The Bindery

This summer, we have been lucky to have Pattern Magazine operating out of our Gallery No. 2.  At first, we were a little intimidated to have a group of fashion professionals sharing space with us (it takes “What do I wear today?” to a whole new level), but the gracious men and women who work for Pattern have brought not fashion judgment, but a distinctly vibrant energy, beauty, and inspiration to our space.  Pattern, Indy’s own fashion magazine, introduces us to Indiana’s growing fashion industry, showcasing design winners with unique Hoosier style -- “a style that combines our Midwestern penchant for utilitarian aesthetics with the experimental aspirations of a generation ready to show itself to the world.”  The magazine is a beautifully designed publication, featuring gorgeous, accessible clothes modeled by our friends and neighbors, integrated with editorial comment on issues facing our city. It’s brilliant.

For the month of August, we have partnered with Pattern to bring the Indianapolis community The Bindery, a free, pop-up, co-working space for the creative community.  The requisite sewing machines, dress forms, large tables and power strips fill the room, but Pattern has also provided cozy seating areas (for inspiration, collaboration and communication) and lined the walls with elegant displays of old and new fashion magazines and large scale photographs.  Every day, a diverse group of people, from a woman pulling a suitcase overstuffed with quilt scraps to a group of young graphic designers, come through the City Gallery to The Bindery, grab a cup of coffee, and start to sew, talk, work on their laptops or engage with other Indianapolis creatives in one of Pattern’s many design symposiums. I’ve loved seeing the daily changes in the space and the progress on the many projects.  A surprising little community is burgeoning here.

We really enjoy seeing inventive people have a great idea, take a risk, and accept the challenge of making it happen.  The Bindery is a great example of a “living charrette” that shows what a grassroots, community serving, local design business could look like.  Pattern believes “that providing the creative class a low-key, inclusive space to work, play, and collaborate is the surest way to unite and grow the creators and consumers of design in Indianapolis into a sustainable, influential economic and cultural force.” A great thing for our city that we would love to see come to fruition.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to see it, yet, come visit The Bindery, open 9-5 through September 5 in Gallery No. 2 of the Harrison Center.  For another opportunity to see innovative ideas put into action, come out September 6 to see us give away $10,000 at the final 5x5 Arts and Innovation Prize Contest. Tickets are still available here.