The Damien Center, a care center for Indianapolis residents living with HIV and AIDS, is inviting volunteers to help create a 1,700-square foot mosaic inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt, a national community arts project started in 1987. The mosaic will be at their new location, which is under construction on the city’s near east side.
The center will hold nine public workshops in June and July. Community members (who do not have to be artists) will work with artists Ali Mirsky and Christopher Duffy, co-founders of Empact Art, to create the mosaic, which will be placed near the elevator of the three-story Damien Center building.
Workshops began in June. Volunteers can still sign up for a workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. July 9 or 10 at 10 East Arts Center, 3737 E. 10t St.
This project is one of four pieces the Damien Center has commissioned through a $150,000 grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation. The center is working with Indianapolis-area artists.
Along with the mosaic, the Damien Center has commissioned a 190-square-foot mural by Matthew Cooper; a 670-square-foot mural designed by Koda Witsken; and a 180-square-foot paint-by-numbers mural by Tiffany Black and Qahar Behzad in collaboration with Damien Center clients. More community workshops for these projects will be announced at a later date.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone to these sessions where they can collaborate and create artwork that will offer healing and inspiration to those impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and make our headquarters a beacon for HIV wellness,” Damien Center President and CEO Alan Witchey said in a press release.
The new, 56,000-square-foot building is expected to open early next year at East Washington Street and Oriental Avenue.
Mirror Indy reporter Breanna Cooper covers arts and culture. Email her at breanna.cooper@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @BreannaNCooper.
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