The International Marketplace Coalition recently opened its Third Annual World Arts Expo at the Global Village Welcome Center, 4233 Lafayette Rd. The expo runs through Saturday, March 19 and embraces arts and artists with diverse cultural backgrounds. Well known and emerging artists share space in one of the most unique spaces in the city of Indianapolis. The Expo features more than 30 artists from 14 different countries and five continents. Over 100 works are on display.
The Arts Expo is just one of the many events featured throughout the year. In addition, the coalition is exhibiting the Indiana Historical Society’s “Local Speech, Global Reach” traveling show along with supplemental portions from the Welcome Center. The exhibit is their Black History Month celebration. The exhibit showcases the speech Robert Kennedy gave on April 4, 1968 announcing the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The exhibit explores the impact of Kennedy’s words and King’s legacy on several Indianapolis residents, while also looking into the Civil Rights movement in Indianapolis. A monument to the speech and its impact can be seen at the MLK Jr. Park on the north side.
Upcoming events include the International Women’s Gathering on Saturday, March 19 at noon, where women of the world will come together to share their journey, successes and trials since coming to the United States. (General admission is $10 and reservations can be made online at imcoalition.org.) The women will dress in the attire of their homelands, and share their favorite native dishes.
The Global Village boasts multi-cultural galleries, and collections in artifacts from all over the world. Visitors of all ages are welcome to connect and explore the Global Village during opening hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wed. from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sat. from noon-4 p.m.
The exhibits and celebrations are a small part of what the International Marketplace Coalition wish to achieve as part of the mission of “Shrinking the Globe & Creating a Village” in Indianapolis. The Welcome Center is a part of the International Marketplace, an area bounded by 46th St. to 34th St. north to south, and Lafayette, Commercial Dr. and High School Road. More than 110 restaurants, 40 ethnic grocers and markets, and 900 businesses are included in the marketplace. Over 100 languages are spoken within the 2.5 mile area. It is a unique cultural environment in Indianapolis.
For more information about the coalition and upcoming events and exhibits, visit www.imcoalition.org
