Explore ARTSPARK this Fall!

ARTSPARK, designed by Hoosier native and world–renowned architect Michael Graves, brings art, artists and the community together through interactive sculptures in an open–air setting. Not bound by traditional ideas of art education, ARTSPARK provides Studios and galleries without walls, creating a place where art and nature harmonize.

Experience ARTSPARK, 12 acres of interactive sculpture designed to stimulate all the senses. Meander through the varied landscape to uncover a palette of hues, fragrant vegetation, various textures, and sounds of wildlife. Explore a space designed for relaxation, reflection, and creation as the sun dances through the trees to create dappled patterns on the ground, soft flower petals are intertwined with rising sculptures. ARTSPARK is your creative connection to culture, art and nature.

This natural creative playground showcases open-air studios developed for people of all ages and abilities to touch, play, create and grow. Discover the changing seasons, changing landscapes, and changing artwork, a place in an environment creative energy meets the forces of nature.

ARTSPARK is home to ongoing concerts, festivals, films, workshops, youth camps, art classes, and the Broad Ripple Art Fair. The Indianapolis Art Center's ARTSPARK is located in the heart of the Broad Ripple Village Cultural District along the Monon Trail and White River, where art, culture, commerce, entertainment, and recreation meet in this creative community–based park, planting and nurturing the seeds of creativity.

ARTSPARK is a dawn-to-dusk Studio and Studio space. No gates, no fences, no general admission charge.

Volunteers Needed for Annual Day of the Dead Celebration

The Indianapolis Art Center is looking for volunteers for it's Annual day of the Dead Celebration on Sunday, November 1 from noon to 5pm. Volunteers are needed to face paint, greet the public, pass out programs and help children and adults with hands on art activities.

To volunteer, contact us at 317.255.2464 ext. 240, volunteer@indplsartcenter.org or visit http://www.dayofthedeadindy.org/.

Day of the Dead at the Indianapolis Art Center

The Indianapolis Art Center began providing Day of the Dead programming in 2000 as a response to the growing Hispanic and Latino populations in Indianapolis. It started as a way to engage this community through a celebration of culture and tradition. The Art Center has found that Day of the Dead programming bridges all communities because death is an experience shared among all people. Communicating the history and importance of this celebration through art activities that reflect the tradition and engage children and adults in discussion regarding their own beliefs has connected people from all walks of life. The Art Center serves an educational role regarding Day of the Dead and continues to strive to bring people of all backgrounds together.

The Art Center provides five different components to its Day of the Dead Programming:

- Exhibition of altars and shrines

- Tours of altars

- Exhibition of a Latino artist's work in conjuction with Day of the Dead (this year's artist is John Parra)

- Workshops in the community

- Celebration

About Day of the Dead

The Mexican tradition, Day of the Dead, is a blending of both indigenous Aztec beliefs and Spanish Christian beliefs surrounding death. The Aztecs, Maya and other pre-Hispanic peoples of Central and South America saw death as part of the process of life. They honored the dead by inviting the spirits of the dead to return on certain days, placing food offerings on their tombs. When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they combined the Aztec people's beliefs and rites regarding death into their religious calendar.

Day of the Dead is a family celebration, a reunion of the living with their deceased relatives. On November 1, departed children are remembered. This is known as the Day of the Little Angels or Dia de los Angelitos. Adults are remembered on November 2. Different regions of Mexico celebrate in different ways. In some villages a boisterous masquerade parade takes place while in other areas residents hold candle-lit vigils in the cemetary. Mexican communities in the United States also celebrate Day of the Dead, blending their traditional fiesta with modern festivities.

This year's Indianapolis Art Center Day of the Dead Celebration will take place on Sunday, November 1 from noon to 5pm. For more information on our celebration, please visit http://www.dayofthedeadindy.org/.

Shared Studio Space Available Now

Looking for studio space in the Broad Ripple area? Local artist Teresa Altemeyer is looking for someone to share her studio at the Indianapolis Art Center's Cultural Complex (located just behind the Art Center on the White River.

Some of the features of this space include:

- Cathedral ceiling with large skylight

- Approximately 30 x 30 (900 sq. ft.) of work/gallery space

- Private bathroom & storage space (not included in sqaure footage above)

- Separate artists work sink

- Professional grade lighting

- Ample gallery space for hanging work

- Private deck overlooking the White River

- WiFi is generally available (free)

- Access to Art Center Library for reference

The studio is available immediately for $200 per month. A one year lease is preferred, but negotiable.

Contact Teresa directly at 317.251.0018 or 317.313.1910 (cell). Additional information about the space is also available from Pam Rosenberg at the Indianapolis Art Center at 317.255.2464.

In Loving Memory of Paul J. Sweany

Sunday, September 13, 2009, 2pm

Ruth Lilly Library

Indianapolis Art Center

820 E. 67th Street

Indianapolis, IN 46220
317.255.2464

Please join the Indianapolis Art Center in celebrating the life of Paul J. Sweany. Paul was a long time faculty member at the Art Center, teaching from 1957-2000. He taught anatomy, art history, ceramics and watercolor.

There will be works by Paul Sweany on display and a video about him. In addition, there will be several speakers and an Italian vocalist performing. Light refreshments will be served. This is a party to celebrate the life of a wonderful artist and teacher.

Free and open to the public. Children welcome.

***

Paul J Sweany, renowned artist, beloved husband and father passed away July 13. He was born in Indianapolis, graduated from Shortridge High School, class of '45 and served in the Naval Reserve during WWII. As a multi talented individual of rare proportions, Paul chose between a scholarship to the prestigious Martha Graham Dance Company or the pursuit of his passion for the visual arts. Paul chose the latter and went on to receive his B.F.A. from John Herron School of Art in 1951. He married Margaret Marshall in 1950 and they had four daughters. Paul's multitude of talents was only surpassed by his generous heart, and his sensitivity, wit and sense of humor will be missed by many.

Paul was a prolific artist, best known for his watercolor paintings. His career included over 75 solo exhibitions, over 200 awards, and artwork in private collections the world over. He was an enthusiastic instructor, and taught art and art history at Orchard Country Day School, Park Tudor, John Herron School of Art, Marian College, the Indianapolis Arts Center and the Waldron. The IAC held a lifetime multi-media retrospective of Paul's artwork in 2001, which included watercolors, oils, ceramics, enamel jewelry, intaglio, lithography, pen & ink, pencil, dry brush ink, silkscreen, photography and a book of his poetry. A great part of Paul's legacy will be to leave behind more beauty in the world than when he entered into it.

Paul spent many summers leading art history students on tours throughout Europe, enthusiastically sharing his love and knowledge for the Italian Renaissance, as well as all things Italian. Paul used to say "mi corpo Americano, mi cuore Italiano." (my body is American but my heart is Italian). He also insisted that Frascati wine was the "reason God made grapes." Although he spent many summers traveling abroad as an instructor, he most enjoyed the later trips he took with his artistic partner and beloved wife, Margaret (Peggy). Together they explored their mutual appreciation of art, architecture and breathtaking European landscapes.

Paul was an avid nature lover and environmentalist, as was evident in his artwork and life long hobbies of raising orchids and bird watching. He and Peggy taught their daughters to see beauty in even the most subtle and overlooked details which were often depicted beautifully in his intricate watercolor paintings.

Paul leaves behind his wife, Margaret, their four daughters, Jessica Rutherford (Covington, GA), Justyn Wolf (Rochester, NY), Jaime Sweany and Jenny Stankiewicz (Bloomington, IN), their spouses; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be made at http://www.allenfuneralhome.org/.

Re-Discover the Indianapolis Art Center

Re-Discover all the Indianapolis Art Center has to offer this Friday, from 6-8pm, at the Annual Open House. The Art Center's studio classrooms will be abuzz with faculty and student demonstrations and hands-on activities. Here are just a few:

* Spin-a-Pot in the Ceramics studio
* Print a bookmark in the Printmaking studio
* Make a one-beaded bracelet in the Jewelry studio
* Paint a still life in the Drawing studio
* plus, much more!

Want more? Student made ceramic bowls filled with yummy YATS chili ($5), a sidewalk sale at the Basile Studio Shop, music, custom made purses from artist Joan Diercks (10% off orders from that night), and of course art!

Don't forget to check out the openings of the Annual Faculty exhibit featuring over 100 works by more than 50 faculty members. The exhibition provides a behind the scenes look at the talent that these artists bring to the classroom.

In addition to our outstanding faculty show, we're featuring work by winning students of the 2008 Student Show. Three time student show winner David Owen's work is on view in the Allen W. Clowes Gallery. In the Sarah M. Hurt Gallery is the work of Andrew Ball (sculpture, Best of Intermediate Student Adult Division), Susan Downs (Jewelry, Best of Professional Student Adult Division), Patricia Richardson (Painting, Best of Advanced Student Adult Division), and Lisa VanMeter (Printmaking, Best of Beginnning Student Adult Division).

But wait there's more (there's always more!)- Also on view is Gayla Hodson's Street Passion (painting) and Pat Herring's In the Eye of the Needle (printmaking).

Whew!

Studio Shop Volunteers Needed

The Frank M. Basile Studio shop is known for it's wide selection of original, hand-crafted art, most of it by local and regional artists, but did you know it's run almost entirely by volunteers?

We are looking for a few new volunteers for the shop. At this time we are hoping to fill a regular Friday afternoon shift, but other shifts are also available. Studio Shop volunteers receive $1.50 towards any Art Center class for each hour they volunteer. The ideal volunteer(s) will be friendly and outgoing with a strong interest in art. Retail experience is a plus, but not required.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Basile Studio Shop, contact Melanie Reckas (Shop Manager) at 317.255.2464 ext. 266 or mreckas@indplsartcenter.org.

Youth & Teen Classes starting soon!

Looking for after school or weekend activites for your kids? How about trying their hand at ceramics, painting, photography or even glassblowing? The first session of Youth & Teen classes begins Monday, September 14.

The Indianapolis Art Center offers a wide array of art classes just for kids. Everything from Pre-School Mixed Media and Mini Monet for the little-little ones to digital photography, steel sculpture, and video production for the older kids. There's a lot to do!

For more information on the Art Center's Youth & Teen offerings (and the stuff for the grown-ups too), please visit our website for a complete schedule or to register online.