Smile! The newest art piece in Shipshewana is a special one. The astounding 3D metal sculpture constructed by local artisan and metalsmith Christy Miller, of Countryside Creations, was made possible by a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) and is the third public art project to result from it. The first two are murals, one inside the Flea Market, and the other in a downtown alley next to Teaberry. The grant was applied for by the Shipshewana Retail Merchant’s Association (SRMA) with assistance from the LaGrange County Conference & Visitor’s Bureau (LCCVB.)
The sculpture, measuring 40 feet long, and up to 4 feet tall, is made up of a metal buggy on one end, and the profile of a horse at the other, with “SHIPSHE” in the middle. However, the “I” is omitted, replaced instead by a space for anyone to stand on, in order to complete the name by becoming the “I.” It makes for an impressive pic and a wonderful homage to the town of “Shipshe.”
The sculpture is located in front of the Farmstead Inn, and we invite you to be one of the first ‘I’s in Shipshe. Use #shipshe or #visitshipshe when you post, so we see it! We may feature your pic in a post!
Pictured are members of the SRMA and the LCCVB, as well as Shippy the Prospector, local mascot.
