A couple weeks ago, my father was hospitalized for several days at Hendricks Regional Health. In…read morebetween visits, it gave me the opportunity to really check out the area. One easy thing to check out was "Children of Peace," a bronze sculpture created by Gary Lee Price in 1997. The sculpture is located on a very sloped area (I definitely couldn't get close to it in my wheelchair). It's close to the northwest side of the hospital. It features two children standing back-to-back clasping one hand and reaching toward the sky to release a peace dove. I saw the sculpture better while in the cafeteria. It's 7' high, 300 pounds, and one of two pieces Price has created for Hendricks Regional Health (the other is at the Avon campus. Price notes that the goal of his work is to "lift the human spirit." Price is a fine arts graduate of the University of Utah and lives in Arizona with his wife, nine children, and 18 grandchildren. I love this quote from Price about the sculpture "Peace is something our world cries out for and as an artist and a father, I believe it starts with our children. If our youth have the opportunity to grow up in peaceful and loving homes and are taught early of the need for harmony and concern - the entire world, the entire universe, will spin in a brighter and higher direction. In my sculpture, the children's bodies form simple arches, and arches are the beginning of circles and circles are simple and beautiful forms that represent peace, harmony and eternity." If you're in the Hendricks Regional Health area, I recommend checking it out. It actually gave me comfort as I was going through this hard time.

There is a bronze of two children at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville. Located on a grassy…read moreslope below street level near the northwest corner of the building, the children stand facing back to back with one hand clasped and the other stretching upward to release a dove of peace. The bronze was created by artist Gary Lee Price in 1997. The bronze, counting the pedestal is 7' in height and weighs 300 pounds. Though hard to see from the parking lot, visitors and employees who sit in the cafeteria can see the entire slope and sculpture from the tables through the large windows there. Review #1352

Open Window Mural is one of my favorite murals in the Danville, Indiana area. Created in 2016 and…read morenow the first in Hendricks County Arts Council's "Mural Trail," Open Window was created by Danville native Tiffany Black. Black was selected by an anonymous process, though her knowledge of the area was evident in her proposal. Based in Baltimore at the time, Black incorporated such familiar subjects as Indiana Governor William Hendricks, the Hendricks County Courthouse, Central Normal College, Vandalia trail, Oasis Diner, Lucas Oil Raceway, Avon's famous Haunted Bridge, and several other images of Hendricks County. Heck, even her cat, Cookie, makes an appearance. The 1,256 square foot mural is Black's second largest mural and remains a vivid part of the town square experience. Black is now Indianapolis-based and a visiting Lecturer or Art at Franklin College and an adjunct Professor of Art at Ivy Tech and Arkansas Tech University. She's also a founding member of TLC Collective, a group of artists concerned with environmental and social justice. Whenever I make a stop near the town square, I always stop to check out this mural. I remember the first time I checked it out - I was challenging myself to recognize all the figures and landmarks (I failed). However, if you really want to see some history of this area this is a prime mural to check out. If you're in the area, I recommend checking it out and checking out the entire mural trail.

So funky and fun!…read more This mural was painted by a local Danville native - Tiffany Black. It includes references to iconic Danville people and places, for a great culmination of Danville pride. Go get your picture taken in front of it to top off a great day in Danville.

The Hendrick's County War Memorial sits on the northeast corner of Courthouse Square in Danville,…read moreIndiana. The modern monument honors Hendrick's County residents who gave their lives during 20th century wars. The granite statute has the names of soldiers from WWI, WWII, Koran War, and Vietnam carved on flanking pillars. The base is inscribed "Once in our lives, forever in our memories". A center pillar states "In Honor of Hendrick's County Veterans Who Gave Their Lives in Defense of Our Country". An eagle and map of Indiana are also carved in the pillar. Flags stand behind the monument. I thought of my parents who both served in the Air Force. There is a small wall high enough to sit and remanence. The memorial was made possible by the Danville and Pittsburg Jaycees. Jeffry Dever designed the monument and served as the chairman of the project committee. The Memorial was dedicated July 4, 1992. A nearby time capsule will be opened on July 4, 2042. There is free street parking nearby. The sidewalk is accessible.

Like many other courthouses in Indiana, the Hendricks County Courthouse sits prominently on a grand…read moresquare surrounded by Victorian era commercial buildings. Danville was named the Hendricks County seat because the city sits directly in the middle of the county. The neoclassical style courthouse was designed by Clarence Martindale (Indianapolis) and constructed by P. H. McCormack Co. (Columbus, Indiana). The exterior is made from Indiana limestone. The building opened in 1914. The interior features Italian marble throughout, including the spiral staircases that ascend three levels. The stained glass in the beautiful dome and other glass features was fabricated by Indiana Glass out of Kokomo. Victorian-era light fixtures were imported from France. A War honor roll lines a wall in the center atrium of the courthouse. The Deputies that monitor the building standout from other courthouses in Indiana. The deputies are intensely proud of the courthouse and willing to share information. One of the deputies gave a me fabulous tour of the closed Circuit Court. I was humbled by her kindness. The County has done a remarkable job of preserving the Circuit Court in the original 1914 condition. A priceless and moving mural by Edgar Alvin Payne and Elsie Palmer Payne of George Rogers Clark's 1779 Liberation of Vincennes hangs in the rear of the courtroom. The original Victorian piano used for weddings sits under the mural. Benches and chairs are all original. Outside the main entrance is a replica of the Liberty Bell. On the northeast corner of the square stands a modest War Memorial listing the names of those lost in combat. A lovely fountain stands on the northwest corner of the square. There is plenty of free parking around the square. The public entrance is fully accessible. This is one of my favorite courthouses that I've visited. The fabulous deputy staff and the amazing interior put the building at the top of must see list for anyone that lives history.

Danville was selected as the county seat of Hendricks County in 1824 after it was formed in 1824…read more As is usual, the first courthouse was a log structure that was built in 1826 and the second was a brick structure. The current courthouse is the fourth to be constructed. It was completed in 1914. The three story building is constructed with Indiana limestone and faces north. The center sections have a portico with an arched entrance and two large columns that rise from a balcony on the second story. The interior has a large rotunda with a stained glass skylight. There are a number of other interior decorations in the courtrooms but those were closed on this Friday afternoon. Maybe I'll visit next time when it's open! [Review 1304 of 2024 - 181 in Indiana - 22327 overall]

There are two public art installations in front of what is now the Danville Town Hall. The smaller…read moreof the two sculptures is Oded Halahmy's Nimrod. I pass Nimrod every time I head out to my parents' home as it's easily visible from US 36. It's a bold, striking peace that is now right about 50 years old. The piece was originally on display in front of lower Manhattan's U.S. Federal Building way back in 1975 after being created a year earlier. It was part of the bicentennial celebration. After that, it was received by the Indianapolis Museum of Art. IMA then loaned it out to Danville, Indiana and it has ever since been in its current location This is a deceptively simple piece that at first looks like nothing more than three angled bars, however, the more you look at it the more you capture the complexity of Halahmy's work. I've stopped a couple times to check this out. I wouldn't say it's super easy to get to (it's in the grass), however, I'm pretty able to get to it from my wheelchair. Danville is pretty relaxed about parking and it's super easy to stop and check out this intriguing piece.

As you drive along Main Street in Danville, you may notice an art installation on the lawn of the…read moreDanville Metropolitan Police Department. "Nimrod" is an abstract piece made from painted aluminum by Oded Halahmy back in 1973-74. The piece was purchased and displayed by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, but was relocated to Danville in 2009 on loan. The piece has three angled bars rising towards a sloping crossbar. As you move around the piece and adjust your distance from the piece, the angles take on interesting relationships to each other. Review #1354

Beautiful mural that wraps around the building! Butterflies, cone flowers and a shout out to the…read morestate of Indiana. Located on a church building in downtown Plainfield and really brightens up the alley it's in.

This is an awesome store to visit in Danville IN. They are located on the main road of Washington…read moreStreet. They showcase the local artists collection - glass making, wood burning, silk scarves, etc. They also have time at the store to reserve for painting. The local artists also do classes there. You will just have to contact the local artist to find out details about the classes. The customer service is wonderful and they have all local artists contact information at the store. This is a definite stop! The parking is on the street during weekends. Try and find local stores like this to support local artists and our community.

This is a nice little gallery, with a lot to look at! They have a variety of medias present…read more(painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, woodwork, textiles...) and a range of prices, as well. Probably a good place to find a unique (and of Hoosier-origin!) gift - there were many things I would have liked to have for myself there. An extra bonus - they offer classes! To be honest, I only briefly surveyed the course offerings, but it showed variety and prices seemed reasonable. As much as I enjoy other people's art, I also enjoy making it myself :)

This is a nice mural that is facing the Plainfield Dairy Queen and on the side of Al's Donuts. It…read moreis the work of Kylin Brown and commissioned by Main Street Plainfield and Duke Energy. It was completed in June 2021. It is is you typical Welcome to (fill in the blank) style with a pretty basic design and concept. It is in nice shape and even though it is pretty basic, it still has some nice art work. Brown has work all over the state that is worth checking out. She is definitely a rising star in the mural game. The mural has the word "Plainfield" with each letter containing a scene that is native to the town. They are not overly detailed, but you get the picture. I like the color usage in this mural. Parking to get a closer look at this mural is simple. I just pulled into Al's back lot and checked the mural out. This is not a destination piece, but something to see if you are in the area and driving by. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at other attractions or restaurants in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

As downtown Plainfield transforms from old run down buildings to a growing and people friendly…read morearea, I was pleased to see the town follow the example of numerous successfully transformed towns/cities in the area by adding public art to make the places that might be prone to graffiti and shadows sprout with planned images that promote the local businesses. On the west side of downtown, local business Al's Donuts has allowed two walls of the business to be enhanced by artwork from local artists. The largest of the murals (easily seen by those east bound on US40/Main Street) Simply states welcome to Plainfield. It was painted by Kylin Brown. A smaller second mural on the south wall by a different artist shows a full sized gorilla carrying an oversized donut from Al's by artist JD Coles. The large mural is colorful, while the smaller is somewhat whimsical. I am more familiar with the work of Brown. She has at least two other murals in Mooresville that I have also reviewed on Yelp for those who are interested. I might have given the Plainfield mural a slightly higher rating if it had more artistic flair than such a literal main street appearance. Personal note: my wife and I tried hiring Brown for a mural on our own property, but after several attempts to hire her, she failed to show up at a scheduled meeting and did not return further calls/attempts to reschedule. Her pricing is more affordable than some of the other local artists I've seen getting a lot of work around the metro area. I understand that not all artists are great business people, but if you have a paying customer contacting you, I think it is worth a call back. Review #3958

Laura is a very talented artist that has dabbled in many different forms of art. Her main focus now…read morebeing painting. In her studio she has supplies for over a dozen different arts and crafts and the ability to teach you how to do it or let you loose to create on your own. Some of the creative outlets she offers are Pour Painting, Woodburning, watercolor, oil painting, sewing, glass and bead mosaics, dremel tool carving... basically something for everyone. It's a great place to have a birthday party with plenty to keep the guests occupied. She charges for the materials used and it's unbelievable how reasonably priced everything is. She is kind and patient and gets so much enjoyment out of helping others tap into their creative potential. Her hours are not always the same so be sure and call ahead to make sure she is open We have taken our grandkids there and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My husband and I plan on returning to create a piece of art commemorating our wedding anniversary. I highly recommend this business. I'll add pictures next time we go. Can't figure out how to edit address info so I'll do it here for now. 4881 Iowa St Clayton IN 317-946-8673