This was such a fun experience! There were all kinds of yummy samples from around Indy, and…read morehonestly, I don't know if I could pick just one favorite! They had so many amazing experiences to try, including perfume making, essential oil making, a salt room experience, hair styling, and tons of food and wine samples. Everything was so much fun, and the venue itself was absolutely beautiful! The perfect girls' night out, or such a fun way to get out, try something new, and meet new friends! I'd definitely love to go back again and explore even more of what they have to offer!

Such a fun evening at Yelp's Treat O'Clock event at Daniel's Vineyard! The event space was…read morebeautiful, the complimentary food and drinks were yummy, and there were so many thoughtful little details throughout the night. One of my favorite parts was getting to enjoy it all with good company while also having the opportunity to meet new people who share the same love for trying new places, good food and drinks, and fun experiences. It was such an enjoyable atmosphere and experiencing everything Daniel's Vineyard has to offer. Beautiful setting, great company, yummy treats, and an all-around fun experience. So glad I got to attend!

Every day, I've been driving down Meridian Street to get to my downtown Indy. Out of nowhere, it…read moreseems that "Share Your Light," a full-length mural adorning the north side of the Big Brothers-Big Sisters offices, popped up and immediately became this big bright light in downtown Indy. The mural was a private commission completed by Flatland Kitchen. It's a beautiful mural done with latex paint resulting out of BBSCI's desire to not just decorate their building but to create something meaningful to the community. Mission accomplished. As a lifelong Indy resident, I'm in love with this message and this simple but beautiful design. I don't care how many times I've seen it - it completely captivates me. BBSCI (Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Central Indiana) wanted to create something that said "we share this place." Flatland Kitchen has crafted a mural that grabs attention but also has emotional resonance and staying power. I think sometimes you kind of get used to a mural, however, with a mural like this one it grabs your attention every single time. And yes, it's true. This mural is one of Indy's newer ones having been developed in 2025. Flatland Kitchen is comprised of Eric and Rebekah Nolan. It's an Indy-based studio that focuses on branding, illustration, and spatial design. In case it's not obvious, I love this mural. If you haven't seen it, it's worth a drive down to 14th and Meridian Street to check it out.

I get my kicks off Lockerbie Square Historic neighborhood with or without a flea market but it…read morecertainly takes this charming district to the next level! From the canopy covered streets filled in with cobblestone to the weaving alleyways filled with flowers, Lockerbie is one of those spots I take out-of-towners for a stroll. During the annual, one day street market, the neighbors pull together to set up front yard sales, bring in a few local food and artisan vendors and fun mosying entertainment like Pork & Beans New Orleans brass band. It's really fun to see the varying decor of the neighborhood through the items being displayed for sale. While there, don't miss out on visiting the James Whitcomb Riley Museum.

Things I liked: - Shady sidewalks for a hot day…read more- Pork n Beans brass band bringing the party to random back alleys - occasional good finds - great Lockerbie neighborhood and houses to check out - Mass Ave restaurants and coffee just steps away to grab before or after your garage sale adventure This was a fun, low key weekend morning activity. It paired perfectly with a coffee outing at Coat Check and a stop by the library on the way home.

This sculpture is only in Indy through August 2025, then it moves to Chicago. "Let the Oppressed Go…read moreFree" is a rather large and emotional sculpture by Timothy Schmaltz that brings awareness to human trafficking. The sculpture currently stands outside Robert Parks United Methodist Church. There are signs describing the sculpture and the journey that it will take prior to reaching the final destination in Washington, DC at Catholic University. According to the sign, a former slave, Saint Josephine Bakhita is releasing victims of human trafficking. The terrified expressions on the faces of the people are gut wrenching. There is metered street parking nearby.

By now, it's no secret that downtown Indy church Roberts Park United Methodist Church has some…read moreprovocative and amazing public art including the remarkably memorable Homeless Jesus. Today, a new sculpture was dedicated on their grounds and it's absolutely stunning. "Let the Oppressed Go Free" was created by Timothy Schmalz to address the issue of human trafficking. For over 25 years, Schmalz, the Canadian artist who also created Homeless Jesus, has specialized in larger-scaled sculptures with a spiritual emphasis. However, he has also done quite a few bronze sculptures as public landmarks and/or memorials. "Let the Oppressed Go Free" depicts formerly enslaved Afro-Italian nun and saint Josephine Bakhita opening a trapdoor as she frees figures that represent human-trafficking victims. The sculpture contains almost a hundred figures representing the different faces of human trafficking including sex exploitation, forced labor, debt bondage and more. Men, women, and children, including an infant are shown to demonstrate the wide range of victims of human trafficking. The sculpture's inspiration and name come from the Bible passage Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" The dedication was earlier today and it's impossible to not find this new sculpture deeply moving. As someone who has long been active in the areas of abuse/violence, I was stunned by Schmalz's ability to capture both the intimacy and universality of human trafficking. The sculpture is outside and easily available for viewing by anyone in the area. As a wheelchair user, I had no issues getting to it. The sculpture is made of bronze and is 6 meters long, 1.2 meters wide and 2.4 meters high. It weighs over 3 tons. The original sculpture is located in Italy. If you've never checked out the public art at Roberts Park, I highly recommend it for those who like public art with strong spiritual themes.

This is a mural that was created in 2015 by Nathaniel Russell. It was commissioned by the Big Car…read moreCollaborative and is located on the side of Tube Factory Artspace, a place where all is welcome to create some art. The artist was assisted by Lily employees as part of their Global Day of Service. It is a nice piece that depicts a bright colored pencil bent around some windows. It definitely catches your eye. There is lots of free street parking available to for you to get out and check out the mural. However, it is not a very long stop and you probably could accomplish what you want to in the comfort of your vehicle. So, as I have mentioned, it is best to plan out stops at many of the other wonderful murals that are within a mile or two of this one.

Big Car Collaborative is one of those organizations that make cool things happen around Indy. Lots…read moreof times, I don't think they get credit for all the events and murals that seem to pop up to make our days a little better. So, in 2015, Big Car worked with the volunteers for the Lilly Day of Service (LDOS) to paint a mural on the exhibition center/gallery that Big Car had opened near Garfield Park. The graphic design of a pastel pencil that was bent at right angles to frame the windows on the building's west side was painted. The shades of blue and purple are of various shades from lightest to darkest. Review #1717

During my visit to nearby Fishers, Indiana I was excited to see a new youth-inspired installation…read morethat is to become a regular feature located at Brooks School Park. It's called the Fishers Art Wall, an idea that was first inspired by the 2018-2019 Mayor's Youth Council (now known as the Mayor's Youth Academy). Inspired by Mayor Fadness's question ""What are creative places doing to create creative spaces?," the youth council began looking at Venice, California's public art walls and how they'd become a local tourist attraction while creating a public for public art and place-making. The result is that such businesses as Hagerman Construction, Sagamore Concrete, Gilliatte General Contractors and Faegre, Baker, Daniels among others agreed to donate their services and a Fall 2019 date was set to begin creating the Fishers Art Wall that is now in place. The Fishers Art Wall is a two-sided 40' x 5' wall with 4 1" reveals creating up to 8 separate panels. It can be divided multiple ways allowing for variation during each art rotation. There's to be four revolving periods of art throughout the year. Two of the periods will feature local artists, while the other two will be devoted to Hamilton Southeastern Schools. The emphasis is on creation of either a 2-D mural or graffiti style artwork with acrylic or spray paint or as directed by staff. The emphasis is on celebrating diversity and inclusion within Fishers and the guidelines note that the art work should align with the vision of the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission that goes - "To reflect both what the community is today and what it hopes to be in the future... a smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial city energized by and experienced through arts, architecture and culture." For local artists, there's no fee to submit work and no permit required for the painting. There's also an allowable reimbursement of $250 per panel ensuring that artists are compensated for their work. The wall is to be maintained and prepared by the City of Fishers before/after each rotation. I fell in love with the Fishers Art Wall, which is located along the Mud Creek Watershed and adjacent to the parking lot. It's a beautiful option for local art and the current installation emphasizes what is really an Indiana theme right now - the idea of being "All IN." I initially eyeballed the exhibit and just assumed it was a cute art thing similar to the rainbow bridge in Broad Ripple, but closer inspection revealed it was a formal and permanent installation with signage explaining the project. To be honest, I drove by it four times just soaking it in. If you're by Brooks School Park, I'd definitely check it out. If you're a local artist, you might also think about submitting for future installations.

This is a nice walk that runs along the cultural trail. It was dedicated in 2012 and honors 14…read moreindividuals who achieved greatness through peaceful pursuits through the set up of linear gardens and associated luminaries dedicated to each respective honoree. There is also some benches and an informational placard at each luminary detailing the honoree's accomplishments. The luminaries are illuminated at night and are gorgeous. The people honored as part of the walk include Susan B. Anthony, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, Jonas Salk, Mark Twain, Booker T. Washington, The Wright Brothers. 12 of the luminaries are located in one area, along a median on Walnut Street between Meridian Street and Capitol Avenue. The only 2 outliers being MLK and Abraham Lincoln. I have walked by all of these luminaries quite a few times and it it all interesting to see the people that pas them by without even noticing their significance. The walk was made possible by the generosity of Gene and Marilyn Glick through a $2 million donation from the Gene and Marilyn Glick Family Fund at Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), in additon to the $15 million that they gghave for the cultural trail. The walk was designed by Rundell Ernstberger Associates, RLR Associates and Circle Design Group. The artists involved on the project included Smock Fansler Corporation, Tarpenning LaFollette Company, GRT Glass Design, and Santarossa Mosaic and Tile. There is metered street parking available within a reasonable walking distance form all of the luminaries and they are easily accessible. There are a few comerricla lots near main part of the walk as well. I like the testament to these notable people that definitely deserve to be honored. It is relatively well maintained and you can actually learn a bit will perusing the individual luminaries. It is definitely worth a stroll through on a nice day.

This magnificent and stunning exhibit was a pleasant surprise to find right here in downtown Indy…read moreand a delight to experience. The lighting is low, the air is cool and the atmosphere is calming and relaxing. You can explore Michelangelo's Masterpieces from the 8,611 square feet Sistine Chapel ceiling which have been reproduced using state-of-the-art technology. I found it fanastating that Michelangelo reluctantly accepted this large tasks as he saw himself more as a sculptor than a painter. After only 4 1/2 years, the Sistine Chapel was opened with a festive ceremony on All Staints' Day, 1512. In 1536, Michelangelo was commissioned by Paul III who wanted a new design on the wall behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel. The Last Judgement was completed 5 years later and this Masterpiece is also on display. This Exhibit is brought to Indy by the same organizers who brought King Tut, Titanic and Frida Kahlo to the various cities through the United States. This spectacular exhibit is located in the old Carson/L.S. Ayres department store on the corner of Washington and Meridian Street with the entrance on Washington Street across from T-Mobile. You can easily park in the Mall Parking Garage, take the elevator to the main floor (by P.F. Chang's) on the corner of Washington and Illinois and take the sidewalk (east) to the entrance. The Exhibit runs through August 26th from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and tickets must be purchased beforehand online. Download the Exhibition's Audioguide from Google or Apple prior to visiting to save time. The app is included as part of your ticket and will give you access up to 60 minutes of additional award winning audio guide content. Be sure to bring your own personal headphones. After checking in, there's an overview of the exhibit you can watch prior to exploring plus it's on an endless loop so it can be viewed whenever you're ready. The artwork is laid out very well with a brief description by each piece and a QR Code to scan. Several small benches are located on the outside row so you can sit to enjoy these stunning works of art. I could list each of the masterpieces you'll see but words truly will not do each justice. I'll post pictures, which again, do not truly reflect their depth of beauty and emotional significance. One of the challenges we took to heart was to step into Michelangelo shoes and gain a new perspective on these famous works of art by studying them from the same distance that the artist created them. I can't even imagine how difficult that would have been. On August 25th and August 26th two Candlelight concerts (6:30 & 9:00 p.m.) bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical expereience to this exhibit. Enjoy the timeless sounds of Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart while surrounded by the incomparable universe of Michelangelo - all under the gentle glow of candlelight. Age requirements for the concert is 8 years old or older. Anyone 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is based on first come first served basis in each zone. Merchandise is available, and affordable, by the exit. A few things you'll find is magnetics, programs, wine bags and glasses, laptop cases, 8 x 10 prints, tote bags and shirts. If you have an opportunity to visit the Michaelangelo Sistine Chapel Exhibit, go. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you enjoy this kind of thing. I hope to return for the Candlelight Concerts on 8/26.