The Benches of Brown County
Celebrating 100 Years of Art and Artists
A Commemorative Public Outdoor Art Project for Art and for Charity

You've heard of cows in Chicago, pigs in Cincinnati and horses in Louisville. Now travel to Nashville, Indiana and experience the Benches of Brown County! Join Nashville in celebrating the Centennial of the founding of "The Art Colony of the Midwest™".  Artists from all over the Midwest have been invited to design and produce works of art on benches. The finished benches will be placed around Brown County, Indiana for public viewing from early June through December, 2007. In the spring of 2008 a gala auction will be held and the public will have the opportunity to bid on and purchase a bench for their home or business. The proceeds from the Benches of Brown County project will benefit a wide range of charitable organizations in Brown County. Whether you spend a day or a week in Brown County, be prepared to enjoy the back roads, galleries, artist studios and all that Brown County has to offer.

100 Years of Art and Artists
In 1907, T. C. Steele became the first permanent resident painter of Brown County. His home, “House of the Singing Winds" is preserved today as the T. C. Steele State Historic Site, located just off of State Road 46 west of Nashville. Painter Adolph Shulz settled in Brown County shortly thereafter and became known as the founder of the Brown County Art Colony. A new genre of painting unique to Brown County developed during this Golden Age of American Impressionism. Nashville, Indiana became one of the most visited tourist destinations in the entire country.

Why benches?
Nashville has a rich history of legends and tall tales. One of the most famous legends involves a "Liars' Bench". As legend has it, townsmen would sit on the courthouse bench during the 1930's and '40's and lazily pass the time by spinning tales. In an effort to end the wasteful past time, the angry wives of the men eventually chopped up the bench. A replica of the famous Nashville "Liars' Bench" sits on the courthouse lawn today.

Participate
There are many opportunities to participate in this exciting event.  Choose one of the several levels available for the sponsorship of a bench. Artists can apply to produce a bench. The public will have a chance to bid on a finished bench at a gala auction event in the spring of 2008. The public is invited to visit Brown County and see the finished benches at various locations. Maps will be available.

Partnership for Charity
The Benches of Brown County is a partnership project between the Brown County Community Foundation and the Brown County Arts and Cultural Commission. The proceeds from this public art project will provide financial assistance to worthy Brown County programs in education, social services, health, welfare, the environment, arts and culture.