Indiana has an overlooked crafts heritage that is definitely worth exploring. With various craft shows throughout the state, interesting places that promote crafts, and a distinct quilting emphasis, it's certainly not worth missing out on visiting the Hoosier State.
Places to Visit
Amish Acres is one of the best-kept secrets in Indiana. Though a popular place to visit, it still seems to fly somewhat under the radar. Located in quiet north-central Nappanee, Amish Acres is an 80-acre farm and heritage experience. It has shops and exhibits, and operates on an historic farmstead. As well, one of the big attractions is their annual Arts and Crafts Festival, on-going for over 45 years. The festival was recently named one of the top 10 Best Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows in the country. It also boasts musical theater, craft demonstrations, and guided tours. The festival usually takes place in late summer. Amish Acres itself is open between April and November, seven days a week. During the month of December it's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Indiana Traditional Arts Center, located in tiny Monrovia, may be housed in a small facility, but is an interesting site nonetheless. It offers classes dedicated to preserving the heritage of folk crafts, as well as a gallery of folk crafts exhibits. Another compelling reason to visit is the center's handmade textiles. Local Indiana artisans weave on vintage looms, and also participate in rug hooking and braiding, offering these products for sale in the gift shop.
Of interest as well is the Brown County Craft Gallery in Nashville. The Gallery features works from over 30 local and area artisans, and ranges from weaving, metalwork, watercolors and paintings, woodworking, and pottery. The focus of the gallery is on both originality and quality.
Small Festivals
There are a number of small, quaint craft festivals that take place on an annual basis in Indiana.
One of these is the Talbot Street Art Fair, held on Talbot Street in Indianapolis. Rated one of the top free arts and craft shows in the country, the TSAF brings an excellent collection of artists from the state and country together in a four block area. Held every summer, it's a fair worth finding.
Shipshewana, home of Amish Acres, also hosts an annual Fall Crafters Fair. The event features a variety of exhibits and booths from top artisans from around the country, as well as a Kid's Craft Tent, craft demonstrations, and unusual activities like apple butter making.
For something really different, try the Objects of Desire Gallery, one of the most notable galleries displaying contemporary wearable art. The gallery displays works of metal as well as wearable fibers; the pieces are exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions.
As well, downtown Bloomington is home to the annual Arts Fair on the Square Festival, currently running for over 27 years. The fair serves to bring local and regional artisans and craftspeople together with potential buyers, and to allow the community at large to participate in the arts and crafts experience.
Quilting
Founded in 1979, the Quilter's Hall of Fame is one of the most interesting sites to visit in Indiana. The organization was established by Hazel Carter to bring recognition to the act of quilting which is both political and personal, private and public. The museum is housed in a semi-famous location also; the former home of renowned quilter Marie Webster. The hall of fame also serves to archive and document the history of quilting in America. In 1999, the house was designated a National Landmark by the National Park Service.
While the Indiana State Museum certainly houses a vast assortment objects and exhibits, one of its most well-known collections is its quilt collection, particularly Amish quilts. There are over 900 quilts and accessories, and the quilts serve to document both the personal thoughts and political motivations of the primarily women quilters.
There's also the Annual Indiana Heritage Quilt Show, currently in its 17th year of running. This quilt show is different because it not only displays the work of quilters, but also offers workshops to people interested in learning the art and history of quilting.
While perhaps not as well-known as other states, Indiana has a vital, distinct, and vibrant crafts history. It's not simply limited to hand-held crafts, either, as the number of institutions dedicated to preserving the art of quilting will attest. What is undeniable, however, is that the Hoosier State more than holds its own in the craft department, with a number of interesting events and exhibits in which visitors can take part, making Indiana a must-see when traveling down the craft highway.
