The Indiana Arts Commission designated
Madison one of 12 cultural dists
in Indiana. There is art it
architecture everywhere.
Great Day live's El Bottom shows us more.
As you walk the streets of downtown Madison,
you can't help but notice all
the beautiful murals around tow.
Today, I'm here at the Madison a
Arts Alliance with Randy Lakeman
and local artist Patty Cooper W.
Now what does it mean to be an art district
and how did you get that distinction? In
2015, Madison was designated a
Cultural arts district in the
state of Indiana, or one of 12,
and it was in recognition of
this creative place, the people,
the art that is in our communit.
The Madison Area Arts Alliance
is proud that we.
Think of arts very broadly in our community.
It's not just visual arts,
performing arts, music,
but we look at arts in the culinary arts.
The healing Arts is a very
broad spectrum of arts,
and this is recognized in our
cultural district.
The recognition.
So Patty, there's art
everywhere in this town.
So when did that start and where
are the murals located around t?
Well, the art scene in Madison
goes way back to the beginning.
And there's this area has been
attracting artists with its
natural beauty for a long time.
Yeah, I've personally been here 23 years
of painting and working as a local artist.
But we have so many different artists that
with many of many different varieties that
are here photographers and it's just.
So much to that a person could
learn about the murals.
The kindness murals at Mural Plaza began,
sponsored by the Madison Area As
Alliance in 2001 and the whole parking
lot is surrounded by by murals.
We have a two-story mural
celebrating kindness in our tow.
It was painted by Steve Beckus,
Kevin Carlson,
and Jane Vonderheide.
And then we've got a middle part that
was contributed to by 27 different local
artists and with each of their n
style and their own celebration of Madison.
And then we have a selfie
wall by Jacob Loudon,
and that's fun for the tourists
to stop and get their picture.
And also we have a community
mural that the kids helped paint
the background over there.
And then I did one that is 100 t
panorama of the river that has t
of Madison's history depicted ad
it's just been a wonderful project and
and a good way to come out of the pandemic.
Everyone come out and said hello
and we were working and some of
the people got to join it,
but
that's really, really cool
that you're a part of that.
And So what is the future hold r
the art community here in Madis?
Oh, it's it's huge.
I mean, we see artists moving
into town all the time.
Every time I turn around somebo,
I own a shop, be on Main Street.
So I get to see people as they
come into the community and
interact with the community.
And people love the creative
culture of this town. And
if people are interested in plag
their trip just around the artwk
around town, where's the best
place for them to get started?
Well, just show up.
I mean, literally wherever you
happen to get out of your car,
you'll probably see some
wonderful piece of art.
Either that was created by an A
local artist or it's part of the
built architecture here in town,
or even our natural beauty of our town,
which is always inspired
artists to come to Madison.
Of course, we could talk about
the artwork around town,
but we can't miss the music.
This is Charlie Ralphine with
the Madison music movement.
And of course we can't miss
the music festivals are coming
up spring and summer season,
So what are they and when are t?
The festivals are a big part
of our music scene here.
The first one is Rooster Tail,
which is July 4th weekend.
The next one is Riverfest whichs
third weekend in August and thed
Hop is first weekend in Novembe.
I want to mention though,
there's a there's a much loved
festival called River Roots.
That went on for about 15 years.
I had to stop with COVID.
There's people working on bringing that back.
That'll be like first weekend in June,
so exciting. And what kind
of music is brought to town,
going to say all kinds. I mean,
if you come on a weekend and and
and really enjoy our music scen,
there's going to be a lot of classic rock.
There's going to be country, but there's
going to be some Celtic and some folks.
So just pretty much anything
you want to find pretty
cool. And there's a lot of local
artists and musicians here,
so where do they often play?
They play at all of our venues.
That's the thing about Madison,
about Indiana's Music City.
If you want to look at that back there,
we're like a little Nashville.
I mean you can come here any weekend,
just get a hotel room, get a,
get an Airbnb and just walk
around and hit 78910 venues.
And and so it's,
it's just a music scene that's
happening really every weekend.
And you mentioned all of those different
venues, so where's your favorite place to I
have to say is Thomas Family Wi.
It's within walking distance of here.
He's been doing it for over 25 years.
He does a lot of the Celtic and
the Americana roots kind of thi.
It's so warm and friendly in th.
Another great one is Red Bicycle Hall,
which is a music venue kind of e
headliners if you're if you're in Louisville,
it's sort of that type of
place open just for music.
That's a great place to the original music.
Cool. So people are planning thr
trip all around the arts culture here.
Where's the best place to get some more info?
If you're coming to town for any reason,
you go to visitmadison.org.
We've got the weekly music calendar on there.
You'll find out just
everything that's going on.
And I really want to stress
it's every weekend.
I mean, you can come for our
festivals and they're awesome,
but you can come anytime
and and and and you can walk
around downtown and you'll just
have a really fun experience.
If you're looking for outdoor adventure,
Madison is your kind of place.
Where else can you hike,
bike, explore 70 foot gorges,
plunging waterfalls and spectacr
views of the Ohio River?
Great Day live's El Bottom
takes us off the beaten path.
Spring is the perfect opportuniy
to get out and explore in Madis.
IN has no short of all
the outdoor activities.
Today I'm here with Rainy Steves
and Corey Duff, and we're at the
beautiful Clifty Falls State Pa.
Now, I know this is a big
destination for people,
So what is there to see and do ?
Oh well, if you want the full
Clifty falls experience,
I recommend coming in our South entrance,
driving through historic Madiso,
coming up and seeing all the
amazing limestone foundations we
have on both sides of the road.
You'll hit the Clifty Inn firstd
then you'll you can come out toe
backyard of the Clifty Inn and u
can see this amazing Vista we he
behind us overlooking the Ohio River.
And then one of our main attracs
is all all the waterfalls.
We have to go all the way up to the North
End and hike the start of trail seven.
You can see one of our biggest attractions.
We have big Clifty falls,
but so that's the couple thingsI
would check off on that list to go see.
And this is such a stunning
view right behind us and
we are at the Clifton Inn.
And so you can actually
stay overnight here, right?
Yes you can. You can stay
as many nights as you want.
We do have specials that go on.
This is perfect time
to come. Now getting ready for spring break,
but it's an also place to come.
We do have pet friendly rooms now available.
And we do have a full dining rom
that you can stay right here
and never leave. Yeah.
And truly, you know, stay up, you know,
for the whole weekend and come t
and hike all these beautiful tr.
So, Corey, I'm sure you're an avid hiker.
So what's the best trail to
hike here at Clifty Falls?
That's a great question.
Clifty undoubtedly has some of e
most rugged and diverse trails n
the Indiana State Park system.
If I had to pick my favorite,
I would say Trail 8.
Would be my favorite trail.
Eight starts well,
starts at the North End and what you'll
do is you'll go around the entie
part or the West part of the Ca.
So when the leaves are off the trees,
you can look down there across
the Vista and you can see
all like through the Canyon.
It's it's absolutely gorgeous.
Sure there's some waterfalls
here too. Absolutely. So when
you take Trail 8 you'll.
Cross right over and to the
West of Big Clifty Falls.
You'll be able to hear it.
And I mean, it's gorgeous.
And then you'll also see Hoffman falls.
Little Clifty falls.
Yeah, they're scattered
everywhere in the park.
So not only can you stay here at
Clifty Inn, but you can hike the
trails and of course, camp here.
But there's so much more to do in Madison.
So what else is there to do? Oh yeah,
Madison is a great place to to ,
just to visit to different
places to walk down Madison.
There's camping in Madison.
We've got a beautiful riverfron.
That you can look at.
There's just everything to
explore and the scenery is
fantastic here in Madison. IN
there are so many things to do out here
in Madison with friends and fam,
so people are looking to plan their trip.
Where's the best way to
get some more information?
Best place to go is to visitmadison.org
or if you're already in town,
you can go to 601 W 1st St.
and you can stop in by
the visitor center there.
Come out and check it out.
After the break, we are taking
a tour of Indiana's oldest
private four year college,
and it happens to be right here
in Madison. Stay with us.