Scott Johnson, “This Is May (2023)”
As we close out Indianapolis’ favorite month, we wanted to recognize the many local organizations that came together to give our city its well-deserved spotlight. We spoke with Julie Goodman, President and CEO of the Indy Arts Council, to learn how the Council created the greatest ART in racing.
Access member profiles from previous months here. Have news you want shared? Let us know!
Thanks to a collaboration between the Indy Arts Council and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, downtown Indianapolis was adorned with several works of racing-inspired art. How did the Annual Welcome Race Fans Project come to be?
When the IMS was looking to celebrate the 100th running of the Indy 500, a member of the Hulman-George family, Jarrod Krisiloff, was a member of the Arts Council board. The IMS was exploring new technology while paying homage to the history of the race and they wanted art to reflect those stories that are unique to Indianapolis. That year, 33 central Indiana artists created colorful Welcome Race Fan artworks that stood in contrast to the black-and-white imagery that usually took over bars, restaurants and neighborhoods.
The goal was to catch people’s attention, support and showcase local talent–and inspire racing fans to become art fans. Shannon Linker, then the Arts Council’s VP of Artist Services, remembers so many people calling us that year to ask when the next year’s artworks and posters would become available. It proved to have staying power and is now part of Indy’s #ThisIsMay traditions. It’s amazing to think that nearly 70 artists have created Welcome Race Fans artworks since the program started in 2016.
How are artists selected for the project?
The Arts Council puts out an open call each fall and invites central Indiana artists to apply. (Interested artists should sign up for our Artist Opportunities newsletter.) Then, representatives from the Indy Arts Council and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway select five diverse artists based on their applications and examples of their work. Artists choose the story they want to tell around “This is May”– from the race itself to porch parties to the energy in the city. From April to mid-June, the five artworks go off on their own adventure–they move around the city and are turned into banners, billboards and posters.
Artists of previous Welcome Race Fans works came together to create a new exhibition at the Council’s Gallery 924. What are guests able to experience at the #KeepIt500 Exhibit?
You get to see what 36 of your favorite Welcome Race Fans artists–Boxx the Artist, Kyle Ragsdale, Mirvia Sol Eckert and more–like to create outside of “month of May”- themed artworks. On May 5, we were honored to celebrate the five 2023 Welcome Race Fans artists with a “milk bottle” ceremony led by Doug Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president, and Allison Melangton, senior vice president of Penske Entertainment. We invite you to join us at our next First Friday reception from 6 to 9 p.m. June 2, where you can enjoy a casual reception and meet some of the artists. The show is open through June 22.
If GIPC Members want to experience Gallery 924, when are the best times to visit?
We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, but you are also welcome to contact Kate Oberreich, Artist Engagement coordinator, to make an appointment for a visit that’s convenient to you. Her email is kateo@indyarts.org. And of course, the First Friday of each month is a great time to visit.
The Indy Arts Council fosters meaningful engagement in the arts all year long. What future event or exhibit has you the most excited?
Two things: We’re excited to unveil the new mural of Black Arts Movement poet Etheridge Knight at the Chatterbox on June 30–it’s part of the City of Indianapolis Bicentennial Legends Series and the public is invited to attend.
And, we’re always excited about Start with Art, Indy’s official kick off to the fall arts season, from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, August 24, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. More than 700 corporate, civic, and arts leaders will gather to celebrate our city’s cultural renaissance while supporting the Arts Council’s mission to nurture a culture where artists and arts organizations thrive. Please visit our website for details or reach out to Rochelle Jerry, Director of Development, at rjerry@indyarts.org. We hope to see you there!