The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Welcomes Christina Hollering and Maria Patterson as 2026-2027 Visiting Artists
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Welcomes Christina Hollering and Maria Patterson as 2026-2027 Visiting Artists
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis announces the selection of the new Visiting Artists for the 2026-2027 season: Christina Hollering and Maria Patterson!
Each year, a hand-selected committee reviews the resumes and portfolios of some of the most talented artists with Indiana ties, choosing two exceptional individuals to inspire and engage children and families through art exhibits, displays and hands-on workshops during the year at the museum.
Meet Christina Hollering!
Christina Hollering is a visual artist born in Indianapolis. She earned her BFA and MFA from the Herron School of Art and Design, where she currently teaches. Her work explores the intersection of nature and science, focusing on environmental stewardship and interconnected ecosystems.
“My work is vibrant and layered, combining bold color with intricate forms inspired by nature,” said Hollering. “I create dynamic compositions filled with detailed images of plants and animals, using pattern, movement, and depth to draw viewers in and make the imagery feel alive and accessible.”
Through murals, cut paper collage, and installation, she highlights native flora and fauna while drawing attention to overlooked species and environmental concerns. Recent clients and collaborators include Indy Parks, Eskenazi Health, Pacers Sports and Entertainment, the NBA, the WNBA, and Waste Management.
Hollering commented, “I grew up visiting the museum, had my first art show there in high school, and now bring my own children, so stepping into this role feels wonderfully full circle. I was born and became an artist in this city, and I love that I get to give back to my community in this way. I’m excited to have access to the community through The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and grateful that I get to enhance visitor’s experience while inspiring each other.”
Meet Maria Patterson!
Maria Patterson is an Indianapolis-based woodcarving artist and instructor. Her practice, which began as a self-prescribed, therapeutic antidote for burnout in the tech industry, involves transforming wood from fallen trees into whimsical folk art narratives and mythic realism using only traditional carving knives and hand tools.
“My work is a joyful celebration of craftsmanship as a journey toward truth, goodness, and beauty, giving new life to the bark of fallen trees while honoring the natural grain of wood,” said Patterson. It is a deep collaboration with wood that is expressed through a style that ranges from playful characters and whimsical folk art narratives to mythic realism and detailed fine sculpture.”
In 2023, Maria’s work earned the prestigious Indiana Artisan designation, recognizing her dedication to high-quality Hoosier craftsmanship. By bridging her science and technology innovation background with traditional craft practices, Maria addresses contemporary challenges of digital overwhelm, social isolation, and mental health through timeless creative engagement. Her aim is not just to create beautiful works of art, but to demonstrate how the process of making can foster healing, connection, and resilience.
“I believe humans are meant to be creators, and the people who are truly the best at creating are the ones most recently born – as we grow up we learn to be ‘users,’ especially now with the abundance of modern tech,” said Patterson. “Joy, wonder, and curiosity are all innate survival skills that can get rusty but can also be re-learned. It’s fun to be around children, and people of all ages can learn from them if you make yourself open to it. I am excited to learn from them and have some fun. Woodcarving in particular seems to skew in popularity toward a certain age group, and I’m hoping that teaching carving with more accessible household tools will create some nostalgia and bring families together through artful handwork away from screens.”
Visiting Artist Program
From June 2026 to May 2027, both Christina and Maria will bring their unique artistic visions to the museum, offering a variety of interactive experiences designed to ignite creativity and foster a love for the arts. Their passion for engaging with and teaching children, families and school groups will be evident in the various exhibits and hands-on activities they will lead throughout the year.
The Visiting Artist Program is a project of the Lechleiter Indiana Visiting Artist Fund with support provided by The White Oak Foundation, Sarah and John Lechleiter. For more information on our Visiting Artist programs, visit www.childrensmuseum.org/visiting-artist-program.
