The Factory Arts District, formerly known as the Circle City Industrial Complex, will host a First Friday art tour on August 1st, 6-9pm. Admission and parking are free.
The Factory Arts District is comprised of two buildings, Factory Arts North (1125 Brookside Ave) and Factory Arts South (1011 Massachusetts Ave). For First Friday purposes, all of the listed galleries and studio spaces are located in Factory Arts North.
Open Studios and Galleries
Several studios and gallery spaces will be open throughout the building. This list is not all-encompassing; some artists may decide to open that night based on current information and comfort levels.
The Schwitzer Gallery
Located on the second floor of the North Studios, the Schwitzer Gallery will feature Bruce and Anthony Armstrong. Staples of the South Studios section of Factory Arts North, the Armstrongs present “Lines of Legacy,” a captivating exposition showcasing the unique perspectives of this father-son duo as they explore the realms of abstract and minimalist works. Bruce Armstrong studied art at Crispus Attucks High School and later at the IU extension in Indianapolis. He is now a mixed-media artist working in charcoal, oil and acrylic paint, wood sculpture, and photography. His son, Anthony, is a self-taught abstract painter and photographer highlighting bold colors, deep texture, and movement.
Aurora PhotoCenter
Aurora PhotoCenter presents Um Passo à Frente by Erin Patton McFarren. Patton McFarren creates large-scale cyanotypes as a means of marking time and place. Using non-toxic materials and the original 1842 recipe, her cyanotypes interact with sunlight and bodies of water in various locations in Brazil, allowing shifting forms of light and movement to produce unique images on paper.
Juan Brenner's series, Genesis, work that is filled with the beauty, aspiration, sanctity, and desire of the Guatemalan Highlands, where Brenner lives and works, continues until August 15th. In his images, as in the Highlands, traditional codes of power intermingle with a vibrant and vital youth culture, which mixes the ancient dress trajé with heavy metal t-shirts, ornate teeth art, and the ubiquitous cell phone. Aurora PhotoCenter supports visual artists working in photography through exhibitions, residencies, workshops, visiting artist talks, and access to creative tools. As the only nonprofit in Indiana devoted exclusively to photography, Aurora is an essential hub for the medium in the arts community. Aurora PhotoCenter is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
Daily Epiphany Studio: Michele Burns and Kurt Kriese
Michele Burns paints "Nightlight Art" featuring photoluminescent minerals. "One work by day…another by night,” Burns explains. “The main ingredient in my luminous pigment is strontium aluminate doped with europium and dysprosium. I make the paints myself for maximum glow- 10 times brighter than ceiling stars. Exposure to any visible light will excite the minerals up to 20 hours and they will continue to be excitable for decades. No special bulbs are needed and my pieces are OSHA-rated toy-safe.” Meanwhile, Kurt Kriese, of this dynamic duo, creates an eclectic mix of abstract and realistic art, and experiments with various media. He is a gifted landscape and figure painter and stained-glass artist and will debut new work for the month as well. Daily Epiphany Studio is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Darkroom Revelations
The Darkroom Revelations photographers –Tom Potter, Nancy Frass and Gayle Moore – will exhibit images from their many explorations of the western USA, in the aptly-named show “The West.” Their photographs highlight the prairie, mountains, and wildlife encountered, as well as images about the culture and history of the Native Americans. Many of their images have been taken with film using large format cameras, developed and printed in their darkroom. They also work in the digital format. Darkroom Revelations is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
Gracen Dorsch
Indianapolis-based artist Gracen Dorsch is an abstract expressionist painter who often uses her background in psychology and art therapy to fuel her work. Her subject matter often reflects collective memories and invokes a variety of emotional responses. Dorsch uses her work as an art therapist to inspire playfulness and free-association in her pieces to invoke curiosity in her viewers. Dorsh often relies on the process of painting rather than the final product itself to determine when each piece is finished. Her personality shines through each piece with her intricate use of color and inventive technique to create a one-of-a-kind piece each time Gracen Dorsch is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Earth + Fire
Earth + Fire is a mother-and-daughter team that specializes in crafting unique, handmade crystal jewelry and art. Earth + Fire began as a heartfelt hobby of creating gifts for family and friends that blossomed into a thriving business. Earth + Fire's mission is to make crystals and holistic healing accessible to a broader audience by offering affordable, high-quality pieces. Their collection includes a variety of handmade necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, alongside an assortment of loose crystals, incense, palo santo, and sage. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to promote well-being and connect individuals to the healing power of crystals. Earth + Fire is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Mirvia Sol Eckert
Celebrating beauty is the fundamental concept unifying all of Mirvia Sol Eckert’s work. Common themes of her work are her Puerto Rican heritage, love of family, friends, spirituality and her fascination with nature. These ideas can manifest themselves in bright, vibrantly colored compositions, or in dramatic grayscale pieces with her stylized technique and putting lines and shape into movement and harmony. Mirvia Sol Eckert is on the second floor of the North Studios.
Five Seasons Studio
The longest resident artist at Factory Arts District North, Martha Nahrwold, presents a new series, “Lake Views,” capturing the summertime vibes of a cottage vacation, hiking by lakes, or at family reunions. Nahrwold creates using “marbled impressionism,” a technique both abstract and representational created by floating inks on water, a centuries-old process to create her unique art. Five Seasons Studio is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
Full Circle Nine Gallery
The Full Circle Nine Gallery (FC9) will feature Mike Meares and Nathan Winship Smith teamed up for “Artifacts Reveal Alternate Realities?” Mike Meares is a mixed-media artist known for his “Space Rockers” series inspired by music. Nathan Winship Smith is a ceramicist with an undying interest in history’s mysteries. Together, they will take a most scholarly approach to examine recently discovered artifacts and, therefore, challenge the truth about the history of aliens visiting the Earth, world empires, fast food lore, and rock ‘n’ roll. The duo will also unveil a new mural near the gallery, based on their combined mythologies. The Full Circle Nine Gallery is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Victoria Gillieron
Victoria Gillieron painted one painting, which turned out pretty good, and decided to get a studio. Not having any idea what she was doing, she quite amazingly found artist friends who took her under their wings and basically turned her into an artist. After many years studying with big name, extremely talented artists, attending workshops, and trying to learn how to correct the billions of problems she encountered, she finally feels like she can paint! Victoria feels that art is a subject that can never be mastered and will always be a challenge but that she can, now and then, knock out a doozy of a painting! Victoria Gillieron is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Glass Arts Indiana, Inc.
Glass Arts Indiana creates a collaborative glass community to support and promote emerging and established artists; to participate in events to increase the knowledge and appreciation of glass arts with Indiana residents; to host fun, interesting and educational events; increase appreciation and understanding of the glass arts; and promote glass-related opportunities in Indiana and the U.S. Finished works are available and visitors will get to see glass-blowing in action. Glass Arts Indiana, Inc. is located on the first floor, in the corridor.
Raymond Gray
Leatherworking artist Raymond Gray presents a collection of new work titled “Shift, Shaping Fibers,” a presentation of caftans in different geometric shapes, and hand-beaded necklaces and bracelets with Vicuna charms and pendants. Gray uses repurposed garments, primarily leather, cashmere, and Vicuna, to create his magical pieces. Raymond Gray is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Matt Hurdle/Matt Hurdle Fine Art
Matt Hurdle is a juried Indiana painter whose work blurs the lines of impressionism and abstraction. He paints big sky contemporary landscapes with a dreamlike quality. His intuitive work elicits a feeling of peacefulness and calm. This month, he presents new, big sky landscapes created using multiple layers of acrylic paint producing depth and a dreamlike quality. Matt Hurdle is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Carmen Hurt
“Internationally unknown artist” Carmen Hurt is one of the earliest artists in the building. Her bright, abstract, and often poignant paintings have held court in the South Studios for over a decade. Carmen Hurt is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Indy Fused Glass
The artist instructors at Indy Fused Glass (IFG) create fused glass art for sale in a retail gallery. IFG teaches introductory fusing sessions, guided by artists to learn to create with fusible glass. IFG offers 14 different fusing projects to select from. These can be fused or “slumped” (another method of using fusible glass to create functional forms). The Indy Fused Glass, LLC Gallery has newly created fused glass art each week on display and available for purchase. For First Friday, IFG Glass Artists either offer hands-on sessions or feature a working glass artist, doing a demonstration. Indy Fused Glass is on the first floor of the North Studios.
Scott Johnson / Studio F60
Scott Johnson operates a contemporary art and design studio with a mix of painting, collage, and digital art. He blends representational and figurative artwork as well as selected forms of abstraction. There’s also a pool table. Scott Johnson is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Larry Lad, LadArt
Larry Lad is a painter who covers the spectrum of abstract and representational work. He likes to add dimension to his paintings using additional canvas, cigar boxes, collage, and other materials to layer his work. His show "Replication" traces his journey as an artist as he searches for his own style by borrowing from the works of artists he admires. Lad also creates large sculptures and installations. Larry Lad, LadArt is located in the corridor on the first floor.
Cindy Lory
Cindy Lory works in a variety of mediums creating paintings, drawings, and digital artworks. She has had a lifelong love of fine arts and music and attended Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. Having recently returned to pursuing the visual arts, she enjoys working and creating in her studio. Cindy Lory is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Grace Marshall, Grace M Design
Grace Marshall has always had a passion for using her hands to create beautiful and functional designs. Making unique jewelry with precious metals and gemstones has been both a challenging and rewarding career choice. As a certified jeweler and gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, making unique jewelry with precious metals and gemstones has been both a challenging and rewarding career choice. Grace M Design is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
REDEFINITION Clothing
Tendai Phillips brings REDEFINITION Clothing, where global influences converge to create a unique fashion experience and designs transcend time. “We believe fashion should be a universal language, and that's why we design clothing that transcends borders,” Phillips said. “Every stitch tells a story, weaving together the threads of inspiration from around the world. Our pieces are more than garments: they're a fusion of art and personal expression.” Born at the intersection of K-Pop’s vibrant energy, the rhythmic beats of Hip-Hop, the colorful vibes of Afro-pop, the avant-garde aesthetics of Japanese street style, and the pulse of current trends, REDEFINTION is a celebration of diverse cultures. REDEFINITION Clothing is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Susan Semenick
Susan Semenick is a watercolor artist that will have several new pieces for August’s First Friday focusing on urban paintings, many depicting scenes on or around Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. An award-winning watercolorist, Semenick has achieved success as a portrait and figure artist as well. Her hard work in the studio is shown in her unusual use of color and her sense of composition. Susan Semenick is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
The Factory Arts District is open during regular business hours, and the Schwitzer Gallery is accessible throughout the week. A number of the city’s most varied and exciting artists and galleries will remain open for their regular hours, with many of them available on weekends, posted on their own websites and social media. Some studios will be open by appointment.
About the Factory Arts District
Located just east of downtown Indianapolis, the Factory Arts District (formerly the Circle City Industrial Complex) encompasses a 16 acres and houses two buildings: Factory Arts South (1011 Massachusetts Avenue)—a 95,000 square foot facility—and Factory Arts North (1125 Brookside Avenue)—a 420,000 square foot facility—as well as two free parking lots. The property was previously home to the Schwitzer Corporation, a pioneer in automotive technology. This location is the gateway of the Mass Ave/Brookside Industrial Corridor, which encompasses more than 300 acres of vacant or underutilized commercial and industrial property. In 2014, with much of this area suffering from deterioration and environmental issues, it became a focus for revitalization for the City of Indianapolis. In 2015, the City awarded a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant to the Factory Arts District; funds that were used to renovate, repair, and ultimately stabilize the property. Today, the Factory Arts District provides a case study for successful industrial reuse in an urban environment.
For more information, please visit
https://www.factoryartsdistrict.com/
Also check out other Arts events in Indianapolis, Fine Arts events in Indianapolis.
