When thinking about the Cultural Districts of Indianapolis we tend to leave out one of our biggest assets of the Arts Community, just because it is housed outside of the designated districts, the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Located at 4000 Michigan Road in Indianapolis lies a vast array of art work, gift shops and some of the most beautiful gardens around, even in the winter. If you have never been or maybe it's been a while, consider now a great time to take the short trip over to the museum. Let's face it, it's way too cold to play outside and First Friday in the Cultural Districts isn't for a few more weeks so we have time to broaden our scope and there isn't a better place than the place that houses thousands of great works of art.

Paired Photographs is a current exhibit that will be on display until March 21, 2010 and is a beautiful one to see. Located in the Golden Gallery is a vast selection of photographs representing architecture, landscape, portraiture, war and abstraction. Not to mention produced by some of the great photographers from our past, just to mention a few, Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Dorothea Lange. One of my all time favorite photographers was Dorothea Lange. She had a way of capturing true emotion in a photograph that is rarely seen today. Lange, along with many of the others, did not consider themselves artists, so the simple irony to see them all grouped and displayed in one of Indy's best art galleries in town is slightly amusing.

If photography isn't up your alley, may I suggest the many other exhibits going on right now?

The Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji is on exhibit until February 7, 2010 and can be seen in the Appel Gallery. This exhibition only features 18 of the prints that make up Utagawa Hiroshige's Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji. I didn't want you to be disappointed if you started counting and realized there are not a full thirty-six. Did I mention these are free exhibits? So, if the holiday madness has your bank account low, this is another great reason to skip the movies this weekend and take a walk through history, learn a little bit, and burn off some calories instead of inhaling a gallon of popcorn while you watch the NEXT apocalyptic movie with 100 other zombie fested viewers.

If you are up for something more risque, how about Revealing Garments: A Brief History of Women's Underwear. This talk will take place on Thursday, January 21st at 7:00pm and pairs nicely with the current exhibit, Fashion in Bloom which will be on display in the Paul Fashion Arts Gallery until January 31, 2010. This exhibition is pulled entirely from the museum's fashion collection. As you might guess from the exhibit's title, one can expect to see an explosion of floral patterns on the garments being displayed, everything from printing, embroidery to beading. You may have even heard of a few of the designers you will encounter, like Bill Blass, I believe he has blue jeans for sale at the local mall, or even Givenchy, Galanos, and Norman Norell can all be gazed upon, but not touched! These styles are not for wearing.

If this isn't enough encouragement to get off the couch, put down the remote, and wander to the IMA for an afternoon or evening of enlightenment, maybe I can tempt you with some delightful tastings at the "Chef's Table Series", every First Thursday from 6:30-8:30pm at the Nourish Café, where one can enjoy a four-course paired with beverages; and since by February we will have forgotten about our New Year's Resolution to lose that extra 20lbs, save the date for Romance and Foods of Love (Sparkling Wines) on February 4th, 2010. You will be dazzled with Soup, Salad, an entree and yes, my favorite dessert. Reservations are needed for this event and no, this is not free, $60 is the cost to feed you for the evening (317.923.1331 ext 235)