By Juli Metzger—
MUNCIE, IN—One hundred paintings of Indiana waterways by five Hoosier plein air artists – rendered during the COVID-19 pandemic – will be available for the first time at auction in May.
The sale culminates a three-year project – 20 months of painting and an 18-month traveling exhibit, plus an accompanying 200-plus page coffee table book, “Indiana Waterways: The Art of Conservation.” The book has sold out.
Paintings by brothers Dan and Tom Woodson, of Muncie, Curt Stanfield, of Rosedale, John Kelty, of Fort Wayne, and Avon Waters, of Converse, will be available at a final exhibit beginning April 2 at the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis. A “First Friday” opening reception will be 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit remails open through May 2.
The auction is set for 1 p.m. May 4. Doors open at 11 a.m. for previews and registration. Wickliff Auctioneers will conduct the sale.
The project highlights the unique intersection of art and conservation.
Sponsored by Art Nature Consortium, the project promotes conservation efforts to restore 65,000 miles of Indiana waterways. In August 2020, around an outside BBQ grill, the artists committed to paint Indiana waterways then create a touring exhibition.
“Pretty early on, we discovered how interested others were in what we were doing,” said Avon Waters, lead artist for the project and Chief Executive Officer of the nonprofit, Art Nature Consortium.
The eclectic mix of artists and writers made this project unique, Waters said. “We use various mediums, styles, and literary arts to communicate the need to clean up our waterways. Many of Indiana’s rivers and streams are unfit for human contact and are rated some of the worst in the nation.”
Muncie artists Dan Woodson and Tom Woodson teamed up with John Kelty, Avon Waters and Curt Stanfield to paint 100 paintings of more than 20 major waterways and bring attention to the conservation needs of Indiana’s 65,000 miles streams, rivers and tributaries. Photo provided
ANC has embarked on a second project, this one examining Indiana’s glacial lakes, the most southern of any in the world.
“Glacial lakes are not only respites for homeowners and outdoor enthusiasts but irreplaceable natural features across northern Indiana,” said Jerry Sweeten, freshwater ecologist and founder of Ecosystems Connections. “But their beauty masks the reality that they are seriously threatened and without urgent action, glacial lakes will continue to degrade.
“Harmful algae blooms and poor water quality compromises the recreational use, property values, and resiliency of these natural systems. Action is needed sooner than later.”
Indiana artists, scientists and writers are working now to tell the story of the chronic, accumulative effect of phosphorus pollution on these ecological gems.
Research, paired with interpretations by Indiana artists, will chronicle the forgotten dead zones, raise awareness to their plight and give voice to the critical work that lies ahead.
Exhibitions and a companion book will be available in 2026.
Juli Metzger and The JMetzger Group were editors and designers of Indiana Waterways: The Art of Conservation.
