About

The Art Association of Henry County, Inc. was formed in 1965 by Elizabeth Dodds Shaffer; one of the leading artists in East Central Indiana, and several other artists in the county. For a number of years they worked and planned on having an art center for the community. In 1992, through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Verl Shaffer the Art Association purchased a 100 year old building in New Castle, which was to be renovated into the Art Center. A dedicated group of volunteers undertook a 3 year project to bring the Art Center to life. The first step involved getting the needed 501c3 authority from the IRS to facilitate the raising of needed funds. Through the good offices of the Henry County Foundation, a matching grant of $50,000.00 from Lilly Foundation as well as the support of many citizens of the area we were able to complete the Art Center and dedicate it in 1995.

The Art Center is on the site of the oldest retail establishment in Henry County - The Jennings & Sons Lumber Co. founded in 1865. The Art Center sits on the southwest corner of the property. The idea of developing the balance of the nearly 3 acre property became possible by the donation of the major part of the land by the Jennings family to develop as a park to complement the Art Center. The balance of the needed space was acquired as a gift from the former owners, tax sale, county deeded, and purchase of the final parcel.

The work on the park required extensive demolition of 8 old buildings as well as substantial excavation before any progress could be made in design or construction of the park. These tasks were completed in late 1999.