The 102nd annual Hoosier Art Salon kicks off at the end of the month, and Hoosiers won’t want to miss it.
The Hoosier Art Salon exhibition, which highlights the creative expression of artists across Indiana and beyond, is Indiana’s preeminent juried art show featuring works from Hoosier artists. This year’s exhibition returns to the Indiana State Museum Aug. 21-Oct.25 featuring 137 paintings, drawings, sculptures, glass creations and more, according to a press release.
“We are always excited for August knowing that the Hoosier Art Salon exhibition will deliver a distinctive experience, with a variety of participating artists highlighting all that encompasses the art of today,” Paula Katz, senior curator of art for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, said in a statement.
The Hoosier Art Salon got its start in 1925 when the Daughters of Indiana opened the doors to the first exhibition at Marshall Field & Company department store in Chicago, featuring 253 works by contemporary Indiana artists. The exhibition then moved to downtown Indianapolis in 1942, and hosted its first opening in 1990 at the Indiana State Museum, where it’s been ever since — save for a brief stint at the Indiana Historical Society from 2011-16.
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Last year’s Hoosier Art Salon generated more than $79,000 in sales for participating artists. To qualify, artists must be current Indiana residents or have previously lived in Indiana for at least one year.
This year set a record, with 285 artists applying for the exhibition, with a total of 528 original works. Of those submitted, the Hoosier Art Salon judges selected 123 artists for the exhibition, representing 38 Indiana counties. The exhibition also features artists representing five other states and New Zealand — each with Indiana connections, according to a press release.
Among the artists featured in the 2026 Hoosier Art Salon, eight are former best-of-show winners — including Carol Strock-Wasson, who won the top award in 2025 — in addition to 17 artists whose work will appear in the juried exhibition for the first time.
Judges will award $58,000 in monetary prizes amongst top artists, including a $6,000 award for the best-of-show winner. Additionally, all artworks featured in the exhibition will be available for sale, offering art enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire a piece from an Indiana-based artist.
“Our three independent jurors brought different perspectives to the selection process, resulting in a diverse and engaging exhibition,” Brandon Emkes, chair of the Hoosier Art Salon annual exhibition, said in a statement. “We’re excited to share the exceptional work of Hoosier Art Salon artists with the Indiana arts community.”
The 102nd Hoosier Art Salon exhibition is free for members and included with museum admission, which is $23 for adults, $17 for youth ages 3-17 and $21 for seniors. For more information, visit indianamuseum.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
