Weekly View » Arts and Entertainment

Irvington’s Art Legacy Is Still Alive

Weekly View — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:09:36 +0000

by Paul Diebold, Contributor

Just shy of a hundred years ago, visitors to Irvington could find art in many places. There were the home studios of the Irvington Group artists scattered throughout Irvington. IPS 57 had large paintings of the seasons of the year executed by William Forsyth. Dorothy Morlan’s studio was in Irvington Terrace, William and Connie Forsyth’s home and studio were at Washington and Emerson, to name just a few. Carr’s Hall, a limestone-faced building just east Ritter on the north side of East Washington, held annual art exhibits from 1928–1937. No doubt, people saw artists sketching or painting along Pleasant Run Creek. While some of these landmarks are gone, creativity continues to thrive in Indianapolis’ cradle of the arts, Irvington.
Here are some of the many places you can experience art in the greater Irvington area. Be sure to find them on social media for specific events:
• Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave.This restored 1903 former library of Butler University often displays the Irvington Historical Society’s collection of Irvington Group art (c.1910-c.1950). Various other arts events are held throughout the year, including shows by current area artists. Open Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. and for special events.
• Irvington Lodge/Third Floor Gallery, 5515 East Washington St. Do yourself a favor and take the elevator up to the Third Floor Gallery on any given First Friday. Co-owner Yasha Perrson has created a well-lit, lofty gallery space while keeping all the charm of this 1921 Masonic Lodge. You’ll find eclectic, affordable art for sale, and often, live music. The adjoining pinball room, packed with vintage games, is usually open on First Fridays. The art is free for viewing, pinball is $5/all you can play.
• Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, 5646 East Washington St. Owner Mick McGrath and his business partners have been hosting local artists in this well-loved pizza restaurant for more than ten years. Styles range from representational to eclectic contemporary pieces. All are for sale.
• Magpie Gallery, 206 South Audubon Rd. Located in Irvington’s “first downtown” at Bonna and Audubon, this space often features the meticulous and large-scale work of Jamie Willis, painter, whose works include personal family scenes and altarpiece-like images of contemporary female legends. Willis is often at work in the space. Thanks to the large amount of glass, window shopping is always an option. Hours by arrangement, grand opening coming in April 2024.
• The Med, 5614 East Washington St. Following the tradition of The Legend restaurant, who formerly occupied this space for years, The Med recently started exhibiting local artists.
• BaZaar Oh Vintage, 5844 East Washington St. This shop features hand-crafted textiles and wearables. Contemporary pieces made of found objects are also for sale.
• Beth Clary Schwier Fine Art, 5636 East Washington St. Schwier’s large canvases of floral arrangements were used in the TV show Good Bones for several years. Gallery shows include other artists. Most work is in large format acrylic or oils, in a loose, palette knife style. Schwier is often seen at work in the gallery, which is typically open for First Fridays.
• Hampton & Company and Market Vintage, 5515 East Washington St. Located on the ground floor of the Irvington Lodge, this shop has all kinds of vintage items and curiosities. Prints and fine art pieces tend toward the eclectic, contemporary style. Worth the visit, and on a First Friday, combine it with Third Floor Gallery and Market Vintage in the same building.
• Irvington Vinyl and Books, 202 South Audubon Rd. Practically next door to Magpie Gallery, Irvington Vinyl has local, contemporary art pieces for sale, along with used books and lots of used records.
• Vining Gallery, 2620 East 10th St. Leading Indiana plein air painter Justin Vining lives in Irvington and exhibits often at his gallery near 10th and Rural. Justin and his artists in residence were featured in the TV show Good Bones. Vining’s landscapes and neighborhood scenes continue the American Impressionist tradition of the original Irvington Group artists. Open this Friday, March 1st.
• 1979 Co., 201 South Audubon Rd. Owner and craftsman Nate Olp opened his leatherworking shop here in 2018. He creates wearable art — handbags, messenger bags, wallets and other items.
• Other local Irvington artists that work from home studios and are very successful are Laura Hildreth, Rita Spalding and William Lawson. Find them on Facebook.
Paul Diebold is a long-time Irvington resident as well as a visual and music artist. He is currently the President of the Irvington Historical Society.

First Friday in Indianapolis

Weekly View — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 05:09:01 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Harrison Center is pleased to bring three new shows opening Friday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. for social distance viewing — don’t forget to bring your mask (masks required). In the Harrison Gallery, Benny Sanders will present his newest body of work, “I Will Wait By The River,” a narrative of his time spent alone, mostly by the river, during quarantine. The collection explores a more subjective, reflective and imaginative approach to creating images as opposed to his prior experience in attempting to create objectively correct oil paintings. In the new work, Sanders departs from oil paints and instead uses monochromatic, handmade pigments created from foraged fungus, plants and trees.
The Speck Gallery will exhibit “Rise Up: A Protest Art Show,” featuring work by local artists that speaks against racial injustice.
In the Annex Gallery, the Harrison Center teams up with Indy Urban Hardwood Company to present “Porch Party Platters.” Local artists have painted large charcuterie platters made from reclaimed wood. Each platter represents the artists’ own style, and sales will benefit NXG Youth Motorsports.
The Circle City Industrial Complex Artists (CCIC Artists) will host a variety of artists as part of the August First Friday art tour, on Friday, Aug. 7. This will be the first “Indoor-Outdoor” First Friday, to allow for safety measures and social distancing requirements. Admission and parking are free, general programming starts at 5:30 p.m., although times may vary in individual spaces. Outdoor activities will wrap at 8:30 p.m./sunset, and indoor activities will wrap at 9 p.m.
New studios will be open, including New Hot Glass Studio at C-25. There will be a preview of facilities under construction and art sales and glass demonstrations. Dance Kaleidsocope Studios has moved in to Suite 14, and is excited to offer classes beginning the week of September 8.
As with all public events, please wear a mask, per state mandate, and maintain social distancing guidelines of 6 feet.

Rocky Horror Show at Buck Creek Players for Limited Performances

Weekly View — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 05:09:18 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Buck Creek Players will open their 46th season of quality theatre with their biennial Play-A-Part Fundraiser production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, running for just four performances over one weekend. Curtain times are at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2:30 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 4. All performances will be held at the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Ave. Tickets are $25 general admission for everyone. Please be advised that this production is suggested for mature audiences only. Reservations are recommended, and may be reserved securely online with no added fees at www.buckcreekplayers.com, or by calling the automated reservation line at 317-862-2270.Group discounts are also available for parties of ten or more when purchased online in a single transaction.
A biennial favorite with audiences and volunteers, all roles in the Play-A-Part Fundraisers are “won” through an online silent auction with no required auditions. Veteran performers join first-timers to give classic musicals a comedic twist.
For more information or directions to the playhouse, please visit the theater’s website at www.buckcreekplayers.com.

Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story at Beef & Boards

Weekly View — Thu, 11 Jul 2019 05:09:22 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS – Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre celebrates the legendary life and career of Buddy Holly this summer with its premiere production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, now on stage through Aug. 18.
Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story tells the true story of Buddy’s meteoric rise to fame, from the moment in 1957 when “That’ll Be the Day” hit the airwaves until his tragic death less than two years later on “the day the music died.”
The show features over 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits including “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Everyday,” “Oh Boy,” “Not Fade Away,” “Rave On,” and “Raining In My Heart,” plus Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.”
Kyle Jurassic makes his Beef & Boards debut in the title role, as does Kelly Powers-Figueroa in the role of Maria Elana.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is on stage for 47 performances. Tickets range from $45 to $70, and include Chef Odell Ward’s dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar, unlimited coffee, tea, and lemonade.
For reservations, call the box office at 317-872-9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays.
For complete show schedule, visit beefandboards.com.

White City Murder at the Phoenix

Ethel Winslow — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 05:09:04 +0000

Ben Asaykwee’s production of White City Murder is a macabre musical about America’s first modern serial killer, H.H. Holmes. Herman Mudgett’ (Holmes real name) created a “murder castle” that opened for business during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, against a dazzling backdrop of new inventions and firsts. Within the walls of the massive building, Holmes murdered dozens of young women who had come to the big city alone — mainly to sell their skeletons to medical schools or to collect on insurance policies taken out in their names.
Askaykwee is joined on this diabolical journey by Amanda Hummer, a performer with stunning power and range. The original score is created onstage with the assistance of a recorder, so the performers sing over their own voices. It sounds tricky, but it is eerily effective.
The story takes the audience through the highlights of the “career” of Holmes, beginning a morbid countdown of murders of mainly women, but also children and men. The final murders of the Pitezel children, including a little boy in Irvington. Holmes was eventually captured and confessed to murdering 27 people, but some speculated he killed far more. Holmes was hanged 1896 in Philadelphia. Every murder is chronicled with a number on an easel, which is torn and discarded — just as Holmes discarded his victims.
A version of this show was produced a number of years ago in the Lodge in Irvington, mere blocks from the site of the last murder, which added a truly sinister edge to those shows. At the Phoenix, Asaykwee and Hummer carry that dark edge in movement and staging, sending shivers up the spine. Then, to contrast the horrors, they portray circus barkers pointing out the wonders of the Fair outside, the famous people (Helen Keller, Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley, Edison and Tesla), and the magical lights on the Ferris Wheel spinning in the backdrop. Added up, it makes for a night of magical mayhem.
The show has been extended to July 14, with tickets for the last two weekends going fast. Call 317-635-7529 or visit phoenixtheatre.org to get in on one of the hottest shows this summer.

Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” at Beef & Boards

Weekly View — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 05:09:48 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Visit a magical kingdom under the sea with the adventurous young mermaid Ariel and her friends as Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid, on stage through June 30.
With all of the fun of the Disney film, The Little Mermaid features the songs “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.” Plus, as Beef & Boards’ annual Family Show, a $10 ticket discount is available for for all kids ages 3-15.
Tickets range from $45 to $70 ($10 Family Show discount off tickets for kids ages 3-15), and include Chef Odell Ward’s family-friendly dinner buffet, fruit & salad bar, unlimited coffee, tea, and lemonade.
For reservations, call the box office at 317-872-9664 anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays.
For complete show schedule, visit beefandboards.com.

Two Eastside Artists Selected for New Apprenticeship Program

Weekly View — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 05:09:46 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — As part of Jiffy Lube of Indiana’s award-winning “Every Part Matters” initiative and “Growing People Through Work” program, the Arts Council of Indianapolis has selected two emerging muralists to assist with the public art project as paid apprentices. Together, these young artists will assist in creating a mural at the Jiffy Lube store located at 8580 N. Michigan Road, which will become one of 14 murals to be completed in Indiana by fall 2019.
The apprenticeship is intended to increase the visibility of these emerging artists, giving them valuable paid experience and helping them grow in their careers.
Painters Jamahl Crouch, 28, and Matthew Cooper, 28, were chosen from a pool of applicants submitted through an open call-for-interest. Crouch and Cooper will be mentored by Hammond-based artist Ismael Muhammad “Ish” Nieves, who has been an active street artist and muralist for more than 30 years.
Crouch received his associate’s degree in fine arts from Vincennes University and briefly attended the Herron School of Art and Design, IUPUI. Cooper also graduated with a degree in fine arts from Vincennes University and studied at the Herron School of Art and Design.

Heartland Film Offers Cinema in the Square May 30-31

Weekly View — Thu, 23 May 2019 05:09:59 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Heartland Film will present two independent films, Apollo 11 and Little Woods in Fountain Square Theatre, located in the Heartland Film Office, 1043 Virginia Ave., Suite 2. The schedule is Thursday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. for Apollo 11, followed at 8:15 p.m. with Little Woods. On Friday, May 31, the schedule will be Little Woods at 6:30 p.m. and Apollo 11 at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 per film and are available online at heartlandfilm.org/cinema
In Apollo 11, director Todd Douglas Miller (Dinosaur 13)crafts from a newly discovered trove of 65mm footage, and more than 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio recordings, a film that takes you straight to the heart of NASA’s most celebrated mission — the one that first put men on the moon, and forever made Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin into household names.
Little Woods is set in North Dakota, in a fracking boomtown well beyond its prime. Ollie is trying to survive the last few days of her probation after getting caught illegally running prescription pills over the Canadian border. But when her mother dies, she is thrust back into the life of her estranged sister Deb, who is facing her own crisis with an unplanned pregnancy and a deadbeat ex. The film is a taut and affecting thriller about sisters pushed to extremes from award-winning director Nia DaCosta.
Cinema on the Square will continue June 6-7 withe Oscar nominated documentary short films, and June 20-21 with Her Smell and Hail Satan?

“Disaster! The Musical at Buck Creek

Weekly View — Thu, 23 May 2019 05:09:24 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — Buck Creek Players will close their 45th season of quality theatre with Disaster! The Musical by Seth Rudetsky and Jack Plotnick. Opening on Friday, May 31st, and continuing for three weekends through Sunday, June 16th, curtain times are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:30 p.m. matinees on Sundays. All performances will be held at the Buck Creek Playhouse, 11150 Southeastern Ave. Admission is $20 for adults and $18 for students and senior citizens (ages 62 and over). Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Reservations are recommended, and may be reserved securely online with no added fees at www.buckcreekplayers.com, or by calling the automated reservation line at 317-862-2270. Group discounts are also available for parties of ten or more when purchased online in a single transaction.
It’s 1979, and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to earthquakes, tidal waves and so much more! As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they’ve lost…or at least escape the killer rats. Disaster! The Musical features some of the most unforgettable songs of the 1970s. “Knock on Wood,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” “Sky High,” “I Am Woman,” and “Hot Stuff” are just a few of the scintillating hits in this hilarious musical comedy.
For more information or directions to the playhouse, please visit the theater’s website at www.buckcreekplayers.com.

Wicket World of Croquet at Benjamin Harrison Site June 1

Weekly View — Thu, 23 May 2019 05:09:18 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS — The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site is gearing up for one of the most fashionably unique events in Indy, the Wicket World of Croquet. Attendees are invited to experience (or learn) croquet as it was meant to be played. The Wicket World of Croquet will be held Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 Delaware St.
Attendees may register as a team of two for a leisure or competitive tournament, use of fine equipment, drinks from Sun King Brewery, lunch from the Goose Market, and more.
Croquet requires all-white dress attire, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed participants.
Don’t play but want to stay? A Porch Party ticket gets you entrance to the event on the grounds of the Presidential Site, charcuterie from the Goose Market, libations from Sun King Brewery, and more. Porch Party tickets are $30 each, with sales ending June 1. Competitive tournament tickets for a team of two are still available and cost $150 — ticket sales end May 24.
This is a rain or shine event. Register early as this event sells out. Advanced registration required: https://bhpsite.org/events/wicket-world-of-croquet-2/
Proceeds from the event will help the Presidential Site share high-impact educational programs and tours with more than 18,000 children this year.