The Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy in Vincennes is set to expand, featuring a new gallery dedicated to showcasing the artwork of Red Skelton, the celebrated entertainer and Vincennes native. This addition will highlight Skelton’s skills as a painter, with a collection of his works spanning various stages of his life.

Lothian Skelton, Red’s widow, recently visited Vincennes and shared her pride in seeing this project take shape. Her hope is for the gallery to inspire young people, showing them that they can achieve their dreams regardless of humble beginnings. “Whatever their dream may be. Believe in yourself,” she encouraged, adding that self-confidence is key to achieving success. “If you don’t, if you say, ‘Well, that’s too good for me,’ you scared it away already. See yourself as successful…so shall it be.”

The project also has support from local officials, including Vincennes Tourism and Visitors Bureau Director Janice Barniak. She sees the new gallery as a valuable addition to the region’s art scene, saying, “Vincennes has a very thriving art community with the Northwest Territory Artists Guild, the VU campus’s excellent art facilities, and art spaces downtown. This fits into an overall arts renaissance happening here.”

Meanwhile, Anne Pratt, the museum’s executive director, noted that architects were on-site this week as the project officially begins. The Vincennes University Board of Trustees approved bids for the expansion in October, with costs exceeding $4.1 million. A $4 million donation from Lothian Skelton to the Vincennes University Foundation in 2023 helped bring the vision to life. The new gallery will be named the Lothian and Red Skelton Gallery of Fine Art.