Ohio County Artist to be Showcased at Indiana State Museum

Sherrie Howard's work has been commissioned by the Museum for their upcoming 92 County Tree holiday celebration.

Sherrie Howard. Photo provided.

(Rising Sun, Ind.) - Sherrie Howard, a glass artist from Rising Sun, IN, was “extremely honored” to be commissioned by the Indiana State Museum to have a piece of her work representing Rising Sun/Ohio County on display for the museum’s holiday 92 County Tree attraction.

Howard, owner/instructor of Red Hot Glass Fusing in Rising Sun, teaches classes at her Rising Sun home and displays her work in studios in neighboring counties.

Having created a fused glass ornament representing Ohio County at the Statehouse several years ago, it was no surprise that Howard’s talent and reputation would prompt the Indiana State Museum to contact her about creating an Ohio County decoration for their 25-foot Christmas tree representing all of Indiana’s 92-counties.

Ornaments had generous size and weight requirements, which made working in glass more feasible. Submissions could be no smaller than 10” x 10” x 10”, but no larger than 15”x15”x15”. The maximum weight limit was five pounds.

Artists were encouraged to showcase aspects of their home counties in their designs, such as famous landmarks, citizens, historic effects, etc.

Howard’s submission incorporated layers of fused glass inside a handmade wooden frame constructed of barn wood from an Ohio County barn.

Rising Sun landmarks depicted included: the Rising Sun Riverfront, the City Pavilion, the Veteran’s Memorial Tower, homes along Front Street, and the hills of Ohio County. A barge boat on the river was also incorporated, a common sight for those who visit the Rising Sun riverfront.

Howard’s ornament—along with those of others from Indiana Counties—will be displayed for five weeks at the Celebration Crossing holiday experience near the museum’s second floor entrance. The event runs November 24-December 31 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and until 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays with the exception of December 7. The museum is located at 650 W. Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis.

All artists were asked to write about their submissions, to be included with the display.

In a release, Howard stated the following. “The Ohio County ornament reflects our beautiful waterfront bordering in the mighty Ohio River. The smallest county in Indiana is located in the southeast corner of the state. It is home to the oldest courthouse in continuous use in the state. The ornament is made of fused glass, with a frame constructed of barn wood from a barn that stood over a century in Ohio County.”

Sherrie Howard is a lifelong resident of Ohio County. After teaching in local public schools for 37 years, she retired to instruct locals in the art of glass fusing in her home studio. She sells her art in a local gallery.

She also loves spending time with her family and is enjoying have a new grandson.