The 32nd Annual Great Outdoor Art Contest was held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, September 9-11 at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site in Nashville, Indiana. The GOAC is the largest plein air event in Indiana, and is held each year near the date of T.C. Steele’s birthday (September 11).
This year, instead of a one day event as in the past, a new format allowed a 3-day period for painters to visit the site and paint in 7 hour window each day. The event was sponsored the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association (IPAPA).
The GOAC is also held in conjunction with Brown County Art Colony Weekend. Now in its 6th year, the annual Art Colony Weekend was held September 11-13, and organized by the Brown County Art Guild. This 3-day event celebrates the rich history and continuing artistic presence of Brown County, Indiana. Events included an outdoor workshop, an outdoor art contest, unique exhibits, and a fine art auction.
A total of 33 artists submitted work, and on Saturday, September 12, Mark Ruschman, Chief Fine Arts Curator at Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites judged the paintings via a Facebook live format broadcast from the Large Studio, on the historic site property in Nashville.
1st Place
“Steele’s Little Studio”
Donna Shortt, Indianapolis, IN
2nd Place
“House of Singing Winds”
Clenna Perkins, Nashville, IN
3rd Place
“Trails + Woods of Steele Historic Site”
James Stahlhut, Franklin, IN
These paintings were placed for viewing at Brown County Art Guild thru September 30, and all other artwork was displayed in the Large Studio, through September 20th.
Also, youth painters participated and submitted great work!
After judging was completed, the Hot Jazz Family Band entertained artists and visitors from the back porch of the T.C. Steele historic home, (2pm – 3pm). This was accomplished through an Arts in the Park grant. Darrin Murrell (Piano), Julie Barber (vocals), Sofia Murrell (washtub bass), Sage Murrell (cajon). The Hot Jazz combo specialized in early jazz, specifically from the 1880’s – 1920’s, including hot jazz, vaudeville, music hall & rag time tunes.