could use your unique skills and talents. Volunteer commitments run around 2-3 hours a month. HCA is a great place to meet nice people and make new friends while supporting your community.
Once in the site, search with our email: hancockcountyarts@gmail.com
and two areas will appear for you to review!
You can always email us, too! hancockcountyarts@gmail.com
“Arts and culture are vital to the city’s economic growth,
community identity, and quality of life.”
Hancock County Arts (HCA) has created relationships with visual, performing, and literary art groups. You, as volunteers, are an integral part of the success of HCA. There are a number of
ways to volunteer, either by working behind the scenes or interacting with the public.
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TwentyNorth Gallery Art Intake Dates and Exhibitions
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
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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. See you October 7th!
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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P a r t o f t h e A r t s !
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
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