Spectral Stone will be in the Blue section of Penrod at Newfields this year! The 59th Annual CBIZ Penrod Arts Fair takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Newfields in Indianapolis, Indiana
The Penrod Arts Fair is an annual Indianapolis tradition known as “Indiana’s Nicest Day” and ranks as one of the largest single-day art fairs in the nation.
- The Establishment: The Penrod Society formed in 1967 as an all-volunteer civic organization.
- The Name: Founders named the group after Penrod Schofield, a mischievous and memorable character from Indianapolis native Booth Tarkington’s novel.
- First Event: The inaugural event took place on September 9, 1967, on the grounds of Oldfields (now part of Newfields).
- Original Purpose: The founders organized the gathering to boost membership and raise construction funds for the Art Association of Indianapolis, which later became the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Growth and Evolution
- Location: The fair has remained on the Newfields campus since its inception, transforming the historic estate grounds into an expansive gallery space.
- Expansion of Events: Over the decades, the single Saturday tradition expanded into a full weekend. Organizers added preview events like “Evening with Penrod” and year-round creative showcases like “Easel by Penrod”.
- Community Impact: Run entirely by volunteers, the fair has distributed nearly $5 million in proceeds over its history. These funds support local central Indiana arts, education, school music instruments, and children’s hospital art therapy programs.