It will be mirrored on the Circle City Industrial Complex’s main Facebook page (@circlecityind) as part of the January First Friday art tour, on Friday, January 1st, 6-9pm. 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 2020’s First Fridays and were happy with near-universal mask compliance and social distancing, and welcome the recent good news in vaccine development.

Among the highlights marking the New Year, Glass Arts Indiana will be hosting a hot-glass ‘party.’ A recent addition to the CCIC, Glass Arts Indiana occupies a large space in the middle corridor, formerly the home of Project LIA.

“Glass Arts Indiana has pulled together the most fabulous group of working glass artists in the state of Indiana,” Lisa Pelo, the executive director, said. “All of our glass artists, who also double as incredible glass instructors, are phenomenal in their working skill sets.” Visitors are invited to watch glass creation and manipulation in their space, and there are works available for purchase from a strong talent pool.

“Simply saying, Glass Arts Indiana, Inc., has the top five award-winning glass artists living and working here in Indiana as members in our brand new studio. We create. We exhibit.  We sell. We share our knowledge. We want you to appreciate art glass as much as we do,” Pelo said.

As some of the artists have smaller studio spaces, they’ve begun to use larger common areas as extra display space and ask that visitors keep in mind the new locations.

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

List of participating artists:

Arts & Images by Anthony Armstrong
Roberta Avidor
Lydia Burris Studio
Circle City Metalworks
Christina Jobe/ Make Sea & MLP Masks
Full Circle Nine Gallery
Glass Art Indiana
Sylvia Gray and Sara Love
HI Print Gallery
Matt Hurdle Fine Art
Lad Art
Nancy Lee Designs
Katrina J. Murray Studio and Gallery
One Fine Mess Studio
Steiner Studios

Additional artists may be participating based on developments with the shutdown. This list is not final.

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/