Public Art Infuses Vibrancy into Downtown Fishers
If you have taken a stroll through the Nickel Plate District lately, you have likely noticed the growing presence of public art at every turn.
Amongst the storefronts, offices, and residential units, colorful works of art are infusing vibrancy into downtown Fishers. Painted electrical boxes transform the mundane into something beautiful. Giant banners hanging from The Edge parking garage showcase works by local artists that capture the spirit of our smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial city. At Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt, a brick wall serves as the canvas for a new mural that artist Craig Martin calls “a colorful gathering point for the community.”
In December 2013, the City of Fishers affirmed its commitment to public art with the creation of the Community Master Art Plan. The plan established a long-term vision and policy framework for community art projects within Fishers. Since then, the City has worked closely with the Fishers Arts Council, Arts Council of Indianapolis, and Nickel Plate Arts to ensure that public art is part of the fabric of our community.
“Public art is one way we can continue to progress the vibrancy of our city and celebrate the creativity and innovation of those in our community,” says Mayor Scott Fadness.
An ongoing collaboration between the Fishers Arts Council, Nickel Plate Arts, and City of Fishers, Art in City Hall transforms the atrium of City Hall into an art gallery celebrating local artists. Exhibitions rotate monthly and are free and open to the public.
Another ongoing community art project is the painting of various signal boxes throughout the Nickel Plate District. Local artist Travis Neal painted the signal box at the Pocket Park on 116th Street. His playful work, Aquarium Surprise, depicts a cat transfixed by the reflection of his tail on a fish tank. The project is in partnership with the Fishers Arts Council. The Council supports, advocates, and cultivates visual and performing arts opportunities that educate, enhance, and enrich the lives of those who live, work, and visit Fishers.
“The City was looking for a way to create a cohesive look to the Nickel Plate District,” says Daniel Kloc, president of the Fishers Arts Council, on the impetus for the electrical box project. “The signal box art starts creating those strands that connect everything together.”
