2018 Brings Art Dish, Greatriarchs and More
Ever heard of a Greatriarch?
Last year, our community work brought us into relationship with residents of the Lift Indy neighborhood of Monon16. With the help of TeenWorks and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we took our #porchpartyindy to the homes of long term residents. As we shared a meal and learned their stories, we were moved by the ways their presence has helped to preserve the character of the neighborhood. Harrison Center Artist-in-Residence Abi Ogle, paid tribute to six residents with the large-scale portrait series, “Greatriarchs of Monon16.” This public art display can be seen on the side of the Gleaner’s building along East 16th Street. It was our honor to celebrate these Monon16 pillars through a partnership with Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, King Park Development Corporation and the City of Indianapolis.
Greatriarchs of Monon16
The Greatriarch project was meaningful preparation for our second PreEnactIndy event. While we hadn’t planned to do a large production two years in a row, neighborhood demand encouraged our return. So, in 2018 we partnered with over 50 organizations (including Sapphire Theatre, Freetown Village, Asante Children’s Theater, Small Change, Storefront, and more) to model Monon16 as a revitalized, inclusive neighborhood. PreEnactment casts a vision of a neighborhood the way it ought to be – healthy, equitable, and economically vibrant. More at www.preenactment.org. Partners who funded this year’s production include: Nottingham Realty, Major Tool, Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership, Efroymson Fund, Central Indiana Community Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, and the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation.
Our artists are thriving, with opportunities that your support helps to provide. Here are some highlights:
Benny Sanders had his first solo show in the Harrison Gallery and then headed out for a two-month painting tour of the west.
Abi Ogle is exhibiting her human hair embroideries in galleries in New York and LA and at the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park in New Mexico.
We rented a gallery in Chicago for two months and displayed the work of Justin Vining, Alicia Zanoni, Courtland Blade, Benny Sanders, Kyle Ragsdale and Quincy Owens.
Tom Day and Jingo de la Rosa became Artists-in-Residence and brought Art Speak with them. This monthly live podcast from the Harrison Center is helping to connect millenials to the local art scene.
Songwriter residencies brought Pinkerton Raid, Dirty Blonde, Chase Waller, and Nabil Ince to Indy. They joined local musicians Luke Crawley, Michael Williams, Faith Johnson, Brant Wilson, and Josie Aalsma to write over 20 songs about urban Indy in 2018.
It was rewarding to see Riverside High School move to its permanent location in the restored historic Heslar Naval Armory. Herron and Riverside now operate under the banner of Indianapolis Classical Schools. Joanna Taft was honored as Founding Board Chair Emeritus.
Art Dish
Midwest Center for Joint Replacement and Dr. Mike Berend generously sponsored our new ArtDish, descending table dinner series in the Harrison Gallery. This event has helped us build new relationships with chefs like Jonathan Brooks (Milktooth, Beholder), Neal Brown (Pizzology, Libertine, Ukiyo), and Regina Mehallick (R2GO); and allows us to introduce our artists to potential patrons. It is also available for private event rentals. Come check it out!
Community partnerships continue to help us sell more art. We were thrilled to display art in exterior storefront windows at Circle Centre Mall, at Saks Fifth Avenue at the Fashion Mall and Onyx + East model homes. You can also find work by Harrison Center artists at these locations: City of Indianapolis, Festiva, Tinker Street, The Switchboard, and the former Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce building.
Other key partners supporting our work include the Arts Council of Indianapolis, City of Indianapolis, Indiana Arts Commission, Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Central Indiana Community Foundation, the Indianapolis Foundation, Speck Fund, Lilly Endowment/Summer Youth Program Fund, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Netherleigh Fund, Noyes Fund, Pittsburgh Foundation, Sun King Brewery, Patronicity/Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, Precision Abrasives, Circle City Apartments, Big Green, Urban Times, Tinker Street Restaurant and generous people like you. But we need your continued support to keep the momentum going. Will you help?
This year, we seek to raise $150,000 for our project fund and $10,000 for building renovations. Your donation to the Harrison Center empowers us to build culture in Indianapolis – by hosting monthly gallery openings, offering studios to local artists, growing young entrepreneurs, and partnering with other organizations and neighborhoods to celebrate the arts and community. Please help by making a tax-deductible donation. For your convenience, donations can be made at www.harrisoncenter.org.