December VIRTUAL FIRST FRIDAY at the CCIC

In accordance with the Marion County covid restrictions, the Circle City Industrial Complex Artists (CCIC Artists) will host a Virtual First Friday on the “Circle City Industrial Complex Artists” Facebook page (@ccicartists) and mirrored on the Circle City Industrial Complex’s main Facebook page (@circlecityind) as part of the December First Friday art tour, on Friday, December 4th. There will be no indoor, in-person First Friday for December.

The Indy Winter Farmers Market will continue to open during its Saturday hours, under its own guidelines, and several artists and galleries will remain open for their regular ‘retail’ hours, usually on weekends, and posted on their own websites and social media. Some studios will also be open by appointment.

As artists are “small businesses,” support, either online, during posted hours, or by appointment, is greatly appreciated as we head into the holidays and winter months. Many of our artists solely support themselves with their art or depend on art to help make their ends meet. The cancellation of so many First Fridays this year has been especially tough on artists, as that night means vital human interaction as well as financial support each month. The artists and all of the businesses within the CCIC recognize the need to be safe, and to do what it takes to get this virus suppressed and gone as soon as possible.

Masks are required at the CCIC during any visit, and hand sanitizing stations are installed throughout the building. Visitors are asked to maintain social distance no matter which business within the CCIC they may be visiting.

The list of participating artists is not finalized yet for Virtual First Friday, but artists will present photo stories, demos, and videos, in hopes of maintaining contact with their friends, fans, and patrons.

The artists continue to be thankful for everyone who supported local art during November’s First Friday and were happy with near-universal mask compliance and social distancing. For some artists, the uncertainty of the shutdown has become a creative driver.

“Ironically, the pandemic seems to have supercharged my creativity,” Michele Burns said. “Maybe it’s all the time not spent on the usual things of life.”

Other artists have been receiving visitors by appointment throughout the rest of the month, and are making the best of the spaces they have.

“I’m excited to host two or three mask-wearing patrons at a time in my studio by scheduled private studio visits,” Katrina Murray said. Murray is a 2020/21 Creative Renewal Arts Fellow who has had to alter her plans due to the pandemic, having initially planned on studying in Greece. She’s turned to her art locally to continue to express her hopes and worries as something of an anchor point.

The Circle City Industrial Complex has become a destination for art appreciators and supporters of local work, with the total number of artists working within the CCIC at around 90. Just northeast of the Mass Ave. Art and Theatre Cultural District, at 1125 Brookside Ave., the CCIC Artists First Friday programming is a must-see stop, while events and viewable hours continue throughout the month.

The Main Entrance of the building (identified by its black marble façade) provides easy access to both the South Studios and the North Studios (with a wheelchair accessible ramp and elevator). Maps of the building are also available in several locations to help visitors find all that the building has to offer.

For more listings and event updates please visit https://ccicindyartists.wordpress.com, or the CCIC Artists Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ccicartists

About the Circle City Industrial Complex Artists

The Circle City Industrial Complex (CCIC) is a nearly half-million square foot industrial building, located at 1125 Brookside Ave., and was formerly home to the Schwitzer automotive company. Its industrial appeal remains and artists and artisans have made the space their home, carving cozy studio, work, and show spaces from the concrete and steel structure, and the CCIC Artists have grown in number to over 50 galleries, individual artists and artisans. The main artist entries are the North Studios entrance and the South Studios entrance, each marked with signage along Brookside Avenue. The CCIC provides free parking in a large lot, and is accessible by the Pogue’s Run Trail, connecting to the Monon Trail and the downtown Cultural Trail system. The complex also offers other art-supporting destinations such as the Centerpoint Brewery, Lick Ice Cream, and Eighth Day Distillery and The Fowling Warehouse.

For more information on the building, please visit: http://circlecityind.com
For more information on the artists please visit: https://ccicindyartists.wordpress.com/