Published: April 22, 2009 03:49 pm      

Countywide arts show celebrates fourth year

In just a few years, ArtsGo! has become one of Hendricks County’s biggest annual cultural events.

This Saturday the program, coordinated by the Hendricks County Arts Council, celebrates its fourth year. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 75 artists of every major medium will display their art at more than 30 locations. Participating sites include public venues like Avon Town Hall and the Brownsburg Public Library, as well as private businesses and art studios. Admission to every site is free.

This year ArtsGo! also is in Lizton and North Salem, at Blue Bird Antiques and Country Time Antiques, respectively.

“We’re wanting to grow it so that even if you don’t want to go all over the county, at least you have an area close by where you can see some art work,” said Kathy Pingel Brelage, president of the Hendricks County Arts Council.

She says there are many art enthusiasts who try to cover the entire tour.

“We have quite a few who hit as many (sites) as possible,” Brelage said. “But to tell you the truth, it’s impossible to hit all of them in one year. That gets them to come back next year and visit the ones they didn’t see before.”

It’s not just the number of visitors that continues to increase. More artists are getting involved too. Brelage estimates they have 10 percent more participating this year compared to last. The arts council started with about 50 artists. It’s now up to about 100.

“We had a good reception at the first ArtsGo!, and it’s been continuous ever since,” Brelage said.

That includes sites willing to host artists. Brelage says numerous businesses asked to participate.

“Actually there were a lot that offered their sites that we just weren’t able to do this year,” she said. “Hopefully, next year we can do it.”

New to this year’s ArtsGo! is an exhibit titled “Focus on Six” at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex. Six students, one from each county high school, has artwork on display.

The goal of ArtsGo! has always been to draw attention to the range and excellence of local artists. Brelage says every year that goal is better accomplished.

“There are several people who aren’t aware of how many (artists) we have here,” she said. “This puts the spotlight on them for at least one time in the year. It tells people we have talent here in Hendricks County, and you don’t need to go to Indianapolis. People are really starting to know what (ArtsGo!) is.”

Guides to this year’s ArtsGo! tour are available at the Hendricks County Flyer office. Some corrections to note in the guide’s map: Stars 12 and 13 should be south of U.S. 40 to the right of Liberty Township, and Star 35, the Triangle Fraternity in Plainfield (formerly the Carnegie Library), is not shown on the map. It should be to the left of Star 34.

wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com

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Online:

www.hendrickscountyarts.org