By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief—
MUNCIE, IN—The Hoosier Women Artists program was created in 2008 to celebrate and expand the role art plays in our communities. Each year female Indiana artists are encouraged to submit artwork for consideration. The pieces chosen are then displayed for the year in the Statehouse offices of female elected officials, including in 2024: Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver, and Chief Justice Loretta Rush. First Lady Janet Holcomb also selects pieces to be displayed in the Governor’s Residence.
This year 161 pieces of art in a variety of media were submitted and only 29 were chosen by a panel of judges for this honor. Of the 29, the First Lady chose a single piece by Carrie Wright for display in her office. 177 Pieces in My Dream is a hand painted silk art collage created as a part of Carrie’s ongoing Silk Diary Series. (See more at www.carrielwright.com.)
First Lady Janet Holcomb said, “I have long been an admirer of Carrie Wright’s art and particularly love her custom scarves featuring Indiana symbolism. Carrie’s signature use of color and texture is on full display in this beautiful piece, and I’m delighted to be able to showcase her work in the Governor’s Residence this year.”
Wright said, “I am deeply honored to have my art displayed at the Governor’s Residence and am still pinching myself that something I created is hanging in such a special place! Being an artist herself makes this praise from First Lady Holcomb even more meaningful and encourages me to continue to strive for excellence as I create.”
Wright left a career in corporate America nearly two decades ago and has since been honing her skills as a painter. Originally working out of her home studio in Muncie’s Old West End, in 2023 she and her husband Dan moved her studio five blocks east into Muncie’s downtown historic Murray Building. Carrie Wright Silk Gifts & Gallery officially opened to the public on Valentine’s Day that year. If you’ve headed southbound on Walnut Street, you have undoubtedly noticed Carrie’s hot pink neon sign in the second floor corner window. This is where she is constantly exploring new ways of expressing ideas through her unique silk art.
Wright’s work is winning awards and selling as fast as she can produce it. Recently, Wright won a Merit Award from Minnetrista’s 34th annual juried art show.
Since 2019 she has enjoyed the honor of hand painting silk scarves to be given as gifts of state by Governor Holcomb. Wright is an Indiana Artisan and will be participating in the Indiana Artisan Marketplace at the State Fairgrounds on April 6-7. Wright also teaches Saturday Silk Painting for Beginners workshops (see website for class times) and maintains regular business hours in her boutique gallery and gift shop Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can shop online and check class schedules at www.carriewrightsilk.com.
Wright’s studio is on the second floor of the Murray building in downtown Muncie. Photo by Carrie Wright
