The best public art just south of Indy is in Festival Country. It’s where you’ll find the best selfie spots, all-day art festivals and get-your-camera-out murals.
1. Alleys
Explore Franklin’s three activated alleys, each with unique dimensional art pieces.
Walk under a canopy of nearly 200 kites waving in the breeze in Artcraft Alley during the day, which glow with blacklight paint at sunset for another unique experience.
Kuji Alley, an homage to Franklin’s sister city in Kuji, Japan, features art in all directions. The koi fish seemingly swim past you in a massive mural as you admire 800 metal cherry blooms floating across the opposite wall from a 2D metal tree. Don’t forget to look up at the 70 Japanese lanterns swaying overhead and stroll across the little footbridge. Pull up a chair at one of the tables and wait for nightfall, when the lanterns warmly illuminate the alley.
Visit Festival Country’s newest activated alley in downtown Franklin, Veterans Alley, which showcases a series of patriotic metal vignettes honoring those who serve our country, each beautifully backlit and even more impressive at night.
Take Instagram-worthy selfies or pose for group photos in these colorful spaces.
Follow the paved Polk Hill Trail to see intricate and colorful sculptures up close in Greenwood near Smith Valley Road and Craig Park and leading towards Main Street. Each installation has a significant meaning, whether representing the need for clean water or as symbolic of poetry.
3. Ethos Celebration of the Arts
Immerse yourself in art of all mediums at Ethos Celebration of the Arts, a festival featuring local and renowned artists in downtown Franklin organized by Discover Downtown Franklin.
This annual free, family-friendly event is a juried art show, featuring dozens of skilled artists with their high-quality pieces on display and for sale. Throughout the day, listen to live music, enjoy a beer and wine garden, and participate in interactive activities, like Festival Country’s Chalk the Block.
4. Galleries
For an indoor art experience, visit Generation Art & Frame in Franklin to view its gallery of work by local artists on display and for sale. It’s the best place to go for art supplies and custom frames. The shop also offers workshops and classes led by local artists.
The Southside Art League’s gallery displays local and national artists’ works throughout the year, ranging in a variety of mediums. Each gallery is on display for three months, so there is a frequent cycle of new art to view and buy.
5. IMAGO
Picture this: 16 permanent butterfly structures of various heights with a collage of brightly painted, human-sized, interchangeable wings designed by artists and the community. This multi-piece art installation is strategically placed around Old Town Greenwood, creating unique and evolving photo ops as the wings circulate from one location to the next.
6. Murals
From popcorn and cardinals to peonies and racecars, many of the murals in Festival Country allude to state and local attractions while serving as colorful backdrops for photos. You’ll find murals in every city, which are great stops to commemorate your visit in each of the best downtowns just south of Indy.
If you love all the art in Franklin, discover familiar and possibly new-to-you art pieces on the art tour in the new mobile-friendly website app called Walk Franklin, created in partnership with Festival Country and other local organizations.
The website includes up to 10 self-guided, free, themed walking tours, from historical and architectural tours to spooky sites and Christmas light locations. Choose your starting point, and wander and admire the beauty featured in each tour at your own pace. No app download is required; just type walkfranklin.com into your mobile browser and get started.
8. WAMMfest
Spend a day celebrating wine, art, music and microbrew at the annual WAMMfest at Craig Park in Greenwood. This summer festival features local artists and their unique works, world-class wines and beers from across the state, and live music from multiple bands. The net proceeds from the day support community initiatives and organizations.
