First Friday Gallery Opening: January 2026

On January 2nd, from 6-9pm, join us for First Friday! Enjoy these openings:

In the Harrison Gallery, Love-Handles and Cowlicks by Johnny McKee. In his most recent artistic evolution, McKee dives head-first into abstract expression. The non-representational works on paper are full of chaotic colors, visible brush strokes, drips, and splatters. Being human is being imperfect, and this group of paintings embodies that very notion.

In the Speck Gallery, The Resilience of Hope by Stephanie Robertson. This show is an exploration of how beauty and persistence emerge from fragility. Through small watercolor studies and large silk-painted, quilted panels, the exhibition traces the quiet ways life continues: ice melting to reveal pavement, water churning and reforming, plants pushing through the smallest cracks.

In the City Gallery, All Night Boogie by Warren Beal. Beal brings the spirit of the blues into visual form. For more than fifteen years, the Indianapolis native has collected discarded urban fragments and transformed them into new compositions that echo the improvisational rhythm of a long night’s music session. Each work uniquely captures the city’s pulse.

In the Underground Gallery, Everyday Poetics by Chris Hill. This show explores public expressions as vital affirmations of existence, especially for marginalized communities. Drawing from what he observes while walking or riding the bus, Hill highlights marks and messages often overlooked in public space. By pairing photographs with additional materials, he expands their meaning and impact. 

In the Sky Gallery, Listen By Elizabeth Guipe Hall. Inspired by recorded bird songs, Hall delves into different species, translating their calls into vibrant, textured artworks. Using layers of wax and collage, she transforms sound into color, offering a visual experience that bridges what we hear and what we see. 

In the Hank & Dolly’s Gallery, Florescence by Leslie Dolin. Dolin uses the idea of flowering as a metaphor for renewal. Created during her shift into empty nesting, the work reflects on a mother’s evolving sense of purpose. Through oil, mixed media, and monotype, Dolin reimagines flowers as symbols of rebirth and the desire to thrive in a new season of life.

In the Lift Gallery, Circle City Made by Cierra Johnson. Using mixed-media collage, graphic design, and photography, Johnson creates visual narratives that reflect her personal experience and the history of her community. Each piece is handcrafted to embody the unique stories that inspire it.

Guests can also enjoy:

In the Historic Gymnasium, Wrestling is Art with Zane Pasley. Get ready for a night of engaging, adrenaline-packed, WWE-style entertainment!

Hungry? Grab a bite across the courtyard from IndiTaco food truck for authentic Indian-Mexican cuisine. 

In the Courtyard, engage with Se(e) Change, a large-scale public installation by artists Michelle Walkey-Thornburg and Aaron Thornburg, and watch dancer Neil Cain perform dances that interact with the sculpture. Enjoy a warm firepit-stop while you’re there.

All shows will open at 6:00 pm on Friday, January 2, 2025.

Visitors can take in-person gallery tours Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Online galleries will open on January 3rd. You can make an appointment or view the online galleries at harrisoncenter.org/buy-art. 

Special Senior Hours are every Friday from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. No appointment is needed.

With support from Indy Arts Council, City of Indianapolis, Indiana Arts Commission, Lilly Endowment Inc., and Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.

About the Harrison Center 
The Harrison Center is a community-based, nonprofit arts organization that seeks to be a catalyst for renewal in the city of Indianapolis. Founded in 2001, the organization's work is two-fold. The Harrison Center is for the Arts by hosting over 40 artists' studios and 8 galleries. It provides programming to foster the creation of new art, build community among artists and emerging patrons, and provide a forum for public conversation. The Harrison Center is for the City by connecting people to culture, community, and place to strengthen Indianapolis's core neighborhoods. For more information on the Harrison Center, call 317.396.3886 or visit www.harrisoncenter.org. Connect with the Harrison Center on social media at Facebook/@HarrisonCenterArts, Instagram/@harrisoncenterarts, Youtube/@hca4thearts, or Twitter/@HarrisonCtrArts. 

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