Dear Indy,
We’re starting off this week with a feature on Storage Space, which may sound like a place to store your old baseball cards or Beanie Babies but is actually an eventful art gallery and gathering space for Indy creatives.
Today’s article comes from arts and culture reporter Breanna Cooper. Here’s how it begins:
On any given day, it’s easy to drive past Storage Space. Nestled on East 34th Street, not far from Shortridge High School, the art gallery is indistinguishable from the other houses. That is, unless the garage door is open.
On the third Friday of each month, the garage door opens and guests can find paintings, performance art, sculptures and installations. Oftentimes, these shows include food from local chefs. These nights remind artist and Storage Space founder Brent Lehker — a 2010 Herron School of Art and Design alum, sculptor and furniture designer — of how he used to spend First Fridays on Massachusetts Avenue, hopping from gallery to gallery and getting fed.
Opened in 2018, the gallery is a labor of love for Lehker. Artists — many of whom are Herron students, alumni or faculty — never pay a dime to have their work exhibited at Storage Space.
“I’m an artist, so it’s like this romantic thing to want to be there for the artist,” Lehker said. “I wanted to be able to say that I’ve never taken commissions from an artist down the road, thinking I would become a nonprofit and apply for grants. We are a nonprofit now, but I am the suckiest grant writer, so it’s a bad business model,” he added with a laugh.
Continue reading the article here.
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In other news
- No, it’s not just your own bad luck: The onset of road construction season has led to significant slowdowns during typical commuting hours. Take a look at some of the major closures.
- La Keisha Jackson, a Democratic City-County Councilor representing the far east side, will become the area’s next state senator after party insiders chose her during a caucus Thursday night. Jackson will fill the seat long held by the late Sen. Jean Breaux. “I cannot walk in her shoes because those are big shoes to follow, but what I do promise you is I will advocate, work hard and listen and fight the good fight,” Jackson said.
- Middleground Comedy Festival, which runs for four days starting Thursday, will feature dozens of comics. One is local comedian Lucas Waterfill, who was named “funniest person in Indianapolis” after a 2022 contest at Helium Comedy Club. Get all the details here.
- Indy Documenters have updates from recent meetings of the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board, Marion County Election Board and the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. Take a look and read the takeaways.
What’s going on around the city
- Wednesday, April 24: The Butler University Percussion Ensemble will host a free, public concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Butler Arts & Events Center, 4602 Sunset Ave. Directed by artist-in-residence Jon Crabiel, the ensemble will explore various genres, from classical to rock to jazz.
- Friday, April 26: Celebrate Spring with Guggman Haus Brewing Co., 1701 Gent Ave., with their Frühlingsfest starting at 5 p.m. The two-day festival will include live music, beer releases and pop-up shops for flowers. Free and family-friendly.
- Friday, April 26: Take the week and learn all the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Society” and then head out to Vogue Theatre, 6259 N. College Ave., for the Tortured Poets Dance Party. Starting at 8 p.m., you can join fellow Swifties to celebrate the double album, as well as her other works, with a live DJ, giveaways and photo activations. Tickets start at $10. 21+
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- WFYI: High school students can earn college credits through Ivy Tech this summer for free — including books.
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: From Mexico City, Gov. Eric Holcomb provided an update on his economic development trip to Brazil and Mexico. And he spoke about the Indiana National Guard member shooting on the Mexican border.
Notes from our Documenters
This week, we have six meetings on our schedule.
Today we’re covering the City-County Council’s Environmental Sustainability Committee, the Indianapolis Public Library board and the Franklin Township school board.
On Wednesday, we’re covering the Indianapolis Food Access Coalition public forum and the Washington Township school board.
On Thursday, we’re covering the IndyGo board.
I’ll share what we learn in those meetings.
What other meetings should we cover? Let me know.
— Ariana Beedie, community journalism director
Interested in being a Documenter? Here’s how.
Reflections
My early favorite from Taylor Swift’s new album is “Florida!!!” because I’m loving that Florence + The Machine sound woven throughout.
What about you?
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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