Free, all-ages fun doesn’t come by easily. Through June, July and early August, Indy’s art galleries are open with new works visitors can play with, learn from and laugh with. It doesn’t hurt that most of these spaces also have running cool air to keep you from melting while you explore all summer.
Leaving soon: “Winding Accord” at COMPANION
Credit: Photo by Nick Witten
3715 Washington Blvd.
Closing reception on Sunday, June 30, 1-4 p.m.
Gallery hours: by appointment
“Winding Accord” was originally planned for the 2024 Indiana Global Economic Summit at the Indiana Convention Center but is now inside Braydee Euliss’ home gallery, COMPANION.
The show has ceramics, paintings and sculptures by six Indiana-based artists. Not to miss: Vietnamese-American painter Mailinh Hồ’s playful takes on the western portrait and a fabric sculpture by Hannah Paz-Westbrook that hangs over Euliss’ staircase.
Leaving soon: “Take Out” at Harrison Center’s Speck Gallery
1505 N Delaware St.
Through June 30
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Most people stash their plastic grocery bags and either forget about them or live with the guilt of contributing another piece of trash to the world. Artist Lindsey Lord pairs these discarded objects with hand-painted images of endangered or threatened flowers and animals of the state of Indiana, hoping to make us think about our habits and consumerism.
Leaving soon: “The Art of Harry Davis” at Indiana Landmarks
1201 Central Ave.
Through June 28
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Harry A. Davis Jr. (1914-2006) has inspired Hoosier art and architecture enthusiasts with his life of travels and painting as a combat artist in Italy during World War II. The paintings in this show capture scenes from his rural Indiana upbringing, familiar buildings and some that no longer exist, and some portraits of the youth of Indianapolis in the ’60s.
“Home Again” at Newfield’s Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
The “Oracle of Intimation” is a new site-responsive and participatory installation from Brooklyn-based artist Heather Hart. Credit: Photo by Eric Lubrick 
The “Oracle of Intimation” is a new site-responsive and participatory installation from Brooklyn-based artist Heather Hart. Credit: Photo by Anna Tiplick Courtesy of Newfields 
“The Pollinator Pavilion” is an interactive and collaborative architectural sculpture by New York-based artists Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood. Credit: Photo by Eric Lubrick 
“The Pollinator Pavilion” is an interactive and collaborative architectural sculpture by New York-based artists Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood. Credit: Photo by Anna Tiplick Courtesy of Newfields 
“This is NOT a Refuge” is by Pakistan-born, Indianapolis-based artist Anila Quayyum Agha. Credit: Photo by Eric Lubrick 
The work reflects on the loss and displacement experienced by refugees from various regions of the world. Credit: Photo by Anna Tiplick Courtesy of Newfields
1850 W. 38th St.
Open sunrise to sunset
Play on a rooftop sculpture that appears as if it fell from the sky right in the middle of the park. Heather Hart’s colorful new work allows visitors to climb through windows and doors and onto the roof.
You can also see two new sculptures inspired by the themes of home and shelter by Anila Quayyum Agha and the collaborators Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood.
“The Truth of Freedom: African Diaspora to Afrofuturism” at Newfields
4000 N. Michigan Road
Open through July 14
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
At the Waller Gallery, on the first floor by the gift shop, artists reflect on the history of the African Diaspora and the advancements in liberty and freedom for African descendants around the globe.
“Black Alchemy: Resolve (Attempt #2)” and “Again, Again” at Aurora PhotoCenter
Opening night at Aurora PhotoCenter’s galleries at 1125 Brookside Avenue, Suite C9. Credit: Mikaela Helene 
Opening night at Aurora PhotoCenter’s galleries at 1125 Brookside Avenue, Suite C9. Credit: Mikaela Helene 
Artist Aaron Turner during opening night at Aurora PhotoCenter’s galleries at 1125 Brookside Avenue, Suite C9. Credit: Mikaela Helene 
Artist Ian Lewandowski spent two weeks photographing for the Aurora Photo Center’s residency in June 2023. Credit: Mikaela Helene
1125 Brookside Ave., Suite C9
Open through Aug. 15
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday
In “Black Alchemy” Aaron Turner uses objects from Black history, including books such as “The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois and “Passing” by Bella Larsen, to photograph stories about the symbols African Americans share while telling a personal story.
“Again Again” is the work of artist Ian Lewandowski, who spent two weeks last June photographing queer Hoosiers and behind-the-scenes moments of Indy Pride.
“Art From the Heartland” at Indy Art Center
820 E. 67th St.
Open through Aug. 4
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
This exhibition has a little bit of everything because every artist in the Midwest is invited to send their work for consideration.
Highlights include collage works that highlight Black American nostalgia by poet Mitchell L. H. Douglas; a gigantic hot pink installation made of fake fur and found objects by Emily Burkhead; and womanlike figures made of fabric that was printed with cyanotype by Lisa Cooreman.
“3 by 3” exhibition at Herron School of art and Design
735 W. New York St.
Open June 26 through Aug. 10
Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 5 p.m.
Performance and sound artist Ayo Jackson, puppetry and video artist Johanna Winters, and multimedia and collage artist Gloria Martinez-Granados come together for the first time in this special art show that invites the perspectives of three curators into Herron’s galleries.
“Back Home Again (in Indiana)” presented by Vertical Gallery and The Wall Muse
“Back Home” by Natalia Rak (Polish, b. 1986), 2024. Acrylic on canvas 
“The Essence of Non-Being” by Suyao Tian (Chinese, b. 1983), 2024. Water-based media on archival paper. 
“Mudskipper” by Mailinh Hồ (Vietnamese American, b. 1997), 2024. Oil on canvas. 
“Movers” by Alejandra Carrillo (Mexican American, b. 1999). Lithography and screen print on paper. 
“Cicada” by Justin Cooper (American, b. 1975), 2021. Pyrography and oil on birch panel. Credit: Natalia Rak
Republic, 2301 E 10th St.
Opening reception: 6 to 9 p.m. June 21. Show ends July 13.
Gallery hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and by appointment
Shelley Bloch of The Wall Muse left Indy a decade ago to continue her museum and gallery career, which started at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. With “Back Home Again (in Indiana)” Bloch and Vertical Gallery show works by 30 artists from six continents, reflecting on what going back home means.
Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship exhibition at Gallery 924
Opening reception of the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship exhibition at Gallery 924. Credit: Lumbre Media 
Opening reception of the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship exhibition at Gallery 924. Credit: Lumbre Media 
Opening reception of the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship exhibition at Gallery 924. Credit: Lumbre Media 
Opening reception of the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship exhibition at Gallery 924. Credit: Lumbre Media
924 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Open through July 15
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and by appointment
Eduardo Luna, the founder of Arte Mexicano en Indiana, created a small shelter in his backyard for relaxing and making art. Poet Chantel Massey followed in the footsteps of writer James Baldwin and traveled to Paris.
Luna and Massey are two of 40 central Indiana creatives who received funds to explore what makes them feel most in touch with their creativity through the Indy Arts Council. This exhibition of paintings, photos and videos is the result.
“Way Back” and “Surfacing” at Storage Space
121 E 34th St.
Opening reception: 6-10 p.m. June 21. Show ends June 30.
Hours: By appointment
Curators Danielle Grave Joy and Nick Witten bring fresh points of view at Storage Space with two exhibitions: “Surfacing” by Scotland-based artist Federica Bruni, who creates multimedia works that ask questions about human psychology, and “Way Back,” which includes videos and performances by Indiana-based artist Brian Priest.
“Indy Toxic Heritage: Pollution, Place, and Power” at Broad Ripple Park Family Center
1426 Broad Ripple Ave.
Opening reception: 5-7 p.m. June 21. Show ends July 13.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays
In March, Laura Holzman, a professor at Indiana University Indianapolis, wrote a Culture Journal for Mirror Indy. In it, she talked about making an exhibition about pollution and the environment.
“Indy Toxic Heritage: Pollution, Place and Power” brings together storytelling and research to spark conversations about the legacy humans are leaving behind in Indianapolis.
The exhibit will also travel to Pride Park in August and Riverside Park in September.
Rebekah Nolan + Cory Robinson collaboration at Storage Space
121 E 34th St.
Opening reception: 6-10 p.m. August 18. Show ends August 31.
Hours: By appointment
The yet-to-be-named exhibit sees artist Rebekah Nolan’s drawings and paintings turned into furniture works made with wood and concrete by Herron School of Art and Design professor Cory Robinson.
Jennifer Delgadillo is Mirror Indy’s arts and culture editor. Contact her at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org.
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