Community Heroes

This mural depicts individuals who lived in the 46218 area of Indianapolis and who worked hard to make it a true community. Arranged like saints in a medieval altarpiece, and against a similarly heavenly yellow background, they represent activity over the past 50 years from people who believed in the “common unity” of people. The artist hopes that viewers will be inspired by their example to find the hero in themselves, and play their part in restoring their community.

Portraits include Barbara Boyd, Judge Z. Mae Jimison, and Rev. Andrew J. Brown.

The mural was completed as part of Indy Art & Seek, a project by the Indy Arts Council and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful to pair artists and communities to create site-specific art that encourages neighborhood residents to see their surroundings in new ways.

The mural artist, Gary Gee, began his career as a graphic designer with an Associate’s degree in Visual Communications from Ivy Tech Community College, then received his BFA from Herron School of Art & Design, IUPUI in 2016.  This additional experience allowed him to move his work in a more self-expressive direction. He is a painter and a sculptor, creating works on canvas and in clay, often using non-traditional substrates and an incongruous mix of different media. Gary’s work references urban street art, art history, and hip hop culture. He describes his work as very “take-charge,” with loud, aggressive, and vibrant riffs that pour from his heart and soul. He is a proud product of the 46218 zip code.