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With all of the bicentennial fun being celebrated around the state {happy 200th Indiana!}, did you know some of it is happening right under our nose? The Indianapolis Museum of Art recently launched the 19 Stars of Indiana Art: A Bicentennial Celebration exhibit. Is it family-friendly? You betcha. Here's the scoop. I'm sure you have heard, but just on the off chance that you've been living on the underside of a troll's shoe for the last year or so: It's Indiana's bicentennial year. Yes folks, the Hoosier state has been providing excellent hospitality and family entertainment for two hundred whole years. As expected, there is no shortage of places to celebrate this momentous occasion but I wanted to take a minute to tell you about my personal favorite: the IMA's "19 Stars of Indiana". And yes, I *might* have a small bias of fun in favor of the IMA, but if you haven't learned that from my articles by now, well, embrace it. It's a great spot. The IMA's new bicentennial exhibit takes it up a notch from fantastic art and experience, to an interactive contest that will involve the whole family. The exhibit centers around the "Stars" of Indiana. No not the ones on the flag, but that IS the inspiration. No these are 19 stars of the art world from varying disciplines who are either born Hoosiers or have some strong connection to the state. Their work is displayed on the second floor. If you remember from my First-timers guide to the IMA this is the same floor with the star gallery and the golf course. So it's a good place to start out with the kids. You probably know the regulars: Bill Blass, T.C. Steele and Robert Indiana, but you may not be expecting to see evening wear by Halston or amazing tea sets that put your grandma's to shame by Michael Graves. Yes, the Michael Graves from Target. These famous hoosiers have taken art in more directions than you thought possible. I am all about making art something that kids can get into and this exhibit does just that by showing them that art isn't just stuffy paintings and sculptures. It's the life around them, the design of their everyday items, that really make the world beautiful and creative. This exhibit will challenge kids and adults alike to notice the greatness in art and design and to aspire to be creative themselves. In 100 more years, I would like to think we might see something my daughter made in this same exhibit. "19 Stars of Indiana: featuring a Minecraft house designed by Maggie Ruvalcaba." A guy can dream right? For now, have your kiddos make arts and craft cardinals, peonies and fireflies. What makes this attraction more engaging than your average art exhibit is the "Follow the Stars" contest. This "seek and selfie" mission takes visitors all over the museum and 100 Acre grounds {you were going out there anyway right? It's my favorite part!} to find things like George Hickey’s unconventional windmill and Robert Indiana's famous "Love" statue. Or the LOVE piece inside the gallery... here's my attempt at a selfie with it: If your kids are anything like mine, they are DYING to get into any photo that you put on your feed. So get the kids in on it! Snap a selfie and post it to Instagram and Twitter with #IMAFollowTheStars to be entered to win a $50 gift card. A winner is chosen every month! I'm reasonably certain the winner is chosen randomly but that's no reason to skimp on the creativity! I'd love to see what you and your kiddos come up with to make the IMA and hoosiers everywhere proud of our states' creative flair. If you win, you'll be sure to find something you LOVE in the gift shop! MORE INFO: The 19 Stars of Indiana Art: A Bicentennial Celebration exhibit is open at the Indianapolis Museum of Art through January 8, 2017. General admission fees apply. The IMA is located at 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis. More information can be found at imamuseum.org or by calling {317} 923-1331.

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