Venue guest discusses life of 'Hoosier Group' painter

Megan Richards brought the spirit of noted artist Theodore Clement Steele to the Venue Fine Art & Gifts Tuesday.

Richards, arts program developer for the T.C. Steele State Historic Site in Brown County, discussed the life and artwork of Steele as well as programs available to
artists.

As one of the most famous members of the “Hoosier Group” of American impressionist painters, Steele became a popular artist in Brown County during the early 20th century. Since then, Brown County has been known as the “Art Colony of the Midwest.”

The Steele Site, which currently houses more than 50 of Steele’s paintings, is operated by the Indiana State Museum. The museum houses the most comprehensive collection of Steele’s paintings.

Born in 1847, Steele, like nature artist William Zimmerman, found inspiration in the rolling hills and landscapes of Southern Indiana.

“He is constantly talking about beauty,” said Richards before reading Steele’s quotes during her presentation Tuesday. “He thinks that that’s one of the important things as an artist is to find beauty throughout the world.”

Steele realized he wanted to be an artist at age 23.

“I always tell people, I wish I had just a little bit of his determination and self-discipline, because you can accomplish a lot, like he did,” said Richards, who volunteered at the Historic Site before becoming the arts program director 10 months ago.

With the encouragement of his mother, Steele received his first art set when he was 6 years old.

“He’s also one of those that would associate music with art,” Richards said. “So he learned how to play the flute. He was very interested in those kind of combinations.”  
Although many of Steele’s paintings are of Indiana landscapes, portraits made Steele a well-known artist in the Midwest.

Before returning to Indianapolis, where he helped create a cultural environment, Steele attended the Bavarian Royal Academy in Munich to receive formal education.

During his time there, Steele painted “The Boatman,” which is currently displayed at the IU Art Museum.

The Indiana Memorial Union also houses some of Steele’s paintings, including “Road Through Woods,” “Strength of the Hills” and “The Student Building.”

This year, Barry Bauman, an independent Chicago-based art conservator, discovered an untitled, signed painting at the Steele Historic Site. While restoring Steele’s painting “An Old Garden,” Bauman removed the canvas and discovered a second completed painting underneath it.

The painting is currently at the Indiana State Museum.

The historic site conserves Steele’s studio, a red cottage surround by green foliage. In addition to guided tours, the site also has workshops led by contemporary artists and annual events.

“(The T.C. Steele State Historic Site) is known for its natural beauty, and it kind of represents the artwork that is very popular in the Brown County art community,” said Venue curator Gabriel Colman, who has visited the site before.

The Artist-in-Residence program, funded by the Indiana Arts Commission, allows artists to stay in a rustic cottage for up to a month, painting, promoting their work and talking to visitors.

“It’s an absolutely gorgeous location,” Richards said. “Please don’t tell anybody, because I consider it my personal oasis.”