First Friday Gallery Opening: March 2026

In the Harrison Gallery, Understories by Meg Lagodzki. This body of work comprises small oil paintings and acrylic-painted collages built from layered textures and finely cut paper, inspired by close observation in the woods. Shifting between macro and micro views, the work reflects both the quiet richness of forest details and the lasting effects of storms, climate change, and human impact on natural cycles.

In the Gallery Annex, Collage Culture, a group show. Collage Culture brings together over a dozen Harrison Center studio artists to explore layering and recontextualization as reflections on how meaning is built from fragments. The exhibition encourages bold scale, experimentation, and accessibility, celebrating collage as both a visual language and a shared cultural practice.

In the Speck Gallery, Family Ties by Melanie Millis Wissel & Mark Millis. This show celebrates the creative bond between artist siblings, shaped by a shared upbringing immersed in art and family support. Through oil, acrylic, and pastel works, the exhibition presents shared “places of the heart,” highlighting how artistic values are nurtured and carried across generations.

Also in the Speck Gallery, enjoy new music performance by Forward Motion in partnership with Sound Ecologies, created in response to the visual artists.

In Hank & Dolly’s Gallery, Memories From Kenya by Myrta Pulliam. Pulliam’s show brings together oil paintings and photography rooted in her lifelong relationship with image-making, from her first camera to a career in photojournalism. Based on photographs taken at Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the work reflects a return to early artistic passions and a deep connection to a place Pulliam calls her favorite on earth.

In the Underground Gallery, Coloring Outside the Lines: A Journey Across Artistic & Geographic Borders presented by Exodus Refugee Immigration. This group show will feature the work of Cuban, Haitian, and Afghan artists who have experienced war, persecution, violence, and injustice. Some have been forced to flee their homes, while others have been forced to stay. It celebrates the vibrant humanitarian immigrant community, as every brushstroke tells a story of hope and loss, what was and what could have been. 

Open Studio all evening! Visit the artists behind your favorite works and get a glimpse into their creative process. (Hint: See if you can find the studio with the famous koi ponds!)

In the Speck Gallery, enjoy new music performance by Forward Motion in partnership with Sound Ecologies, created in response to the visual artists.

In the Courtyard, engage with Se(e) Change, a large-scale public installation by artists Michelle Walkey-Thornburg and Aaron Thornburg. Enjoy a warm fire pit stop while you’re there.

In the Historic Gymnasium, Naptown Roller Derby. Join us for an exciting night of fast-paced action! Since 2006, Naptown Roller Derby has been Indy’s home for inclusivity, competition, and community.

Hungry? Grab a bite across the courtyard from 3 Marias’ food truck for delicious and authentic Tex-Mex Cuisine.

All shows will open at 6:00 pm on Friday, March 6th, 2026.

Visitors can take in-person gallery tours Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Online galleries will open on March 7th. 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, strengthening 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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