GREENFIELD – Downtown Greenfield’s hub for art has a busy weekend ahead, with several events showcasing local paintings and exhibits.
Hancock County Arts, presents “A Face for Radio” this Friday where artists will be creating paintings and drawings of radio celebrity models. The event is in conjunction with an exhibition running Aug. 9-31 at the Twenty North Gallery, where portraits will be on display by award-winning artists from across the Midwest.
Additionally, an “Art War” on the streets of downtown Greenfield will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday in conjunction with the Greenfield Chamber’s Chocolate Walk. Artists will be painting live scenes, and guests can stop by, cheer on artists and vote for a winner.
A third event is coming up on Saturday: A film will be shown at 2 p.m. Aug. 10, showcasing sculpture artist Kevin Titzer.
All three events are hosted by the nonprofit Hancock County Arts, which was organized in 1996 by artists and friends with a common goal to promote art in Hancock County. The nonprofit launched in 1999, and in 2014 the lease was signed on their current home: Twenty North Gallery, 20A N. State St., Greenfield. The group has experienced member growth in recent years from both local artists and those new to the area.
“A Face for Radio” is a returning attraction
Last year’s first “A Face for Radio” event was a success, attracting members from the Portrait Society of America to Bradley Hall Event Center to sketch or paint broadcast personalities.
“There’s really a camaraderie in just being with other artists,” visiting Kentucky resident Melanie Harding Bates said in 2023.
While some of last year’s artists were out simply trying something new, many specialized in portraiture. Alice Hedden, president of Hancock County Arts, is also a member of the Portrait Society of America and was pleased with about two dozen artists at last year’s event.
“Landscapes are way too busy for me,” she said of why she enjoys painting people. “I need to focus. I’m just a people person; I love looking at their faces, capturing their expressions.”
Anyone is welcome to swing by and observe the event from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Bradley Hall, 2 W. Main St., Greenfield. Models include Ann Richards from B105; Mindy Winkle, HANK FM; Elliott King, WZPL; and Ann Payton, iHeart Radio. Art analysts Mary Ann Davis and Cynthia Young will be interviewing the artists while they work.
Later Friday, an opening reception for the gallery’s portrait exhibit will be 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Twenty North Gallery. Meet the artists, experience their art and enjoy refreshments; the reception is also free and open to the public. Or vote for your favorite live painting artist during the “Art War.”
On Saturday, “Sack Race with Knives: The Curious Art of Kevin Titzer” will be at 2 p.m. at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St., Greenfield.
For a freewill donation, the one-time showing portrays Evansville native Kevin Titzer on a race against time as he creates an art installation at the University of Southern Indiana. Witness the entire process as Titzer scours the local area for materials, assembles the installation all while the countdown to completion ticks away.
For more on Hancock County Arts, visit hancockcountyarts.org or call 317-967-2461. To read back on last year’s portrait event, visit Personality painting: Artists gather from across Midwest for portrait event – The Daily Reporter – Greenfield Indiana (greenfieldreporter.com).
