I was in Anderson recently for a work obligation and it gave me the opportunity to check out…read moreAnderson University's Centennial Prayer Labyrinth. If you've followed me for any length of time, you already know that I am a lover of labyrinths and enjoy discovering the ones located in Indiana or in other cities that I visit. The Anderson University Labyrinth was developed in 2018 as part of the university's 100th anniversary celebration. It's an 11-circuit Chartres design that is 42-feet in diameter. It's located directly north of the soccer field in a tree-lined field. It's also behind the Fine Arts Building. It's a beautiful setting and five years after its construction I have to say it's also being beautifully maintained. As is true of most labyrinths, the labyrinth here is very much considered a place for prayer and meditation. It was initially opened during Homecoming and Family Weekend in 2018 and is a public, outdoor, and permanent labyrinth. It's made of acid-stained concrete and my understanding is that it was one of the last outdoor labyrinths made by Paxworks. The Centennial Prayer Labyrinth continues to be appreciated by the university. During my visit, I saw a couple of other people stop by and spend some time on it. Anderson is only 43 miles from Indianapolis and lovers of labyrinths would do well to check this one out. As a side note, this is not the only labyrinth in Anderson as First United Methodist Church also has one located inside Davis Park. The circuits themselves are not wide enough for a wheelchair, however, the labyrinth itself is easily accessible and I had little difficulty honoring the intent of a labyrinth while using it. While I'm not quite sure I consider this to be a "destination" labyrinth, for those within Madison County it's a welcome addition to the spiritual traditions at Anderson University and a labyrinth to which I look forward to returning in the near future.

Although Pendleton is celebrating its Bicentennial in 2020, the town celebrated the State's…read moreBicentennial back in 2016 with a cool mural on the side of one of its downtown businesses. The mural, with the concept by Amy Turner of the 1820 Society, and designed by artist George Harris, was dedicated with a memorial plaque. The mural uses block letters spelling out Pendleton with each letter containing an image of modern day sites. Below the banner of letters, a street scene from "yesteryear" reminds visitors of an old photograph. At the end of the street in the mural is a hot air balloon. The mural is a colorful addition to the downtown vibrancy of Pendleton. Review #3564

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.

What a beautiful greeting as you enter this part of town. The mural looks like it spreads over the…read moreback of 3 buildings neat the railroad tracks. Kelly Douramacos is the artist behind this colorful mural. It was painted in 202 by artist from A Town Center and community volunteers. Anderson is written in large letters on a back ground of colorful triangles. Below the city name are black and white historic houses depicted and the mural is framed on both sides with black banners highlighting some of Anderson's entertaining arts. It is well worth seeing.

During my visit to nearby Fishers, Indiana I was excited to see a new youth-inspired installation…read morethat is to become a regular feature located at Brooks School Park. It's called the Fishers Art Wall, an idea that was first inspired by the 2018-2019 Mayor's Youth Council (now known as the Mayor's Youth Academy). Inspired by Mayor Fadness's question ""What are creative places doing to create creative spaces?," the youth council began looking at Venice, California's public art walls and how they'd become a local tourist attraction while creating a public for public art and place-making. The result is that such businesses as Hagerman Construction, Sagamore Concrete, Gilliatte General Contractors and Faegre, Baker, Daniels among others agreed to donate their services and a Fall 2019 date was set to begin creating the Fishers Art Wall that is now in place. The Fishers Art Wall is a two-sided 40' x 5' wall with 4 1" reveals creating up to 8 separate panels. It can be divided multiple ways allowing for variation during each art rotation. There's to be four revolving periods of art throughout the year. Two of the periods will feature local artists, while the other two will be devoted to Hamilton Southeastern Schools. The emphasis is on creation of either a 2-D mural or graffiti style artwork with acrylic or spray paint or as directed by staff. The emphasis is on celebrating diversity and inclusion within Fishers and the guidelines note that the art work should align with the vision of the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission that goes - "To reflect both what the community is today and what it hopes to be in the future... a smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial city energized by and experienced through arts, architecture and culture." For local artists, there's no fee to submit work and no permit required for the painting. There's also an allowable reimbursement of $250 per panel ensuring that artists are compensated for their work. The wall is to be maintained and prepared by the City of Fishers before/after each rotation. I fell in love with the Fishers Art Wall, which is located along the Mud Creek Watershed and adjacent to the parking lot. It's a beautiful option for local art and the current installation emphasizes what is really an Indiana theme right now - the idea of being "All IN." I initially eyeballed the exhibit and just assumed it was a cute art thing similar to the rainbow bridge in Broad Ripple, but closer inspection revealed it was a formal and permanent installation with signage explaining the project. To be honest, I drove by it four times just soaking it in. If you're by Brooks School Park, I'd definitely check it out. If you're a local artist, you might also think about submitting for future installations.

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!

The Anderson Museum of Art is located in an exquisite example of a former Carnegie Library in…read moreIndiana. My jaw dropped when I entered and saw the elegant scrollwork and magnificent stained glass rotunda. The former library, now is home to the Anderson Museum of Art. The Arts Education Outreach Specialist, Molly, was welcoming and informative about the building and museum. We paid a small admission fee ($3) to visit the museum. Today, the museum promotes the arts with two front galleries that hold juried exhibits. A third gallery holds works of local artists. Funds from a small gift shop are used to continue restoration of the building. A small frame shop is also available to purchase custom frames. Downstairs is a Children's Art Center and classroom. The facility also hosts events, such as weddings. Construction of the Beaux-Arts style building started in 1903. The mayor of Anderson had requested a grant from Andrew Carnegie. The city received $50,000 from Carnegie and finished the building in 1905 at a cost of $52,000. Kokomo Opalescent Glass provided the glass for the breathtaking rotunda dome. The building served as a library until 1987, replaced by a modern facility. The building sat idle for nine years after 1987 resulting in extensive water damage. Restoration efforts have been possible through gifts from art patrons and grants from the city of Anderson. Some of the fixtures are period pieces or reproductions. I highly recommend a visit if you like art and history. There is free parking in front of the building.

The actual art museum was very good but what looked like a "fun" experience for my grandkids…read moredownstairs was very unfortunate. They have a reading tent for kids downstairs with several books promoting gender identity issues creating a needless questions in innocent children in a space where parents are uninvited. I just think people need to be aware of this before the go.

I never reviewed this place?…read more How entirely strange as I went here numerous numerous times when I worked in Anderson. Perhaps when I left my job in Anderson I forgot to review this gem in the process. I have only been here on two types of circumstances. One was an exhibit regarding the White River that the owner invited me to. The other type was for painting classes, of which I went there plenty of times. They did it specially for my work and I would say I went there four or five times for that. At least. Like a drink and draw, but without the alcohol. The instructor they had teaching - a school art teacher - was frazzled the first time my work went as we didn't exactly stick to the game plan, but all sort of drew derivations of what she had planned. However, as she got to know us and understood us, she warmed up. She also ensured that the variety of paintings she taught us were exactly that: a variety. Many different types of styles including some whimsical and kid like ones. Everything from birch trees, to summer fields of flowers, to concentric circles, to whimsical owls and birds. Eliot who owns the place is a pretty rad guy as well. Always good to talk music too (though it did get me into trouble with my work via a coworker). But hey if I finally find someone who knows who actually knows who all is referenced in the song Emmylou, who the Decemberists are, and has also seen Bob Dylan and the like in concert? I am going to talk to them, because they are a rare breed. So while you're there look out for the framed concert posters.

Have had numerous items framed and the process couldn't be easier. Prices are more than fair and…read morethe end product is exceptional. If you're wanting to frame anything from a picture or a Jersey or anything in between this is your spot.

On the campus of Anderson University, there is another Kenneth Ryden bronze statue: This one in…read morethe life sized likeness of the the University's first President. The sculpture took about 1500 hours of work when cast in 1987 (dedicated in 1988). It stands nearly 6 feet tall. It is located to the west of the Hartung Building (north of 5th, east of College Dr). Dr Morrison served as President when the school switched from being a Bible Training School to Anderson College (1925) which was a change that was controversial. But Morrison championed the change which led to the eventual further change to become a university. At the base of the feet of the statue is the quote from Morrison: "Life is saved only by dedication to something larger than itself. The purpose of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." Regardless of whether you agree or not with his belief, there is no doubt that this is a fine sculpture contributed by the artist in resident of the University. Review #3545

One of my favorite sculptors in Central Indiana is Arlon Bayliss. His works can be found in…read moreseveral mediums in cities in or near the metro Indy area. For this particular sculpture, he has used 150 identically shaped 1" thick glass pieces rotated around a metal axis to create this image. The Helix shape is thick, but the medium still allows sunlight to pass through on sunny days. Unfortunately, my visit was on a cloudy day in winter, so I didn't get the benefit of the sunlight or of the three fountains in a pool for the full effect. The piece stands about 17' in height and was dedicated in 1993 to celebrate Anderson University's 75th anniversary. The piece can be found on the north side of Hartung Hall (north of 5th and east of College Dr). This piece has a smaller "sister" piece in Noblesville called "Flame of Life" created in 2000. Review #3544