Big Car

SPARK on the Circle
2023-07-08 11:00 - 2023-11-03 19:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
We have returned with an even more transformational SPARK on the Circle this year. The entire southwest quadrant of Monument Circle is closed to traffic and has become a park with lots of seating, shade, food and drink, and opportunities to socialize and get creative in the middle of the city. SPARK, which is always free to enjoy, is open every day 11 a.m. until dusk until Nov. 3.
Oct. 5, 12pm- Circle Side Chats: Poems with Kelvin McKelvey
Oct. 5, 4pm- Candle making with Freetown Village
Oct 7, 12pm- Scavenger Hunt with Brittany Fukushima
Oct. 10, 12pm- Lunch Break Live-Cara Jean Wahlers
Oct.11, 1pm- Drum Circle with Rhythm! Discover Center
Oct.11, 4pm- Found Art with Giselle Trujillo
Oct. 12, 12pm- Circle Side Chats: Symbols with DeeDee Davis
Oct. 12, 4pm- Indy Movement Arts Bump City & Bollywood
Oct. 13, 12pm- A.I.R. Head Book Tour
Oct. 13, 12pm- Hardrick Live Mural Painting
Oct 14, 4pm- Ink Workshop with Brittany Fukushima
Oct 14, 4pm- Sofar Sounds at SPARK
Oct 16, 4pm- Plein Air painting with Brittany Fukushima
Oct. 18, 1pm- Drum Circle with Rhythm! Discover Center
Oct. 18, 4pm- Amulet Making with Rachel Leah Cohen
Oct. 19, 12pm- Circle Side Chats: Drag History with Stephen Lane
Oct. 19, 4pm- Wagon of Wonders Puppet Show
Oct. 22, 12pm- Costume Pet Parade
Oct. 22, 4pm- Artist Hangout
Oct 24, 12pm-Lunch Break Live with Rob Funkhouser
Oct 25, 1pm- Drum Circle with Rhythm! Discover Center
Oct 25, 4pm- Graffiti Knitting
Oct. 28, 11am-6pm- Circle Spark Fest
Oct. 29, 11am-6pm- Circle Spark Fest
Oct. 30, 4-6pm- Dia de los Muertos Altar
Oct. 31, 12pm- Lunch Break Live with Progressive Knife
SPARK is a partnership with Downtown Indy, the City of Indianapolis, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission — and funded by the Capital Improvements Board. It is a continuation of our work last year and in 2015 on the Circle.
At Big Car, we approach our work at the Circle as a site- and community-specific socially engaged art and creative placemaking project. The SPARK on the Circle pop-up park was collaboratively designed with Indianapolis-based Merritt Chase to be a restorative public place where people of all walks of life can relax, play, socialize, and engage with art and artists in the heart of our city.

Frida Está Chida
2023-07-08 14:00 - 19:00 | Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), 1125 Cruft St., Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Bilingual Description
El 6 de Julio de 1907, en Coyoacán, México nació una pintora conocida por sus famosos autorretratos. Frida Kahlo se convirtió en una fuerza del movimiento surrealista al crear un estilo único mezclando elementos de la naturaleza y la identidad mexicana con aspectos de su vida.
On July 6, 1907 in Coyoacán, Mexico a painter was born, known for her famous selfportraits. Frida Kahlo became a force in the surrealist movement by creating a unique style mixing elements of nature and the Mexican identify and aspects of her life.

La imágen de Frida continua influyendo la cultura popular. El Festival İFrida está Chida! celebra la influencia de Frida Kahlo a nivel mundial atravesando fronteras, idiomas y tiempo.
Frida’s image continues influencing pop culture. The İFrida está Chida! Festival celebrates Frida Kahlo’s influence worldwide piercing through borders, languages and time.

Con sus propias creaciones en honor a Frida, los artistas presentados en éste Festival muestran la fuerza de la imágen de la famosa pintora mexicana.
With their own creations in honor of Frida, the Festival’s artists showcase the famous Mexican painter’s force.

Este evento es familiar y abierto al publico. Están invitados a traer su mejor atuendo para celebrar a Frida porque….İFrida está Chida!
This is a family event open to the public. You are invited to join the celebration by wearing your best Frida custom because…İFrida está Chida!

Frida Está Chida es posible gracias al apoyo del Consejo de las Artes de Indianápolis, Big Car Collaborative y la Fundación de Indianápolis, un afiliado de CICF. Gracias a nuestros socios comunitarios Mujeres Conectadas, Consulado de México en Indianápolis, Red Global MX Crossroads, Nopal Cultural.
Gracias a Cueller Law Office por su patrocinio.

Frida Está Chida is made possible by the support of The Indy Arts Council, Big Car Collaborative and the Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate. Thanks to our community partners Mujeres Conectadas, Consulado de México en Indianapolis, Red Global MX Crossroads, Nopal Cultural.
Thank you to Cueller Law Office for your sponsorship.

Bashiri Asad- Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-07-11 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for the soft return of SPARK Monument Circle with live music from Bashiri Asad! Food trucks, Bearded Bagel and Tijuana Flats, will be onsite starting at 11am. Music performance 12-1pm.

“He laughs. He cries. He loves. He dreams. Just like you, everyday. He feels deeply, and turns his feelings into music. Soul music. Music that says exactly how you feel, everyday. Bashiri Asad is the “Everyday Soul Singer,” and he will remind you that feeling what you feel, in your soul, is just fine. IndySoul is his passion, and he exudes this with every song!

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant

Mina Keohane- Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-07-11 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for SPARK on the Circle with live music from Mina Keohane! Food trucks, will be onsite starting at 11am. Music performance 12-1pm.

“…full of surprises. She possesses a songbird’s voice, a wisdom beyond her years and a delightfully smooth way of gliding across the piano keys. Everything from mournful sonic sculptures to crisp, lightweight ballads carried the day — always in celebration of the moment, whether it be the memory of something long gone or the freshness of something new.” –Nuvo Newsweekly
Mina Keohane is an Indianapolis based composer/performer. Her music is a piano-driven cross-pollination of singer-songwriter, indie rock and a hint of jazz using lush chords and impulsive lines to create a distinctive sound. Her songs have been described as “if Joni Mitchell and Aimee Mann had a baby with Charles Mingus.” She spends most of her time writing music for commercials and short films, as well as playing keyboards and accordion with Public Universal Friend, Sarah Grain & the Billions of Stars, Nashville-based recording artist Brandon Whyde, The Dopacetics, Teresa Reynolds and the Slicktones, and her own band Mina & the Wondrous Flying Machine. She has had the opportunity and privilege of opening for many wonderful artists including Becca Stevens, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats, Blues Traveler, Dwight Yoakam, Esme Patterson & Robby Krieger.

We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant.

Cyanotype Workshop with Asli Narin
2023-07-14 11:00 - 16:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Cyanotype is a camera-less photography made out in the sun, rather than in a darkroom. You place objects — such as plants — on top of a piece of photo-treated paper, and then use the sun to expose the paper. The result is an image that is an exact outline of the object. It’s a fun and magical way to engage photography! Although it may be new to modern people, cyanotype has been around since photography was invented in the 1800s.

Come explore the creative possibilities of this fascinating process with Indianapolis-based artist Asli Narin. Narin often incorporates cyanotype into her artistic practice. She will give a short talk about cyanotype at the beginning of each hour, and then you will make your own cyanotypes with Narin’s assistance.

We will have some objects on hand to experiment with, but feel free to bring your own objects. Flat items usually work best, and cyanotype can be messy, so precious things like family heirlooms should probably stay at home. All other necessary materials will be provided free at the workshop.

This activity is best suited for artists 7+ years old; minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Asli Narin (1985, Istanbul) is a visual artist and an educator based in Indianapolis, US. Narin’s artistic practice is based on photography as well as video, installation, and performance, inspired by nature and the cities. Taking inspiration from walking and wandering, she explores the human experience through forms and abstractions. Her subjects are often the thresholds and dualities of life.

Image: Anna Atkins is famous for these cyanotypes she made of British algae in the 1840s. A book she made out of her cyanotypes is considered to be the first photobook ever made.

In partnership with Aurora PhotoCenter for SPARK on the Circle .

Artist led activities & Lunch at Lockerbie
2023-07-20 11:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us at Lockerbie Marketplace on Thursday, July 20 from 11:30 am – 1 pm in the downtown greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market for artist-led activities like our Post Card Project, WQRT DJ mix, Mexican street-style food by Latin Flavor, and games like Ping pong, foosball, and giant Jenga.
All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

Bashiri Asad- Lunch Break Live Tuesdays presented by Lake City Bank
2023-07-25 11:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for the return of SPARK on the Circle with live music from Bashiri Asad! Food trucks will be onsite starting at 11am. Music performance 12-1pm.

“He laughs. He cries. He loves. He dreams. Just like you, everyday. He feels deeply, and turns his feelings into music. Soul music. Music that says exactly how you feel, everyday. Bashiri Asad is the “Everyday Soul Singer,” and he will remind you that feeling what you feel, in your soul, is just fine. IndySoul is his passion, and he exudes this with every song!
We at Big Car are teaming up with Downtown Indy and the City of Indianapolis — with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission— to spark Monument Circle with human-scale activities like games, live music, artmaking, and socializing in a comfortable place. We’re based in the southwest quadrant

Live music, food & artist-led activities at Lockerbie Place
2023-07-27 11:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us for live music by Adam Graahs (singer/songwriter). American comfort dishes by Box Burger. Games like foosball, ping pong, chess & checkers, and giant Jenga are also available for additional entertainment.
About the artist
Adam Graahs is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Indianapolis. He writes music for his own bands, S.M. Wolf and Amo Joy, and has played with several other local acts including Vess Ruhtenberg, Louie Louie and Raw McCartney. Graahs has released more than a dozen albums of his own material and has toured the US, Europe and Japan. While he typically writes fuzzed-out rock songs for his bands, during the downtime of the pandemic he honed his acoustic finger-picking skills giving his new solo material a more downtempo, reflective vibe.
All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

Lunch at Lockerbie
2023-08-03 11:30 - 13:30 | Lockerbie Marketplace, 320 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Join us at Lockerbie Marketplace on Thursday, August 3 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm in the downtown greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market for artist-led activities like our Post Card Project, WQRT DJ mix, food by That Vegan Joint, and games like Ping pong, foosball, and giant Jenga.

All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

First Friday Night Market
2023-08-04 18:00 - 22:00, 2023-09-01 18:00 - 22:00 | Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), 1125 Cruft St., Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Join us again for this upcoming First Friday for a wonderful evening in Garfield Park. We are celebrating local artists, musicians, food trucks and vendors by featuring them in our night market.
Come check out our creative endeavors here around Cruft Street, where you will have the opportunity to purchase local goods from amazing artists and food vendors here at the Tube.
During the winter months, the Night Market is held inside Tube Factory artspace. In the fall, spring, and summer months, vending is located outside.
If you are a local artist or maker, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required for more information.

Brian DePauli: Not Sorry We're Closed
2023-08-04 18:00 - 2023-09-24 15:00 | Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), 1125 Cruft St., Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Not Sorry We’re Closed is an exhibition inspired by and questions American society’s live-to-work mentality, and is comprised primarily of hyper-realistic oil paintings. DePauli’s pieces preserve and draw attention to objects and scenes from the lighter side of daily life: a worn bicycle seat, a chimney on the grill in summer, a homemade skate ramp in a fenced-in backyard, a ballcap lying in the garden proclaiming “RETIRED, No Phone! No Fax! No Stress! No Worries!” The surface meaning of these items and scenes are emphasized as a lifestyle to aspire to rather than objects to contemplate.
“I am concerned with the cultural and environmental effects of America’s obsession with work, as well as the physical and mental health ramifications,” says DePauli. “In 1930, distinguished economist John Maynard Keynes published a short essay, ‘Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren,’ where, among other ideas, he states that ‘by 2030 the standard of living would be dramatically higher; people, liberated from want (and without the desire to consume for the sake of consumption), would work no more than fifteen hours a week, devoting the rest of their time to leisure and culture.’ My work envisions a world where his prediction has come true.”
About the artist
Brian DePauli received his MA in visual art from Fontbonne University. His work has been exhibited widely throughout the St. Louis area at galleries including Fort Gondo, Boots Contemporary Art, and White Flag Projects, as well as nationally at Around the Coyote in Chicago, IL, and The Berkeley Art Center in Berkeley, CA. DePauli’s works have been featured in several publications and platforms, such as New American Paintings and BOOOOOOOM. He has participated in residencies at The Luminary in St. Louis, MO, and Paul Art Space in Florissant, MO. Brian DePauli lives and works in Saint Louis.
This exhibit is made possible by the Indy Arts Council, The City of Indianapolis and Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation.

Tube Factory artspace
Jeremy D Efroymson Gallery
VISIT US
Wednesday -Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tube is also open until 10 p.m. each First Friday.
Closed Holidays
Big Car Collaborative brings art to people and people to art, sparking creativity in lives to support communities. As an artist-run nonprofit organization, we utilize tools of culture and creativity to build community and social cohesion — connecting people as a way to boost quality of life. We support our community by supporting artists.
Much of our work happens on a single block where we own or co-own more than 20 properties — including a long-term affordable housing program for artists and Tube Factory — a contemporary art museum with a cafe, studios, and community space. At our campus of adaptive reuse buildings and public greenspace, we host community and cultural programs to promote social connectivity, cooperation, and creativity.
We also facilitate people-focused placemaking and place keeping projects across the city and beyond through Spark. Tune in to our experimental, community-focused radio station, WQRT 99.1 FM — also streaming at wqrt.org.

Justin Cooper-Archetypes
2023-08-04 18:00 - 2023-09-24 15:00 | Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), 1125 Cruft St., Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
“In 2015 — after over a decade of painting and art making — I asked myself what brought me to want to create in the first place. Thinking back to my childhood, it was probably directly linked to enjoying playing with plastic blocks and how excited I was to get my hands on a grid-lined sketchbook. I would design my own toys and sketch out the floor plans for houses, cars and symmetrical objects.

As I looked back, I started to remember what I loved about the creative process. And I used that reflection as a direct influence on a new approach to my work. I applied this to, at first, designing objects and components to paintings that could be replicated, multiplied, and combined to eventually create an environment or larger narrative pieces. I spent the first few years of this process building up a catalog of shapes. I’ve always been drawn to plants and wildlife. So I started designing single lily pads, flowers and animals that could later be placed into different contexts. I approached the planning of these individual components like I would an isometric architectural diagram. The geometric abstraction was also influenced by the ever increasing construction of blocklike buildings in my neighborhood — as well as all of the digital media that was and is still expanding. The paintings are a direct reflection of the urbanization and technology that is growing around us.

Acknowledging my own arrogance in the interpretation and redesigning of natural forms, this series is a reflection of a larger trend of attempting to bend nature to our will rather than being inspired by its lead and flowing within it. I created these works with the hope that humans can look more to nature for inspiration and shift our viewpoint of our role within it to correct our disruptive path.” –Justin Cooper

About Justin Cooper
Cooper is an Indianapolis native who has worked as an artist here for over 20 years. He spent most of that time as a studio artist. Central to Cooper’s artistic evolution has been independently developing my artistic voice while forming relationships with artists he connected with while maintaining studios at the Murphy Art Center, Wheeler Arts Community, and as an artist in Big Car’s Artist and Public Life Residency program.
In the studio, he concentrates on creating multiple series that will eventually go together and be displayed as cohesive bodies of work. “I’ve always enjoyed learning new mediums and techniques to incorporate into pieces in hopes of expanding my visual language,” Cooper says. In recent years his interest has increased in creating larger-scale mural projects and public art. “Experimenting with the scale and design of an image while being thoughtful of how the piece will be viewed from different distances has been intriguing to me. The consideration of placement and the context of the image as it relates to its surrounding environment has been an interesting challenge,” he adds.

This exhibit is made possible by The Arts Council of Indianapolis, The City of Indianapolis and Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation.

Main Gallery
Tube Factory art space
VISIT US
Wednesday -Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tube is also open until 10 p.m. each First Friday.
Closed Holidays

Live music by Fred Miller & free numerology readings
2023-08-10 10:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us for live music by Fred Miller Filpino comfort dishes by Taste of Manila, and Numerology Readings by Ellen Robinson. Games like foosball, ping pong, chess & checkers, and giant Jenga are also available for additional entertainment.
Ellen Brown Robinson is an artist, author and numerologist. An Indiana native, she has been painting since 2007 and reading number energy since 2012. She’s also written three books. Each human is uniquely coded with their own energy blueprint and numerology is one way to read this distinct coding.
All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

The Sound Healing with Hoai-Huong Nguyen
2023-08-15 08:00 - 17:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
“Immerse yourself in the soothing tones of Sound bathing. Join Christ Church Cathedral on their front lawn for a meditative time of Rest and Renewal.
Please bring a blanket, yoga mat or pillow with you. Chairs will be provided for those that need it.

The Cathedral will also be unveiling their chalk art installation on the sidewalk next to the church.”

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Where? New for 2023, the SPARK park utilizes the brick streets between the monument and the sidewalk on the southwest quadrant between Market Street on the west side of the monument and South Meridian. The southwest is in front of Emmis and next to South Bend Chocolate Company.

Cut Paper Art with Christina Hollering
2023-08-16 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join artist Christina Hollering in an all-ages cut paper collage workshop celebrating the creative possibilities of paper. Learn how to intuitively create compelling compositions using the principles of design. All materials are provided; just come prepared to cut, paste, and play!

Christina Hollering is a cut paper artist and associate professor at Herron School of Art and Design. Her artwork centers around themes of biology, the environment, and the interplay between art and science, inspiring viewers to contemplate their relationship with nature.

SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.
What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project. Read more about Big Car Collaborative’s approach to placemaking and socially engaged art.
When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Lunch at Lockerbie
2023-08-17 11:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us at Lockerbie Marketplace on Thursday, August 17 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm in the downtown greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market for artist-led activities like our Post Card Project, WQRT DJ mix, food by Chomp’z Truck, and games like Ping pong, foosball, and giant Jenga.

All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

FreeTown Village: The Rev. Samuel P. Strong
2023-08-17 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
In the “Day in the Life of Rev. Samuel P. Strong”, you’ll listen to the moving story of Rev. Strong’s kidnapping into slavery and his daring escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Share his encounters with legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

Freetown Village is a living history museum with the mission to educate the public about African American lives, arts, and culture in Indiana through living history, exhibits, allied programs, and the collection and preservation of artifacts.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Where? New for 2023, the SPARK park utilizes the brick streets between the monument and the sidewalk on the southwest quadrant between Market Street on the west side of the monument and South Meridian. The southwest is in front of Emmis and next to South Bend Chocolate Company.

Lunch Break Live with Peyton Womock presented by Lake City Bank
2023-08-22 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Peyton Womock is an artist known for his skills as a saxophonist. His music incorporates his sax playing to innovatively allow him to cross over multiple genres from Smooth Jazz, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop/Rap, to Pop. He is known for performing popular covers loved and cherished by many while also performing original pieces of his very own. You are truly in for a unique experience due to his performance energy being second to none when it comes to hitting the stage.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Chreece on the Circle featuring defame
2023-08-22 18:00 - 19:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join us for a musical preview of the Chreece Festival with sound crafter, image smasher, defame!

Defame is a producer/beatmaker/artist residing in Indianapolis, IN.
Raised on a musical diet that consisted of hand-me-down home dubbed rap tapes and whatever was beaming through the TV; this seasoned beatsmith weaves beats, samples, instruments and textures into samplers and computers to create a fuzzy, yet melodic, head nodding atmosphere. With several albums, EP’s, and collaborations under his belt, defame continues to push himself in new directions on his sonic palette.Over the last year he has been organizing “State Street Beats”, a producer-centric event held every other month at State Street Pub, giving a platform to producers and beatmakers to share their creations in a live setting as well as offering “The Open Aux”, an open-mic type segment of the evening but for producers to plug in and speak with their sounds.

Chreece hip hop festival returns to Indianapolis Saturday August 26th. The full-day festival will feature more than 80+ Indianapolis-area artists, DJs and producers, as well as national acts 9th Wonder, redveil, Kari Faux, Jordan Ward and Pink Siifu at the top of the bill. Eight Fountain Square venues will host the performances, most of which will be open to all ages. Vendors, Art Instilations, Pro Wrestling and More.

What is SPARK on the Circle? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Boo! A knitting/graffiti project with Mary Jo Bayliss
2023-08-23 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
A gathering where knitting and graffiti collide! Simultaneously inspired by traditional knitting and graffiti, this ever-evolving piece combines fiber adjacent activities, coloring sheets derived from graffiti and knitting motifs, and opportunities for participants to share their creative path stories.
You are invited to come join the fun, because without YOU, Boo, this project can’t happen.

About the artist:
Mary Jo Bayliss specializes in creating environments that help people feel at ease using space, light and color to achieve these goals.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Live music at Lockerbie with Bitter Proof duo
2023-08-24 11:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us for live music by the Bitter Proof duo (Alex Cazares on bass and Clockwork on Oboe). Enjoy authentic Mexican street food by Tortas food truck. Games like foosball, ping pong, chess & checkers, and giant Jenga are also available for additional entertainment.

All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

Chreece on the Circle -Harry Otaku
2023-08-24 18:00 - 19:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
1994, Megaman X was ripe out the box with detailed graphics and progressive sounds. This perfect audio and visual harmony would provide core inspiration to a budding otaku–who would take the namesake to a whole new level. Harry Otaku makes a unique soundscape utilizing influences from: Hip-Hop, Soul, anime, film, and video games. Everything Harry Otaku makes, he puts a personal spin on, making each creation a vivid, prismatic reflection from the heart. He continues to explore all the genres of music, but is currently focused on: learning the ones and twos of DJing and finding the truest path of self/self-expression.

Chreece hip hop festival returns to Indianapolis Saturday August 26th. The full-day festival will feature more than 80+ Indianapolis-area artists, DJs and producers, as well as national acts 9th Wonder, redveil, Kari Faux, Jordan Ward and Pink Siifu at the top of the bill. Eight Fountain Square venues will host the performances, most of which will be open to all ages. Vendors, Art Instilations, Pro Wrestling and More.

What’s Spark On The Circle? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project. Read more about Big Car Collaborative’s approach to placemaking and socially engaged art.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Lockerbie Night Market – Performance by Bashiri Asad, Artisan Vendors, Beer Garden, and more…
2023-08-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us at Lockerbie Marketplace — a lovely greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market. Purchase goods from local artisans, enjoy local food by Herts BBQ and live music by Bashiri Asad. Music from 7-8 pm. Sun King beer and chilled wine are also available for purchase at the pop-up beer garden located right off the Cultural Trail on Alabama Street.

All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

Cyanotype Workshop with Aurora PhotoCenter
2023-08-25 11:00 - 13:00 | IN
Cyanotype is a camera-less photography made out in the sun, rather than in a darkroom. You place objects — such as plants — on top of a piece of photo-treated paper, and then use the sun to expose the paper. The result is an image that is an exact outline of the object. It’s a fun and magical way to engage photography! Although it may be new to modern people, cyanotype has been around since photography was invented in the 1800s.
Come explore the creative possibilities of this fascinating process!
We will have some objects on hand to experiment with, but feel free to bring your own objects. Flat items usually work best, and cyanotype can be messy, so precious things like family heirlooms should probably stay at home. All other necessary materials will be provided free at the workshop.
In partnership with Aurora PhotoCenter for SPARK on the Circle.
This activity is best suited for artists 7+ years old; minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Lunch Break Live with Laura Balke presented by Lake City Bank
2023-08-29 12:00 - 13:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Indiana native Laura K. Balke has been writing songs for as long as she can remember. Through the years her music has explored folk, pop, and country stylings while weaving tales from her life. Laura will be performing an acoustic set of songs from across her discography for Lunch Break Live.

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Poetry & Art with John Clark
2023-08-30 16:00 - 18:00 | 1 Monument Circle, South Facing Steps, United States
Join Indianapolis-based visual artist, Big Car co-founder and writer John Clark to make drawings, poems, and short stories…or a combination of all three!

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Lunch at Lockerbie
2023-08-31 11:30 - 13:30 | Needler’s Market, 320 N New Jersey, Indianapolis, IN, 46204, United States
Join us at Lockerbie Marketplace on Thursday, August 31 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm in the downtown greenspace next to Needler’s Fresh Market for artist-led activities like our Post Card Project, WQRT DJ mix, food by Box Burger, and games like Ping pong, foosball, and giant Jenga.
All events are free at 320 N New Jersey Street in the greenspace right off the Cultural Trail.

African Dance with Uzuri
2023-08-31 16:00 - 18:00 | IN
Join Uzuri Asad, artist in Big Car’s Public Life Residency, for a dose of culture, self-care, and community as we explore rhythms from West Africa and other parts of the Diaspora. Give your body and soul a moment to reflect and progress all at once, meet Asad on the circle!

Who? SPARK on the Circle is an ongoing partnership between Big Car Collaborative, Downtown Indy, City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, the Capital Improvement Board, and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

What? SPARK brings a free, fun, playful, welcoming, and art-filled park to the heart of Indianapolis. Here on Monument Circle, you’ll find comfortable places to sit in the shade, free games to play like ping pong and chess, a cafe serving food and drink, art experiences, and special offerings like live, local music. Big Car Collaborative approaches its aspects of SPARK on the Circle as a site and community specific public art project.

When? Visitors can enjoy SPARK on the Circle from 11 a.m. until dusk each day until November 3.

Café Babette Pop Up
2023-09-01 11:00 - 13:00 | Contemporary Art Museum of Indianapolis (CAMi), 1125 Cruft St., Indianapolis, IN, 46203, United States
Join us in welcoming our soon to be neighbor Café Babette, a new micro-bakery specializing in French pastries.

They will be opening at 2625 Shelby St. later this year.
