Indianapolis Art Center Seeking Artists for Basile Studio Shop

The Indianapolis Art Center is seeking artists for its Basile Studio Shop, located just inside the Art Center’s main entrance. The Shop will re-open in just a few weeks. Mostly local and regional artists are sought in a variety of fine art media (everything from painting and drawing, to glass and jewelry and more!).

To be considered, please download the application [here]

Or mail or hand-deliver, with supporting materials, to:

Indianapolis Art Center
Attn: Basile Studio Shop
820 E. 67th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Reminder: Indianapolis Art Center invitation for artist proposals

Indianapolis Art Center invitation for artist proposals

Gallery / ARTSPARK Exhibitions
Indianapolis Art Center Exhibitions Department is accepting proposals for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 exhibition seasons and for outdoor work for ARTSPARK.


Any artist 18 or older may submit a proposal to be considered for a solo or group exhibition by sending a complete artist's packet to Exhibits Dept. 820 E. 67th St. Indianapolis, IN 46220. Proposals will be accepted until December 31, 2010.

Please send a CD and include:

• an artist statement
• a resume or biography
• 12-15 images of individual works (details may be included)
• A list with title, media, size, and year completed for each image
• support documents such as reviews of prior exhibitions
• a detailed diagram of the proposed layout if it is an installation
• videos of performance work may also be included as part of the packet.

In addition, please answer the two following questions:

The Indianapolis Art Center’s outreach department provides programming to underserved audiences through a variety of programs, educating and engaging the community in all aspects of the creative process. Would you volunteer any time to lead a workshop, provide a tour of your work to youth at the Art Center, or speak to youth at a community center about your career and artwork?

The Indianapolis Art Center has an extensive education program. Would you be interested in lecturing, leading a tour, or offering a workshop to coincide with your exhibition?

Priority will be given to artists living or working within 250 miles of Indianapolis, however, all proposals will be given equal consideration. All proposals collected during the year will be reviewed during March 2011 for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, and you will be notified about your status before the end of June 2011. Your work may be paired with that of other artists in a group exhibition. Proposal materials will not be returned unless the artist provides a SASE.

All works are insured while on site, and a small stipend may be available in curated exhibitions. For further information about the gallery sizes and contract terms, please contact Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions, at PFlaherty@IndplsArtCenter.org or 317.255.2464, ext. 238.

Deadline Tomorrow! Tenth Annual Day of the Dead Celebration

Tenth Annual Exhibition, Workshops and Celebration!

Dear Artist and Collaborator: Thank you very much for your interest in the Indianapolis Art Center’s ninth annual El Día de los Muertos/The Day of the Dead programs. We are glad you want to be a part of our exhibition of altars and shrines, workshops and celebration.
Please review the information about the traditional Mexican celebration of The Day of the Dead holiday, as well as the guidelines for proposing an altar or shrine (or both) for our exhibition. In order to be considered for inclusion, please complete and return your proposal to the Indianapolis Art Center by Friday, September 3, 2010. Forms arriving after that time will be evaluated for inclusion as space permits.
As in previous years, workshops and public tours of our exhibition are being planned for the months of October and November through our Outreach Department.
• The altar exhibition is on view in the Indianapolis Art Center galleries October 8-November 28, 2010.
• The shrine exhibition is outside in ARTSPARK and is on view October 25 - November 7, 2010.
• Our celebration festivities will take place on Saturday, October 30, 3-8 p.m. We invite you to join us!
• Upon acceptance of your proposal design, we will notify you with further information. 


Thank you again for your support of this wonderful cultural tradition! Please contact us if you have any questions: 
Laura Alvarado, Director of Outreach (317) 255-2464 ext. 235 or LAlvarado@indplsartcenter.org Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions Associate (317) 255-2464 ext. 238 or pflaherty@indplsartcenter.org 

Irina Smulevitch, Art Center Instructor and Current Exhibiting Artist

Did you know that the Art Center has a general blog as well as this one? Visit it to read about Artist Member Irina Smulevitch by clicking [here] (you can also check out the link on the right side of the blog anytime)

Request for Proposals: Indianapolis Art Center: Gateway Project Design Competition

RFP: Indianapolis Art Center: Gateway Project Design Competition
Entry Fee: $25
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2010
Award for Winning Design: $1000

Indianapolis Art Center
Exhibitions Department
820 E. 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Site Description:
Located in north Broad Ripple Village, along the banks of the White River, lies the state-of-the-art Indianapolis Art Center. The facility opened on May 31, 1996 and was designed by world-renowned architect and Indianapolis native Michael Graves.

The exterior of the building is peach, red ochre and blue and serves as a landmark for Broad Ripple Village and North College Avenue. In 2005, ArtsPark, a 9-acre sculpture garden and park, was completed and opened to the public. In the summer of 2007 ArtsPark expanded to include a sensory path, canoe launch and additional permanent sculptures.

College Avenue at 67th street is the main vehicle entrance to the Art Center. It is a four lane avenue divided by a landscaped median. Traffic heading south bound on College crosses the White River north of 67th and then, entering Broad Ripple, turns left to access the Art Center at 67th. IndyGo (Indianapolis’ bus system) has a northbound and southbound bus stop at this location.

About Broad Ripple Village
You can learn more about Broad Ripple by visiting www.discoverbroadripplevillage.com/home.cfm

Scope of Project:
This gateway will serve as an entryway to first, the Indianapolis Art Center
and second, Broad Ripple Village. The word “art” must be incorporated in to the
overall design. The design must take into account that automobile, bicycle, and
pedestrian traffic will go under this gateway and city and state laws will need
to be observed. Since there are residences nearby loud or bright installations
may not be appropriate.

Additional possibilities for design include incorporating a pedestrian and/or bicycle bridge over College Avenue as part of the design and/or incorporating the existing bus stops into the design. This intersection is near the Monon Rail Trail which is a highly trafficked pedestrian greenway. The gateway should be a work of art in itself and these functional aspects would be secondary to
design.

Modular proposals will be accepted. Allowing several variations on a theme or phases of development is acceptable.

Budget:
A prize of $1000 will be awarded to the winning design. The winning design will become the property of the Indianapolis Art Center with credit given to the creator(s).

Project budget will be funded based on winning design but has not as of yet been determined. Fabrication, insurance, installation, landscaping, travel, architect/artist fees and incidental costs will be covered in the project budget.

Since the money will be raised by the Indianapolis Art Center from private donors the Art Center reserves the right to release the design back to the artist/group if after 3 years from the award date the money has not been realized. This would not affect the payment of the $1000 prize for the winning design.

Furthermore, the Art Center reserves the right to solicit new designs at any time if 3 years from the award date pass and the project budget is not realized.

Eligibility:
This project is open to all architects, artists and designers as well as artist and design teams working in the United States. Individuals must be over 18 years of age.

Selection Criteria:
Primary selection criteria include:

• design concept based on submitted proposal
• incorporation of the word “art” in to the design
• design concept able to meet city and state requirements concerning installations over roads
• overall feasibility of project and proposed budget
• demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, work within timelines and meet deadlines

Selection Process:
The Indianapolis Art Center will facilitate the review process. We anticipate involving the Exhibitions, Education, and Development departments as well as members of the Broad Ripple Village Association and local arts professionals.

Entry Fee:
A $25 non-refundable entry fee must be paid to the Indianapolis Art Center to enter this
competition. This must be submitted as a check or money order along with the mailed application.

Applications Mailed to:
Indianapolis Art Center
Gateway Design Contest
Attn: Patrick Flaherty
820 E. 67th
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Submission Requirements:

• A one page narrative statement describing the proposal
• A proposed budget. This should include projected fabrication, installation, landscaping, travel, architect/artist fees and incidental costs that would be associated with the building of the proposed gateway. 
• A curriculum vitae and/or resume of the individual or group. Groups can choose to submit one CV as a whole if appropriate. 
• A CD with at least 12 but no more than 30 views/renderings/details of the proposed gateway (this can include digital pictures of a maquette). 
• An image description sheet to correspond with the images on the CD including title, date, dimensions, media and any other relevant information 
• Optional: Up to 10 images of previous projects completed on this or a similar scale

A SASE must be included to have materials returned

Submissions are to be received by October 31, 2010.

Notifications will be sent out by December 31, 2010.

See below for street views and a map with approximate dimensions...

College Avenue facing North

College Avenue facing South

67th Street facing West

67th Street facing East

Here is a map of the area.

Jeff and Joani Rothenberg, With a Little Help From Their Friends: A Multimedia Experience

Indianapolis Art Center's Dr. Jeff and Joani Rothenberg, Lisa Pelo-McNiece, Matt Kenyon and more will exhibit a group show at the Cultural Arts Gallery at IUPUI through July 30.

Works by Jeffrey and Joani Rothenberg will be featured prominently in a group show that they organized at the Cultural Arts Gallery at IUPUI. He works with glass, and she is a painter. - Frank Espich / The Star

» What: An exhibition featuring the works of Dr. Jeffrey and Joani Rothenberg, Cathy Kravitz, Matt Kenyon, Suzy Friedman, Howard Friedman, Lisa F. Pelo-McNiece, Marianne Glick, Irwin Labin, Bruce Loewenthal, Arieh Shaked, Brian Moore and Jeff Greenberg.
» When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through July 30. An opening reception will be held from noon to 2 p.m. July 8.
» Where: The Cultural Arts Gallery at IUPUI, 420 University Blvd., Suite 240.
» Tickets: Free admission. For more information, call (317) 274-7514 or visit www.iupui.edu/~cagcc/.

Joani Rothenberg's "Abstract Fall II" (acrylic on canvas) will be part of the IUPUI exhibit. - Frank Espich / The Star

Excerpt from Indianapolis Star Article / Mary Lee Pappas: 

Painter and illustrator Joani Rothenberg has worked as an art therapist for 20 years. But 12 years ago, after what had been a stressful week on the job for her husband, she enrolled him in a glass-blowing class at the Indianapolis Art Center.

"It was an escape," said Dr. Jeffrey Rothenberg about his venture into the art world. "No one could get hurt but me; it wasn't life and death. It wasn't a form of expression; it was something outside of what I do for a living."

Since then, it has become an avocation.

"And as you can tell, I've gone crazy," said the vice chairman of obstetrics and gynecology and faculty president of the School of Medicine at Indiana University, who created 140 pieces for a recent Kinsey Institute fundraiser in Manhattan and makes free-hand, blown and cast pieces, many of which he donates to charitable causes.

Together, the Rothenbergs are displaying their artistic talents in "Jeff and Joani Rothenberg, With a Little Help From Their Friends: A Multimedia Experience," an exhibit at the Cultural Art Gallery at Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis. In addition to works by the Rothenbergs, the exhibit also includes furniture, photography and other media by several of their artist friends.

Rothenberg creates glass art that often reflects his work as a physician.

See the complete IndyStar article by Mary Lee Pappas here

Extended Deadline! El Día de los Muertos / The Day of the Dead 2010

Call For Entries

Tenth Annual Exhibition, Workshops and Celebration!

Dear Artist and Collaborator: Thank you very much for your interest in the Indianapolis Art Center’s ninth annual El Día de los Muertos/The Day of the Dead programs. We are glad you want to be a part of our exhibition of altars and shrines, workshops and celebration.
Please review the information about the traditional Mexican celebration of The Day of the Dead holiday, as well as the guidelines for proposing an altar or shrine (or both) for our exhibition. In order to be considered for inclusion, please complete and return your proposal to the Indianapolis Art Center by Friday, July 1, 2010. Forms arriving after that time will be evaluated for inclusion as space permits.
As in previous years, workshops and public tours of our exhibition are being planned for the months of October and November through our Outreach Department.
• The altar exhibition is on view in the Indianapolis Art Center galleries October 9-November 7, 2009.
• The shrine exhibition is outside in ARTSPARK and is on view October 8-November 28, 2010.
• Our celebration festivities will take place on Saturday, October 30, 3-8 p.m. We invite you to join us!
• Upon acceptance of your proposal design, we will notify you with further information. 


Thank you again for your support of this wonderful cultural tradition! Please contact us if you have any questions: 
Laura Alvarado, Director of Outreach (317) 255-2464 ext. 235 or LAlvarado@indplsartcenter.org Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions Associate (317) 255-2464 ext. 238 or pflaherty@indplsartcenter.org 

Indianapolis Art Center announces new exhibition opportunities

Indianapolis Art Center extends invitation for artist proposals

Gallery / ARTSPARK Exhibitions
Indianapolis Art Center Exhibitions Department is accepting proposals for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 exhibition seasons and for outdoor work for ARTSPARK.


Any artist 18 or older may submit a proposal to be considered for a solo or group exhibition by sending a complete artist's packet to Exhibits Dept. 820 E. 67th St. Indianapolis, IN 46220. Proposals will be accepted until December 31, 2010.

Please send a CD and include:

• an artist statement
• a resume or biography
• 12-15 images of individual works (details may be included)
• A list with title, media, size, and year completed for each image
• support documents such as reviews of prior exhibitions
• a detailed diagram of the proposed layout if it is an installation
• videos of performance work may also be included as part of the packet.

In addition, please answer the two following questions:

The Indianapolis Art Center’s outreach department provides programming to underserved audiences through a variety of programs, educating and engaging the community in all aspects of the creative process. Would you volunteer any time to lead a workshop, provide a tour of your work to youth at the Art Center, or speak to youth at a community center about your career and artwork?

The Indianapolis Art Center has an extensive education program. Would you be interested in lecturing, leading a tour, or offering a workshop to coincide with your exhibition?

Priority will be given to artists living or working within 250 miles of Indianapolis, however, all proposals will be given equal consideration. All proposals collected during the year will be reviewed during March 2011 for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, and you will be notified about your status before the end of June 2011. Your work may be paired with that of other artists in a group exhibition. Proposal materials will not be returned unless the artist provides a SASE.

All works are insured while on site, and a small stipend may be available in curated exhibitions. For further information about the gallery sizes and contract terms, please contact Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions, at PFlaherty@IndplsArtCenter.org or 317.255.2464, ext. 238.

An Evening with Portrait Photographer Tom Casalini

An Evening with Portrait Photographer Tom Casalini

Indianapolis Art Center
Clowes and Hurt Galleries
April 14, 2010
6:30-7:30 p.m.
FREE

Zionsville-based portrait photographer Tom Casalini will discuss portrait photography in general and the idea behind his exhibition An Indianapolis Legacy, photo portraits of legendary artists in Indianapolis. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibition, which ends April 18 features photo portraits of 14 artists:

Doug David
Lois Davis
John Domont
James Wille Faust
Becky Fehsenfeld
Greg Hull
Walter Knabe
CW Mundy
Jay Parnell
Bill Rasdell
Todd Riefers
Constance Scopelitis
KP Singh
Lois Templeton

Cyanotype Workshop with Casey Roberts

Create your own cyanotype based on the exhibition Freaky Forest: Works by Casey Roberts. Participants will receive a guided tour of the exhibition, learn about the history and process of cyanotypes and work directly with Indianapolis based artist, Casey Roberts, to make their own print. Participants may also have the opportunity to hand paint their prints.

Cyanotype, also know as a sun print or the blue print process is a photochemical, contact print process. When exposed to sunlight and developed a cyanotype gives a vibrant blue image. Cyanotypes are one of the very first photographic processes and was discovered nearly 170 years ago.

To sign up for the workshop please call 317-255-2464 x0

Call for Mural Artists: American Scene DEADLINE EXTENDED

NEW DEADLINE MARCH 31, 2010

The Indianapolis Art Center’s outreach department is looking for 3 Indianapolis artists to work within a new summer public art program for children that we piloted last summer. The new program, American Scene, is designed to introduce youth from underserved areas of Indianapolis between the ages of 8-12 to public works of art created under the 1930’s WPA- Works Progress Administration and Public Works of Art Project. Specifically, students will learn about both Indianapolis based and national American Scene artists whose works of art reflected the hardships faced by people across the country as a result of the Great Depression. The artwork that is created during this project will mirror one part of the American Scene movement, we will ask youth to reflect upon their community and surroundings. A maximum of 25 students will work with each artist at a community partner location to create a small to mid-size piece of public art that incorporates the students’ view of their community and then later be installed at the community partner location.

We are looking for artists with a background in creating murals or sculptural pieces and who have had some kind of experience working with children. Those with this experience are encouraged to submit the following by March 31, 2010.

• Resume and 3 professional references

• One written concept proposal (no longer than one page) that expresses an overall image or concept the students will work within and indicates how the students message and artwork will be implemented using a particular media. If providing a 2D concept please note that most sites will only be able to accommodate a 10’ tall x 20’ length or smaller space.

• A CD with 5 images of your artwork

Mail to:
Laura Alvarado
Director of Outreach
820 E. 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220


For additional information please email lalvarado@indplsartcenter.org


Once chosen, each artist will be expected to team teach students about artwork produced under the WPA and American Scene movement with the assistance of an artist assistant, lead youth through the process of creating a small to mid-size piece of artwork and assist with the installation or logistics concerning installing the artwork at the community partner site.

• Total direct contact/working hours with children in the summer = 20 hours

• Total preparation and installation hours = 30 hours

Total paid for the 50 hours of work= $1250.00

Please note that the material expense will be covered by the Art Center’s outreach dept.

Day of the Dead Altar Artists: Call for Entry

El Día de los Muertos 2010 Day of the Dead
To download an Application Form click [here]




















Altar Proposal Guidelines
Community groups, individuals, and artists are invited to create altars to be displayed in the galleries of the Indianapolis Art Center as part of our annual El Día de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead exhibition. Altars may incorporate both traditional and non-traditional elements.

Please contact us if you have any questions:
Laura Alvarado, Director of Outreach (317) 255-2464 ext. 235 or LAlvarado@indplsartcenter.org
Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions Associate (317) 255-2464 ext. 238 or PFlaherty@indplsartcenter.org

Schedule for Altar Exhibition
Proposal Deadline: Friday, July 1, 2010
Exhibition Dates: Friday, October 8 through Sunday, November 28
Installation Dates: Monday, October 4 – Thursday, October 7 (all altars must be installed during these dates, there are no exceptions)
Celebration Date: Saturday, October 30th (3 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
Takedown Dates: Sunday, November 28th (Noon- 6p.m.)
Monday, November 29th (9 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
Tuesday, November 30th (9a.m. – 9 p.m.)

About the Altar (Ofrenda)
The goal of constructing an altar, or ofrenda, is to honor and welcome back the soul of the deceased person. An altar may be dedicated to an individual or a group of people who have departed. Items on the altar should celebrate the spirit of the deceased in a way that encourages enjoyable memories.

Please note that the altars are to be for specific people, not animals, political or domestic causes. If you wish to work with these themes you should fill out a Shrine application. If you have questions about whether or not your subject is appropriate please contact us.

Applying for an Altar
You will need to fill out the Altar application attached to these guidelines. Please be aware that we reserve the right to choose which altars will be accepted into the show. We will make every effort to accommodate as many participants as possible. In the case of inappropriate subject matter we reserve the right to turn down your application – but will contact you to discuss possible modifications that would make your altar fit in with our celebration.

Please pay special attention to the Description of Elements section of the application. It is important that we know how you will be constructing your altar to make sure that the hardware and materials used are compatible with our gallery space. In addition, we are available to consult you in your altar construction in order to make the best looking altar possible.

How is the altar structured?

• Altars traditionally have three levels: (1) elements on the floor, (2) elements on a table or other elevated area, and (3) elements on a wall.

• For our exhibition, altar formats may be interpreted in traditional and/or contemporary ways. Altars can be viewed as multi-media works of art.

• Objects may be arranged around or over the levels of the altar—examples are a canopy, archway, or hanging from the ceiling. Important: Please don’t include items on your altar that are easily removable. Altars often have very cherished, irreplaceable objects on them–these are encouraged–however, they should be securely fastened to your piece.

• Traditionally, flowers and flower petals are often arranged to lead people to the altar. If you choose to add flowers, please keep in mind that these need to be cared for and contained in some way.

• Size Limits: Height: up to 8 feet Depth: no more than 2 ½ feet Width: may vary, but tends to be 3 to 4 feet.

Traditional Altars
Include many of the following elements:

• Fresh flowers or flower petals—typically marigolds or other yellow or orange flowers. Known as xempasuchitl, the flower of the dead, these make a path to the altar for the deceased’s soul.

• Candles—to light the way to the altar for the deceased’s soul.

• Papel picado, or cut tissue-paper banners—with images of skeletons and flowers.

• Foods beloved by the deceased person, especially fresh food.

• Photographs of the deceased person or other representative objects that tell the story of the deceased.

• Toys, trinkets, and items that represent or were owned by the deceased.

• Incense or fragrant herbs, in particular sage, sweetgrass or copal (traditional Mexican incense)—to purify the altar, represent spirit & guide the soul through scent.

• Salt is also used for purification.

• Icons, retablos, rosaries or other religious symbols or objects as appropriate.

• Vessels containing water—representing the life force, and so the soul may also quench its thirst, or other drink favorites of the deceased. *Please do not place full bottles of liquor/beer on altars for the length of the exhibition.

• Figurines of skeletons or skulls—such as sugar skulls decorated with icing.

• Pan de muerto–traditional Mexican bread baked for the occasion—found in many panaderias (bakeries) in October.

Contemporary /Non-Traditional Altars
Might incorporate the following items:

• Artistic elements–sculpture, paintings, fabric, text, video, music, string lights, etc.

• Non-traditional structure or design, such as an altar that is not made in three levels.

What are the requirements for installing an altar?
Each artist installs his or her altar creation. Your design should be able to be installed by one person within a couple of hours or within several 2-hour shifts. If the altar is more complex or will take longer, please recruit and bring helpers as necessary. Other artists installing at the same time as you might need brief assistance, so please be prepared to help each other out. Creating an altar is traditionally a collaborative process!

Keep in mind that all Altars must be installed no later than 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 7th. Altars will NOT be allowed to be installed after this point – no exceptions!


General Guidelines for Altar Construction

• Keep your safety and the public’s safety in mind when installing your altar.

• OK to hammer nails into the wall to hang objects.

• Please bring your own tools and hardware.

• Upon request, the Art Center will provide ladders for all artists to share.

• Do Not plan to draw or paint directly on the wall.

• Do Not use Velcro, foam tape or double-stick tape to attach items to the walls.

• Do Not use stickers, contact paper, or similar materials

• Keep food packaged or wrapped to discourage vermin.

• Candles will only be lit during the public celebration. Please provide supervision for lit candles.

• The public will be encouraged to lay flowers and bread on the altars during the celebration. If you do not wish to have these additions please let us know in your proposal.

• Feel free to make your altar as expressive and artistic as you wish!

Text and signage:

• NEW procedure regarding label and bio: Once your altar design is accepted, please email us your full label copy and a brief bio about yourself or your group. This will help speed up the process of getting your label formatted and translated into Spanish. (Please let us know if you can provide your own Spanish translation.) We will do our best to get a draft to you for final review.

• Your label may include an explanation of elements of the altar, a poem, or your remembrances of the deceased individual you are honoring. Please keep this additional text to one-half of a page or less.

• After the altars are up, the Art Center will mount/hang the label text (and light altars appropriately). 

To download an Application Form click [here]

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Indianapolis Art Center to extend exhibition proposal deadline for 2011-12

Gallery / ARTSPARK Exhibitions

The Indianapolis Art Center Exhibitions Department is extending the deadline for accepting digital proposals for the 2011—12 exhibition season and for outdoor work for ARTSPARK.

Proposals will be accepted until February 28, 2010. Any artist may submit a proposal to be considered for a solo or group exhibition by sending a complete artist's packet to Exhibits Department, 820 E. 67th St. Indianapolis, IN 46220

Please send a CD and include:

• an artist statement

• a resume or biography

• 12-15 images of individual works (details may be included)

• A list with title, media, size, and year completed for each image

• support documents such as reviews of prior exhibitions

• a detailed diagram of the proposed layout if it is an installation

• videotapes of performance work may also be included as part of the packet.

In addition, please answer the two following questions:

1. The Indianapolis Art Center’s outreach department provides programming to    underserved audiences through a variety of programs, educating and engaging the community in all aspects of the creative process. Would you volunteer any time to lead a workshop, provide a tour of your work to youth at the Art Center, or speak to youth at a community center about your career and artwork?        
2. The Indianapolis Art Center has an extensive education program. Would you be interested in lecturing, leading a tour, or offering a workshop to coincide with your exhibition?

Priority will be given to artists living or working within 250 miles of Indianapolis, however, all proposals will be given equal consideration. All proposals collected during the year will be reviewed during March 2010 for the 2011-12 season, and you will be notified about your status before the end of June 2010. Your work may be paired with that of other artists in a group exhibition. Proposal materials will not be returned unless the artist provides a SASE.

All works are insured while on site, and a small stipend may be available in curated exhibitions. For further information about the gallery sizes and contract terms, please contact Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions, at PFlaherty@IndplsArtCenter.org or 317.255.2464, ext. 238.

Indianapolis Art Center announces new exhibition opportunity

Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition that demonstrates a strong sense of love and respect for one’s deceased ancestors through the creation of altars. Equivalent to Memorial Day in many respects, Day of the Dead focuses on celebrating the continuance of life, family relationships and community solidarity. The Indianapolis Art Center hosts a large scale Day of the Dead Altar Exhibition each year that includes 15-20 altars created by artists, schools, community groups and individuals. The Art Center is looking to incorporate shows in other galleries of the building during this time(October 8 – November 28, 2010) that share a common thread or connection to this Day of the Dead show. We are looking for artist’s whose work may touch on the following themes: family or ancestry, storytelling, memorials, community or tradition.

Who should propose a body of work?:
Any artist who has a collection of work that is connected to one of the themes above. 2D or 3D work is welcome. A group show incorporating multiple artists who focus on one
of the themes above is also welcome. Applicants will be considered for either a
solo show or a group show depending on the submissions received. Artists
interested in having a solo show would need between 20-35 works.

What your proposal needs to include:

• An artist statement with a half page written explanation of what you are proposing

• 12-15 digital images on a CD of the work you are proposing, also include with these images an image description sheet with prices of each piece of work

• A resume

How to send in a proposal:
Please send in your full proposal to:

Indianapolis Art Center
Day of the Dead Exhibition Proposal
Attention: Patrick Flaherty
820 E. 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Due Dates:
Send in your full proposal by March 26, 2010

If you have any questions, please contact 255-2464 ext. 238 or email PFlaherty@IndplsArtCenter.org

Artist Member Ruby Ballard-Harris presents African-American Quilters: A Hidden Gem

In honor of Black History Month, the Indianapolis Art Center will exhibit the quilts of five African American women. African-American Women Quilters: A Hidden Gem opens January 29, 2010 6-8pm (exhibition runs January 22 through April 13, 2010). The exhibition is free.

The folk tradition of African-American quilting is largely unknown. Some researchers trace its lineage all the way back to African tribes whose brightly colored cloths were used to welcome guests or identify someone as an important person in society. Making a noticeable resurrection during the era of slavery in the United States, when slaves met to quilt for fellowship and for practical use and most brilliantly, to post directions along the Underground Railroad. However, the story of the how African-American quilts came to be shown and celebrated at the Art Center follows the path of one woman, Ruby Ballard-Harris, exhibition curator, Fabrics Designer, and Art Center Instructor.

Like many African-American quilters, quilting was a tradition in Ruby’s household. “My mother was an avid seamstress, quilter, knitter, crocheter, everything and I was right there. So, I knew early in life what I wanted to do.” Ruby channeled her energy into fabrics and design at an early age, making clothes for her siblings and even designing and sewing her 5th grade teacher’s wedding dress.

Ruby received a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and Fashion Design but, growing up in an era when women were more commonly taking the roles of wife, mother, secretary, nurse, or teacher, her mother discouraged her from pursuing a career in fabrics and design. “I was kind of discouraged by my mother because she said I needed to be able to take care of myself.” So Ruby became a teacher. “Teaching was an easy field to get into, especially in the black community.” She taught everything from kindergarten to home economics, which happened to be her favorite, and went on to get a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Purdue. Ruby explains her reasoning for getting an MSW as being, “Because all my teaching jobs were in an area where kids needed help or there was a need for me to be the village, the mother, the father, the social worker – you know, just everything. Because for me it was a way for me to not do what I naturally wanted to, to get away from design.”

But Ruby would never get away from design. She has translated her lifelong passion for fabrics into a viable career, instructing Sewing at the Art Center since 1992 and designing custom African-inspired jackets and coats. “Anybody can be do European design, classical things, just regular clothes, but I have a love for African fabric. And once I found ethnic fabrics, I found my niche by doing jackets.” African fabrics have a very recognizable design, characterized by bright colors and intricate patterns. Ruby’s designs, called Ruby’s Raps, are unique and instantly recognizable, featuring beautiful buttons and a very tailored, finished look.

Ruby has participated in many exhibitions and shows as an artist, but the African-American quilting exhibit will be the first show she’s ever curated, “I just knew that the Art Center needed to be involved in something for Black History Month. I knew I quilted and there are a number of black quilters around and that would make a great presentation.” The African-American Woman Quilters: A Hidden Gem exhibition will showcase five African-American women's quilts, including quilts by Ruby.

According to Ruby, the average quilt takes 2-4 months to make. African-American quilts are often done freehand and improvised, rarely keeping a set pattern, which is one of the characteristics that make African-American quilts so engaging and interesting to look at. Patterns and shapes are typically large and asymmetric, with bright and often contrasting colors. Quilts often tell a story and can narrate family and cultural history.

About Ruby Ballard-Harris
When Ruby isn’t designing, she is doing what comes most natural to her, teaching. She has been instructing sewing classes at the Art Center since 1992 and has instructed at Shortridge and Tech High Schools.

Artist Member Bernie Carreno to Exhibit

Carreno Studio and Gallery
901 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 460-7061
Show Dates: January 8 - March 4, 2010




Opening Reception: Friday, January 8, 6:00-8:00pm
Artist Member Bernie Carreno is opening an exhibition entitled Profusion at his gallery. Profusion is a collection of small scale works in bronze, steel, and iron. The art explores the placement of open and closed spaces as a venue to communicate contrasting points of view.

For directions to the Gallery click [here].

Carreno is the head of the sculpture department at the Indianapolis Art Center. He has a MFA and BFA in Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin. He has completed numerous large scale public sculptures as well as many private commissions and is in private and public collections around the country. His work is exhibited in private galleries as well as museums. He is an accomplished sculptor nationally recognized as a master of fabricated (welded-steel and aluminum) sculpture and cast metal sculpture (aluminum, bronze and iron). Carreno has taught at the Art Center for over 7 years.

To learn more about taking classes at the Art Center click [here].

Artist Member M Kathryn Massey updates Website

Indianapolis Art Center Artist Member M Kathryn Massey has udated her website, To check it out click [here].

About M Kathryn Massey: Massey presents traditional fine art influenced by the Dutch and Flemish Masters. Teacher, painter and writer, Mary is acknowledged for her classical still life paintings. She is writing her first book on painting. She holds professional memberships with American Artists Professional League and Allied Artists of America among others. Her work and articles have been featured in several national publications. Mary has taught at the Art Center for over 7 years.

To learn about taking classes at the Art Center click [here].

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the Indianapolis Art Center's Exhibitions Department! We wish all of you success in your artistic endeavors in 2010.

Don't forget to keep me posted with your happenings.

All the best,

Patrick Flaherty
Indianapolis Art Center Exhibitions

Job Opeing: Indianapolis Art Center to hire an Outreach Technician

Arts Outreach Technician (30-40 hours a week): 

The Indianapolis Art Center is looking for a unique individual who can assist the outreach department with programs in the community. Primary job responsibilities include; creating themed lesson plans using Discipline Based Art Education method, teaching these lesson plans to youth in workshops across the city, preparing and maintaining art materials for use in outreach programs, hanging outreach exhibitions at the Art Center and throughout the city, and assisting the outreach team with overall event planning and implementation. Candidate must possess artistic background (working artist, art educator and/or possess Fine Arts Degree) and experience teaching art to underserved youth. Must be able to climb ladders and lift 50lbs.
Send a resume and cover letter by January 8 to: Laura Alvarado, Director of Outreach, 820 E. 67^th St., Indianapolis, IN 46220 or by email: lalvarado@indplsartcenter.org. No phone calls please.

Indianapolis Art Center to extend exhibition proposal deadline for 2011-12 season

Gallery / ARTSPARK Exhibitions

The Indianapolis Art Center Exhibitions Department is extending the deadline for accepting digital proposals for the 2011—12 exhibition season and for outdoor work for ARTSPARK.

Proposals will be accepted until February 28, 2010. Any artist may submit a proposal to be considered for a solo or group exhibition by sending a complete artist's packet to Exhibits Department, 820 E. 67th St. Indianapolis, IN 46220

Please send a CD and include:

• an artist statement

• a resume or biography

• 12-15 images of individual works (details may be included)

• A list with title, media, size, and year completed for each image

• support documents such as reviews of prior exhibitions

• a detailed diagram of the proposed layout if it is an installation

• videotapes of performance work may also be included as part of the packet.

In addition, please answer the two following questions:

1. The Indianapolis Art Center’s outreach department provides programming to    underserved audiences through a variety of programs, educating and engaging the community in all aspects of the creative process. Would you volunteer any time to lead a workshop, provide a tour of your work to youth at the Art Center, or speak to youth at a community center about your career and artwork?        
2. The Indianapolis Art Center has an extensive education program. Would you be interested in lecturing, leading a tour, or offering a workshop to coincide with your exhibition?

Priority will be given to artists living or working within 250 miles of Indianapolis, however, all proposals will be given equal consideration. All proposals collected during the year will be reviewed during March 2010 for the 2011-12 season, and you will be notified about your status before the end of June 2010. Your work may be paired with that of other artists in a group exhibition. Proposal materials will not be returned unless the artist provides a SASE.

All works are insured while on site, and a small stipend may be available in curated exhibitions. For further information about the gallery sizes and contract terms, please contact Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions, at PFlaherty@IndplsArtCenter.org or 317.255.2464, ext. 238.