Brown Co. Art Guild
director Cindy Orbaugh and curator Donna Stouder
photo by George Bredewater

Explore Brown County
Artists/Galleries

Part of the fun of exploring Brown County’s Artist Colony is discovering new places to find art, both contemporary and classic. Just to get you started in your art hunting adventure we have highlighted some of the Our Brown County current advertisers that sell original paintings.

Brown County Art Gallery and Museum

The original Brown County Art Gallery was founded by an early group of county artists in 1926 with the leadership of Adolph Shulz and Will Vawter.

The gallery and museum displays original art of today and yesteryear. The museum is actually two galleries, including the Glen Cooper Henshaw collection and a large collection of early Brown County and Indiana art.

Each gallery changes shows each season and there are often special solo member and guest shows.

The Brown County Art Gallery and Museum is located at the intersection of East Main Street and Artists Drive in Nashville.

Brown County Art Guild

Located in the historic Manor House in downtown Nashville, The Brown County Art Guild features two floors of some of the state’s finest art—including an extensive collection of its greatest benefactor, legendary Brown County portrait artist Marie Goth.

Founded in 1954 and endowed by Ms. Goth at her death in 1975, the Art Guild maintains a memorial room dedicated to her works and personal effects as well of those of other key early Brown County artists in her personal circle: VJ Cariani, Genevieve Goth Graf, and Carl Graf.

The Guild represents 46 full time members as well as five guest artists. One member is featured in a solo exhibit each month, with November reserved for a patron’s show.

Waldron Gallery

Wayne Waldron’s gallery, located in the Heritage Mall shops across the street from the Brown County Art Guild in Nashville, consists of four separate galleries featuring miniatures, Small Painting Society of Brown County works, the photographs by his wife Peggy, and a masters gallery.

Often also found on display there is Mr. Waldron himself, in his corner workspace, painting a watercolor.

Mr. Waldron’s artwork features North American birds and flowers, watercolor still lifes, landscapes, and abstracts which explore color and texture.

Mr. Waldron opened the Nashville gallery in 1998 and recently expanded the space to include a “masters” gallery featuring the original works of five master artists: Dale, Hopkins, Reifers, Robinson, and Waldron.

Brown County Art Barn

Judie Hurt Scalf came to Brown County 35 years ago with a passion for painting and knack for the art business. In 1967 She and her first husband bought the Old Gulf service station on North Van Buren Street in Nashville and turned it into their “Art Barn.”

The gallery features a variety of art by local and regional artists. Judie shares a strong bond with the artists who have long shown there, referring to them as “family.” Judie and husband Ray frequently paint and play music in the courtyard.

Donna’s Custom Framing

You can find some of the biggest surprises in this small shop. You can choose from a selection of framed and unframed art by many Brown County painters.

Birdwatchers are sure to appreciate Bill Zimmerman’s realistic wildlife depictions.

The primitive folk art paintings by Amanda Mathis capture the lifestyles of Brown County.

Norene Mara, Shelley Frederick, and Sue Ahbe are just a few of the many other artists displaying their works Donna’s.

Donna’s Custom Framing is located in Salt Creek Plaza on State Road 46.

Irene Joslin

Visitors to Irene Joslin’s shop in Nashville’s Antique Alley often find the owner laboring over her latest drawing.

Irene Joslin’s fine art, which has found a place in juried exhibitions such as the annual Hoosier Salon and the Indiana Heritage Arts show, is primarily done with graphite pencil—tightly detailed portraits and landscapes, occasionally enhanced with subtle tints.

Ms. Joslin has been the editorial cartoonist for the local paper since 1994. She is the only female editorial cartoonist in the state.

Mary Jo Limp

Attracted to the natural scenery and camaraderie of area artists, Mary Jo Limp moved to west of Nashville on State Road 46 in 1989.

Ms. Limp works in different mediums ranging from acrylic to oil to watercolor and her preferred subject is landscapes. Her style reflects the strong influence of her teacher, the late Dwight Steininger and her love of the work of early Brown County artist Leota Loop.

She sells her paintings out of her home studio on Kelly Hill and encourages drop-in visitors.

Sally Steele

Sally Steele’s repertoire includes representational watercolor and oil paintings of various subjects ranging from lighthouses to water lilies. The strong compositions reveal years of experience and dedication.

Her favorite subject is the sea. The movements, sounds, and smells stimulate her senses.

In her Brown County studio, Sally Steele tries to paint each day for about seven hours. She also likes to paint on location when possible.

Sally’s studio is located on South Van Buren Street in Nashville’s Possum Trot complex.

William Smoot

Working out of a small converted garage at the end of a long wooded lane in Annadale Estates, Bill Smoot creates award-winning pen and ink, charcoal and pencil drawings as well as watercolors, pastels and oil paintings.

In addition to portraits and landscapes, still lifes and nudes adorn his studio walls. Although he has been a member of both the Brown County Art Guild and the Brown County Art Gallery, he now primarily markets his work out of his own studio.

New Spirit Gallery

Lynne Foster Fife began painting Native Americans in 1972 after a trip to the West, where she became familiar with the spirituality of the people.

Her most recent works feature faces—largely Native American—to express a creativity of spirit that she feels transcends the geographic, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

New Spirit Gallery is located at 173 North Van Buren Street in Nashville and displays Lynne Fife’s original paintings, prints, illustrations, and creative portraits.

Fig Tree Gallery & Coffee Shop

Owners Glenn and Thomi Elmore restored an old masonic lodge in the village of Helmsburg to serve as both a gathering place to drink exotic coffees and as a gallery of African art and carvings.

Acorn Cottage Gallery

Located on Franklin Street in Nashville, this gallery features fine arts and crafts by many Indiana artists, including painters.