February 2024: In the Paint
In the Paint by Israel Solomon
First Friday Gallery Opening
6 pm - 9 pm Friday, February 2, 2023
FREE EVENT
Registration is not required.
On February 2nd, join us for First Friday! Enjoy these openings:
In the Harrison Gallery,
In the Paint by Israel Solomon. Solomon’s latest body of work, featuring his distinct style of geometric acrylic paintings, pays homage to the space under the basket in a basketball court. This area is known for its intense and dynamic gameplay, which serves as a metaphor for how seriously Solomon takes his work and growth as an artist.
In the Gallery Annex,
Hoop, There it is, a basketball-themed group exhibition. This group exhibition explores the intersection of basketball and art, showcasing diverse works that give a nod to the game and its culture. This collection offers a unique perspective on the world of basketball through the eyes of Indianapolis artists.
In the City Gallery,
Ingenuous Color and Nature by Critt Hunter. Hunter is known for his oil paintings that showcase the magnificence of everyday life. His observant eye helps him find inspiration in the minutiae we often overlook in our busy lives. By using arbitrary and local colors, his paintings give an impression of vitality and encourage the viewers to pause and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us each day.
In the Speck Gallery,
The Painter and The Potter by Megan Jefferson and Corey Jefferson. Experience the synergy of this talented duo's artistry through their respective mediums, painting and ceramics. The couple's work is disparate in medium yet harmonious in style and message, with serene oil paintings alongside wheel-thrown ceramic sculptures.
In the Hank & Dolly’s Gallery,
Journey Unveiled by Dana Powell-Smith. Journey Unveiled exhibits a personal look into the African American through mixed-medium works. It explores their traditions, past times, joys, and tragedies. Through simple lines, shapes, and colors, this exhibition will weave a narrative that transcends time.
In the Underground Gallery,
Faces in Places by Basil Smotherman. This collection of watercolor and acrylic works offers viewers a unique perspective into the artist's personal interactions. Each piece showcases a connection between individuals and their surroundings while highlighting the artist's distinctive style of marking surfaces and using color to make bold statements about the subjects represented. The exhibit is an exploration of people, color, and the art-making process.
The Harrison Center will also host a tribute in our historic gymnasium to honor our friend William “Bill” Rasdell, who passed away in November. Rasdell was a digital artist and photographer who holds a special place in our community’s history as the very first artist to have a studio at the Harrison Center. The tribute event will feature various activities, including musical performances, Cuban dance, stories and memories shared by friends and colleagues, screenings of Rasdell’s past video interviews and travel photography, a pop-up exhibition of William Rasdell's Art Retrospective, and Cuban cuisine. There will be many other exciting things to look forward to as well.
All shows will open at 6 pm on Friday, February 2nd.
In-person gallery tours will open for visitors Monday-Friday from 9 am - 5 pm. Online galleries will open on February 3rd. Make an appointment or view the online galleries at harrisoncenter.org/buy-art.
Special Senior Hours are every Friday from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. No appointment is needed.
With support from: Arts Council of Indianapolis, City of Indianapolis, Indiana Arts Commission, Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, and Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.
About the Harrison Center
The Harrison Center is a community-based, nonprofit arts organization that seeks to be a catalyst for renewal in the city of Indianapolis. Founded in 2001, the organization’s work is two-fold. The Harrison Center is for the Arts by hosting 38 artists’ studios and 8 galleries. It provides programming to foster the creation of new art, build community among artists and emerging patrons, and provide a forum for public conversation. The Harrison Center is for the City by connecting people to culture, community, and place to strengthen Indianapolis’s core neighborhoods. For more information on the Harrison Center, call 317.396.3886 or visit www.harrisoncenter.org. Connect with the Harrison Center on social media at Facebook/@HarrisonCenterArts, Instagram/@harrisoncenterarts, or Twitter/@HarrisonCtrArts.