May 2018: This Is May

In partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Harrison Center is pleased to present “This is May.” On Friday, May 4 from 6 to 10, we will celebrate Indy’s favorite month with an artist reception, open studio night and Indy 500-themed Porch Party. This is the official kick off for the #PorchPartyIndy season. The Harrison Center will transform its own City Gallery “porch,” located at 1505 North Delaware Street in Indianapolis, into a festive celebration with black and white checkered décor, live music, race-themed activities, giveaways and more. The aim of the event is to encourage residents to host their own race-themed Porch Parties in order to spread a bit of Hoosier hospitality among friends, family and neighbors and extend the excitement and pride for our state’s signature event beyond the yard of bricks.

In the Galleries:

The Harrison Gallery features Marna Shopoff’s Shades of Grey. “Shades of Grey is a visual expression of how my experiences and memories affect my perception of place and space. Blending contemporary and classical approaches to painting and composition, I examine how human experience, place and personal memory affect one’s perception of self. I am interested in the interpretations of, and the interactions with, the spaces that surround me. What memories or feelings do these places spark and what sort of energy do they project? Using gray-scale, geometric abstract paintings, I explore the concept of spatial identity, translating how place and experience uniquely intertwine.” Shopoff received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and Master of Fine Arts degree from Herron School of Art and Design, Indianapolis, IN where she has taught as an adjunct professor in the Foundations and Drawings Programs.

Artwork in the Speck Gallery celebrates the things that fuel Indy in the month of May–auto racing with the abstract contemporary photography of Darrell Staggs and work by various artists depicting favorite May activities like gathering on front porches with family and friends, sharing meals and enjoying the long-awaited spring.

The festivities continue in the City Gallery with the group show, Porching including work by Kat Silver, Anna Afshar, Benny Sanders, Katie Pourcho, Brian Presnell and Jingo de la Rosa. The City Gallery’s focus is on showing place-based work that promotes urban Indianapolis neighborhoods.

Hank & Dolly’s Gallery features Kristi Marsh Watson’s abstract mixed media work. “My goal is for viewers to develop their own process of engagement and interpretation while experiencing my work. I utilize a delicate balance of expressing my ideas while providing just enough information for viewers to create their own meaning.”

The Gallery Annex features work by Grace Beck and Bruce Campbell.

May 4 is the second of four 2018 Open Studio Nights and the Harrison Center’s 36 artists invite attendees into their studios to see where they create.

The work hangs through May 25.