4-8-26- Ellen Wilson-Pruitt INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A group of nine china painting artists has created 25 platters, each representing an Indiana state park, as part of the Indiana State Parks Platter Project, an America 250 initiative. The exhibit will debut with a preview on April 25, 2026, at the Art Sanctuary in Martinsville before touring the state throughout 2026 and 2027. The collection features fine china platters hand-painted with images of all 25 Indiana state parks, including Indiana Dunes, Turkey Run, and Fort Harrison. Artist Ellen Wilson-Pruitt, a member of the China Painting Group, said the project grew out of the group’s desire to take on a new challenge. The group has completed past projects, including work for the vice president’s residence in Washington. Each platter is created using dry china paint mixed with mineral oil and fired in a kiln at 1,400 degrees. Because only a limited amount of paint can be applied at one time, each piece requires multiple firings. Wilson-Pruitt said her platters have undergone at least five firings. Creating a single platter typically takes 20 to 30 hours. Indiana has a long history of china painting, including Caroline Harrison, the former first lady, who was a noted china painter. The exhibit will be displayed for one month in December 2026 at the Benjamin Harrison Home in Indianapolis, where a program and class will also be offered. Following the Martinsville preview, the exhibit will travel statewide, with scheduled stops including the Indiana DAR Conference in Plainfield; the Frankfort Community Public Library; the Maring-Hunt Library in Muncie; an America 250 celebration in downtown Indianapolis; the Dubois County Museum in Jasper; the Indiana State Fair; the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts in Seymour; and the Shelby County Art Center in Shelbyville. During the Indiana State Fair, the platters will be split between the Department of Natural Resources building and the Arts Building due to space limitations. Wilson-Pruitt said she began studying china painting after seeing a demonstration at the Indiana State Fair. She later trained for more than a decade with an Indianapolis-based instructor. The artists also operate a school each September at the Morgan County fairgrounds, drawing students and artists from around the world. Originally planned to conclude in 2026, the tour was extended into 2027 due to strong public interest, Wilson-Pruitt said. Indiana State Parks Platter Project Exhibits April 25, 2026 Preview at the Art Sanctuary Martinsville, IN May 14-16, 2026 Indiana DAR Conference Plainfield May 18-30, 2026 Frankfort Community Public Library June 1-30, 2026 Maring-Hunt Library Muncie July 3-5, 2026 America 250 Celebration Downtown Indianapolis July 6-24, 2026 Dubois Co. Museum Jasper Aug. 7-23, 2026 Indiana State Fair Sept. 1-30, 2026 Southern Indiana Center for the Arts Seymour Oct. 1-31, 2026 Shelby Co. Art Center Shelbyville Dec. 1-28, 2026 Benjamin Harrison Home Indianapolis For more information, visit www.visitmorgancountyin.com. ...read more read less