I'm not always a fan of Carmel's roundabout art projects, however, I will acknowledge I'm a fan, a…read morebig fan, of the "Classic Cars of Indiana" project. This sculpture, Marmon Wasp, is part of that collection. It was completed in 2023 and sits in the roundabout at East 96th Street and Priority Way. The entire collection sits along East 96th Street. I think this is a great sort of bridge between Carmel and Indy; it's also a tremendous acknowledging of Indy's history. For those who don't know, the Marmon Wasp was the first car to win the Indy 500 way back in 1911. The sculpture's black and yellow colors are the same colors from the original car. The sculpture was completed by Arlon Bayliss. The base of the sculpture is made of Indiana limestone and brick, the latter reflecting the "Brickyard." The car slants forward with the front wheels raised, a tribute to speed. Bayliss was born in England and is an emeritus professor of art at Anderson University. He's known for public art installations around Indiana, though he's also known across Europe for both studio glass and factory art glass. I'm always struck by the size and power of this sculpture whenever I drive by it. I wouldn't call it quite a destination piece, however, it's a tremendous piece to admire when in the area. I'm a fan of the entire collection - this and the Stutz sculpture are probably my two favorites. If you haven't seen it, I definitely recommend checking it out.

Again: I know nothing about art, just what I like and what I don't like…read more This is the first roundabout sculpture you see when you are coming leaving 465 and heading east on 96th Street. It is one in a series of roundabout sculptures that line up along 96th Street. Honoring the Marmon Wasp, one of the earliest race cars on the Speedway track. I not only love that it lights up (and yes I have a thing for sculptures that light up at night) but also that it is painted in yellow and black. How befitting a wasp. I glimpse a bit more of it each time I drive through this roundabout. One day I shall stop and take a really close look.

Let me just say it again: I know nothing about art. I just go by if I like looking at it or not…read more And I have the highest respect of those who create art, even if I don't like it. I do like this one though. For one it lights up at night, changes colors and shines quite pretty in the middle of it's roundabout. I like that all 3 of the main players in racing history are represented here, standing tall together. Also it is one of 3 roundabout sculptures lined up back to back and all related to Indy's racing history. How fitting. I agree with Tank that this is not a destination art piece, but quite enjoyable as you take one roundabout after the other along this stretch of road.

This sculpture is the work of Arlon Bayliss (fabricated by bo-mar Industries) and is part of the…read more$2.5 million "Classic Cars of Indiana" project. It was completed in the Summer of 2023 and you will find it at 96th Street and Delegates Row. It pays homage to the contributions made to car design by E.L.Cord, Auburn and Duesenberg. It is a colorful (red, lime, blue, and yellow) sculpture that features silhouettes of famous Auburn, Cord, and Duesenbergs cars that are arranged on three curved legs and tapering like feathers (they actually look like feathers) as they ascend towards a star-shaped "star-of achievement." the sculpture features silhouettes of famous Auburn, Cord, and Duesenbergs. Arranged on three curved stems and tapering like feathers they ascend towards a star-shaped "star-of achievement, which is a burst with gears, pistons and wheels." The sculpture is a base and stands about 30 feet. The sculpture is illuminated at night for your viewing pleasure. As with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a destination piece, nor a long stop as I previously mentioned. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area (and there are many of them), or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

This mural, titled Mille Bornes, is the work of Jacque Hammonds. Hammonds was one of 3 artists…read morecommissioned by the Fishers Arts Council and City of Fishers in 2016. It was part of the city's Community Master Art Plan. His other work that was part of the project is titled "Straight-On Monon" and is located at 116th Street and Municipal Drive. I like this piece. It is very colorful and has a lot going on. It covers the entire signal box. It is based off of a French card game that goes by the same name as the mural, Miles Bournes, which translates to 1000 miles. The pictures on the mural are taken from the actually cards from the game. I checked it myself. You can get the game from Amazon if you are interested. One side of the mural depicts an upside down green traffic light (ironic it is on a signal box huh), with a large green circle, with the French word roulez, which means roll, over it. The number 100 is on there 3 times, one of them being on what looks like a garage with a red roof. The other side has an upside down red traffic light with a large red circle and the word "stop" over the circle. The number 50 is also on that side painted on what looks like a garage with a red roof. One side of the box has a upside down green car and a red blown tire with the French "creve" above it, which translates to dog-tired, There are also blue tire treads in the background. The opposite side has a blue tire with what looks like red spikes attempting to puncture it in 2 places and the words "increvable", which is French for puncture proof, above and below it. Like I said previously, there is a lot going on. This piece is somewhat easy to find. But don't worry, if you are having a difficult time finding it, just look for the nearest traffic light. All signal boxes, painted with murals or not, are near traffic lights. It is right in front of Blaze Pizza. As is the case with most murals that I review, this is probably not a very long stop. I was there less than 3 minutes. It is probably best to plan out additional stops at many of the other wonderful murals in the area, including the other signal box murals, to maximize your trip

My favorite signal box mural in Fishers is Mille Bornes by artist Jacque Hammonds (2016). The…read moremural is a faithful representation of French card game that I played as a child. The artist has captured the images from the cards, only bigger. With the signal box being a control for traffic, the card game is a natural fit images of traffic lights, flat tires, and traffic signs. There are even some of the speed cards like the duck (50) and the rabbit (100). It was a fun game to play as a kid and even more fun to be reminded of those times whenever I pass this mural. Review #1882

This piece is titled Indiana Daffodils and was painted by Jen Byler in 2018. It was commissioned by…read morethe city of Fishers as part of their Signal Box mural program that began in 2016. I must be honest, this is not one of the better signal box murals. The design and simple and seems worn. The colors have really dulled. The mural depicts some yellow daffodils with green stems against a yellow grass lawn, and a blue background. It covers the entire box, even the lid. As is the case with most murals that I review, this is probably not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. There is street parking available around the corner from the box. However, you can probably even do a drive by and get a decent look at the mural, especially of you catch the red light. It is best to plan out additional stops at many of the other wonderful murals in the area, including the other signal box murals, to maximize your trip.

Outside the Escape Room along 116th Street in Fishers is a brightly colored signal box painted with…read moreIndiana Daffodils. Artist Jen Byler painted the box in 2018 using bright yellow flowers, outlined in black. The flowers rise with green leaves out of a field of yellow into a sky of deep blue streaked with white clouds. The colors really pop in vibrancy against the dull sidewalk. Review #1883

One of the rising stars in the metro Indy public art scene is Nekoda (Koda) Witsken who is from the…read morearea and has returned home after extensive travel and education to brighten the lives of people in the area, exposing them to art without the confines of having to visit a museum by placing her murals inside restaurants and other businesses as well as on the side of a building or on the supports of an underpass. Her murals seem to have a vibrant color to them and sometimes have larger than life images. Sometimes they seem abstract and other times, timeless landscapes or portraits, but what ever she paints, it is a pleasant surprise to enjoy. This mural located inside the El Lago Mexican Restaurant dining room covers the entire east wall (over 25 feet!) There are two parts to the mural which you can check out in the photos attached to this review. If you want to take time to enjoy looking at the mural, just order a fine meal and sit and look at the mural while you dine. Do yourself a favor and check out this mural the next time you are in the Geist area! Review #3879

This is an interesting piece of public art. It is an abstract sculpture. It is located in front of…read morethe Meyer Najem building. The sculpture is the work of Kevin Huff and was commissioned by the Nickel Plate Arts and Mayer Najem in 2016. The sculpture is two pieces and consists of 2 gray elongated steel triangles that are bending at the tip balancing gray steel rings.  The bent tip holding the ring is supported by a steel rod. Huff intentionally made the sculpture ambiguous. He wants each viewer to interpret the forms in a way that is meaningful to them. I see it as the rings finding the sweet spot and being able to balance perfectly. One puff of wind, one butterfly, one rain drop could make the ring roll off. As is the case with most public art that I review, this is probably not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. It is probably best to plan out additional stops at many of the wonderful murals in the area, including the world famous Fisher's signal box murals, to maximize your trip.

I really enjoy finding businesses that forego the boring exteriors by adding something unexpected,…read morelike public art, to their landscape. Local construction firm Mayer Najem commissioned a sculpture by Noblesville artist Kevin Huff to greet visitors as they drive along Lantern Road. "Siege the Day" is a metal construct towering about a dozen feet tall and consists of two pieces. A smaller piece rises then bends to the right supporting the crossview of a round tube. The weight is counter balanced by a rod rising from the base to support under the bending arc below the tube. The larger assembly is designed with the same features but bends to the left and is placed behind the smaller one. Because it is abstract, people interpret the pieces to be a variety of things. While some see them as catapults ready to launch, others see them as two elderly people supporting their balance with canes. Neither is right or wrong, it is strictly up to the viewer. The pieces are painted a dark grayish black color and have smooth finishes. Review #1285

This mural was painted by Holly Sims in 2023, in four and a half days. It is located on the side of…read morethe old Fraternal Order of Eagles building and overlooks a commercial parking lot and private parking for nearby businesses. It is located in Elwood's main business district and is located near many other awesome murals. This mural was cultivated by StraightEdge Creative and Jacqueline Collis Lane of Gypsy Soul Boutique. Because it overlooks a wide open parking lot, parking to get a spot here is very easy. I pulled in, got out and checked out the mural. The mural depicts a very detailed black panther that was painted to appear to be sticking his head out of the mural with some type of 3D effect. You will see a couple of white flowers and green foliage around the panther's head. Sims is very talented and her talent is well on display in this mural. I really like the mural's detail. The panther almost looks real. I believe the mural is a nod to the town's Junior/Senior High School mascot, but you will notice that the two cats look nothing alike. I actually like Sims' version of a panther better. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is probably not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at some of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

This mural is the work of Israel Solomon and it was dedicated in 2021. You will find this mural on…read morethe north side of Drs. Lauck & McLean Optometry Eyewear building overlooking the Old Town Tavern parking lot. Being that it overlooks a parking lot, parking to get a closer look at the mural is very easy. This mural was a collaborative effort between the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, Carmel Midtown Community Development Corp., Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation and Subrin. Solomon. It costed about $15,000 . The mural features black heroes and heroines with ties to Indiana, including Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings, vocalist Janet Jackson, comedian Mike Epps, entrepreneur Madame C.J. Walker and singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The people depicted in the mural "were selected through a concerted effort and brainstorm with Be the Change Indy, the City of Carmel and Solomon, based on people I could portray (who) come from Indiana or came to Indiana who have made a huge impact." At the request Brad Subrin, the owner of the building which the mural was painted, Spenser Wilson, a Cathedral High School graduate, who took his own life at age 24 in 2019 was added to the mural. Wilson went to high school and was a close friend of Subrin's son. Viewers will also see a white dove flying above the people in the mural. The artwork is decent but not the best, in the sense that the depictions of the people have just a slight resemblance of who they are intended to be. I do like and agree with the people that were chosen to be included in the mural. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the area's other attractions, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.