Really cool one-day art fair. The art museum grounds is a great location. Well spread out with vendors broken into multiple areas with food and toilets between. read more

First time attending this year and some things I think are worth noting to the planners for future events: - where was the diversity in the artists? I feel like a saw a total of 3 or 4 artists of color. Really disappointed in that. With Butter just a week ago, I think we can all agree there are plenty out there. - where were the free water stations? You're putting people in an outdoor venue on hot summer day and no free refillable water stations? Cmon, it's 2022 lol - more shaded seating would have been nice too! Now that the tips are outta the way, this was a super fun event and I will def be back in the future. The art was mostly too pricy for me but then again, I'm not an art dealer that can afford $$$$ on art. I loved the variety of jewelry, glassware, paintings, photography, and more. read more

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Love, love, love. Beautiful day, beautiful background, wonderful food, great entertainment. Truly "Indiana's nicest day." Look forward to this each year. I don't usually buying much art but I do enjoy looking and they do a good job of bringing in a variety of talent. Already excited for next year. read more

This is Indiana's nicest day organized by a classy organization for great causes with lots of world class artists, art, and local organizations. Check out the Friday night event if you get a chance. read more

It had been awhile since I attended Penrod, so I was determined to make it this year. (I had a ticket last year, but the downpour of rain dissuaded me from going.) I remembered that parking at the actual Newfields site was both limited and expensive, so I grabbed a spot just before lunch over at the Cycloplex (Velodrome) and take the free shuttle. Note: Unless you plan on buying something big, taking the shuttles is a fast and easy way to avoid the traffic headaches and save a bit more money that you can use for food and art at the event. Check-in was easy and quick and soon I was wandering the grounds which are divided into color stations with food vendors at each one. Live performances were far enough apart that I could hear each clearly without competing music interfering. I particularly enjoyed the singing of Sy Smith whose voice was skillfully woven through the nearly Autumn day with the occasional whistle voice demanding me attention. Wow! The grounds are covered with white tents housing artists from around the country. One of the first large shared tents I entered was for the Stutz artists. All kinds of art was there. I thought it was cool that one of the Stutz vehicles was there for visitors to see as well. Also note that food lines form early and seemed to take awhile to get through. The ones I stopped at were taking 15-20 minutes to place your order, so choose wisely. The lines can block some of the walking paths, so be sure to bring your best manners to facilitate getting through. And the art was really good. I saw piece after piece that caught my attention. Problem is that I've downsized my home twice now, and I can't imagine where I would hang the pieces. Even table top space is limited at my place now, so I am not the ideal customer. But I still enjoy looking at the art. I will say that moving around the campus is a lot easier than at Talbott Street's Art Fair. And though I have seen some folks complain about prices, that doesn't seem to affect the crowd since there were thousands of folks wandering around. I can't see much that I would improve about the day, but if you are going with making a purchase in mind, the process of picking up your purchase with your vehicle or having to make plans for your purchase to be shipped is a bit discouraging for me from buying. Review #2990 read more

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I finally made it to this long running, one day art fair. It was a beautiful day on the glorious grounds of Newfields (aka IMA aka Indianapolis Museum of Art). There was so much to see, artist's booths, entertainment, food trucks, wineries, & kids activities. I'm really glad we went. It was an enjoyable day. Since I'd never been before, I didn't really have any expectations, but once I made my way through a couple of sections I felt like I was seeing more of the same stuff. There were a handful of booths showing stuff that wowed me but for the most part the majority seemed pretty run of the mill or mainstream. I didn't feel like I was seeing a lot of things I'd never seen before. The majority of the prices I looked at were pretty steep (not that art should not be expensive or is not worth it), it would have been nice to see more of a range. I don't know what the entry process is, if just anyone can rent a booth or if it is cost prohibitive to artists who don't charge a lot or if one must apply & be accepted. The first area we went to is where we ate. There were no tables or chairs set up around the food trucks. We did find some around the liquor tent, in full sun. Later, we were looking for a place to sit & walked by a grassy shaded area full of unassembled tables & folded up chairs, like they just didn't get around to putting them up. That seemed to be a common occurrence during the day. Also, it was not clear to us from the beginning that we needed to go park at the fairgrounds & take a bus to the event. We wasted about an hour figuring that out. At least if we go back, we'll be better prepared. read more

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Indy's nicest day? All I know is that it's definitely in *my* top 5 favorite days of the year! I have been attending Penrod for as long as I can remember and eagerly look forward to it every year. It was a tradition established in my childhood and I fondly carry it forward as an adult -- even introducing my husband to it a few years back. With that said, there is some comforting nostalgia in seeing favorite returning artists and watching their work evolve with each passing year. It is also fun to see the new offerings and to be able to enjoy newer attractions like the beer garden. I also love that they have all different types of food available -- and our lunch from ScratchTruck was amazing! The range of artistic offerings is just so cool -- clothing to paintings to metal works to wood working to photography to jewelry...and everything in between. This is the festival that a lot of people bring their yearly/savings/art budget to, so there are some big spenders in attendance every year ready to make that big purchase that I can only drool over. We never miss a booth and have established a path to travel to make sure we experience every vendor, every booth, and every music and dance act. I love that the artists are approachable and so willing to talk about their pieces and inspiration with you. Just a few of our favorites this year were amazing whimsy paintings by Hoosier Gabriel Lehman and photography on metal by Gary Love (from CA). We also love to check in to see what Joe Vondersaar, Robert Wallis (photography), and Cherie Haney (metal sculpture) have been up to each year. Please note that not all artists will let you take pictures of their work, so ask before doing so to respect their intellectual property. Side note -- GO TO THE GREENHOUSE! The Orchids housed there are absolutely breathtaking. I cannot WAIT to get back there and actually purchase some of the cool plants they have growing there! Being a member of the IMA is a little bit of splurge, but it is totally worth it if you plan to attend any events or special exhibits at the IMA during the year. Renew or get a membership on the day of Penrod and get some special perks - including discounts on merch and free tickets to Penrod. Heck, Penrod tickets went up to $20 bucks this year, so it was only a little bit more for us to just join and enjoy the IMA for the upcoming year. My only sad trombone mentions for Penrod are that I wish it were a little longer (only from 9a-5p currently), as it always falls on the same day as the French Market and other festivals. I also wish tickets were still $10 in advance, as we end up spending a ton of money on parking, food, and art stuffs anyway. Oh well. It's not like we won't come next year. :) read more

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It truly is Indiana's Nicest Day. Pair it with the Greek Fest and French Market Festival and you've got one helluva Saturday afternoon. The Penrod is a beautiful mixture of gorgeous frat boys organizing and staffing the event and well-to-do elderly women attending. And of course, there is a sprinkling of other demographics in attendance. This event beautifully takes over the grounds of the IMA. Every nook and cranny is filled with some of the best artists around. To top off the great art scene, Penrod has delicious food options like Indian, Avec Moi and kettle corn. Excellent addition to the event this year: a beer garden with Flat 12, Upland and Thr3e Wise Men Brewery. My only complaint about the event is that the price is a wee bit salty for the young, creative crowd. read more

Oh Penrod, I love you so - but please stay open a little while longer! A friend offered me a ticket to Penrod this year, and having missed it the past several, I jumped at the opportunity. We ended up parking by 100 Acres and walking up. I love the fact that you get to take in all that is IMA, IF you have the time. We enjoyed the gardens and the Lilly house before checking out some of the vendors. The artists are always top notch, it's difficult for me to keep my sanity and not overindulge in a little of everything. Our priority was making a beeline to the Children's area for my 9 yo to enjoy herself. We got in line for her to make a clay pot, which has been our tradition each year in attendance. We made our way through the aisles, admiring the work, stopping for a belly dance lesson, when I spied a beautiful pair of sterling earrings that I ended up passing by. Z was mesmerized by the technique of a scrimshaw artist and checked out the detail with a magnifying glass, only to have them gift her with a necklace of her choice. Afterwards, we headed to the food court to weigh the decisions. Chicken on a stick for $4 was my pick, while Corey enjoyed a couple of Kobe sliders from Ruths Chris and for Z; a cheeseburger from Arni's that was almost as big as her head! Beer stations were abundant throughout, while port o lets (yuck) were a bit more scared (and used up). We sat down to eat while catching the Bonham Blues band, only to have my beau run back and surprise me with the earrings I had been looking at ~ gush! We had a wonderful day together and were glad to have been able to share Corey's first time there. Admittedly, my wallet was much lighter as I left, so the idea of staying longer could have been the end of me. read more

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I wish I could rate this event higher, but lack of any sort of covid protocol really made the experience stressful. Also, even though there was security they weren't actually paying attention as people were going through the scanners. The artisans were wonderful and I got a cool purse, but overall the organizers could've done a better job. read more

The grounds of the IMA is a beautiful location to spend an afternoon. The art is top notch. There are a nice selection of food choices for varied culinary tastes. The entertainment is enjoyable. I think everyone should try it at least once. That being said, I have a few pinches. Considering it coincides with other festivals on the same day, at the same time, it would be nice if the hours were even just a little longer. It's pricey. You pay to get in, you pay for food, you pay to buy things, and if you're crazy, you may even pay $30 to park at the IMA. That's how much it is. Once the lot is full, you're out of luck there. There are several options for free parking and shuttle bus, which is what most people will choose, and rightfully so. It just tires me a bit right off the bat to go through a process of parking and shuttling there just to get in. So, when I weigh the price tag and parking of Penrod versus one of the other festivals, I lean toward the other festivals. read more

Penrod Arts Fair - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

We have been going to this event for probably 15 or more years. This year was less than spectacular. To start off with the online site said that we could park at a church facility, we have parked at this church before. When we got there, there were plenty of signs that said Penrod parking, but there was somebody posted at the entrance that said there was no parking there that it was at Lafayette Square, Mall. He said he had been told many times that that is not what it said online when we stated that that's not what it said online! After the ride there, once we arrived at the facility, it was not clearly marked where we should go to get into the grounds. Again this was different than in previous years. There were no paper programs which people of a certain demographic group like more than having it on your phone. I might add there were a lot of these people there from this certain demographic group. Since the facilitator of this event has taken over a few years ago, it has never been as good as it was. Pretty disappointed since it changed hands same thing happened to the broad ripple, art fair. They both have gone downhill. Also, on a morning that was a little cooler than usual. The first place I went to which was a coffee house had no coffee the second place I went to said they had hot coffee, but I must've gotten the end of the batch. In fact I know I did and it was lukewarm coffee. I think we are going to skip this event for several years before we try it again and hope it's gotten better. read more

Penrod Art Fair/Indianapolis Museum of Art...September 2014 - 5 Stars: wanted something to do in Indianapolis this weekend and lucked out in coming across the Indianapolis Museum of Art on the one weekend when they host the Penrod Art Fair. This weekend was the 48th Annual and it was an excellent five star event. The Penrod Society runs the event as a fund raiser for the arts in the Indianapolis area. It was open from 9am to 5pm. The museum itself is also open while the fair is on, but the fair is the draw on this weekend. Maybe 300 different artists - local and regional - descend on the Fair to display their wares...jewelry, woodworking, pottery, photography, acrylics, sculpture, fabric/fiber, oils, pastels, glass, watercolors, etc. You name it, if it is an artsy craft you'll find some of it here. The extensive grounds of the museum are split into five areas to facilitate browsing, yet all the different crafts are mixed together. Each of the five areas also has a musical stage and an eating area...along with many beer and wine options available. There is even an area and stage for children. When the weather is just right, this is a beautiful event. It drizzled early but then just clouds covered the sky so the sun didn't burn anyone. Now that we know this is a thing, we'll plan on making it next year. read more

Indiana's Finest Day meet Indianapolis' finest Arts campus; Penrod and the Indianapolis Museum of Art go together like food trucks and festivals, which consequently today you got to experience both! With my hoodie on and my Hubbard and Craven's coffee in hand, I was ready to explore the works of over 300 artists, met the cities finest arts and cultural not for profit organizations, all the while experiencing the sounds of the six stages of music featuring local musicians. I live a mile from the museum along the White River so I know that Indiana's Finest Day is also Indiana's worst traffic jam at 38th and Michigan. With this in mind we decided to walk to the IMA via the White River Greenway to the Canal Tow Path to avoid the traffic and $30 parking fee. This would be my only complaint about Penrod, parking. Tickets are $20 ($10 in advance for IMA members and free for kids 10 and under) so why are they charging $30 to park? We arrived on the grounds at 10:30 (Penrod runs from 9am-5pm) and it was already a traffic mess at the 38th street entrance. Now I have to be fair and point out that Penrod provides countless shuttles to bring attendees from six 'park and ride' locations as close as Crown Hill Cemetery to as far as Lafayette Square Mall, which is a free option. They also have a 'pedal and park' option accessible right off the Canal Tow Path which seemed to be heavily utilized. Penrod and the IMA really seem to have addressed the parking issue with lots of parking options so I can only assume the $30 is to deter folks from parking on the grounds. As a member of the IMA and neighboring resident, I am on the grounds and in and around the museum a lot. Despite all that, I can truly say I have never experienced the IMA as I have at Penrod and the festival really gave me a new, unique perspective of the grounds. The layout of the festival was well thought out with plenty of room for the attendees to wander around the Indiana Craft Beer, peruse art work, mingle with the artists and indulge in some of Indianapolis' greatest food truck and local restaurants. I was impressed how they intermingled the artists mediums so that you had jewelers mixed with woodworkers and sculptors with acrylic painters and glass workers. They also do a superb job spreading out the food and beverage vendors throughout the grounds and mixing it up so there's a little bit of everything around every corner. So with local musicians (including Indy Jazz Fest performers), local grub, craft beer and even a large children's area featuring the performing arts, it's easy to get distracted from the primary purpose of Penrod. Keep in mind being 'Indiana's Finest Day', you only have ONE day from 9am-5pm so plan your trip accordingly if you want to experience all that Penrod and the Indianapolis Museum of Art have to offer! read more

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Love me some Penrod Arts Fair! It's been years since I've been and decided to make a return visit this year. It did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded my expectations!!! There are so many booths with top quality artists. It's actually quite overwhelming (trick of the trade: walk the full course just to browse before you buy. Then go back and prioritize all your wants!). It's not one of those festivals where you have to sift through so-so artists to find the good ones. They are ALL good! Besides all the incredible artists, the festival takes place on the stunning grounds of the IMA. I liked getting to visit places I hadn't been to - making stops at the Lilly House and the beautiful gardens. There's tons of beer and wine, some of Indy's best food vendors, performances and live music (Indy Jazz Fest was there). The festival really hits everything. I could have stayed for hours more. Don't miss it next year! read more

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I love this event. My favorite activity are the jazz tent and Dance Kalieioscope. I always walk around and look at the juried art. Occasionally I find a piece of handmade jewelry that appeals to me. read more

Parking advertised at the IMA, to attend Penrod was a "bait and switch" situation. We were told it was full at 9:35 am after waiting inline to get in. The parking at the next available location Butler was also full. So we parked on the street and walked, taking our lives in our hands crossing Michigan with no active crosswalk lights and no one directing traffic. Finally entered at 10:20 to extremely loud rock music competing with Bag Pipes, inappropriate for an art fair. The Gospel singers were great and not overwhelming. We gave up on the food lines and had lunch later elsewhere. We worked hard to get to see all the booths, but we were looking for large items for our apartment, so there was no way to buy them and take them away with us. Poorly planned overall. After attending many times in the past, we won't be back. read more

2022 and things have definitely changed, since Newfields is running the event. I understand the need for security but they definitely needed to open another line which appears to have been an option. The exhaust smell from their golf carts that were coming and going everywhere was a constant presence. This was the first year there were no paper vendor maps, the QR code phone map is small and cumbersome. There does not seem to be the variety of artists is what it used to be either. Why was parking at the velodrome discontinued? Another new inconvenience. After going for 20 years I will skip next year read more

The IMA grounds are a beautiful setting for the annual Penrod Arts Fair. This was my first year going, and I was happy to tag along with my parents who had both gone plenty of times before. The Penrod isn't your average neighborhood art fair where you politely smile as you pass past "crap on a stick" (as my dad likes to say). Nay, the Penrod is the exact opposite of that. Everything is so impressive and the artists are so friendly and excited to talk about their pieces. Pair that with great food vendors, musical groups and a nice beer garden, and you're in for a fantastic afternoon. The amenities were spot-on for an outdoor event. Plenty of (clean) Port-A-Potties and ATMs available for those who were strapped for cash. Thankfully this past weekend wasn't blistering hot, but I'd hope there would be fans or something similar if that ever were the case in the future. I will note that the trash cans were overflowing not too far into the day, and it took a while for anyone to empty those. When they did, all of that overflowing trash was left sitting on the ground and kind of ruined the pleasant aesthetic of the whole thing. Do your research beforehand for ticket prices and parking. They had plenty of free shuttles going to and from nearby locations, which was nice because I heard that parking at the IMA itself had a hefty fee. We parked for free right across the street at the Crown Hill Cemetery. read more

Poorly run long lines to enter. Not enough food trucks so long lines for food. Fair and exhibitors were good, but an organizational sh*tshow. Need to manage people movement and significantly upgrade food availability. I get that it's a fundraiser, etc. But bring in professional event management. read more

No good beer...even in their beer garden. No Indiana beer! All inbev. . Sooo bad and not artistic. What a disappointmant. Venue and art are top-notch. read more

Great day to enjoy art music and the beautiful grounds of the IMA. Enjoy the day. Very well organized and friendly volunteers. Great music and creative artist. Something for everyone no matter what your taste read more

Penrod Arts Fair - Festivals Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Ahhh Penrod, the lovely art fair that in my mind, marks the unofficial start of autumn! September is upon us, the grounds of the IMA are looking beautiful as ever, and patrons walk around to different booths with kettle corn or pumpkin beer in hand as they peruse work from artists who come from near and far for the festival. This was my second year attending Penrod, and once again, it served as a satisfying way to take a break from homework for a few hours to celebrate the arts. The IMA goes all out with this event! With four sections of vendors sprawled out amongst the grounds of the Museum, there's no shortage of art to explore. I love Penrod in part because of the wide variety of art at the different booths. It's one of those fairs where you don't know just what you'll find but you know there will be sure plenty of art to explore! Maybe you'll find a sculpture of a robot made completely out of refurbished metal, or a one of a kind piece of jewelry. Perhaps you'll discover a beautifully framed photograph of Highland cow, an abstract painting, or a mug sculpted with a convenient tea bag holder. The point is, you never know what you'll find at Penrod but you'll always leave with a sure appreciation for all of the unique artistic mediums represented. In addition to top notch art, the festival includes food trucks and booths from popular Indy classics. Hubbard and Cravens, SunKing, and Bazbaux are just a few of the local favorites that can be found throughout the event. Live music and entertainment as well as promotional booths from different arts and culture organization means there's lots to explore so give yourself a few hours at the very least to enjoy the fair. With tickets being $20 and vendors' prices ranging at different booths, Penrod can be to a pricy day. Then again, discounted pre-sale tickets and knowing you are supporting a wonderful Indy organization makes it worth the cost, in my opinion. If you've never been to Penrod, make a point to go next year, it's sure to become one of your favorite events of fall! read more

Penrod Arts Fair is in tune with the times. An end-of-summer tradition for my family for years and years, Penrod is among Indianpolis' top outings. Visiting the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art themselves is worth a trip, and Penrod makes it even better. Over the years, the focus has shifted from the Indianapolis Symphony concert in the afternoon toward more modern performance artists, so the event is even better nowadays for people in their late 20s and early 30s and for couples with children. Lots of great (and now more affordable) food, zillions of media and performing artists--an afternoon not to be missed in Indianapolis, especially if you're starting to look for art for your first home. Even though there are shuttles for parking, be ready to spend a day and do a lot of walking. read more

The Penrod website boasts this event as "Indiana's Nicest Day". I couldn't agree more!! Walking around the grounds of the IMA checking out some amazing art, jewelry, sculptures, food, and drink-this year they included an Indiana craft beer garden with Flat 12, Upland, and Three Wisemen, (we were in that section a while!!) Food trucks and vendors throughout. Art was amazing and seemed to go on forever, aisle upon aisle of art from Indiana and beyond. There were several bands performing on stages throughout the festival, especially loved the jazz stage that was set up by the Lilly Mansion. I also noticed they had a great children's section as well for the kiddies to play in. I will have to keep this in mind for next year when I invite my little nephews! The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, the people couldn't have been nicer, and if it was going on tomorrow I would probably be going back, it was that much fun!! read more