INDIANAPOLIS — Indy Arts Council will showcase four featured artists as part of this year’s Art & Soul, its largest public program that has kicked off Black History Month in Indianapolis since 1996 and helped expand the City’s awareness and appreciation of African American art and music. Art & Soul’s theme this year will be “We Are One, The Naptown Experience.”
For more than 25 years, Art & Soul has helped launch the careers of emerging Black artists in central Indiana. Four Featured Artists are selected annually to be spotlighted at Art & Soul events. In addition, the Featured Artists receive year-long career development support. This year’s featured artists are:
• Boxx The Artist, Visual Artist
• Dexter Clardy of Shvdy Rollins, Musician
• Austin Day, Dancer
• jus Will, Spoken Word Artist
Three events in February will feature a visual art exhibition and multiple music, dance, and theater events at different venues.
On Friday, Feb. 2, there will be an open house-style event featuring a First Friday art exhibition opening at Indy Arts Council’s Gallery 924 and performances in The Cabaret (924 N. Pennsylvania St.) Free admission. Food and drink will be available for purchase. From 5-9 p.m. work by Boxx the Artist and featuring works from previous Art & Soul visual artists will be presented. No RSVP ticket required for the exhibition. Doors open at 5 p.m.; show from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, there will be a featured artist Music Showcase at The Jazz Kitchen (5377 N. College Ave.) from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. for drinks and dinner. Tickets $15+; and available online at instantseats.com (Art & Soul 2024 Festival). Guests will enjoy a pre-show “art experience” with Boxx the Artist, a performance by Dexter Clardy with his band Shvdy Rollins, a spoken word reading by jus Will, and more.
On Friday, Feb. 23, there will be a Celebration + Naptown Tribute at the Indianapolis Artsgarden with vendors, refreshments, dancing, and live music at Indianapolis Artsgarden (110 W. Washington St.) from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.). Admission is free, with a cash bar available. RSVP tickets available online at Eventbrite.
This year’s finale celebration will feature a Naptown Tribute, highlighting the iconic music of Indiana Avenue from past to present. Enjoy performances by the Art & Soul 2024 featured artists alongside local legends.
New this year is the IPS Kids Zone with IPS student artwork on display on the upper level of the Artsgarden along with a performance by the Arsenal Tech High School Jazz Combo.
For more information, visit indyarts.org/programs/art-soul.
