White River Farm, courtesy Merritt Chase
Join us Saturday, June 21st at 1:30 pm for a guided plant walk of White River Farm with landscape architect Chris Merritt as part of the exhibition events for Hold On To This Instead.
White River Farm is a beloved multi-generational family property and former farmstead along the White River in Indianapolis. The original landscape was designed by Jens Jensen in the 1920s. The late 19th-century 400-acre working farm was slowly developed into a neighborhood for residents looking for country estates in a natural setting to escape the city. Working with the current owner, the property’s incredible history has been documented and a proposed landscape framework plan has been developed. Featuring a meadow, pond, farm, ravines, and orchards, the plan also integrates the existing collection of barns and cottages for a new artist and writers residency program. The planning process has focused on preserving the property's historic character and honoring the legacy of the landscape while enhancing the environmental stewardship of the property. Goals include enhanced adaptation for climate change, increased ecological health, and sensitive integration of new, contemporary social and cultural creative programming.
In celebration of the 2025 summer solstice weekend, Hold On To This Instead features contemporary, midwestern artists Aleyah Austin, Stephanie Barlow, Kelsey Blacklock, Landon Caldwell, Meris Drew, Ryan Freund, Julian Jamaal Jones, Rob Funkhouser, Casey Roberts, and Shamira. Together for the first time, the artists’ traditional forms and materials make way for present-day contemplations on communing with one another and the lands and skies we share. The cottage and its grounds host both interior and exterior works.
Daily exhibition tickets include participation in the guided plant walks.