In partnership with Big Green  the Harrison Center presents FoodCon 8. Since its inception in 2010, FoodCon has sought to shine a light on the art and culture of food in Indiana by gathering enthusiasts and experts in everything from aquaponics to urban homesteading. This year’s FoodCon is no exception and will feature 20 booths in the Harrison Center gym and courtyard, covering a broad range of interests including beekeeping, foraging, making kombucha, oil pulling and more. A variety of food trucks will be on site as well providing many dining options for event-goers. In Speck Gallery, Big Green presents “Real Food Grows Here,” where attendees can learn about the 32 Learning Gardens they have built and supported across Marion County since November, 2016. A beautiful photo display and hands-on activities will help attendees experience for themselves how Learning Gardens impact students and school communities. Indiana Choral Artisans will join in the FoodCon fun for the second year, performing food-themed music.

In keeping with the theme, in the Harrison Gallery, “Art Grows Here” will feature food-inspired work by Penelope Dullaghan, Johanna Gormung, Jessica Green, Gigi Salij, Rita Spalding and Beth Ann Thomas.

In the Gallery Annex, Cathy McElroy’s (Love Fresh Food) photographic garden murals beautifully capture images of produce grown at the Shortridge High School community garden. “Semi Transparent” is work by contemporary painter Andrea Townsend. Townsend uses her appreciation of architecture to create her own urban landscapes. Her work was recently featured on the HGTV series Good Bones.

Two more galleries provide food for the soul with “Lost Connections, Central Canal” by contemporary landscape painter Genna Pianki in City Gallery. The work was underwritten by a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission and portrays the original central canal path built in the mid-nineteenth century through Indiana and Indianapolis. The City Gallery celebrates urban Indianapolis with place-based art exhibits. In Hank & Dolly’s Gallery, see newly acquired work from Susan Hodgin, the celebrated Indy painter and Harrison Center studio artist who passed away in 2014 at the age of 36.

The work hangs through August 31.