Fitting Facility
Butler Arts and Events Center Has Programming for a Range of Interests
Mural Minded
CREATIVITY IS LIFE FOR INDY ARTIST KODA WITSKEN
In the Haus
Guggman Haus Brewing Co. Talks Craft Beer, Community, and New 46th Street Taproom
4 SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
5 MURAL MINDED
Creativity Is Life for Indy Artist Koda Witsken
9 IN THE HAUS
Guggman Haus Brewing Co. Talks Craft Beer, Community, and New 46th Street Taproom
14 A ROUSING RUN RUN(317) Finishing up a Strong 11th Season
20 FITTING FACILITY
Butler Arts and Events Center Has Programming for a Range of Interests
PUBLISHERS
MICHAEL & LINDSAY DURR michael@townepost.com (630) 853-1142
KEY CONTRIBUTORS ON THE COVER: KODA WITSKEN PHOTO BY HALEY DICKS
RYAN GABBERT RENEE LARR
TIFFANY SHULL ASHLEY WATTERS
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SERVICES
DEVON DEAN COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011 FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM
CONTACT THE PUBLISHER
Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUG.
AROUND THE COMMUNITY,
SEPTEMBER
28
THE LUME DALI
8AM - 5PM
Newfields, 4000 N Michigan Rd.
Tick, tock, the clock is ticking. Make time to step into Dalí’s wild & wonderful world in THE LUME Indianapolis featuring Dalí Alive before it is gone. Get tickets today. discovernewfields.org
25
ZOOBOO
9AM - 4PM
Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W Washington St. 2-7pm Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday • 2-9pm FridaySaturday
Closing Early on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7pm for Brewfari www.indianapoliszoo.com
26
FILM PHOTOGRAPHY COMMUNITY MEETUP
6 - 8PM Metazoa Brewing Company, 140 South College Avenue.
Let’s hang out and shoot film! Join us for this awesome film photography meet-up in downtown Indy! classes.robertscamera.com
28
40TH CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC HBCU FOOTBALL GAME
3PM
Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 South Capitol Avenue.
The 40th Annual Circle City Classic football game features the North Carolina Central University Eagles vs. the Norfolk State University Spartans.
MARIAN
UNIVERSITY IND. WOMEN’S SOCCER VS GOSHEN College (Ind.)
2 - 4PM
Ascension St. Vincent Field Marian University Ind. Women’s Soccer vs Goshen College muknights.com
MK HOME TOUR 2024
Mark your calendars now for the 2024 Meridian-Kessler Home Tour!
We’ve got some spectacular homes lined up for a weekend of MK Home Tour events. www.mkna.org
29 A LIVE CONVERSATION WITH HELEN HUNT FOLLOWING A SCREENING OF TWISTER
7:30PM
Old National Centre, 502 N. New Jersey St.
Murat Theatre at Old National Centre Doors: 7:30 pm Show: 6:30 pm
30
THIEVERY CORPORATION
7PM
The Vogue Theatre, 6259 N College Ave.
Thievery Corporation at The Vogue in Indianapolis on September 30, 2024! thevogue.com
Mural Minded
CREATIVITY IS LIFE FOR INDY ARTIST KODA WITSKEN
or most people, their high school art class is the limit to which they want to venture creatively. Few maintain a creative hobby throughout their life, and even fewer dare to make their creativity a career.
Creating art takes courage, self-determination and, most importantly, honesty. This is certainly true in the case of Indianapolis artist Koda Witsken.
Her passion for creativity, equality and giving back to the community has allowed her to blossom into a vibrant, in-demand artist.
Born into a creative family, she was able to grow up in an environment that encouraged creativity and self-discovery. However, it wasn’t until high school that she encountered one of her biggest influences, and the person she credits as the reason she is a professional artist today.
While attending Hamilton Southeastern High School, Witsken honed her artistic skills in the art class of Angela Fritz. Fritz encouraged her students to explore their creative side, while not being afraid to go off the beaten path. The support and freedom of expression she received from Fritz were pivotal to Witsken’s evolution as an artist. This was the moment when Witsken says she truly fell in love with art.
After graduation Witsken embarked on a career path away from the arts, but always found herself coming back to it. Doing murals and other projects as a side business in college allowed her to retain her creativity, while navigating the highs and lows of corporate America.
Writer / Ryan Gabbert
Photographer / Haley Dicks
“Losing yourself for like eight to 12 hours under a spray mask, there’s just something romantic about it,” she says. “That will always be my favorite part, regardless of what I’m doing.”
This passion gave her the confidence to take a leap of faith, become an artist fulltime and never look back.
“I started my business around 2018,”
she says. “I think most people thought, ‘Oh gosh, you’re quitting your cushy corporate job to start an art business.’ There was a huge surge in my industry around the pandemic and it was the perfect time to get started. It just took off from there.”
With a background in fine art and an ever-growing skill set, there is not much she can’t do. Whether
the project calls for sculpting or spray painting a mural, it is met with the same enthusiasm, creative flare, and her motto of “best energies and bright colors.”
Since she began her career, Witsken has worked with many influential brands and professional sports teams including Starbucks, Harley-Davidson and Target, as well as the Indianapolis Colts and Pacers.
While her work may have international reach, what truly fuels Witsken is giving back to Indiana and its people. “I love working with people who really want to make quite visible impacts in the community,” she says.
When Indianapolis hosted the most recent NBA All-Star Game in February, Witsken was part of a collection of artists tasked with blending basketball, culture, art, history and Indiana into a series of artistic projects around the city.
Witsken’s sculpture highlighted a pivotal moment in sports history - the Title IX legislation from 1972. The law, authored by Hoosier Senator Birch Bayh, sought to bring gender equality into sports, and paved the way for girls athletics to be implemented under the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
This past spring, Witsken partnered with the City of Fishers and NBA player/Fishers native Gary Harris to create murals on the basketball courts at Brooks School Park. Harris grew up playing on those courts, and together with Witsken sought to provide a place for future generations to exercise and be inspired to chase their dreams.
Looking ahead, the next major project on the horizon for Witsken is the Damien Center, which is the oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the state. Founded in 1987, the Damien Center seeks to provide health services, education and advocacy for all those in need. It currently helps about 25% of Hoosiers living with HIV, with plans to continue expanding.
The mural that Witsken has been commissioned to create will be a part of the Damien Centers’ new building, and will seek to embody its vision, mission and history.
For Witsken, art is about the journey, not the destination. Her commitment to her community and her continual growth as an artist can only mean one thing…she ain’t done yet.
If you would like more information about Witsken or her projects, visit her website at huemuralsbykoda.com, or follow her on Instagram @koda.witsken.
RIDE AT THE SPEED OF INDY.
Photo: Michael Durr
IN THE HAUS
GUGGMAN HAUS BREWING CO. TALKS CRAFT BEER, COMMUNITY, AND NEW 46TH STREET TAPROOM
Writer / Tiffany Shull
Photographer / Michael Durr
Guggman Haus Brewing Co., a familyowned brewery that has called Riverside its home since migrating from Broad Ripple in 2019, has hit some impressive milestones this year. The brewery opened a new taproom on 46th Street and transformed its original home into a charming coffee house. We sat down with Courtney Guggenberger, a co-owner, to unpack their plans for expanding the brewery, engaging the community and, of course, craft beer.
The origins of Guggman Haus Brewing Co. are deeply intertwined with the city’s racing heritage. The brewery is housed in a building that once served as the headquarters for the Boyle Race Team, a legendary name in Indy 500 history. The Guggenberger family, inspired by time living in Colorado and Germany - communities brimming with a love of beer - saw an opportunity to transform this historic space into a thriving brewery.
“It was this very large building that used to be home to the Boyle Racing Headquarters,” Guggenberger explained. “A group of vintage racing enthusiasts were looking for a tenant to come into this space.” The brewery’s commitment to preserving the building’s history is evident in its design. Original features have been carefully restored alongside the addition of a signature mural, and the space exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere. The tables are handcrafted by a local artisan and the main room is
Owner Courtney Guggenberger
Owner Abby Gorman
filled with a variety of seating from casual four-tops to inviting sofas. This attention to detail has helped to create a unique and memorable experience for patrons that sets the tone for the aesthetic of their new taproom.
The decision to expand wasn’t part of a long-term plan, but rather a unique opportunity presented by friends at Scarlet Lane Brewing Company. The availability of a turnkey taproom space in Broad Ripple, combined with its proximity to the Guggenberger family’s residence, made it an irresistible proposition. “We honestly wouldn’t have done it if it was not within the area that we live in, for our first expansion,” Guggenberger said.
The 46th Street taproom, which opened its doors in June and has been lovingly dubbed the outpost, has all the earmarks of a neighborhood hotspot. With a focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere, the taproom offers a carefully curated selection of Guggman Haus beers, including the exclusive 46th St. New England IPA. Dry-hopped with southern hemisphere hops of Vic Secret, Nectaron and Citrate, this brew was crafted for the new location. The creamy notes of sweet citrus, lemon and pineapple with a refreshing zesty finish have been wellreceived. Expect it to tap again soon; Guggenberger says they’re aiming for regular rotations.
Visitors to the new taproom will also find a small but enticing food menu featuring paninis and other fresh options, expertly crafted by Casey Alexander, known for his restaurant The Beast. The kitchen might be small, but each offering is fresh and full of flavor. Drop in for a beer and a bite just off the nearby Monon, or grab something to go - they also have cans for carry-out to top off your order.
While the taproom is still finding its feet, the initial response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’re really trying to
Artist / Brent Smith
Coffee Haus Barista / Kelly Jones
create that neighborhood hangout where people can come and always expect a quality pour of beer, something delicious to eat, and the community vibe of what 46th Street is,” Guggenberger said. They also serve nonalcoholic options, Tinker nitro cold brew, and Ash & Elm cider, ensuring there is always something for everyone.
Meanwhile, the original Guggman Haus, a two-story residence in Riverside, has undergone a charming transformation. «We asked, ‘What could we do? How could we activate it at different hours of the day and still bring people around?’” Guggenberger said. The family wanted to create a space that would appeal to a wider audience and
Lead Cook / Casey Alexander
offer a complementary experience to the brewery, and the coffee house was born.
Under the guidance of Manager Kelly Jones, the Coffee Haus has shifted from on-site storage to a space for co-working or chatting up a friend - a coffee-drinker’s haven. Featuring a variety of specialty drinks, including handcrafted lattes and refreshing Italian sodas, one standout is the Haus Latte. It is an expertly crafted double espresso with housemade maple brown sugar cinnamon syrup, steamed milk, and foam. It gives all the cozy cabin vibes felt at the Haus. The synergy between the coffee house and the brewery is evident. The space seamlessly transitions from morning coffee to afternoon beer, with a welcoming outdoor space connecting the two.
As for future plans, Guggenberger says the focus is on solidifying both locations before considering further expansion. While the possibility of additional taprooms is exciting, the immediate goal is to create thriving community hubs embodying Guggman Haus’s spirit.
Visit the new 46th Street Taproom at 4601 North College Avenue, Unit C in Indianapolis. If coffee is the brew you prefer, cozy up in the Coffee Haus right next to their main brewery at 1701 Gent Avenue in Indianapolis. Get more information online at guggmanhausbrewing.com or by calling 317-602-6131.
We are Friends of the White River. Since 1985, we’ve advocated for the preservation of the river as Central Indiana’s most precious natural resource. We represent the people who use the river for outdoor recreation, those who live near its banks, and all citizens who benefit from the river.
FOWR would like to invite you to come Paddle with Us this summer. Our River School program turns an urban corridor of White River into an environmental classroom for students, civic leaders and selected partner programs. Enroute, our guides discuss history, shoreline and aquatic wildlife, riparian flora, environmental science and water quality, all while engaging people in a first-hand look at Central Indiana’s most valuable natural resource.
We’re always recruiting volunteers to help with programs. Experienced paddlers can join the River School program as Raft Guides and use their skills on our White River Canoe Cleanups. You can also volunteer for a shore-based cleanup, or join Habitat Healers to restore streambanks. Check out the Events page
Memberships and sponsorship opportunities are available on our website. These donations are usually tax-deductible and provide an amazing opportunity to make a positive impact on Central Indiana’s most precious natural resource.
A ROUSING RUN
RUN(317) FINISHING UP A STRONG 11TH SEASON
Writer / Ashley Watters
RUN(317) will be wrapping up their 11th season this month, with events spanning from June 13 through September 26. Each year races feature a 5K walk or run, followed by a post-race party that includes refreshments, entertainment and community partners.
Races take place on Thursday nights at five different Indianapolis-area locations, with the intent of increasing exposure to various places around the city. “This series was created for participants to experience different areas in the 317 area code that they might not know about,” says Jennifer Hampton, RUN(317) organizer. “This gives them a reason to check out a new side of town and get to know the community and business in that area. We love being able to highlight our wonderful city.”
RUN(317) offers a unique fitness experience where runners hit the pavement and then stay for socializing. Every race is followed by a post-race party, where participants are invited to
celebrate and explore the local area. “Our post-race party is really fun and exciting,” Hampton says. “We have a live DJ, street dancing, vendors and, of course, all participants get two free beers, wine or seltzers. We always say come for the run/ walk and stay for the fun.”
Race locations this year have included several popular spots such as Fountain Square, 16 Tech, Mass Ave, Carmel’s Village of WestClay and Speedway. 16 Tech was a new location for this season and offered runners a fresh route and post-race space. “This is a super cool up-and-coming tech area on the west side of town,” Hampton says. “16 Tech was amazing to work with. They kept the AMP open later so race participants could go inside after the race and eat or have a drink. They also had free parking for us in their garage.”
RUN(317) is looking forward to a 12th season in 2025 and preparing for huge numbers, as this year’s races are only just beginning to fill to capacity
since being diminished by COVIDrelated shutdowns. Numbers continue to normalize with approximately 2,000 racers in attendance for each event. “It is so great to see running back,” Hampton says. “We are hitting our pre-COVID numbers and exceeding them. Each race this year was a sellout. We work hard to make these Thursday night 5K run/walks fun for everyone.”
Runs also feature a charity sponsor, supported by proceeds. In addition to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Kids’ Voice of Indiana, Girls on the Run and Lions International, Paws & Think joined the lineup of sponsors this year for the August 29 run in Carmel’s Village of WestClay.
“They brought dogs to the race and had them at their booth,” Hampton says.
“This was a popular booth at the postrace party.”
Participants can sign up for single events or purchase a group package of three or six races, with savings for buying access to multiple events. Each purchase includes
a 0.0317 sticker, race bib, Penn Station coupon, and two free alcoholic beverages or soft drinks. Purchasing all five events also comes with a bonus T-shirt. Hampton stresses that participants do not need to be serious runners, and all are welcome to join at their own pace.
“You do not have to be a runner to do this event,” Hampton says. “We have lots of walkers and people of all ages and fitness levels.”
Events begin at 7 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive between 5:30
p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on race day to pick up their packet. Alternatively, packets can be acquired at the Athletic Annex in Nora the day prior to the race between 2 p.m and 6 p.m. Water stations are located at the halfway point and finish line, and awards are given to the top three
male and female participants. Kids and strollers are encouraged. Emails are sent with pre-race instructions before each event.
Runner’s clubs, local groups, and groups of friends are encouraged to take part in the Race Groups. Discounts are also offered
under the corporate wellness program to encourage employee participation.
Donations to RUN(317) will go directly towards the current charity, and can be made online on their Donate page. Volunteers are always needed to help assist with logistics, including water handouts,
assistance with route management and post-race activities.
Registration for the 2025 season will open next year at the end of February. Interested parties are invited to follow RUN(317) on social media, or visit run317.com for updates.
eCommunity.com/cancer
Health Coverage Made Easy
Angie Mercer Matthew Kubal Matthew Mundy
FITTING FACILITY
BUTLER ARTS AND EVENTS CENTER HAS PROGRAMMING FOR A RANGE OF INTERESTS
Writer / Renee Larr
Butler University is known nationwide for its commitment to academic excellence and being home to the Butler Bulldogs, who play in the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. However, Butler University is also home to Butler Arts and Events Center (BAEC), a group of event facilities including performance venues, conference and meeting rooms, outdoor spaces, and housing. The seven different venues welcome over 300,000 visitors annually.
PROGRAMMING INCLUDES:
Butler Arts Presents events
BAEC’s Education Matinee Series
Jordan College of the Arts performances Broadway In Indianapolis shows Various Butler lecture series
Performances from local performing arts organizations and a variety of national touring shows
Venues include well-known Clowes Memorial Hall (2148 seats), Schrott Center for the Arts (475 seats), Shelton Auditorium (400 seats), The Krannert Room (150 seated, 300 standing, 250 theater-style seating), Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall (135 seats), Lilly Hall Studio Theatre (100 seats) and historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (11,000 seats).
“As our largest venue, Hinkle Fieldhouse has hosted former presidents speaking there,” says Shelby Spray, Butler’s marketing manager. “Most people know our next-largest venue, Clowes Memorial Hall. We host the bulk of our larger shows there. We host about half of the season for Broadway Across America there.”
The smaller venues such as the Shelton Auditorium provide a cozy space for dance recitals, up-and-coming comedians, podcasts and lectures. The recently renovated Shelton Auditorium, with its beautiful Greek-style theater and enhanced comfort for attendees, maintains its original design aesthetic, offering a unique and historical experience.
Schrott Center for the Arts, an intimate
venue with a full-sized proscenium stage, is designed to optimize acoustics and sight lines. It’s equally suited for music, dance and theater, and is home to the BAEC Free Movie Series.
“While some of our larger ticketed events cost to attend, it’s important to know many of our other offerings are free to attend,” Spray says. “We work very hard to offer a variety of programming for all interests, so there is a little bit of something for everyone.”
Broadway Across America presents the best of Broadway shows without the travel.
“Obviously, Butler University hosts major comedians, major acts, and major Broadway shows coming through, but we also support all of Butler art students performances,” says Mallory Doyel, director of event marketing. “Clowes Memorial Hall is so well-known and
iconic, but we’re working all the time to add more and more free offerings for Indianapolis residents. New programming is added all the time.”
Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall, located inside Butler University’s Robertson Hall (office of admission), contains a stunning 300-square-foot white oak stage. It hosts student, faculty and guest recitals by the School of Music, and small concerts, talks and lectures.
BAEC even includes a 7,500 square-foot Esports Park that presents tournamentstyle, high-performance gaming gear, event and co-working spaces, a cafe, a studio and production room, and offices.
Guests can purchase tickets for any event on the BAEC website, or through the Clowes Memorial Box Office, which is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Spray says purchasing from the box office is a great way to avoid additional online fees.
“We do offer a mailing list that we send twice a week announcing shows that are going on sale that week, and also presale codes,” says Spray. “If people are interested in joining the mailing list, they can do so on the Butler Arts and Events Center website. It’s updated all the time with the new offerings.”
Butler University’s commitment to enriching the lives of the surrounding community members is evident in its ever-expanding programming through the BAEC. It is located at 4602 Sunset Avenue in Indianapolis. Butler University is dedicated to providing a diverse range of events and facilities. For more information, visit butlerartscenter.org.
The Polklore Micro-Museum celebrates the story of the Polk Dairy and its neighbors and engages the public in a conversation about cultural preservation. The museum employs four approaches: neighbor co-creation, art assemblage, immersive experiences through technology, and a residency experience for artists and entrepreneurs.
Stories are the heart of Polklore. Neighbors chose the stories and artifacts to be preserved. They then worked with a diverse team of artists to collect oral histories, assemble artifacts into an art installation, develop audio and video experiences, and leverage augmented reality technology. Long-term stakeholders, new residents, and visitors are all invited to engage in the neighborhood’s story.
Scan here to learn more! Visit the Polklore Micro-Museum on the ground level of COhatch Polk Stables located at 1533 Lewis Street in Indianapolis.
HARRISON CENTER FIRST FRIDAYS
Walk through the historic Harrison Center and feast your eyes on incredible artwork, chat with artists and enjoy drinks and snacks. This monthly event is an incredible way to support the artists that have a residence at the Harrison Center.
Learn more about this month by visiting harrisoncenter.org/first-fridays
