As the CCIC follows state and county regulations, masks are no longer required for vaccinated visitors but are highly encouraged, and individual artist studios may continue to require masks within their space. The CCIC is a 500,000 square foot building, making social distancing somewhat easier than other venues, but the smaller studios may also maintain limitations on visitor numbers at times.
Open Studios and Galleries
Several studios and gallery spaces will be open throughout the building. This list is not all-encompassing; some artists may decide to open that night based on current information and comfort levels. The Schwitzer Gallery, located on the second floor of the North Studios, will host CCIC artist Matt Hurdle with “Just My Imagination,” an exhibit of deep, moody atmospheric landscapes inspired by Hurdle’s travels through England and France.
Arts & Images by Anthony Armstrong
Anthony Armstrong presents a new array of large scale photographs. These images depicting everyday life and simplicity of still life, people and places. Displayed in mostly black and white to allow the viewer to see the texture and movements of the images. Multi-talented, Armstrong also presents a blend of new abstract painting highlighting bold colors and deep texture. Armstrong is a self-taught abstract painter and photographer. “Often times, we are moving through the day so quickly, we forget to look at our surroundings and how every beat creates the pulse of the city,” Armstrong said. Anthony Armstrong is located in the South Studios.
Roberta Avidor
Roberta Avidor is a graduate of Parsons School of Design (NYC) in illustration and has been working as an illustrator for the last 40 or so years. Now semi-retired, she focuses on painting scenes in and around Indianapolis. “I am inspired by the various scenes around Indianapolis and create oils and watercolors based on them,” Avidor said. “Lately, I have added some scenes based on my travels.” Roberta Avidor is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Bebito Toys
In the Bebito Studio, you’ll find unique and adorable plush toys created from mostly repurposed and up-cycled materials. They are cute, cuddly and eco-friendly. All the Bebito Toys are made from original patterns designed by their maker, Rachel Hedges. No two are exactly alike, but they will all make you smile. Dolores and all the Bebito Toys are looking forward to seeing you again at the Bebito Studio. Bebito Toys is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Jacob Bower-Bir
Jacob Bower-Bir hastily throws cheap materials on cheap substrate and then does his best not to sell the result. In this last objective, he has been largely successful. Like most things, the Market System has ruined art. “The Stuff Currently on My Walls” is an exploration of the stuff currently on Bower-Bir’s studio walls. In addition to his junk, visiting landscape artist Ross McKnight will be showing some of his work. Jacob Bower-Bir is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Circle City Metalworks
Circle City Metal works is helmed by Dan Jones, who will be displaying a small sampling of products for sale from their large product line. “We offer over 300 different unique and artistic items on our website. We also do design and custom work. If you can dream it we can make it,” Jones said. Circle City Metalworks is located in the back corridor, near the South Studios, on the first floor of the building.
Daily Epiphany Studio: Michele Burns and Kurt Kriese
Daily Epiphany Studio will present new work by Michele Burns featuring a lot of greens, golds, and copper by day, with super-bright green blue and aqua glow by night. Burns’ art draws from diverse inspirations. She features recurring elements of pattern and tessellation, texture, added objects, delicious colors, organic abstraction, mandalas, art deco motifs, and naturally photo-luminescent minerals that create a “Nightlight Art” second composition when the lights go out. She makes these luminous paints herself with minerals that are 30 times brighter than ceiling stars and glow for 10-20 hours after any light exposure. Daily Epiphany is located in the South Studios.
Darkroom Revelations
Darkroom Revelations displays primarily black and white photography in its gallery of the owners – Tom Potter, Nancy Frass, and Gayle Moore. This month they will have “Sublime Lines,” images by Tom Potter. For 25 years, Tom Potter has explored the relationship between shadow and the subtle touches of light to emphasis the mystique of the female form. Throughout these images there is an air of gentleness, intimacy, warmth, and transcendental excellence. Tom’s book, “Sensual Harmonies”, will also be on display. Darkroom Revelations is on the first floor of the North Studios.
Taylor Figg/Oliver Upside Down
Taylor Figg, of Oliver Upside Down, specializes in digital, cat-themed art, and also creates catnip-filled cat toys. An Indianapolis native with a degree in Media Arts and Sciences at IUPUI, Figg has a passion for helping animals in general. “I utilize my design ability to generate funds for rescues. I donate a portion of all of my profits to various cat organizations and rescues and wildlife rehabilitators,” Figg said. Taylor Figg is located on the second floor of the North Studios, sharing a space with Rachel Hicks.
Full Circle Nine Gallery
The Full Circle Nine Gallery will feature Tatjana Gordon, with “Color & Texture: Nature & Mandalas,” a collection of nature-inspired mixed media work focusing on mandalas and similar shapes. “There are natural environments that I encounter, which later meet abstract concepts and shapes, creating mandalas,” Gordon said. “As this union happens, not all mandalas are ‘perfect’ geometric shapes and colors, symmetrically positioned in relationships to each other. Sometimes, they are a process of the integration of life experiences: One of the ‘imperfect’ mandalas has fire smoke, because during the time I created it, there were many wildfires. However, they all represent the spiritual journey from the outside to the inner core.” Full Circle Nine Gallery is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Glass Arts Indiana, Inc.
Glass Arts Indiana creates a collaborative glass community to support emerging and established artists; host fun, interesting and educational events; increase appreciation and understanding of the glass arts; and promote glass-related opportunities in Indiana and the U.S. Finished works are available and visitors will get to see glass-blowing in action. Glass Arts Indiana, Inc. is located on the first floor, in the corridor.
Larry Lad, LadArt
Larry Lad is a self-taught painter experimenting with a variety of media and surfaces, such as cigar boxes, recycled material, and unique surfaces. “While I start with a general idea of what I would like to create, I am learning to listen, to see, and to let the art tell me where to go next,” Lad said. “With COVID, we have been given the gift of time. It has allowed us to produce some new art and new poetry. It has also taught us patience.” Larry Lad, LadArt is located in the corridor on the first floor.
Nancy Lee, Nancy Lee Designs Studio
Nancy Lee is known for her handmade sterling silver jewelry. She has made custom work for clients in gold and silver for over a decade. She specializes in alternative wedding and engagement rings in a warm and inclusive environment. Her offerings also include kiln-fired enamel landscapes on copper substrates. These paintings show the same attention to detail with which Lee touches all of her work. “Details delight me, and I can easily get lost in them, whether in gold, silver, or enamel. You might say tiny things are my superpower!” Lee said. Nancy Lee is one of the original three artist pioneers who brought First Friday art openings to the Circle City Industrial Complex. Nancy Lee is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
Wendell Lowe Fine Art
Wendell Lowe has a unique style of abstract expressionism finger painting. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2009, Lowe’s style has evolved from detailed chalk pastel landscapes and photography to his current work. His work evolves from deep in his soul and documents his Parkinson’s journey. “My finger paintings deal with my Parkinson’s and my Parkinson’s Psychosis,” Lowe said of his work that sometimes combines his finger painting techniques with prints of his own photography. Wendell Lowe Fine Art is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Grace Marshall, Grace M Design
Grace M Design is an Indianapolis-based custom jewelry/fashion shop owned and managed by Grace Marshall, a certified jeweler and gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America. Marshall is constantly exploring new techniques and learning new approaches to metalsmithing and jewelry making. She is currently concentrating on mixing precious metals by adding 22kt gold to her sterling silver pieces. Marshall will be showcasing her new collection of jewelry entitled, “The Bee Keeper’s Garden,” inspired by the pollinator garden her late mom helped to establish in her hometown. Grace M Design is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
Shaun M. Niles
Shaun M. Niles works with large format analog photography and other historical processes, bringing a contemporary perspective to photographic techniques of an era gone by. Niles has refreshed his gallery with work from the Beneath It All project exhibiting some newer work, alongside pieces that haven’t been seen in a while. Shaun M. Niles is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
The CCIC is also open during regular business hours, with the Schwitzer Gallery accessible throughout the week. 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.
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 topping 100. 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, 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/
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