28-02-2025
Annual Black art celebration returns to Indy
Meet the 35 artists using their creative talents to celebrate 30 years of fashion in a new exhibit at the Central Library.
Why it matters: The annual " Meet the Artists" exhibit is a cultural event that stands as one of the city's longest-running showcases of local creators of color whose creations might not otherwise reach a large audience.
The inspo: Now in its 37th year, the program is curated by founder and 2024 ARTI Award winner Anthony Radford who took his love of art from passion to profession when he discovered the work of local Black art icon Joe Holiday in 1988 at an Indianapolis Public Library exhibition.
Zoom in: The 2025 exhibit is called the "Pearl Experience," and honors the Meet The Artists fashion show that has been an integral part of the celebration for three decades.
A list of the 35 creators featured in the show can be found here.
What they're saying: "Meet the Artists is more than an exhibit. It's a celebration of talent, heritage and the stories that African-American artists bring to life," said Cordia Watkins, circulation manager and chairperson of the Indianapolis Public Library's African American History Committee.
"Our goal is to highlight their creativity and provide a space where the community can connect with the art, the culture, and the conversations that emerge from all of it."
If you go: The free exhibit is open to the public through March 29 during regular library hours.
Central Library is open 10am-8pm Monday-Tuesday; 10am-6pm Wednesday-Thursday; 10am-5pm Friday-Saturday; and 1-5pm Sunday.
The exhibit closes with a meet and greet event on March 28 from 6-9pm.
