River City Art Association in Terre Haute is proud to announce that its “Indiana Heritage Art Exhibition” has received the endorsement of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission as a Bicentennial Legacy Project.

RCAA members will display Bicentennial-themed artwork in May, July and September in three host venues in Terre Haute. All events are free and open to the public.

The traveling exhibition will establish and perpetuate a cultural legacy for future generations by promoting, supporting, and enhancing an appreciation of the visual arts in the Wabash Valley and Indiana.

RCAA members will create artwork inspired by Terre Haute and Indiana’s Bicentennial celebrations, as well as Indiana State Parks Centennial year and the 100^th running of the Indianapolis 500. The exhibition will be informative and educational with a focus on the state river, song, tree, bird and notable people, places and events in Indiana’s history. It also will reflect the importance of preserving Indiana’s past and natural resources for the future and impress upon the viewers history’s lasting influence in the arts.

The project also will encourage the public to visit historic sites and learning institutions in their city and state, and enhance awareness and recognition of Indiana’s notable persons, architecture and historical events.

The May host, Terre Haute Masonic Temple, at 224 N. Eighth St., is on the National Register of Historic Places, and celebrates 100 years since the cornerstone was laid May 25, 1916. A reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. May 13 will include tours of the neo-classical building by Mason and Temple historian Jerry Burns and a presentation on the Wabash River, Indiana’s state river, at 6:30 by Brendan Kearns with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The exhibition continues with tours and light refreshment from noon to 6 p.m. May 14.

The Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets in Terre Haute will host RCAA’s Bicentennial exhibition July 1-31. Artists will be available for a meet and greet during Downtown Terre Haute First Friday events from 5 to 9 p.m. July 1 in the library, which recently received accreditation as the first Family Place Libraries™ in Indiana.

Host for the Sept. 1-30 exhibition will be the Art Gallery in Clabber Girl Museum at Hulman & Company, located on the Historic National Road, and nationally known for its baking powder and subsidiary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which celebrates the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in May of this year. Artists will be available for a meet and greet during Downtown Terre Haute First Friday events at Clabber Girl from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 2.