TOURISM SPOTLIGHT
VISITHAMILTONCOUNTY.COM
EXPLORE HAMILTON COUNTY’S PUBLIC ART SCENE
It’s no secret that Hamilton County is a place to experience the arts, in all its forms. In fact, Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville’s downtown areas have been named state-designated arts districts by the Indiana Arts Commission. Throughout our communities, you can find hand-painted murals on the sides of buildings; whimsical, life-like statues; towering sculptures and more. Artists range from high school students to professionals in their craft. You can even find artwork in the middle of countless roundabouts in the county, so visitors can find artwork
at every turn – literally. With the help of local city officials and artists, Hamilton County Tourism has compiled this information into a robust public art map, available to view on VisitHamiltonCounty.com. The maps are divided by community, so it’s easy to find your favorite piece of artwork and learn more about it. Challenge yourself to a scavenger hunt and see if you can locate all the murals and sculptures on the maps. Here are a few of note. Main Street in Carmel is also home to more than a dozen lifelike statues by J. Seward Johnson. Take a selfie with “Unconditional Surrender,” modeled after the famous “VJ Day Kiss” photo or “Sidewalk Concert,” featuring a street musician painted bronze.
The classic Carmel Arts & Design District Mural was designed and painted by art students from Carmel High School. It’s on the side of the Old Town Antique Mall on Main Street, across from The Pint Room.
Talented local artist Koda Witsken creates many of the murals you see in Hamilton County, including “Thanks for Being Weird With Me” at Fishers District.
You’ve probably seen the colorful floral sculpture at the corner of State Road 32 and Union Street in Westfield. It’s called “Westfield Blossoms” and it’s by Christopher Blice.
Next time you get a scoop of ice cream at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt in Fishers, take a photo with the colorful Blue Rose Junction mural by artist Craig Martin.
Pedal along the Midland Trace Trail and you’ll discover “Embrace the Trace” by Kevin Huff at the Hazel Dell Road trailhead. Hungry? Head to the newly renovated Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que and admire the enormous pirate-themed mural adorning the restaurant, painted by artist Jackie McCracken.
In downtown Sheridan, find the retro murals depicting Henry George cigars and D.F. Hutchens and Company.
Do you see something missing from the public art maps? Please contact Sarah Buckner at sbuckner@hamiltoncountytourism.com.
At Federal Hill Commons in Noblesville, engage with the Freenotes interactive instruments on the stage (when it’s empty, of course), as well as the teal Bicentennial Bison designed by Erin Goodman and Deanna Leonard of Caravan Classes.
If you embark on a public art adventure, be sure to post your photos on social media and tag @VisitHamiltonCo or use #VisitHC. As the art scene continues to grow, check back to see what else there is to discover!
24 / JUNE 2021
