The Stutz Sculpture is one of four auto-themed sculptures along the 96th Street corridor in Carmel…read more One of the "Classic Cars of Indiana," Stutz is one of my favorites in Carmel. It's possibly second to the Marmon Wasp - another one I absolutely love. All four classic car sculptures were created by Arlon Bayliss, a local artist whose design incorporates dozens of steel fabricated by Bo-Mar industries. Each vertical slice of steel creates an "ethereal light-permeable abstract form." At night, it's illuminated from within. The sculpture sits on a 5-foot Indiana limestone base. The sculpture is 16-feet-high and inspired by the Stutz's well-known "Ra" art deco hood ornament. I miss the days when we had really cool hood ornaments. The sculpture is inside the roundabout at 96th and Gray Road. I'm not one who's enamored with a lot of Carmel's public art, however, this is one I'll even drive out of the way a bit to go see. The sculpture was the last of the four "Classic Cars" to be installed and was completed in September 2024. I personally think it's worth the time to drive across 96th Street to catch all four. Plus, hey, think of all the roundabouts. Seriously, this is one of my favorites of the public art installations in Carmel roundabouts. It's definitely worth a visit or at least a drive-by.

Again: I know nothing about art, just going by what I like and what I don't …read more This is another roundabout sculpture in the series of Indianapolis' auto industry and racing history. They are back to back along 96th Street. This one looks like the hood ornament Stutz used and based on the sun god Ra. It is made of metal slices and pretty ingenious. I understand it also lights up, but I haven't personally seen it at night. I do enjoy looking at it as I circle it on my way through the roundabout.

The Twisted House is a whimsical, quirky sculpture in the ArtsPark. The house is the 2005 work of…read moreJohn McNaughton. McNaughton was a founding member of the Art Department of University of Southern Indiana. He passed away in 2022. The Twisted House is typical of his fun-loving approach to art. The wood sculpture has a storybook appearance. I can imagine that kids (and maybe even a few squirrels) would have fun visiting and playing in the structure with the crooked door and roof that curves over into the ground. The sculpture brought a smile to my face. The Twisted House worth a visit if you like art. There is no charge to walk through the quiet and serene park. There is free parking at the east side of the park.

It was a cold crisp day in late November when I visited the house. I knocked on the door but…read morenobody was home. Just kidding. It is a piece of artwork. It reminds me of the nursery rhyme about the old woman who lived in a shoe. It is just one piece of outdoor artwork and sculptures available on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center. I found plenty of parking available at the Center's parking lot. Then it is short walk from the lot.

I'm not always a fan of Carmel's roundabout art projects, however, I will acknowledge I'm a fan, a…read morebig fan, of the "Classic Cars of Indiana" project. This sculpture, Marmon Wasp, is part of that collection. It was completed in 2023 and sits in the roundabout at East 96th Street and Priority Way. The entire collection sits along East 96th Street. I think this is a great sort of bridge between Carmel and Indy; it's also a tremendous acknowledging of Indy's history. For those who don't know, the Marmon Wasp was the first car to win the Indy 500 way back in 1911. The sculpture's black and yellow colors are the same colors from the original car. The sculpture was completed by Arlon Bayliss. The base of the sculpture is made of Indiana limestone and brick, the latter reflecting the "Brickyard." The car slants forward with the front wheels raised, a tribute to speed. Bayliss was born in England and is an emeritus professor of art at Anderson University. He's known for public art installations around Indiana, though he's also known across Europe for both studio glass and factory art glass. I'm always struck by the size and power of this sculpture whenever I drive by it. I wouldn't call it quite a destination piece, however, it's a tremendous piece to admire when in the area. I'm a fan of the entire collection - this and the Stutz sculpture are probably my two favorites. If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend checking it out.

Again: I know nothing about art, just what I like and what I don't like…read more This is the first roundabout sculpture you see when you are coming leaving 465 and heading east on 96th Street. It is one in a series of roundabout sculptures that line up along 96th Street. Honoring the Marmon Wasp, one of the earliest race cars on the Speedway track. I not only love that it lights up (and yes I have a thing for sculptures that light up at night) but also that it is painted in yellow and black. How befitting a wasp. I glimpse a bit more of it each time I drive through this roundabout. One day I shall stop and take a really close look.

This is statues of little children running around, pulling some kind of rope or doing something and…read moreholding hands just playing. I have no idea what it's called what it's called but cool to check out.

Crack the Whip is a bronze collection of seven kids playing a crazy game where they hold hands and…read morerun in a circle leaving the last kid in line having to hold on due to the centrifugal force that "whips" them from side to side. As a kid who played this, the thrill came from feeling like you were about to fly! The problem was that it almost always ended with the last kid or two falling to the ground. But we were kids and it was worth the fun. The bronze was created in 1986 by artist/company J Seward Johnson Jr who many will recognize as the creator of the bronze series in the Carmel, Indiana Arts District. The mural sits right at the entrance to the Sheraton Hotel at Keystone at the Crossing, just north of the fashion mall. Review #1519

Carmel has a dang cute selfie station on Elm Street just east of the Monon. The mural looks like a…read more1960's postcard and stamps with scenes from around Carmel. There is even a mark on the sidewalk to tell you where to stand to take your selfie. This is one of several selfie spots that I saw in the area. I used to call the area downtown Carmel, but the City has rebranded as "Midtown" and Midtown Plaza. The colorful mural was the brainchild of Wilkinson Brothers Design and was unveiled in March 2021.

The mural is the work of Carmel-based Wilkinson Brothers Design and was placed in 2021. It faces…read moreElm Street and is opposite the side of the BIG SCREEN at Midtown Plaza. This mural gives the appearance of a vintage post card and reads "Greetings from Carmel, Midtown Plaza". There are scenes from the city in the cutout letters that include the Monon Trail, Sails, the Coxhall Gardens Clock Tower and City Hall. The card is against a colorful cityscape background cutout with other cityscape silhouettes on it. You will also see stamps of local attractions around the area on the mural including Hotel Carmichael and the Palladium. It is a gorgeous mural that is Instagram ready. The city intends it to be an interactive piece that affords visitors the opportunity to take a selfie. To make sure that visitors get the best possible selfie, there is a decal that tells you where to stand. It is located just outside Java House Coffee Bar and Penn & Beech Candle Co. I love interactive art. This mural is no exception. I was excited about seeing it and I am sure it will be a popular attraction in the area. I will say that it is off of a somewhat busy street, so use caution when approaching. There is free street parking and a garage available to park within a very short walk. I know that this is probably not going to be a long stop, but I still recommend checking it out. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip such as the Monon Trail or the Sails sculpture that is right down the street.

Located within walking distance from where all the action is in town made it easy to get around…read morewithout a car. The neighborhood is charming and filled with friendly people. My accommodations were extremely comfortable, clean and truly exceeded my expectations. There are only three quest rooms so it is very quiet and relaxed. The food was absolutely outstanding, especially the chocolate chip cookies!!! Kelly and Joe made me feel like I was at my home away from home. I will definitely return and highly recommend a stay.

We just returned from a stay at this B&B in the charming town of Carmel IN. Our stay was fabulous,…read morethanks to our hosts, Kelly and Joe. The property is lovely, and our room (Anna Lynn) was spacious and comfortable. The pillow top King size bed was spectacular! Joe and Kelly's breakfasts were absolutely phenomenal. Everything was gourmet quality, and served with care. They are lovely people and we enjoyed chatting with them each day. I fell in love with their little dog Ted, and it was very hard to say goodbye! We have stayed in many B&Bs and the Old Town Carmel was one of the best! Would highly recommend this to anyone seeking a relaxing stay in the Indianapolis area, as it was an easy drive to the city. Lots to do in the Art & Design District.

I was in the Yard District in Fishers playing Pokémon GO and found a PokéStop linked to this mural…read more I decided to go check it out and even posted a picture of it on my story on social media. I think the art is great and the message is wonderful. I wish it was in a more noteworthy visible spot though!

I love when I find public art when I am out and about in the indy area, I was walking through the…read morefishers yard district and noticed this colorful piece and had to take a snap of it. Upon further research, I found out that it was painted by Nekoda Witske, who is a part of the hue mural group, I really enjoyed looking at this since it was bright and just really makes you happy (if you're into colors) and is a combo of a face and a rose. I'll have to seek out more of her work around!

Broad Ripple is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Indy, and part of the reason is because of all…read moreof the beautiful murals everywhere. This is one of the murals I see frequently, because it's right by the Rainbow Bridge and my favorite store in Broad Ripple Village, Good Earth. So, according to the artist's website (her name is Abigail Staffelbach), this mural is actually called "Fire Station 32 Mural." At least, that's what it's labeled on her website. The name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue or conjure visions of flower gardens, but it is painted on the side of the Broad Ripple fire station, so it makes sense. Sometimes pragmatism wins. This is a beautiful piece of public art, and fortunately, there are other murals by Staffelbach in the area that you can check out.

Public art mural of some brightly colored and beautiful flowers on the back of the firehouse in the…read morebroad ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis Indiana. My family and I on a weekend getaway from louisville was dining in the area when after eating we decided to discover the area around as it was a cool looking place. We pulled over to check out this rainbow bridge public art when my daughter pointed out this awesome mural just off the banks of the canal water from the bridge. Very fun photo op that is a wonderful piece in an area with all kinds of cool Pieces of public art.

The scent of roses fills the air surrounding this fun and welcoming sculpture at the entrance to…read moreCarmel on Westfield Blvd. The 36 foot sculpture, by Arlon Baylis, is composed of three metal flower stems, each with 16 florets. At night the flowers are lit through dichroic glass lenses with LED lights providing mesmerizing display of changing colors. Baylis studied art at the Royal College of Art in London. He currently teaches at Anderson University, where he established the glass program. Baylis has designed several of my favorite sculptures in Carmel, including Beacon Bloom. The sculpture is difficult to visit up close. While there is a sidewalk surrounding the sculpture, there is no convenient parking. I was able to park on a nearby street and walk. The sculpture is best seen driving through the round about.