Dr. Thom's Guide to Terre Haute for the Culturally Bereft

So you've relocated to Terre Haute from Seattle, Philadelphia or some other urban center and you're thinking that now that you live in a rural midwest town of less than 60,000 people, activities such as attending the opera or the ballet are a thing of the past. Au contraire mon ami! Terre Haute is rife with cultural tid bits if only you know where to look. Fear no more, for Dr. Tom's Guide for the Culturally Bereft shows you exactly where to go to experience the finest in cuisine, art, music and general DrThomfoolery.

Boasting an impressive collection of artwork including works by Edward Hopper, Andy Warhol and Grant Wood's very last painting, Terre Haute is lucky to have this gem of an art museum. And admission is free! Don't miss the annual juried shows featuring such remarkable local talent as Anna Lee Chalos-McAleese and Leroy Lamis.

Open Tuesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays

Located right next to the Swope in the Arts Corridor on 7th St, the Halcyon offers an eclectic and changing display of visual art by local and reginal artists. During most of the year you can come to the (free!) opening receptions on the first Friday of each month as part of downtown Terre Haute's First Friday celebrations.

Another gallery in the Arts Corridor on 7th St, the Gopalan also offers visual arts by local and reginal artists. The Gopalan too takes part in First Friday celebrations, and the gallery space doubles as a yoga studio in the evenings. (See Do.)

Arts Illiana exists to promote, support and enhance the arts and cultural activities of the Wabash Valley. In addition to the downtown gallery showcasing the work of regional artists, Arts Illiana organizes the annual Crossroads ArtsFest with performances, exhibitions, demonstrations and children's activities.

Open Tuesday - Friday; 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday; 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays

The clean, graceful lines of Ms. Chalos-McAleese's sculptures incorporate blown glass, stone and hardwoods to create tasteful and intriguing works of art reminiscent of mid-century modern design. The sculptures, especially those incorporating cut glass/crystal, often create completely different effects from different angles. A visit to the studio offers a double treat, as husband Andy is also an award winning artist, specializing in wood furniture and design, some of which have been featured in The New Yorker.

Home studio, Call for appointment

If you've been to Java Haute, then you have enjoyed the unique ambiance that was created by metal artist, Patrick Titzer. No, not like Ozzy - he's a sculptor! And an amzazing one at that. Works include sculptures, furniture and more recently, jewelry. The style ranges from industrial to whimsical.

Open Sunday - Noon-6:00 pm, Tuesday to Saturday Noon -7:00 pm, closed Mondays

Custom stained and leaded glass for home, office and garden. Classes also available.

As a technology-focused higher education institution, Rose-Hulman is fortunate to have a full-time art curator, a large permanent collection of art (including a giant origami giraffe folded by world-renowned origami artist Robert Lang), more than 650 paintings by the late noted Indiana watercolor artist D. Omer "Salty" Seamon, and at least two changing exhibits by local and regional artists each academic year. Private tours are available.

The Wabash Valley Art Guild has been around for 25 years, yet boasted its recent 30th annual Spring Show in May of 2007. How this can be is lost in history, but the current president of the group is certain she could make up something to explain it.

Events throughout the year include the annual Spring Show, Art in Deming Park in the fall, an annual exhibit at the Community Theatre, and several fund raising events for community service organizations. The Spring Show, this year being held in May, is open to all artists throughout the Wabash Valley and includes monetary awards for three categories of art: photograpy, 3-D, and all media of 2-D work.