The owners, artists and curators of Indianapolis’ art galleries have the same message for people who are new to Indianapolis or its arts scene: “We’re here for you,” said Joy Hernandez, an artist and founder of Full Circle Nine Gallery. “If people are new to the city, if they’re new artists and they’re looking to get into the arts: Talk to us. We are friendly people.”
One way to experience Indy’s art galleries is to visit on the first Friday of every month, when many galleries stay open late, often serve drinks and snacks, and welcome anyone — introverts, extroverts and those in-between — who want to see local art or meet artists. You can also buy art.
We invite you to use this guide to find the creative spaces you’ll want to discover or revisit, on First Friday or any day of the week. You don’t need to know anything about art to enjoy the experience — all you need is curiosity.
Companion
3715 N. Washington Blvd.
Instagram: @thisiscompanion
Braydee Euliss chose the name Companion with intention. She started the gallery in her home, to make it feel approachable and intimate. She hosts group and solo exhibitions, and each one includes three public events: an opening reception, an artist dinner and a closing reception.
How to visit: Companion is open during public events or by appointment. You can park along Washington Boulevard or in the lot across the street. No bus routes come directly to the space, but there are drop-off spots within a short walking distance.
The Harrison Center
1505 N. Delaware St.
Instagram: @harrisoncenterarts
The Harrison Center holds over 100 years of history, 39 artists and several fun surprises. Sarah Peacock, the center’s gallery coordinator, called the building “a beautiful, crazy old maze to navigate.”
Along with galleries and artists’ studios, you can discover a rock-climbing wall, a slide, a human- and dog-friendly hamster wheel and a koi pond. The center hosts First Friday openings each month.
December’s exhibit is the annual color-themed show. Harrison Center artists will show their interpretation of this year’s color, teal. And, if you want to get some holiday shopping done, there’s a Winter Artisan Market in the gymnasium.
How to visit: The Harrison Center is open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. First Friday hours are 6-9 p.m. Free parking is available in the neighborhood and in the small lot at Alabama and 16th streets.
The Tube Factory
1125 Cruft St.
Instagram: @tubeartspace and @bigcarpix
The Tube Factory artspace makes a statement in the Garfield Park neighborhood.
“I hope people either love it or hate it,” said Shauta Marsh, co-founder of Big Car Collaborative, which owns the Tube Factory. The art is rarely for sale; instead, the focus is on the viewer’s experience.
Marsh seeks out artworks that fit the themes of community, memory and mythology, and she said that Tube Factory aims to be a space to have uncomfortable conversations.
Just outside, in Terri Sisson Park, which opened in fall 2023, you’ll find the Chicken Chapel of Love, a Las Vegas-style wedding chapel, meditation space and shrine designed by artist Jason Gray. Artists have been commissioned to create art and experiences inside as well.
Every Thursday from December to February, you can enjoy story time for all. From 6-7:30 p.m., cuddle up with a blanket, get a glass of wine from the bar and listen as someone reads to you. Plus, check out ongoing exhibits from Julie Xiao, Alejandra Carrillo, Wong Kit Yi and Christen Baker. You’ll see painted jellyfish, mixed-media art, video essays and sculptural glass.
How to visit: Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The artspace is also open from 6-10 p.m. on First Friday.
The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is nearby, as well as an IndyGo red line stop. Limited parking is available on either side of the building and in the neighborhood.
Full Circle Nine Gallery
1125 E. Brookside Ave., Suite B21
Instagram: @fc9gallery
Full Circle Nine’s December exhibition is “a show for nerds.” Vivien Khamis’ portraits and illustrations make up “The Beings of Eratu,” and she thinks it’s perfect for fans of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic the Gathering. If you want to check out the fantasy art, Full Circle Nine is in the north building at the Factory Arts District.
About two dozen artists create within Full Circle Nine. They each bring different styles and personalities to the collaborative space, which encourages involvement from artists at all stages in their careers, founder Joy Hernandez said.
How to visit: Hours are 6-9 p.m. Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There’s a large free parking lot across the street, and IndyGo has several stops nearby.
Factory Arts District
1125 E. Brookside Ave.
The Factory Arts District, formerly known as the Circle City Industrial Complex, started as an auto factory run by Louis Schwitzer, who in 1909 won the first race–a five-mile dash–held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The building is still bustling with innovation, but in the form of artist studios, galleries, retail, restaurants and more. Visitors could spend a whole First Friday at FAD.
At December’s first Friday shows, you can see bright abstract paintings, artisan jewelry and glass creations.
How to visit: The Schwitzer Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All studios are open to the public on First Fridays from 6-9 p.m. Park for free at the large lot across the street. IndyGo also has several stops nearby.
Gallery Forty-Two
42 E. Washington St.
Instagram: @galleryfortytwo
Gallery Forty-Two is an elegant space in downtown Indianapolis with a collection that includes fine art by Salvador Dali and Picasso. But you’ll also see pop art, street art and more – including over 100 watercolor pieces from the Watercolor Society of Indiana.
How to visit: Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and by appointment. On First Fridays, the gallery stays open until 10 p.m. Paid parking is available in nearby garages; IndyGo also makes stops along Washington Street.
Gallery 924
924 N. Pennsylvania St.
Instagram: @artscouncilindy
Gallery 924 at Indy Arts Council is best known for its annual “Tiny” art show, which will feature 400 pieces of art that are six inches or smaller and cost $100 or less. Learn about new artists and buy affordable pieces from well-known ones. “Tiny 13” opens with a reception 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6. If you miss the opening, you can visit from Dec. 6-19.
Gallery 924 is casual and welcoming year-round, serving up free wine and beer on First Friday and hosting exhibits by Indiana artists who’ve received grants and professional development support from the Indy Arts Council.
How to visit: Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5-9 p.m. on First Fridays. If you’d like to learn more about local art, make an appointment with Kate Oberreich, the Arts Council’s artist engagement manager (and a well-known artist herself).
Limited, free parking is across the street and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and IndyGo’s route 39 are nearby.
Indianapolis Art Center
820 E. 67th St.
Instagram: @indplsartcenter
Near the White River, a 12-acre campus weaves art inside and out, with seven indoor galleries, a nature park and a sculpture park. (Don’t miss the “Twisted House.”) Inside, you’ll find contemporary art on the walls, sometimes alongside pieces that local kids have created as part of the ArtReach program. Admission is free, and people of all ages can also take classes here.
From noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 7, check out the Winter Art Sale. Local artists and students will sell their creations.
How to visit: Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Indianapolis Art Center doesn’t participate in First Friday, but it does host special exhibitions and events. IndyGo’s red line stops about half of a block south of the center, and the Monon Trail is nearby for pedestrians or cyclists. There are several free parking lots.
1,000 Words Gallery
3328 E. 10th St.
Instagram: @1000wordsindy
Located on the stretch of 10th Street known as “The Dime,” 1,000 Words is a Black-owned nonprofit that highlights artists of color, especially emerging ones, and offers free art events and classes to the public. It also invests in the creativity of the Near Eastside neighborhood. In 2023 the Arts Garden, a community garden and outdoor art gallery, was created. Residents helped paint a mural to represent the neighborhood.
From 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6, local artist Blvck Wulf will host an artist talk at the opening of his solo show “United in Grief,” which explores the stages of grief.
How to visit: The gallery is close to IndyGo’s stop on 10th and Rural streets. Free and metered street parking is also available.
The Murphy Arts Center
1043 Virginia Ave.
Instagram: @themurphyartcenter
The historic building’s 57,000 square feet hold many curiosities, and many different artists–plus restaurants. Its December First Friday featured a boudoir photographer, a painter, a jewelry artist and others. Exploring the second floor is like going on a scavenger hunt. If this feeling of discovery thrills you, some of the Murphy’s artists offer classes and workshops to the public.
The Murphy Art Center’s First Friday from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 6 has a variety of art and artists: jewelry, streetwear and paintings.
How to visit: First Friday events run from 6-10 p.m. Park on the streets or in the Fountain Square public parking lot. The Murphy Arts Center is accessible via IndyGo red line and routes 13 English and 14 Prospect.
Storage Space Gallery
121 E. 34th St.
Instagram: @storagespaceindy
Storage Space is fun and quirky, and you have to walk through the garage door to find the 2,500-square-foot contemporary art gallery. At shows every third Friday of the month, visitors mingle, see emerging artists’ work and buy food from local chefs. While many galleries take a cut of sales, Storage Space gives artists 100% of the proceeds of pieces sold. They also have a tool library for art, home projects or anything else.
On New Year’s Eve, Storage Space is hosting a “Silver Soirée” starting at 8 p.m. Follow their Instagram to keep up with information about tickets for the event. Their next show will be Feb. 21, and Elias Garza and April Knauber will be the guest curators.
How to visit: Storage Space doesn’t do First Fridays, but watch their Instagram for monthly shows and parties. There’s plenty of bike parking in the area, and several parking garages within a 15-minute walk. It’s a block off of IndyGo’s red line.
Christopher West Presents
1497 N. Harding St.
Instagram: @cwpresents
The space and the pieces within Christopher West Presents are clean-lined, abstract and bold – with a mid-century modern flair. The gallery houses paintings, lamps, watches and more, focused on the aesthetic based in the 20th and 21st centuries.
How to visit: Christopher West Presents is open by appointment only. It’s close to several stops for the IndyGo 10 bus.
Edington Gallery
1495 N. Harding St.
Instagram: @edingtongallery
Telene Edington brings 30 years of experience in the art world to her gallery, which exhibits contemporary fine art. Its classic white walls are the blank space that lets art shine in events with beautiful paintings, jazz and refreshments.
How to visit: Edington Gallery is open for events and by appointment only. Park in the small parking lot in front of the building.
The Stutz
1060 N. Capitol Ave.
You can take Glowga, attend intimate concerts, and shop artists’ markets at the Stutz, an old car factory-turned-creative hotspot starting in 1993. If you haven’t visited the Stutz for a couple of years, you’re in for a lot of surprises (and great tacos and coffee).
Check out Third Thursdays, when you can wander in and out of artist studios and bask in all the buzz. For the past four years, the Stutz has hosted BUTTER, the GANGGANG-led art fair that showcases the work of Black artists and attracts celebrity art collectors over the Labor Day weekend.
Check out first Fridays, when you can wander in and out of artist studios and bask in all the buzz. For December’s first Friday, there’s a “Winter Wonders” group show 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.
How to visit: The Stutz is about a 15-minute walk from an IndyGo bus stop, and street parking is available. Check the calendar for events.
Click here to see a map of all the galleries included in this article.
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