“Spark! Places of Innovation” is a Museum on Main Street exhibit organized by the Smithsonian Institution. The exhibit highlights small towns and rural areas that are reinvigorating themselves.
It will open a run in Rushville starting this weekend.
“It’s incredible. I’m beside myself because I’m so excited,” said Erin Eveland, Executive Director of The Hub Arts & Cultural Center.
“It’s just so great to be able to bring something like the Smithsonian to a community like Rushville that has very rarely had the opportunity to host an exhibit like this.”
The exhibit includes interactive elements such as videos, puzzles, and touch screens.
In addition to applying to host the exhibit, Eveland also applied to have Rushville featured in the display – and she was successful on that front, too.
“I was floored when I found out we were actually accepted to be in it. I guess it just really put us on the map a little bit more than we already were, and very validating for me,” she said.
Eveland said Rushville has a long history of supporting the arts. She also said the town’s organizations – such as the Hub, the Schuyler Jail Museum, Pandora’s Playhouse, and more – collaborate to create a stronger arts and cultural scene.
“It’s all about the people,” she said.
“Spark! Places of Innovation” will be displayed at The Hub, 210 N. Congress St. in downtown Rushville, from Oct. 21 – Nov. 25. It’s free and open to the public.
The Hub’s hours are:
- Tuesday and Wednesday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Friday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
An opening reception will be held Sunday, Oct. 22, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
“It will kind of be a little ‘Welcome to Rushville’ party,” Eveland said.
“It’s a really great exhibit. I think people will leave feeling motivated to reinvigorate their communities, too, through innovation.”
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