‘Sleepy Hollow’ begins next weekend

Wells County has a spooky offering on hand this month.

Creative Arts Council will host its production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 in its auditorium at 428 S. Oak St., Bluffton.

The musical brings the story by Washington Irving to life on the stage as Ichabod Crane meets up with the Headless Horseman. It is directed by Otto “Tank” Lowe.

Tickets are $10 for children 12 and younger and $15 for adults. They are available at wellscocreastivearts.com or by calling (260) 824-5222.

Art exhibition open

It’s time to show off artistic talents.

Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Arts Commission announced Monday that submissions are being accepted for the 2024 Hoosier Women Artists Exhibition.

Established in 2008, the exhibition “celebrates the importance of art and creativity in Hoosier communities and highlights the work of talented female artists throughout Indiana.” Selected artists will have their work displayed in offices at the Indiana Statehouse and in the governor’s residence.

"Every year I look forward to showcasing the work of talented Hoosier women in my office and around the Statehouse," said Crouch in a press release. "Hoosier artists have contributed so much to the history of Indiana. I am excited to celebrate their unique talents and see what pieces are submitted this year." 

For more information, or to make a submission, visit in.gov/lg/ask-suzanne/hoosier-women-artists. The deadline is Nov. 12.

Auction scheduled

Arts Place will host its annual holiday benefit auction Nov. 17.

This year’s event is themed after “A Christmas Story.” (Jay County Civic Theatre will present its production of the musical Dec. 7, 8, 9, 15, 16 and 17 at Arts Place.)

The auction will feature refreshments, a silent auction and a live auction.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (260) 726-4809.

Updating passport

Indiana Destination Development Corporation and Indiana Arts Commission announced recently that they are updating and relaunching the Indiana Arts and Culture Passport.

Those who currently hold passports will need to sign up for a new one at visitindiana.com. The passports encourage visitors to discover new creative places in Indiana.

“From music venues and theaters, to museums and more, communities across Indiana are using art as a way to come together and build a sense of place,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch in a press release. “All of these attractions reflect the values of Hoosiers and create an identity for residents to enjoy and visitors to experience.”

Enroll in 4-H

Enrollment is open for the upcoming 4-H year.

Children in third through 12th grades are welcome to join 4-H. Mini 4-H is also offered to kindergarteners through second graders. 

The youth development program started more than 100 years back offers a variety of clubs and hands-on experiences for children to learn about their community and world. Jay County Purdue Extension Office advises children to sign up by Jan. 15 for the full experience. Enroll at v2.4honline.com. To learn more, call (260) 726-4707.

Grants available

Indiana Destination Development Corporation has announced the availability of two grants — the Indiana Destination Development Grant and IN Indiana Placemaking Activation Grant.

The placemaking activation grant offers communities the opportunity to create IN Indiana artwork and signage in highly visible locations throughout the state. (The City of Portland, Arts Place and Portland Main Street Connect partnered to receive a grant this year that funded the new mural on the north side of Community Resource Center.) The development grant offers funding for “high-impact projects that raise Indiana's capacity for attracting visitors, providing tourism experiences and enhance residential quality of life.”

“Indiana is a diverse state that’s full of character, and we plan to continue showcasing that through these placemaking and development projects,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. 

The deadline to apply is Feb. 2. For more information, go to visitindiana.com.

Paintings on display

Ball State University’s David Owsley Museum of Art is displaying paintings from New York artist Debbie May through Dec. 21. 

The exhibit will feature more than 50 paintings. The works display an imaginative use of black and white or muted tones over marble dust.

“I invite everyone to discover Debbie Ma’s mesmerizing works, which were first pointed out to me by the museum’s namesake benefactor,” Robert G. La France, director of the David Owsley Museum of Art, said. 

“A man of few words and a decisive collector of action, David T. Owsley instinctively responded to the perfect arrangement of shapes and complex interactions between visual elements in Ma’s marble dust paintings. I think that our visitors will, too.”

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

INDOT opportunity

Indiana Department of Transportation is seeking applicants for its Engineering Scholarship Program for undergraduate and graduate students. To be eligible, students must be accepted or enrolled full-time in one of Indiana’s accredited civil engineering schools. 

Recipients receive financial assistance and job opportunities during summer breaks and after graduation. For more information, or to apply, visit indotscholarship.in.gov. The deadline is Dec. 31.