The Fishers Arts Council, in collaboration with the Hamilton County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), and The Fishers Historical Society, is set to celebrate Hamilton County’s Bicentennial in grand style this October. The celebration takes place in the FAC Hub Gallery, located within the Collaboration Hub at the Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Drive, Fishers.
The exhibit, aptly named “Fishers & Small Town Indiana,” is now open and will run through November 3. The gallery is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Thursday, and by appointment with the Fishers Arts Council on Fridays. To kick off the celebration, a free public reception will be held on October 13, also known as “Second Friday,” from 6 pm to 8 pm at the FAC Hub Gallery.
One of the standout features of this “Second Friday” reception will be the opportunity to view historical documents, photos, and items, courtesy of The Fishers Historical Society. Attendees can also enjoy a demonstration of traditional spinning techniques by the Conner Prairie Youth Spinners. The event will be further enriched with musical performances by students and teachers from Bach 2 Rock Fishers, highlighting the talents of Indiana composers, including Carmel composer Frederick Hunt.
For those with a keen interest in the history of Fishers, a special interview segment will be conducted by FAC board member Pat Grabill, featuring life-long Fishers residents, Martha Rouse and Bob Kincaid, at 6:45 pm. Complementing the evening, there will be free refreshments and a cash bar available, making this an all-ages event. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the Bicentennial Traveling Exhibit.
The exhibit will showcase works from fourteen incredible local artists: Kathy Bowen, Regina Bunting, John Dierdorf, Shelley Feeney, Karen Fehr, Alexa Litchfield, Sue Payne, Joanne Roeder, Mark Rouse, Michael Rouse, Randy Swaim, Walt Thacker, Dave Voelpel, and Philip Worrall. Many of these pieces will be available for sale, offering a unique opportunity to own a part of Fishers’ history.
In addition to the contemporary artwork, the exhibit will feature historic copies of works provided by county historian David Heighway. The goal of the exhibit is to detail the history of Fishers and provide insights into life in small-town Indiana.
“We’re proud to partner with The Fishers Historical Society for this exhibit. This partnership is special to us as historical society board member, Mark Rouse, is a Fishers Artist and is our guest curator for the exhibit. Mark has a passion for history along with a great creative eye and has done an excellent job of bringing these artists together to showcase the beauty and history of Fishers. We’re also thankful to the Hamilton County Bicentennial Commission for sponsoring this reception and all of the fantastic celebrations in Hamilton County this year,” said Fishers Arts Council Executive Director, Les Reinhardt.
The “Fishers & Small Town Indiana” exhibit promises a unique blend of artistic creativity, historical insight, and the rich tapestry of Hamilton County’s bicentennial celebration. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Fishers and small-town Indiana.
For more information and appointments, contact the Fishers Arts Council at this link.