Stutz Open House Will be Bigger Than Ever

Weekly View — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 05:11:29 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Stutz Artists Association’s largest art event, the Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House, is set to take place April 24 and 25 at the historic Stutz Building. More than 70 artists will open their studios and present their work to visitors during the 2015 two-day event. The Stutz Open House, which began in 1993, attracts more than 6,000 people every year to the 400,000 square-foot former car factory.
Organizers are planning for new, creative and entertaining opportunities to engage families, art lovers and visitors looking for a weekend event to enjoy in downtown Indianapolis. The Raymond James Stutz Artists Open House not only allows guests an opportunity to see the work of local artists in one place at one time, it’s an opportunity to see where and how the work is created. Artwork ranges from paintings, drawings and photography, to sculpture, jewelry and furniture. In addition to being a great place to buy one-of-a-kind gifts with artwork prices from $12 to $10,000, the event offers a rare chance to see vintage cars in the historic Stutz car factory. Visitors will also enjoy special activities such as painting with Wine and Canvas, demonstrations, acoustic music and food vendors.
Families bringing children are encouraged to attend Saturday, 2-7 p.m., where they will enjoy family-friendly musical guests, hands-on art activities, youth art scavenger hunt, free ice cream from Raymond James, and more. New this year on Saturday will be demonstrations by Stutz artists.
Hours are Friday, April 24, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Stutz Business Center is located at 212 W. 10th St. (enter Bearcat Alley from 10th or 11th St.) Free parking in specially marked lots.
Admission is $12 advanced sale tickets at select Old National Bank locations and the Stutz Business Office (1060 N. Capitol Ave C200.); $15 at Eventbrite or at the gate; children 12 and under free. Tickets are valid for both days.
Proceeds from the event support the Stutz Residency Program, a scholarship that provides free studio space and utilities for emerging local artists for one year. It is one of the largest grants to individual artists in the state.
Housing the largest group of artists under one roof in the Midwest, the exterior of the yellow brick buildings that comprise the complex have changed little since the Stutz motor car was made there. Located on an entire city block in downtown Indianapolis, the interior of the 400,000-square-foot former car factory has been renovated into studios and office space. The Stutz is now home to artists, designers, architects, creative professionals and other small businesses. In addition to the Open House, the association hosts monthly First Friday exhibitions and offers a range of classes.

More Than Meets The Eye

Ethel Winslow — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 06:11:01 +0000

It’s been a couple of months since Foundation East’s signal box/public art project was completed. Many people who regularly commute on the east side have noticed the cool-looking art as they wait for a green light or as they passed by. But on New Year’s Eve, a couple of the boxes got attention of a negative type: they were vandalized.
On social media, Rita Spalding took a photo of one of her works that was defaced with spray paint. Immediately, neighbors and friends began commenting, and within hours Rita found many, many e-mails — some offering sympathy, some offering to help her clean them.
“I clear-coated my boxes,” she said, “that’s what made the difference. We got some cleaner from the store and it came off.”

Paula Nicewanger/Weekly View
Rita Spalding’s box at 10th & Arlington (theme Farm Heritage)

However, the vandalism at one of the other boxes was more extensive, with vandals splashing paint on them. And those boxes were not protected with a clear coat, so it is likely they’ll have to be completely repainted.
At an artist appreciation event on January 15, the artists who created the boxes came to Jockamo’s in Irvington to celebrate the success of Foundation East’s project, and to raise funds to clear coat the rest of the signal boxes. Well over a hundred people showed up on a bitterly cold night to meet the artists and support Foundation East’s project aims.
The goal is to raise $3,000 to buy enough clear coat to protect all the boxes in the Irvington area. The fund, which people can contribute to online at squareup.com/market/vshah/clear-coat-fund, will buy enough material to cover boxes throughout the area. Spalding said that many people have volunteered to paint them as soon as the weather warms up (probably March).
Shane Foley, an IMPD officer who first suggested the neighborhood paint the signal boxes as part of a crime deterrent program in Irvington Terrace, noted that the project has taken on a life of its own, evolving into a community art project that seems to be bringing in a wider audience. “When the first boxes were painted in 2012, they suggested life, motion, activity, which is what we want people to know about the area. There’s life and activity here, and people who care.”
The artworks that were created in 2012 as part of the KIB Great Indy Clean-Up garnered a lot of favorable comments from the public (and city officials), and Foundation East grew from that initial experience. But the project also has helped bring the community together in surprising ways.

Shelby Kelley’s box at Hawthorne & Washington St. (theme Bus Bike Walk Irvington)

Many of the artists said that their experiences painting the boxes in November brought out the best in people. Erin Kelsch, said that she got a lot of attention as she worked on her project. “I had someone bring me coffee. People stopped to tell me their stories. It was amazing.”

Erin Kelsch’s box at Arlington & Brookville (theme Car Culture)

Given the community support, co-founder of Foundation East Vishant Shah said that the group is eager to take on new challenges, include possible art along the developing Pennsy Trail, and in other areas around the city.
Foley said that the success of the Foundation East work has led him to encourage other areas to tackle public art projects as well. “I’d love to see these downtown,” he said. “I don’t know why they haven’t done them yet.”
To get involved, or contribute to Foundation East’s efforts, visit their Facebook page or e-mail artfunddream@gmail.com.

Weekly View » Rita Spalding

Stutz Open House Will be Bigger Than Ever

More Than Meets The Eye