0
View Post
Preview: Monument Circle Art Fair

Preview: Monument Circle Art Fair

Fall has proven a season of firsts on Monument Circle this year. The tally of premieres sparked by Big Car over the last couple of months proves too innumerable to count. That’s what happens when you experiment. New territory gets explored.

Yet, Big Car is not alone in its inaugural efforts in the heart of Indy. Local ceramic artist Ruth Stoner will bring nearly 70 artists and six musical acts to Fountain Square for the free, family friendly Monument Circle Art Fair.

“I used to have a job on the Southside, and I used to stop on the monument at the end of the day because it was right on the way,” Stoner says. “I would hang out for 10 or 15 minutes. I just loved the space.”

After a bit of investigating just 15 odd months ago, Stoner discovered the Monument was available for at a relatively inexpensive price. That’s when the gears began to turn. “As somebody that’s done art shows,” Stoner says, “I was thinking gosh, you know, it seems like a logical place to have an art fair. It’s such a great space.”

As a new event, Stoner decided to limit applications to Indiana artists and kept booth prices low relative to more established art fairs around Indy. Despite the local focus, the applicant pool swiftly surpassed Stoner’s expectations – a fact she says is a testament to the Central Indiana arts community. “I figured we’re in the heart of Indianapolis and Indiana,” she says. “Let’s have some Hoosier pride for our Indiana artists.”

A registered pediatric nurse by trade, Stoner never shook the love for ceramics she found while still in high school in South Bend. After nursing school, she continued to take art classes at everywhere from IUPUI and Herron to Indianapolis Art Center. Stoner continues to work as a nurse around 25 hours per week, while operating a studio out of Broad Ripple called Artistry In Clay. It wasn’t until her kids reached adulthood that she began to consider ways she might give back to a community that has fed her creativity over the years.

Music Schedule:

  • 10 am – Elizabeth Efroymson Brooks with the Suzuki academy (weather dependent)
  • 11 am – Nick Zyromski
  • 12:30 pm – The Yellow Kites
  • 1:30 pm – Luke Austin Daugherty
  • 3 pm – Cathy Morris
  • 4 pm – Blue Moon Revue

When Stoner initially decided to pursue the idea of hosting an art fair on the monument, she didn’t realize that Spark would be overlapping. The circle is an interesting space, in that the Monument itself belongs to the state while the surrounding streets and sidewalks belong to the city. This has led to some interesting complementary programming throughout Spark. For part, Stoner is thrilled with the timing.

“I just think Spark has brought such an awareness to the circle,” she says, “and they have been so supportive in getting the word out. It’s just such a nice setting for us, because of all the seating. It’s great.”

If the event is successful, Stoner hopes to make Monument Circle Art Fair an annual event. With food trucks, live music, a glass blowing truck and Spark as a backdrop, she hopes the event will offer something for everyone. At the end of the day, the artists who participated will measure the success.

“It’s all about the artists for me, and how they feel,” Stoner says. “If it’s successful and the artists feel like it’s worth it, then I would love for this to be an annual event. We’ll just have to see how it goes, and go from there.”

monument-circle-art-fair-map

What: The inaugural Monument Circle Art Fair brings nearly 70 artists and 6 musical acts to Monument Circle for a single day festival in celebration of Hoosier art.

Where: Monument Circle

When: Saturday, October 10, 2015

10am – 5 pm

 

0
View Post
This week at Spark: Oct. 5 – 11

This week at Spark: Oct. 5 – 11

Here’s your Spark cheat sheet for the week:

Monday, October 5:

Join Mayor Ballard and learn about his efforts to reduce Indy’s carbon footprint in conjunction with Blue Indy and Freedom Fleet programs on Monday.

Tuesday, October 6:

Wednesday, October 7:

Work with us this Wednesday! We’ll provide the free wi-fi. Tell your boss you want to enjoy the last few days of beautiful, Indiana fall weather while working from the Circle. Get outside the cubicle and knock out your to do list with a view of the Monument.

Thursday, October 8:

After collaborating with musical heavyweights like Steve Reich and Philip Glass, Indy guitarist Derek Johnson undoubtedly maintains one of the most accomplished musical resumes to hail from the Hoosier state in recent years. Learn more about Johnson in this Sky Blue Window profile from last year, and join him and a dozen musicians for a collaborative, circular performance of celebrated composer Terry Riley’s In C.

Friday, October 9:

Artist Stuart Hyatt is more than just the goofy cassette guy. He’s an accomplished artist with a focus on placemaking, and engaging people in new and creative ways. To learn more about Hyatt’s work, check out NUVO‘s coverage of his Indy Sound Map project. On Wednesday, join Hyatt and fellow artist Ash Robinson for a discussion on placemaking in relation to Reconnecting Our Waterways prior to a brief walk around the Circle led by Big Car’s Jim Walker.

Saturday, October 10:

Sunday, October 11:

0
View Post
This week at Spark: Sept. 28 – Oct. 4

This week at Spark: Sept. 28 – Oct. 4

Here’s your Spark cheat sheet this week:

Monday, September 28:

Back-to-back ambient, experimental sets curated by Big Car’s sound art project Listen Hear will close out this week’s edition of Mellow Monday. Ready your ears with a pair of tracks from Sommer and Drekka. For a bit of background on the series, check out an interview with Listen Hear curator John Flannelly.

Tuesday, September 29:

Wednesday, September 30:

Thursday, October 1:

Friday, October 2:

Saturday, October 3:

Spark parade artist/choreographer Rebecca Pappas is collaborating with Veterans for Peace for an unusual procession this weekend. Check out an interview with Pappas for some background on her contribution to Spark, and join us this Saturday  to take a walk alongside a contemporary veteran around the epic Monument.

Sunday, October 4:

0

This week at Spark: Sept. 21-27

Here’s your spark cheat sheet this week:

Monday, September 21:

Big Car’s experimental sound-art project, Listen Hear has been bringing ambient noise sets to Monument Circle on Monday evenings. Dive into an interview with Listen Hear’s John Flannelly, and a recap of Rob Funkhouser’s performance for some background on the concert series. Most of the sets have leaned toward the mellower side of the sonic spectrum. This week, Bloomington’s Drekka may push listeners into more challenging territory. Listen to a recent live set from The Artifex Guild as a primer.

Tuesday, September 22:

Wednesday, September 23:

The theme walks during Walking Wednesdays have proven to be some of Spark’s most popular programming. Thus far, we toured Indy oddities with artist Kipp Normand, scoured Mass Ave. with Eric Strickland & David Andrichik, and explored Indy’s German history with Bill Selm. This week, interested participants can meet at the Spark welcome trailer at 6:30 pm for a detailed tour of Indy’s public artwork with Arts Council of Indianapolis‘ Julia Moore.

Thursday, September 24:

Have you ever dreamed of holding a world record? This is your chance! Help get Monument Circle in the Guinness Book of World Records as the site of the biggest collage party in history. Paper, magazines and glue provided — bring your own scissors!

Friday, September 25:

Saturday, September 26:

Sunday, September 27: