Hoosier History Live is an independently produced new media project about Indiana history, integrating podcasts, website, newsletter, and social media. Its original content comes initially from a live with call in weekly talk radio show hosted by author and historian Nelson Price. You can hear the show live Saturdays from noon to 1 pm ET. It’s over the air in Central Indiana at WICR 88.7 fm, or you can stream at the WICR HD1 app on your phone.
August 19, 2023
Richmond art: a historic colony, a museum and more
Even those who only dabble in Indiana's art history likely know about the Hoosier Group of painters, including T.C. Steele, who drew national fame. But another group of painters actually formed the state's first colony of artists.
The Richmond Group Artists formed in the late 19th century in far-eastern Indiana, traveling along the Whitewater River and painting on weekends. In 1898, they founded the Art Association of Richmond.
That evolved into the acclaimed Richmond Art Museum, which is generally considered to be the only independent art museum in the country that's housed in a public school: Richmond High School.
Earlier this month, the art museum and its executive director, Shaun Dingwerth, were named recipients of the Governor's Arts Awards. The awards are given by the Indiana Arts Commission and the office of the governor to honor outstanding contributions to the arts.
Shaun, who has been executive director of the Richmond Art Museum since 2004, will be Nelson's studio guest to share insights about the art heritage in the city. He is the author of The Richmond Group Artists, a lavishly illustrated book about the pioneering painters.
Sometimes known early on as the Ramblers, the Richmond Group Artists were primarily self-taught impressionists. The subjects of their artwork often were local people, flora and landscapes.
The so-called "dean" of the group, John Elwood Bundy (1853-1933), was known for his landscape paintings, particularly of fall and winter scenes. "Auctioneers say that each cow in a landscape added another $500 to the price of a painting", Shaun says.
In 1910, Morton High School, the predecessor of Richmond High School, built three galleries for the art association to hold exhibitions and house a growing, permanent collection. "This is thought to be the first art gallery ever built in a public high school", Shaun says.
Today, the Richmond Art Museum is known for its extensive educational programming. According to Shaun, an art historian and juror, the programming reaches nearly 4,000 students annually in Wayne County and nearby far-eastern Indiana counties, including elementary school children. In addition to the Richmond Group Artists, the museum has paintings by other Indiana artists, including the Hoosier Group.
The museum, which is admission-free, hosts an exhibition of art by high school students. The former Morton High School building still stands in Richmond and houses an insurance company.
In addition to John Elwood Bundy, painters in the Richmond Group Artists included Edna Stubbs Cathell, who was acclaimed for her floral paintings. As her "day job", she worked for the former Hill Company, a nationally known breeder of roses based in Richmond; she was hired to create watercolor paintings of their products.
The Richmond Group Artists also included Charles Conner, a plein-air (outdoors) painter known for his landscapes. According to Shaun Dingwerth, Bundy and others considered Conner the most talented of the Richmond Group Artists.
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