Biography
Addie Hirschten is a contemporary painter, art teacher, author of several books, and host of the Studio Alchemy Podcast. They sign their paintings with the name Vita after the garden designer, Vita Sackville West. Hirschten currently lives and teaches in the Studio Alchemy Art Gallery in Indianapolis Indiana.
Hirschten earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Appalachian State University graduating in 2000. After working for a number of years as a children’s librarian, they went on the earn a Master of Library Science from Indiana University in 2010. When they moved to Indianapolis in 2011, they spent several years conducting performances for children in libraries throughout the state of Indiana as well as working as a public speaker for community organizations and Unitarian Universalist churches. Hirschten also works as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator.
Hirschten’s style can range from abstract expressionist work to impressionism that reveres the sacred beauty of the natural world. Hirschten is a Purdue University Extension Master Gardener and incorporates the botanical images into artwork. Her other serious hobby is playing old-time and early blues style violin. View the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@FiddlingAddie
Students of Hirschten over the years…
The Studio Alchemy Podcast
On the Studio Alchemy podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and self-help techniques. On the podcast we hunt for the wise balance between accepting what is and taking empowered action. We can change both our physical and spiritual selves for the better by examining how our outer world reflects our inner world. Originally the Alchemy of Art podcast the focus has changed from artist interviews to a wide range of topics on transformation.
Past guests on the show include Megan Jefferson, Caravan Classes, Bobbie Lancaster, Paula Scott-Frantz, Kyle Herrington, Tori Weyers, Rebecca Berdel, Laura Lohmann, Sharon Vargo, Cara Moczygemba, Bianca Dudeck-Mandity, Randal David Tipton, Elizabeth Duvivier, Danny Gregory, David Gallup, Pam Newell, Carrie Schmitt, Dianne de Las Casas, Sofiya Inger, Trisha Adams, Jessica Kaufman, Sonja Brooks, Dan Fifer, Dima Kroma, Jason Adams, Richard Brendan, Jude Odell, Jessica Green, Flora Bowley and more...
Listen on iTunes
Or on Podbean- Click on the upper right side to hear past episodes:
Hirschten speaking with Lt. Governor Sue Ellsperman upon being honored for the painting "6pm on the Canal" at the Indiana State Capitol in 2013.
Past Painting Exhibitions:
Studio Alchemy Monthly Shows, August 2018-Present
Penrod Art Fair 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Lincoln Lane Indianapolis Solo Show, March 2024
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis Show with Victoria Williams Steen, February 2024
Hamilton County Public Library Ignite Solo Show Summer 2023
Vibrant Health Studio Solo Show Fall 2023
“Jacob’s Ladder” Religion, Spirituality and the Arts 2022-2023
Strange Angels with Martin Clinch, December 2022
High Frequency Arts Show, November 2022
Sunflowers, Solo Show, Mayright Reality, May 2022
Featured Artist in the Indianapolis Decorator Show House 2022
Winter Dreams, Solo Show, Rabble Coffee Shop, February 2022
The Color Green Exhibition, Garfield Park Center, June 2021
“Felines and Canines” Show, Harrison Center for the Arts, May 2021
“Painting Broad Ripple” for the Broad Ripple Hotel March 2020
“Together We Can” Show, Women of Indianapolis Arts hosted by the Circle City Complex, Nov 2018
“Dreaming of Spring” Solo Show, Mass Ave Wine, June 2019
Indianapolis Art Center Faculty Exhibit August 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Painting the Sky, Fletcher Place Arts, February 2018
Mish Mash Collage Exhibit, Indianapolis Art Center, Spring 2018
Patachou Downtown, Solo Show New Abstract Works, March 2018
New Landscapes Solo Show, Legend of Irvington, December 2017
SoBro Cafe Ongoing Exhibit 2017-2018
Solo Show All Souls Church of Indianapolis, November 2017
Solo Show at Monon Coffee Company "Scenes of Broad Ripple" November 2017
"19 Stars of Indiana" Exhibit, First Place Teacher Award, Indianapolis Museum of Art, 2016
Broad Ripple Art Fair 2018
"Petal Pushers" Show, Harrison Center for the Arts, April 2017
"Vanitas" Solo Show, Harrison Center for the Arts, November 2015
Solo Show Indy Reads Bookstore September 2015
Hoosier Salon Annual Exhibit 2015
"Paintings of Fall" Nov. 2015, "Art In Bloom" April 2015, and "Spring Show" April 2017 Petrov's Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
"Love, Lust and Poetry" Exhibition, Nickle Plate Arts, Noblesville, IN February 2015
"Magnificent Amber" Exhibition, Harrison Center for the Arts, Indianapolis, IN December 2014
"Gathering Light" Solo Show, Gallery Two, Indianapolis, IN August 2014
"Roses are Red" Solo Show April 2014, "Painting Springtime" February 2016, and "New Impressionist Paintings" April 2017 Patachou Restaurant Indianapolis, IN
"Scenes of Indiana" Solo Show, Monon Coffee Company, Indianapolis, IN March 2014
"Wanderlust" Exhibition, Indiana University Art Gallery, Kokomo, IN March 2014
"Portraits of Passion" Solo Show, The Sanctuary, Indianapolis, IN July 2013
Hoosier Women Artist Award and Exhibition, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, Indiana State House, 2013
Annual Women's Exhibit, Indiana Interchurch Center Gallery, 2013, 2014 and 2015
"Put a Bird on It" Show, Harrison Center for the Arts, March 2012
"Reflections" Exhibition, Fletcher Place Art and Books, Indianapolis 2012
Day of the Dead Installation, Indianapolis Art Center 2011
Past Performance Art and Public Speaking Venues:
Hamilton County Public Library Ignite Maker in Residence Summer 2023
Unitarian Universalist Church of Williamsburg
Unitarian Coastal Fellowship of Morehead City, NC
Art of Education Live Podcast Interview Episode 16
Art and Soul Retreat, Virginia Beach 2016
Kentucky Storytelling Conference 2015, Burkesville, KY
Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN
Northwest IN Reading Council Young Author's Conference
Women's Department Club, The Propylaeum, Indianapolis
Oaklandon Unitarian Universalist Church
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Kokomo
Willard Public Library, Evansville, IN
Aurora Public Library, Aurora, IN
Brown County Public Library, Nashville, IN
Avon-Washington Township Public Library, Avon, IN
IPS School 58, Indianapolis, IN
IPS School 84, Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
Kokomo-Howard Public Library, IN
Sullivan County Public Library, IN
Nora Elementary School, Indianapolis
West Washington Elementary, Campbellsburg IN
Girl Scout Camp Dellwood, Indianapolis, IN
West Asheville Public Library, Asheville, NC
Enka-Candler Public Library, Asheville, NC
Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington, IN
Attica Public Library, IN
Walton-Tipton Public Library, IN
Bloomfield-Eastern Green County Public Library, IN
Children's Choice Learning Center, Indianapolis, IN
Greensburg/Decatur Public Library, IN
Hamilton Public Library, IN
Marion Public Library, IN
Owen County Public Library, IN
Benton County Public Library, IN
Earl Park Public Library, IN
Rockville Public Library, IN
Beech Grove Public Library, IN
Oxford Public Library, IN
Learning Time Preschool, Indianapolis, IN
Spring Valley Elementary School, French Lick, IN
Monroe County YMCA Literacy Night, Bloomington, IN
Indiana University Back to School Literacy Program, Bloomington, IN
Bloomington Storyteller's Guild, Festival of Ghost Stories 2009, 2010, Wintertelling 2010, IN
"Stories Coming Round the Mountain" Wake County Library Festival 2004, 2005, 2006 (Recorded for Public Television)
"Preschooler's We Love You" Program, Pack Library, Asheville, NC 2006, 2007 (Recorded for Public Television)
Host of the Indiana Storyteller's Workshop and Retreat 2011, 2012, 2015