Sugar Creek Art Center board member and resident artist Anita Gordon greet visitors furing a gallery showing of children's art. CNHI News Indiana photo
THORNTOWN — The three-story, 1880s brick building, home to the Sugar Creek Art Center in Thorntown, always needs repairs, but it wasn’t until the community rallied around it that volunteers were able to complete some projects.
In the fall of 2024, the Boone County Economic Development Corp.’s initiative, “Best Day in Boone” brought volunteers to the art center to paint, rake, spread mulch and complete some items on the long to-do list the art center has maintained for years. “That day was sort of a kickoff to all of these project s we’ve accomplished in the last 12 months,” said Angie Moody, president of the Sugar Creek Art Center board. “Around that same time, we had a team from Eli Lilly come out for Lilly’s Global Day of Service and knock a bunch of stuff off our list.
“Then, youth from the YMCA painted the back of our building for us. They spread mulch and rocks. It’s been a great time for us to be able to take care of our building.”
Also in the fall of 2024, the Sugar Creek Art Center received a grant from the Community Foundation of Boone County for $10,000.
The grant was paired with some of the funds they had saved to complete the muchneeded restoration and repair of the former shirt factory’s south brick wall.
“We had been saving for this project and the grant took us over the top, paying for more than one-third of the cost,” Moody said. “It still took a full year to be completed with the weather delays, working with contractors, and getting the proper equipment.”
In addition, a leak in the roof was repaired and with that work, the chimney had to be removed.
Moody said the contractor on that job told her the chimney was close to crumbling.
“It was like a chain of events,” she said. “We’ve been so fortunate this year with grants and donations from patrons and residents. The roof has been repaired, the tuck pointing is complete, we’ve replaced carpet inside the building thanks to Hawkins Flooring and Tile in Jamestown and everything is safe and secure.”
In 2025, Sugar Creek Art Center celebrated its 20th anniversary.
It was fitting that the building received so much care and attention to ensure another 20 years.
Moody said now, volunteers are able to focus on 2026 and create additional programming, classes, demonstrations and other opportunities.
“We are really excited for the new year,” she said. “Our class coordinator is working on programs for youth, adults and seniors, and it’s wonderful to see people come together and the artists collaborating,” Moody said. “It’s a neat thing to offer to our community.”
The center houses resident artists’ studios on all three floors, first- and second-floor galleries, a classroom for art classes, and features a gift shop offering local artists’ work for sale.
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