Two Richmond artists, India Cruse-Griffin and Gabriela Falconi, earned awards at this year’s Hoosier Art Salon Artist Exhibit. The 102nd art show crowned Cruse-Griffin as “Best of Show,” while Falconi earned a “First-Time Exhibitor” award at a ceremony on Aug. 19 in Indianapolis.
Cruse-Griffin, who debuted in the exhibit last year, could not describe her feelings the moment she received the honor.
“I was really stunned. I always know I try to do my best work and hope people resonate with it,” said Cruse-Griffin.
Her painting “Green Apple Slushy Summer” was inspired by familial bonds formed while growing up in Richmond. It depicts a childhood memory of visiting her aunt and cousins in Ohio. As the eldest cousins, they would visit the corner store for green apples and homemade green apple slushies.
“I don’t even know how to put it into words, because you don’t enter an exhibit expecting to win. I submit my art as if I’m sticking it on the refrigerator for my parents to see,” said Cruse-Griffin. She said it’s awesome to be recognized by such a high-level competition. She received a $6,000 prize and her work was purchased by the Richmond Art Museum, making Richmond its future home.
“RAM purchased India Cruse-Griffin’s Best of Show because of our commitment to regional artists,” said RAM’s Executive Director Shaun Dingwerth. “Her work captures the spirit of family and tells her personal stories of love, pride and culture. We are proud to add this exceptional piece to the RAM collection and celebrate the talent of an artist who represents the very best of Indiana’s creative community.”
In an email to WWN, Falconi described how it was a great honor to just be part of the 137 pieces selected from 526 artist submissions.
“Imagine my joy when I learned that my Memorial had also won the First-Time Exhibitor award and that piece had been acquired!” she said.
Falconi’s “Memorial: Chapel of the Horse” is inspired by various experiences and reflections throughout her life, and her childhood connection to horses from growing up on a farm.
“In various moments of feeling powerless in the face of injustices and inequalities that plague the world, I invoked the horse as a symbol of strength and freedom, but I wanted to imbue it with tenderness, so that this feeling could be the bridge to connect with our own humanity,” said Falconi. She incorporated black-and-white and engraved patterns from different cathedrals and chapels on the piece.
“I thought about my daughter, about the vulnerability of women and girls, and I placed girls — acting as guardian angels — in the stomach of the horse-shaped chapel to watch over us.”
The native Ecuadorian has lived in Wayne County with her daughter for three years. She’s been featured in regional exhibitions including RAM’s annual Indiana and Ohio Artists Exhibition, Palette to Palate, and the Anderson Museum of Art’s annual Juried Exhibition. Locally, her work can be seen at RAM, Oblivion Cinema + Arts (414 N. 10th St., Richmond) and on her Instagram page, @gabirelafalconi.ceramics.
As Indiana’s longest-running art exhibit, the Hoosier Art Salon has showcased artists since 1925. The exhibit runs at the Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, through Oct. 25.
A version of this article will appear in the September 2 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
