Porching at 16th & Delaware

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American author Henry James once said, “Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

With this in mind, we are happy to present the next installment of our billboard series at the intersection of 16th and Delaware. In an effort to capture the seasonal magic that is summer, artist Kyle Ragsdale has fashioned a painting that, for all of us in the City Gallery, depicts an image of the quintessential summer activity… the porch party.

In his billboard painting “Barefoot President,” Ragsdale depicts a scene as warm as an Indiana summer, and tells the celebratory story of a barefoot neighbor who had just been promoted to president of his company. We see friends in the midst of conversation, surrounded by refreshing festivities, and basking in the twilight. Ragsdale, as a Pleasant St. resident in the Fountain Square community, caught his neighbors gathering on the porch as their kids are seen entertaining one another in the yard. Captured in Ragsdale’s iconic figurative ambiguity, this piece retains the essence of hospitality as the lines begin to blur… a true picture of life in urban Indianapolis.

If Ragsdale’s work has inspired you, and you’re ready join in Indy’s Porch Party scene, then put that porch of yours to work and sign up here to host your very own on Sunday, July 12th!