I N D I A N A S TAT E M U S E U M A N D H I S T O R I C S I T E S
CROSSROADS EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER MAY 2021
INDIANAPOLIS ARTISTS HONORED, EXCITED TO HAVE WORK DISPLAYED AT INDIANA STATE MUSEUM Mechi Shakur, photo courtesy of Arts Council of Indianapolis
In June 2020, after protesters went home, artists went to work. More than two dozen hit the streets to express their frustrations and hopes through murals on boards covering windows of downtown businesses following days of protests. Many of the artists expected their murals to be temporary – maybe lasting a few days or a few weeks. But the messages and imagery they created continue to resonate, and beginning June 5, six of those murals will be on display in “RESPONSE: Images and Sounds of a Movement” in Legacy Theater. Four of these works were created as part of the Murals for Racial Justice project. Elijah Stephen, whose given name is Elijah Norwood, and Gentry Parker teamed up to create one of the murals that covered windows at a former tattoo
parlor along Massachusetts Avenue. Their mural – titled “Take a Stand” – was a way for the two artists to support the movement of equality while also looking to the future and focusing on change. Stephen described his participation in the project as “life-changing.” He hadn’t painted for about two years prior to last summer. Now, his work will be included in a museum exhibit in his hometown. “It’s very emotional – because it came from a point where I’d given up on myself as far as art goes,” he said. “I lost my voice.” Parker saw the murals as a way to speak out and to bring beauty back to the city after the protests. He hopes both the mural he helped continued on next page
create and this exhibit will inspire while also getting the public to think about what they stand for. Still, it isn’t sinking in that his work will be on display at the museum just yet. “Right now, it’s still something I’m trying to wrap my head around,” he said. “I never imagined I would find myself at this point. And that’s what makes this even more beautiful to me. For it to turn into this just shows you the power of your thoughts and the power of your actions and how you can truly do anything you put your mind to.” When creating “Blkkk Lives Don’t Matter,” artist Mechi Shakur (pictured on p.1) – whose given name is Demetrius Green – expected the mural to stay over
the windows of the Indiana Repertory Theatre on Washington Street for only a few days. He never expected for his work, which features a police car rolling over the names of some of the Black people who have died at the hands of police, to become part of a museum exhibit. “I was excited,” Shakur said. “I didn’t think all of that would come from this.” Artist Gary Gee spent eight days in June 2020 attempting to express his thoughts while creating 11 panels that covered windows of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra offices on Washington Street.
SRET UPDATE
Two of his murals – “8:46” and “We the People…” – will be included in the new experience. Although he’s happy to have his work showcased at the Indiana State Museum, Gee said he’s especially honored to have his work be part of a meaningful exhibition at this historic moment in time. “Some kids dream of hitting the last shot at the end of a big game,” he said. “This is that shot for this kid.”
ho ose w ing h t o t you walk Thank ated in our were ip u partic e hope yo et. W ! r k e d es we lax an e r o t able ee mmitt o C T – SRE Bethany Thomas and Swati Gunale took a walk to the Indianapolis Zoo and ran into coworker Gail Brown.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT:
JON MAYS Jon Mays is the program developer at Vincennes State Historic Sites. He began working for the museum system in March 2015. Jon’s duties include developing, planning and executing the programming. He also provides guided tours to visitors and other tasks. He lives in Vincennes with his wife, Catherine, and daughter Kate (age 5). WHAT BOOK IMPACTED YOU THE MOST? I don’t know. I have a lot of books at home. Most impact me in different ways. WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU EVER TOOK? Going to the Philippines the first time and meeting my wife. (Jon’s wife is from the Philippines. They have been married for 14 years.) WHAT IS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING YOU KNOW HOW TO DO? I can “clap” the William Tell Overture on my thighs.
WHAT'S YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? WHY? I don’t really have any prized possessions. There is no material possession that I have that I couldn’t live without. WHAT ORIGINALLY GOT YOU INTERESTED IN YOUR CURRENT FIELD OF WORK? My mom studied history in college, and I grew up learning about history. If you grow up in Vincennes, you almost can’t help that.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN THE LAST YEAR? I am proud of my daughter completing her first year of school in the middle of a pandemic. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A DAY OFF? Reading, watching TV and practicing guitar. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD DO AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIVES? Travel to another country.
JUNE ANNIVERSARIES DANNY ROBERTS Whitewater Canal DAMON LOWE
Collections
ELIZABETH SCOTT Collections PEGGY FISHERKELLER Collections
TRACI CROMWELL Collections
32 years
JOANNA HAHN Levi and Catharine Coffin
CARRIE MILLER
18 years
20 years
Membership
20 years
CRYSTAL NECESSARY Visitor Services
20 years
DAVID WEAVER Vincennes
20 years
MEREDITH MCGOVERN Collections 14 years
GWEN JOHNSON
Facilities Maintenance
AUDREY MILLER
9 years
15 years
Accounting
3 years
15 years
HAYLEY WILSON Education
3 years
15 years
NICOLE RIFE
Education 3 years
KIMBER MEIER Vincennes
2 years
SECURITY UPDATE WHAT IS A "GO BAG" AND SHOULD YOU HAVE ONE?
your go bag:
A “go bag” is exactly what it sounds like. If you need to get up and GO in a hurry due to a natural disaster or emergency, for example, this bag should contain essential items and be stored in an easily accessible location. Each of us is unique, so something that one person deems vital may not be the same for someone else. But here is a list of several things that you may consider for
WATER. Normal consumption for an active adult should be about 64 ounces – or a half gallon - per day. FOOD. Non-perishable and lightweight foods such as trail mix, mixed nuts and granola. LIGHT. This can be a flashlight with extra batteries, or candles. Just make sure you have something to provide light. CLOTHING. Don’t overdo this. Changing clothes is not as important as food and water. Just consider the weather when packing your go bag. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. Important medications, first-aid items, something that could be used for shelter, soap and other toiletries, cellphone and backup batteries. Also, have a way to start a fire for cooking and warmth, a couple of knives for cutting, a form of entertainment (like playing cards), and lastly, some kind of multi-tool. Regardless of what you have in your go bag, it is good practice to have one. Just stop and think about what you might find most useful in an emergency situation, then gather those items.
ANSWER
SAFETY QUARTER IS HERE! During safety quarter, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites staff will perform drills for fire, inclement weather, bomb threats, and active shooter/civil disturbance situations. At the museum, be prepared for emergency situations by taking the emergency preparedness walkthroughs on the first Monday and Friday of the month, and by following the direction of your safety team leader during drills. You can find the safety preparedness PowerPoint here: S:\ ISMHS Safety & Security\ISMHS Safety Preparedness Info. Some of the information pertains to the Indiana State Museum, but it also can be used for the sites. Sites staff should take the time to review the content available. It is always good practice to hold drills or discussions for your individual locations. If you have any questions, contact Tyriee Love or Dustin Chavez. We are more than happy to answer safety and security questions.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO
THIS SUMMER?
Our Members Only Tours at the historic sites were a hit last fall so we decided to offer them again this spring. Each tour is led by site staff who share with members the history of the site, answer questions and show spaces that are normally not accessible to the public. Angel Mounds
T.C. Steele
Culbertson Mansion
Corydon Capitol
Lanier Mansion
Levi and Catharine Coffin
Limberlost
Gene Stratton-Porter
Vincennes
SHARE YOUR STORY IDEAS! Renee Bruck, manager of communication | 317.260.3506 | rbruck@indianamuseum.org