WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
On Saturday May 18, 2019, plein air painters will be gathering at the Hinkle-Garton Farmstead
on East 10th Street at the invitation of Bloomington Restorations, Inc. (BRI). Members of the
Bloomington Watercolor Society (BWS), the Upland Plein Air Painters (“UP”) and Artists from
Brown County Arts Alliance will all gather at 2920 E. 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408 to
enjoy the arrival of spring and the chance to paint outdoors again. Paintings will be created May
18th on location at the historic Hinkle-Garton Farmstead, that include two historic homes, farm
land, gardens and outbuildings, after which will be on display inside the 1892 Queen Anne style
homestead monthly beginning with the May 25 th Farmstead Open Day. Paintings will be
available for purchase Saturday, May 25 th at the Farmstead and at subsequent monthly Open
Days and events throughout the summer. Individual artists will donate twenty-five percent of the
proceeds from the art sales to pay for restoration of the Hinkle-Garton Farmhouse.
The Hinkle property was settled in 1886 and grew to 82 acres which included a dairy farm and
later a flower farm. As the city of Bloomington grew, land was sold to various buyers such as the
Illinois Central Railroad. In addition, land was sold for the building of the United States Post
Office and to developers for an apartment complex. The Farmstead today contains 11 acres.
Daisy Hinkle Garton was born on the Farmstead in 1908 and remained connected to it for the
rest of her life until her death in 2003. In the 1940s Daisy and her husband Joe Garton moved
back to the Farmstead. Daisy and Joe had both studied music at Indiana University. Upon their
return, Joe taught in the Indianapolis schools and Daisy taught in the Bloomington Schools and
also gave private lessons in the home. Daisy loved the land, her students and tenants, art and
sharing her heritage with others. Upon her death she left the property in her trust to a not-for-
profit organization that would preserve the Farmstead and operate a museum within the main
rooms of the first floor of the farmhouse. The Farmstead retains history and by-gone charm, as
visitors will discover as they explore the house and grounds.
Artists who have been invited to paint are excited about the opportunity to bring life to canvas
and paper with images that recall the times, the flowers, the music and the historical buildings of
the Hinkle-Garton Farmstead. We hope you will come and share these images with us on May
18th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and discover spring at the Farmstead. BRI members will be
present to assist with questions and information on the Paint Out, Farmstead and BRI activities.
