Jeff McDermott, Performing Arts President/CEO
Pete Hilger, Allied Solutions CEO
20 COVER STORY
A Purposeful Partnership: Allied Solutions Secures Naming Rights for the Center for the Performing Arts
This month, Carmel Monthly is pleased to feature Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts President/CEO Jeff McDermott and Allied Solutions CEO Pete Hilger on the cover. This past September, the two organizations announced that they entered a seven-year sponsorship agreement that will rename the nonprofit arts organization and the three-venue campus it operates at Carmel City Center. The agreement was announced during an event at the Palladium. We spoke with both executive leaders, who shared insights on what this partnership means for their organizations, how it will enhance the arts community and how it will enrich the experience for the center’s patrons. Cover Story Writer // Janelle
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803
PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418
DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418 HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298
NOVEMBER LINE UP
DINNER WITH DIVAS | Elevated Drag Dinner Featuring Veranda L’Ni
CARMEL ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS DUELING PIANOS
JAZZ BRUNCH | Presented by Blair Clark Featuring KATHERINE NAGY
FREEFORM: THE REBEL E VES WITH BRYAN RUBY & CORY WILLIAMS
TEN BRANCHES | Presented by Don Farrell & Crossroads Entertainment
FRANK SINATRA: THE TRIBUTE | Hosted by Don Farrell
INDY NIGHTS WITH RYAN AHLWARDT & FRIENDS | Straight No Chaser Alumni
DRAG ME TO BRUNCH| Hosted by Pat Yo’ Weave
FREEFORM: MIKE MAINS & YOUNG MISTER | featuring Cool Woodruff
DECEPTION | An Evening of Magic & Lies with David Ranalli
11/16 11/17 11/20 11/21 11/22 11/23 11/24
DUELING PIANOS | Live Jukebox Experience Presented by Brittany Brumfield
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER | Live & Interactive Experience
PRINCESS TEA | Magical Luncheon with Fairy Tales Brought to Life
special meaning for so many of us. The arts remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of shared experiences during the holiday season. Yakovleva is thrilled to elevate this year’s production by collaborating with some esteemed artists—both local and abroad—and performers from the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and Indianapolis Children’s Choir, making this production a truly magical experience.
Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s Collaborations Will Create Holiday Magic
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of IBC and CSO
Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s production of “The Nutcracker,” directed by founding Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva, is based on Vasily Vainonen’s 1934 choreography. This enchanting tale of a young girl and her beloved Nutcracker as they face off against evil and discover the strength of the human spirit is perfect for audiences of all ages. Step into the magic of “The Nutcracker” and experience the timeless holiday classic as it was first presented nearly a century ago.
THE NUTCRACKER
The Palladium // Nov. 30 - Dec. 1
Saturday, Nov. 30 - 2 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 30 - 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 1 - 1 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. ET
ABOUT IBC’S “THE NUTCRACKER” ounded in 2010 by Alyona Yakovleva, the Indiana Ballet Conservatory (IBC) is a pre-professional ballet school dedi-
cated to providing top-tier classical ballet training. IBC students regularly excel in national and international competitions, with many going on to professional careers on prestigious stages around the world.
COLLABORATING TO ELEVATE A HOLIDAY TRADITION
Reflecting on the challenges of recent years, Yakovleva emphasized how productions like “The Nutcracker” offer a chance to pause and reconnect with the “beauty, love and traditions” that hold
“The Nutcracker” comes to life this season through the artistry of Timoor Afshar, an alum of IBC and currently a First Soloist with Vienna Opera Ballet in Europe. Afshar, born in Indianapolis and raised in Fishers, Indiana, began his ballet training at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory before attending The Harid Conservatory in 2011. He competed in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), reaching the finals multiple times and winning the Indianapolis Regionals Youth Grand Prix Award in 2011. Afshar completed his training at the John Cranko School (2012-2016), later joining the Stuttgart Ballet, where he was promoted to demi-soloist in 2019.
He has performed in a wide range of ballets by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Maurice Béjart, John Cranko and Jiří Kylián. In the 2023/24 season, Afshar joined the Vienna State Ballet as a soloist, making his debut in Heinz Spoerli’s “Goldberg Variations” and taking on notable roles in “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Lady of the Camellias” and “Les Sylphides.”
IBC’s Ashlie Rohan and Emily Geon will perform opposite Afshar as this year’s Sugar Plum Fairy.
Ashlie Rohan (17) has studied since she was five at IBC and attends Bishop Chatard High School. Ashlie has performed in “The Nutcracker” as an angel in 18 productions and is now getting her dream role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. She has thrived under the amazing faculty at IBC. Last YAGP season, Ashlie placed second classical, third contemporary and third for a duet she co-choreographed. She was invited to the world finals as a soloist from 2021 to 2023 and placed in the top 3 at the World Ballet Art Competition Grand Prix (WBAC) for three years. She received numerous scholarship offers and studied with Colorado Ballet for the last two summers.
Alyona Yakovleva
Damien Geter
Emily Geon
Emily Geon
Ashlie Rohan
Ashlie Rohan
Nothing brings Ashlie more joy than performing on stage and moving an audience emotionally. She is thankful for this opportunity and the support of her friends and family, who have endlessly supported her, sacrificed and cheered her on and been her number-one fans.
“I want the audience to be inspired by our energy and to feel the love in our passion,” Rohan said. “It is my hope the audience leaves with their hearts full and happy, ready to share that uplifting feeling with others.”
Geon (15) is a sophomore studying online with Laurel Springs High School, allowing her to train in the pre-professional day program at Indiana Ballet Conserva tory. She has been dancing for ten years and has enjoyed further training with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the John Cranko School of Stuttgart, Germany. Over the years, she has enjoyed perform ing in multiple ballets, including IBC’s original “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Nutcracker,” “Don Quixote,” “Coppelia” and as the lead in “Alice in Wonderland.”
It’s been six years since she last performed in “The Nutcracker” as a toy soldier. Under the talented artistic direction of Alyona Yakovleva and the wonderful training of the entire IBC faculty, she is grateful for their encouragement and support, and for being given the honor to learn and perform the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Excited to be a part of this holiday tradition once again, she is thankful for this opportunity while under the world-class training of IBC.
“I would like the audience to experience the magic and timeless joy of ‘The Nutcracker,’” Geon said. “Whether it’s their first time or an annual tradition, I
to promote social justice. His acclaimed work spans chamber, vocal, orchestral and operatic compositions, praised for their “invigoratingly fresh” sound and “skillful vocal writing.” Geter is the Composer-in-Residence at the Richmond Symphony through 2026 and serves as Interim Music Director & Artistic Advisor at Portland Opera.
This season, his opera “Loving v. Virginia” premieres at Virginia Opera, and his new work “Delta King’s Blues” will be workshopped in 2025. His song “Amanirenas” tours major venues, and his commissioned piece “Gentle lady, do not sing” features on the “Music by James Joyce” album. As a conductor, Geter will lead Portland Opera’s “The Shining” and several performances with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, including their Opening Night Gala and “The Nutcracker” with Indiana Ballet Conservatory.
Don’t miss this year’s exhilarating production of “The Nutcracker”! Purchase your tickets at thecen-
NOV 30 2pm & 7pm DEC 1 1pm & 6pm
CENTER PRESENTS:
MATTEO BOCELLI: A NIGHT WITH MATTEO
THE PALLADIUM // THURSDAY, DEC. 12, 7:30 P.M. ET
Tickets are selling fast! Purchase yours at thecenterpresents.org.
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Mattia Guolo
Janelle Morrison: We are elated that you are coming to Carmel, IN, to perform in our beautiful Palladium. What can your fans expect from this tour?
Matteo Bocelli: The focus will be on my music that I’ve been working on [for] the last couple of years. I released my first album, “Matteo,” which I am very proud of, and at the same time, [a focus] on music that I’ve been listening to since I was a child. I always say that you can’t regret your childhood and you can’t regret the music that made you. I was listening to [music] from Queen, Eminem, Ed Sheeran, but I was also listening to opera and all of the incredible voices in the pop world from Sinatra to Whitney Houston. So, [my concert] will be a journey that will start with my music, and we’ll be touching some of those masterpieces that everybody knows and, again, that made my childhood.
JM: What are your thoughts on the importance of preserving and performing songs from iconic artists like you just referenced?
MB: Every time I touch those pieces of music, I always focus on trying to do them in the most humble way. After having heard these amazing songs performed by Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin—all of these incredible artists—I think, what could I give more than them? In the end, we are all human beings with
Rising classical crossover star Matteo Bocelli is blazing a trail, selling out tours in Europe, North America and Australia. From his first appearance on the single “Fall on Me” with his father, Andrea Bocelli, in 2018 to singing a reimagined version of “Time to Say Goodbye” with a new composition from Hans Zimmer at the 2024 Oscars, his career has been going from strength to strength. Bocelli’s 2023 self-titled debut album displays all the facets of his artistry—not just his strong yet vulnerable vocal style, but his songwriting as well. The record also features the singer’s hero, Ed Sheeran, who wrote “Chasing Stars” for Bocelli, a sweeping ballad that shows off Bocelli’s upper register.
our stories to tell and our feelings to express. I think in our own unique way, we can release a vibration to give to people—a good one—so for me, it is very important to keep writing because I feel the need to do it, and it’s important to keep alive those [iconic] songs that don’t need my voice but, I think, make the night even more fascinating.
JM: From your debut album, the song “Chasing Stars” was written by Ed and Matthew Sheeran. Will you share more about that collaboration and how it helped shape that song?
MB: For me, it’s been a dream collaboration because I’ve been following Ed [Sheeran] since the beginning of his career. I remember his opening for Taylor Swift, and when he was releasing “The A Team” and “Lego House.” It happened casually and randomly that I received this song [“Chasing Stars”] written by Ed and his brother Matthew, who is also an incredible musician. It’s about chasing our dreams and things that make us happy. I’ve been lucky because I’ve been able to make music, and [“Chasing Stars”] is a beautiful story to tell.
JM: What was the concept or inspiration behind your debut album?
MB: I didn’t make a concept album… that sometimes happens, but for me, it was
Purchase your copy of Matteo Bocelli’s debut album at shop. matteobocelli.it.
more an album about Matteo and my first real introduction [artistically] to the world. I simply enjoy writing music and the songs that touched me the most, [so] I basically put them into the first record.
JM: What continues to drive and inspire you as an artist?
MB: I do love to be inspired by life, in general. We can be inspired every day, every morning, when we wake up and are surrounded by people… their lives and their stories. I try to get info and feelings from everything that’s around me, basically.
JM: How has performing with your father [Andrea Bocelli] influenced your own artistic journey?
MB: Obviously, there is a lot to learn from him. Definitely one of the things that I appreciate the most is the way he has approached his life and career. Behind his career is a lot of hard work. He became successful when people usually end their careers and [become] famous music. I definitely learn so much by traveling and performing with him, and, yes, I’m very grateful.
JM: Speaking of being grateful, one of the things that I am grateful for is the gift that you and your family gave to the world… “A Family Christmas.” That was such a cathartic and joyful album that came out at a time your fans needed it the most. The greatest gift, if you will, was making us pause and reflect on what really matters… our family and friends. What is your takeaway from creating that project?
MB: We definitely did that project in a very specific moment of everyone’s lives. It’s been challenging for everyone, no? You read in between the lines of the title of one of the songs that is “The Greatest Gift”—there’s a line that says “Gather friends and family ‘round the table”… I think everything starts from that. Family and friends are so important to every one of us because if we’re not able to create a status of peace and positive energies between our family and friends, then it is hard to be able to help others. I try to build my better world from that little [friends and family] society, to spread that idea to the world, and that was my goal with this project, basically.
JM: Aside from this tour and the joy you’re getting from doing that, what’s next for you?
MB: I think one of the most beautiful parts of my career is to be traveling the world and meeting new people. Concerts are very important for me because [they are] the way to spread your music and connect with people— going back to the topic of society. I am also looking for some time to write music and focus on a specific project. Hopefully, this is all going to happen at the beginning of 2025, and at the end of next year, I should have a second record!
JM: What would you like for people to take away from an evening with you in Carmel?
MB: Through my music, I always try to spread a message and show them the real Matteo, in person, make some music and make the discussion light and fun. Music can be healing, but it can also be a way to sometimes distract… to simply have a lovely night. My goal is to leave a beautiful memory of us.
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military readiness. Building active and walkable communities can help support local economies, lower air pollution and create more cohesive communities.
Additionally, participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over longer durations (weeks or months of regular physical activity) reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adults and older adults. Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States and is a leading cause of disability for middle-aged adults in the country. Engaging in regular physical activity reduces the risk of developing depression in children and adults and can improve many of the symptoms experienced by people with depression.
Grant Project
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of FHCPI
If you missed the Friends of Hamilton County Parks Foundation’s (FHCPI) 6th Annual On Par for Parks Golf Tournament at the beautiful Hawthorns Golf & Country Club last September, Carmel Monthly is excited to share with our readers a very special announcement from the foundation!
The FHCPI has launched a $50,000 grant toward the Active People, Healthy Hamilton CountySM’ project. FHCPI’s partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in their national initiative is aimed at helping 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. FHCPI is actively seeking support from local municipalities to prioritize this initiative within Hamilton County.
ALIGNING WITH ITS MISSION
Executive Director for FHCPI April Williams shared how this initiative aligns with the foundation’s mission.
“FHCPI is a nonprofit foundation created for the sole purpose of bettering parks and recreation in Hamilton County and its communities,” Williams said. “The Friends of Hamilton County Parks, Inc. is entrusted with the stewardship to advance development, promotion and preservation of the county’s public parks and green spaces for the recreational, cultural and educational benefit of Hamilton County residents and visitors. FHCPI accomplishes this by actively seeking donations, grants and other financial support through relationships
and partnerships with patrons, donors and granting organizations; sustaining an enthusiastic corps of volunteers; and abiding by informed, visionary and creative practices.”
A NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION FOR HEALTHIER LIVING
Active People, Healthy NationSM is the CDC’s national initiative, which seeks to engage:
• 15 million adults from inactive (no aerobic activity) to some moderate-intensity activity every day, like brisk walking.
• 10 million adults from some physical activity to meeting the minimum aerobic physical activity guideline.
• 2 million young people from some physical activity to meeting the minimum aerobic physical activity guideline.
According to the CDC, increased physical activity can improve health and quality of life while reducing health care costs. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of at least 20 chronic diseases and conditions and can be an effective treatment for many of these conditions. Societal benefits include better school performance and improved
“Last year, our board went through a strategic planning process so that we could map out a three to five-year plan and really make sure that we are fulfilling our broader mission, which is to be a resource to all of Hamilton County,” Williams shared. “We decided to partner with the CDC and their initiative ‘Active People, Healthy NationSM,’ and we’ve customized it to ‘Active People, Healthy Hamilton County.’ Our board approved a $50,000 grant, and we visited each [Hamilton County] municipality to share the details. We asked them to propose a project to us that we can get behind and marry private funds to public funds, and bring some type of amenity that exhibits active living and encourages people to get outdoors to enjoy the county’s parks and amenities. Mayors Scott Willis [Westfield], Chris Jensen [Noblesville] and Sue Finkam [Carmel] all gave proclamations and resolutions to show their support for this initiative.”
Williams explained that FHCPI put a call out to all of the municipalities to submit their respective projects and received grant requests from the Cities of Westfield and Fishers.
“We plan for this to be an annual [grant] initiative, and we would like for these [grant] funds to continue to grow,” Williams expressed. “This is an opportunity for the communities to bring a great project to fruition and have a voice in doing so. The winner of this year’s grant will be announced at our annual awards banquet and fundraiser in February at the Lucas Estate in Carmel. The project that most aligns with the criteria of both the Active People, Healthy Nation and mission of FHCPI will be awarded the grant at this event.”
Williams continued, “We can only grow these [grant] funds if our county community
supports this initiative, so we’re asking our Hamilton County community members to support this pool of funding so we can offer an even larger grant next year! You can visit our website to learn more about this initiative, or [you] can reach out to me directly. I love to have one-on-one meetings to get to know individuals and share our mission. We would love to see a full house at our awards event, and we are currently seeking candidates for our board. If anyone is interested and has a passion for preserving and growing our recreational amenities, I’d love to talk with them.”
THE PROPOSED PROJECTS
Westfield: Park Street District
Decorative Crosswalks
Westfield’s Park Street District and Grand Junction Plaza have transformed downtown Westfield, making the area a bustling, walkable downtown district filled with activity. Community events, new restaurants, a new library and increased development have all increased foot traffic in the Park Street District. Now Westfield is looking for unique and colorful ways to make the walking routes to and from the numerous destinations within the district safer. The City of Westfield would use the Active Peo-
Get Started Today!
ple, Healthy Hamilton county grant funds to begin piloting its Decorative Crosswalk program in the District.
Fishers: Fitness Court®
The City of Fishers is focusing on expanding efforts to support an active culture of health. To create more accessible outdoor means of physical exercise and recreation, the City of Fishers has proposed building a Fitness Court® geared to adults of all ages and abilities. It will be fully accessible and home to premier outdoor fitness classes and training programs. A public Fitness Court® would also allow large groups to work out together and motivate one another, creating a culture of wellness. The City of Fishers would use the Active People, Healthy Hamilton county grant to begin building a Fitness Court® in a location that is easily accessible and visible by residents, preferably along a trail or within a Fishers Parks footprint.
For more information on the Active People, Healthy Hamilton CountySM’ and to make an online donation to FCHPI, visit the website at friendsofhamiltoncountyparks.org.
GET INVOLVED WITH FCHPI COMMUNITY EVENTS
Look for more announcements and details on the FCHPI annual banquet in February on the FCHPI website. You can also check out the other events that support the foundation throughout the year. This last On Par for Parks golf outing was another smashing success and an exhilarating networking opportunity that supports the foundation’s projects.
“True Rx Health Strategists is proud to be a longstanding sponsor of the Friends of Hamilton County Parks, Inc. On Par for Parks event, as it aligns with our mission to enhance the health and well-being of communities. By supporting the stewardship of Hamilton County’s parks and green spaces, we invest in the recreational, cultural and educational benefits that enrich the lives of residents and visitors. We’re honored to continue our involvement in this initiative that fosters community engagement and environmental preservation.” - Eric Barker, Chief Growth Officer
A Purposeful Partnership
Allied Solutions Secures Naming Rights for the Center for the Performing Arts
This month, Carmel Monthly is pleased to feature Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts
President/CEO Jeff McDermott and Allied Solutions CEO Pete Hilger on the cover. This past September, the two organizations announced that they entered a seven-year sponsorship agreement that will rename the nonprofit arts organization and the three-venue campus it operates at Carmel City Center. The agreement was announced during an event at the Palladium. Financial details were not disclosed.
or the newly dubbed Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, the partnership reinforces financial stability and provides a greater pool of resources to sustain and expand programming. Opened in 2011, Allied Solutions Center is best known for the annual Center
Presents concert season, which features national and international artists in a range of genres as well as a broad menu of educational and experiential opportunities for people of all ages.
We spoke with both executive leaders, who shared insights on what this partnership means for their organizations,
how it will enhance the arts community and how it will enrich the experience for the center’s patrons.
A BRIEF BACKGROUND ON CARMEL-BASED ALLIED SOLUTIONS
Since 1978, Allied Solutions has partnered with over 6,000 financial institu-
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Laura Arick and submitted
tions to grow their bottom line, protect their business and consumers, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition. Allied Solutions, which has sponsored the Center Presents season since 2015, has strong community partnerships and continues to make investments in the communities where its employees live and work.
Allied Solutions is one of the largest providers of insurance, lending, risk management and data-driven solutions for financial institutions in North America. Allied Solutions uses technology-based solutions customized to meet the needs of over 6,000 banks, credit unions, finance companies, mortgage servicers and auto dealers, along with a portfolio of innovative products and services from a wide variety of providers. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, Allied Solutions maintains several offices strategically located across the country. Allied Solutions is a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Securian Financial Group. Visit www.alliedsolutions.net to learn more.
PARTNERING TO ENRICH THE COMMUNITY AND ELEVATE THE ARTS
“Two seasons post-Covid, we re-engaged in the process of finding the right naming partner,” McDermott shared. “I always said we were not looking for the highest bidder, but we were looking for the best partner. I got a call from Pete [Hilger], and we got together literally over a beer to talk about what might be. I came back [from that meeting] so ener-
gized because I didn’t think we just found a good partner… I thought we just found a perfect partner. There was no way you could draw up a partner any better than Allied Solutions for this opportunity.”
McDermott explained that both entities shared similar core values that include integrity, innovation, inclusion, collaboration and excellence. He added, “This is the difference between a for-profit naming sponsor partnership and a not-for-profit that is benefiting from a for-profit organization to expand its programming and impact on the community.”
Hilger recalled former Mayor Jim Brainard inviting him to tour a dirt mound among a bunch of dilapidated warehouse buildings and an unsightly water tower, sharing Brainard’s vision for what would eventually become Allied’s headquarters in the heart of Carmel.
“I am really impressed with the way the city of Carmel transformed itself,” Hilger stated. “I believe in the arts and the whole concept of how the city has been built… it is a great community to raise a family and locate your corporate offices. We feel that we have a responsibility as a for-profit corporation to support the city’s initiatives and the businesses that are here. We have made a commitment to continue to find ways to enhance that support.”
Recognizing the community as the backbone of where an organization can excel and grow, Hilger added, “One of the things that Carmel has brought to Allied Solutions is stability and retention of our people. This community is a great tool
I believe in the arts and the whole concept of how the city has been built… it is a great community to raise a family and locate your corporate offices.”
in hiring and attracting new talent… the arts play a huge part in that. The arts touch people of all kinds, and [they create] wonderful experiences. The Palladium has a national presence and beyond… and it seems strange that this once-small town in the Midwest and central Indiana is now on the map as being a world-class arts center.”
Hilger continued, “Allied Solutions doesn’t just support the community for the sake of spreading our brand. We support the community to spread the culture of family, the strength of diversification, the growth of small businesses, and all of these play a huge role in what the city has to offer, [whose] hub is the arts. That’s a tribute to everything that our leadership in this community and the people of this community have committed to that make[s] it so wonderful.”
When asked what he hopes the public understands about Allied Solutions’ commitment as the naming sponsor and as a key employer in the community, Hilger responded, “We care about our people and our community. We want more companies to participate… which is why we didn’t require any kind of exclusivity with the center. We want more companies to participate, and we want to lead by example. We would also like for people who are looking to grow professionally that we are hiring. We want to grow even more in this community, and we want it to become a stronger part of it and watch [Carmel] as it continues to have a bigger and more impactful presence within the state of Indiana.”
“Classic Cars of Indiana”
Series
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of bo-mar Industries and Arlon Bayliss
In June 2022, Carmel Monthly proudly spotlighted two key members of the creative team behind the “Classic Cars of Indiana” roundabout sculptures installed along the 96th Street corridor: Arlon Bayliss and Robert “Bob” Buchanan.
Buchanan, along with his brother Mark, owns bo-mar Industries. Working with Bayliss’ artistic vision, they have collaborated on several of Carmel’s notable sculptures, including “Homage to Hoagy” in front of the Palladium, which was featured in our February 2020 issue.
The fourth and final sculpture in the “Classic Cars of Indiana” series was installed on Friday, Sept. 20, at the roundabout on 96th Street and Gray Road.
THE STORY BEHIND THE SCULPTURE
The sculpture, titled “Stutz,” joins three others—“Marmon,” “Au-
burn-Cord-Duesenberg” and “Studebaker”—that were previously installed at the roundabouts along 96th Street at Priority Way, Delegates Row and Hazel Dell Parkway. Commissioned in late 2021 by the City of Carmel under former Mayor Jim Brainard, each sculpture represents an ar-
tistic interpretation of these iconic classic cars, all of which were designed and built in Indiana during the first half of the 20th century when the state was a leader in automotive innovation.
We recently spoke with Bayliss and Buchanan about the final installation of the “Classic Cars of Indiana” series. They shared insights into the creation of this last sculpture, which pays tribute to the iconic Stutz marque, as well as the unique challenges they faced in bringing this piece to life.
Inspired by the Art Deco Stutz “Ra” hood ornament, the “Stutz” sculpture stands 18 feet tall on a six-foot-high base
locally fabricated by bo-mar Industries in Beech Grove. The vertical slices in the sculpture create a light-permeable, abstract form that takes on a new life at night when illuminated with Bayliss’ signature-colored dichroic-filtered lights.
“I wanted each of the four sculptures to have a different style and feeling so that folks might have their favorites,” Bayliss expressed. “Like children, I love each of them equally, but this one presented more challenges than the others. We started it first, believe it or not, and finished it last. Bringing it to completion took a great deal of patience, ingenuity and, most of all, love.”
According to Bayliss, it took several hundreds of hours to translate his sketches into a detailed computer model. Then, bo-mar cut out the sheets of aluminum and fabricated special fasteners.
“It was actually built three times,” Bayliss shared. “They built the structure and tested it for stability, then stripped it down, added improvements, rebuilt and retested it before disassembly, powder coating and final assembly and installa-
tion. I believe this one truly was a labor of love. Bo-mar never lost their passion or attention to detail.”
When asked about the challenges in designing and fabricating this particular automotive sculpture, Bayliss shared, “My designs often challenge my fabricators, bo-mar Industries of Beech Grove, to come up with novel solutions in order to create something practical while preserving the artistic intentions of the sculpture. In the ‘Stutz’ sculpture, the main obstacles were weight and the amount of material needed. Owner Bob Buchanan’s solution was genius. He thinned each sheet to a third [of] its original thickness but sandwiched them with two four-inch edge borders. The result is a significant saving in weight, and, as a lovely bonus, it allowed me to use the borders to enhance details of the sculpture’s face and wings. The gaps between each slice, as well as their thickness, are calculated to give an impression of transparency as the viewer moves around the head.”
Buchanan spoke about the project from his perspective and what they learned from the “Homage to Hoagy” that influenced the “Stutz” piece.
“We actually started the ‘Stutz’ [piece] before the others in the design phase pre-Covid,” Buchanan said. “Post-Covid, it made sense to do the other [sculptures] for other reasons. The ‘Stutz’ had the earmarks of being the easiest of the projects because all of the pieces were flat and vertical. How could that be? Famous last words. When we built it the first time in our shop, you could kind of wiggle the wings… they had a jiggle to them. We took it apart and solved the issue so now you could hang meat off of them. They’re stable and resilient.”
Buchanan continued, “It makes this one more special to us because of the hurdles we had to jump to make it work. The solution wasn’t simple or intuitive, but it doesn’t detract from the look, and everything we did had to be subliminal and built inside of the sculpture to give it stability. I nicknamed this one ‘Four of Four’ because it was the last of the four pieces, and it was kind of bittersweet when it left the dock of my shop. It was like sending the last kid off to college. It was the fastest install out of all of them… it took only 20 minutes, and then Arlon and I put the lights on it that night. What we learned from the Hoagy Carmichael piece helped us through this one without any guesswork. It was much more calculated. It was nice to see the second generation of dichroic-filtered lights, and it was a fun project altogether.”
Bayliss and Buchanan hope that both locals and visitors will appreciate and celebrate the creative engineering of the “Stutz” sculpture, along with the other three pieces that honor the automotive innovations of all four featured marques for generations to come.
“I hope it captures and pays homage to the Art Deco spirit of elegance that Stutz cars embody as well as the creative engineering advances that [make] Stutz known as one of the great classic cars of Indiana,” Bayliss said. “As the last of four ‘born,’ it presented my fabricators, bo-mar Industries, with unique challenges [like] balancing lightness with strength, as well as keeping faithful to my artistic vision. We are so proud of these [sculptures], and I hope the community loves them as much as we do.”
NOVEMBER 16 | 7:30 PM
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
The Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center
Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," Angela Brown narrating Margaret Bonds' "Montgomery Variations," a powerful tribute from a pivotal time in American history
Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World," reflects the composer's experiences in America
Pre-concert talk and performances at 6 PM including Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos, Natyalaya School of Arts Dancers, and Chinese Mooncake Festival Performers
DECEMBER 15 | 2:00 PM HOLIDAY POPS
DECEMBER 15 | 7:00 PM
JANUARY 25 | 7:30 PM