As part of an initiative by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, a storied state collection gifted the Richmond Art Museum two historic pieces.
The artworks, part of a nearly 150-piece spread, belonged to the Historic Indianapolis Public Schools Art Collection. Originally acquired between the 1890s and 1990s, the pieces hung in former IPS schools, now closed. The ISMHS purchased the collection from the IPS Foundation through a Lilly Endowment grant with plans to share them at cultural institutions and museums throughout the state.
RAM Executive Director Shaun Dingwerth said in an email the museum was one of the first state institutions invited to house the artwork. Among 16 pieces, RAM selected eight to vie for, detailing how each piece would fit in their collection.
They received their top two requests: “Making Sorghum” by Floyd Hooper and “Tired Out” by Otto Stark. Both works are displayed in the West End Bank Charitable Foundation Gallery.
“The Richmond Art Museum’s unique partnership with the Richmond Community Schools made it especially fitting as a new home for works from the historic Indianapolis Public Schools art collection,” Susannah Koerber, ISMHS chief curator and research officer, said in a press release. “The depth of knowledge about Indiana art in the museum’s request and their thoughtfulness about how these works fit with the community, the museum’s history and its collection demonstrated their commitment to continuing the legacy of these historic artworks.”
A version of this article appeared in the August 5 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.