Big Car started out as a collective of writers and artists who all chipped in $15 a month to pay for a space inside the Murphy Arts Center in Fountain Square. They programmed the 1000 square foot space with monthly art shows, music and multi-genre shows, films, collage parties and many other events.
As the building experienced high turn-over of businesses, then Murphy Arts Center owner and artist, Philip Campbell, allowed Big Car to create installations and art shows in empty storefronts and other spaces temporarily available throughout the building.
The art shows were mainly curated by Walker and Marsh but there were frequent guest curators such as the Kunt Collective (featured gay and queer artists), Herron School of Art students, and art collectives in other cities such as Art Hospital.
“NoSpace” Tre Reising with music by Motif, Andy D and Twin Monster.
Kodoma Sound and video installation
Love Me curated by Audrey Barcio
Jinjonjim: Jeremy Kennedy, Crab Jackson and Shane Edge.
Some months Big Car hosted more than five art shows and 15 music concerts by partnering with various local artists and artist groups. At that point in Indianapolis there weren’t small venues for travelings musicians developing a fanbase, so Big Car began pairing local muscians with traveling acts over the years Bashiri Asad, The Impossible Shapes, Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes, Deer Tick, Accordions, Amo Joy, Pons, Tuna Helpers, Vollmar, The Black Swans, Tonos Triad, Normanoak, Grampall Jookabox, Castanets, Pravada, and many more played at Big Car Gallery.
Founders: Jim Walker, Shauta Marsh, John L. Clark, Tim Burris, Anne Laker, Kipp Normand, Joe Merrick, Lisa Barton, Glenn Guimond, Jose Di Gregorio, Jason Pitman and Andy Fry
