Minnetrista Adds Six Hoosier Impressionist Paintings to Its Collection
Fig. 1 Wheeler, Clifton, Untitled, 1941, oil on canvas
September 29, 2026
Media Contact: Erynn Erwin, Director of Marketing & Communications
E-mail: eerwin@minnetrista.net
Tel: 765.287.3525
Muncie, IN– Minnetrista has added six remarkable new paintings to its permanent collection, generously gifted by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (ISMHS) as part of a broader stewardship initiative with the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and the IPS Foundation.
Through the initiative, ISMHS received a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to purchase nearly 150 pieces of fine art from IPS’ historic collection. The artworks once hung in IPS schools that have since closed, and the project has brought the pieces out of permanent storage to preserve them and make them available to the public again in museums and cultural institutions across Indiana.
Minnetrista submitted a ranked list of twelve pieces of interest and was ultimately awarded six paintings by four celebrated Hoosier Impressionist artists.
Mindy Price, Collections Manager, led this exciting acquisition for Minnetrista. "We are so excited that these beautiful paintings have found a new home at Minnetrista! We are grateful to have been chosen for this opportunity, and we cannot wait to show our visitors these impressive examples of Hoosier artistry."
Among the artworks are two oil paintings by Otto Stark: Road in Woods, a vibrant landscape believed to have been painted while visiting friends and fellow artists J. Ottis and Winnifred Brady Adams in Leland, Michigan, and Portrait of Frederick Douglass, painted in 1904 from a reference photograph. Douglass, the renowned abolitionist and orator, visited Muncie twice on presidential campaigns for James Garfield in 1880 and Benjamin Harrison in 1888.
The acquisition of these two pieces is particularly significant because Stark was the only member of the celebrated Hoosier Group missing from Minnetrista's collection. Minnetrista now holds two or more pieces by each of the five Hoosier Group artists: J. Ottis Adams, William Forsyth, Richard B. Gruelle, Otto Stark, and T.C. Steele.
The gift also includes an untitled watercolor of a tree-lined stream by Richard B. Gruelle, and an oil painting titled Old Boat House, Winona, by William Forsyth, co-founder of the Muncie Art School.
Completing the acquisition are two untitled oil paintings by Clifton Wheeler, which will pair nicely with William Forsyth’s portrait of Wheeler already in the collection. One is a rare double-sided piece from 1941, featuring a mountain scene on one side and a snowy landscape on the other. The second, painted in 1949, captures a beautiful scene of rolling hills. Together, these works invite visitors to explore the influence of the Hoosier Group artists who helped shape Wheeler’s vision.
Keep an eye out for more news about this exciting addition to Minnetrista! For more information, visit minnetrista.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information on our exhibitions and events.
Minnetrista Museum & Gardens is your year-round gathering place! Born out of the Ball family legacy, Minnetrista connects people, encourages engagement, and improves our community. There is always something new to discover at Minnetrista—from beautiful gardens and unique events to interactive exhibitions and engaging workshops. Whether you’re exploring local history, enjoying hands-on activities, or discovering new art, every adventure is fun, educational, and inspiring. Minnetrista is a place where learning and creativity come together, offering something for everyone to enjoy. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites is a museum system with 12 one-of-a-kind locations across the state that ignite wonder, inspire curiosity, reveal stories and create connections. The museum, located in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, serves as a central hub offering immersive experiences for visitors of every age and interest — from art and architecture, to history and culture, to science and nature. The historic sites stretch north to the shores of Sylvan Lake, south to the banks of the Ohio River and many places in between. Learn more at IndianaMuseum.org.