About Gallery 246

“My dream since I was in second grade has been to have a life based in art”.

Aline Cantrell McCracken, fondly known by her students as, “Miss Mac,” founded Gallery 246 twenty-five years ago. After leasing space with the Batesville Area Arts Council, the gallery was able to move across the street to a space owned by local jewelry store owner, David Thompson. The Gallery prospered and grew and became a popular site to encourage beginning and established artists who needed a place to meet and sell art.  In 2021, Gallery 246 became an official 501c3 to further our mission to help cultivate a vibrant arts scene in Batesville.

After ten years, the building sold and in 2026 the gallery moved once again to a beautiful new home in the Hail Building. Built in the early 20th century, the Hail building has been home to a hardware store, Elizabeth’s Restaurant, Big’s Restaurant and now our art gallery.  We accomplished this move with the help of an army of volunteers including the Lyon College Football Team!

In our new space we have beautiful display areas for 25 artists including a gift shop for woodcrafts, jewelry and handmade items, a large and airy classroom for teaching and making art, an art library and lounge space, and a work room for mat cutting and printmaking. We host 2 big events each year: a plein air workshop and festival, Plein on Main, around Columbus Day in October and a Renaissance Faire the last Saturday in April.