In 2025, Big Car Collaborative completed a range of public art projects across Indianapolis, advancing our mission of bringing art to people and people to art. From restoring long-standing neighborhood landmarks to creating new murals shaped by artists, neighbors, and partners, this work reflects our ongoing commitment to collaboration, care, and place-based creativity.
Welcome to Garfield Park
In 2025, Big Car Collaborative worked with the Garfield Park Neighbors Association (GPNA) and artist Andy Fry to restore the Welcome to Garfield Park mural on Shelby Street, renewing a well-known gateway into the neighborhood. Originally created in 2012 with input from neighbors and painted by more than 50 community volunteers, the mural has long served as a symbol of local pride. The recent restoration, thanks to support from the City of Indianapolis through the Indy Arts Council, ensures the mural continues to welcome residents and visitors for years to come.
Waterways
Continuing our partnership with Citizens Energy Group, Big Car collaborated with Indianapolis-based artist John Moore on Waterways, a mural at Municipal Gardens celebrating the DigIndy Tunnel System and its role in protecting the city’s waterways. Painted alongside Citizens staff during the annual Sharing the Dream project, the mural’s flowing blue and green forms reflect the movement, transformation, and environmental impact of this major infrastructure investment.
Take Flight
Take Flight, designed by Indianapolis-based artist Julie Xiao, brings a moment of color and calm to East Street in the Garfield Park neighborhood. Featuring peonies and hummingbirds — symbols of joy, beauty, and perseverance — the mural offers a bright visual pause for drivers, pedestrians, and families passing through the area. Commissioned by Tube Processing Corporation and created in partnership with Big Car Collaborative, the mural was painted with support from Ess McKee and Big Car staff.
A Celebration of Bean Creek & Garfield Park
Working alongside GPNA and the Bean Creek Neighborhood Association (BCNA), Big Car collaborated with seven local artists to create A Celebration of Bean Creek & Garfield Park at the Safeway grocery store on Shelby and Raymond streets. Safeway serves as a key gateway between the Bean Creek and Garfield Park neighborhoods, making it a meaningful site for a shared, community-driven artwork. Inspired by the “exquisite corpse” drawing technique, the mural brings together individual designs into a unified composition celebrating local history, creativity, and neighborhood pride. Painted together by neighbors and artists, the project reflects the collective spirit at the heart of Big Car’s public art work. The project was made possible with support from the Indy Arts Council, the City of Indianapolis, and the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.
Mural designs, left to right: India Hines ( Bean Creek), James Kelly (Garfield Park), Justin Cooper (Bean Creek), Julie Xiao (Big Car staff artist), Andrea Haydon (Garfield Park), Alejandra Carrillo (Bean Creek), Chris Tower (Garfield Park).
Rooted in collaboration with artists, neighbors, and partners, this year’s public art work highlights the role creativity can play in strengthening shared spaces and neighborhood identity.
