Arts council hopes to use courthouse

Opening the courthouse rotunda for an art exhibit and concert is a good idea, Boone County Commissioner Marc Applegate told Lebanon Community Arts Council of Indiana President Liz Knox.

But the commissioners would like a little more than three weeks notice, he told her at Monday’s commissioner’s meeting.

Applegate was enthused, “I think it’s a great thing,” he said, but was worried about maintenance, security and liability issues, he said.

The arts council was incorporated in March with the intent to promote musicians and artists from Lebanon, Knox said. She was asking permission to use the rotunda on May 15.

A gallery-style exhibit of works from Sugar Creek Arts Center artists and others; a panel discussion with musicians about style and composers and a concert were on the May 15 program, Knox said.

“You’re embarking on an interesting project at a time of limited funding and great need,” Charles Eaton said.

“A good, solid community reflects a love of the arts,” Knox said.

The courthouse rotunda is an ideal location for exhibits, Knox said. Although other venues are available in Thorntown and Zionsville, they haven’t enough space for the type of monthly events the LCAC plans, Knox said.

“(We have) the potential for great events, but really, no place to showcase them,” Knox said. “Every other community has their programs and Lebanon should have theirs,” she said.

All events would be free to the public, she said. Sponsorships and donations are being sought for the organization, Knox said.

Knox was to come back to the commissioners with a written request to use the courthouse sometime in June.

Visit www.lebanonartscouncil.net for more information about the Lebanon Community Arts Council.