In December 2017, NEAR and Partners in Housing collaborated to create this temporary mural at the corner of 10th and Rural.  Their goal was to enliven the streetscape, express the diversity and “vibe” of the area, call attention to rentable retail spaces, and increase the perception of safety in this important neighborhood hub.  They engaged the artist William Denton Ray, known for his whimsical drawings, to create a multi-part composition that fills the storefront windows of a historic commercial block. The mural is anticipated to remain in place for approximately two years.

The title of the mural is a call for people to talk with each other to improve understanding and connection.

Partners in Housing is a leading agency in the fight against homelessness and for access to more affordable housing. Since 1993, Partners has rescued and rehabbed properties that have provided a total of 248 supportive housing units and 335 affordable housing units. These units serve more than 600 people every day, making Partners In Housing by far the largest and oldest developer of this kind of housing in Indianapolis.

Near East Area Renewal (NEAR) is the community development agency for Indianapolis’ Near Eastside, working to develop housing options for all income levels, assisting in rehabilitation efforts, urban homesteading, and essential repairs with low-income homeowners, energizing industrial site cleanup and re-use, and putting the Near Eastside Quality of Life Plan into action.