On Friday, Aug. 15, you can see two art shows and get a nice 13-minute walk apart (that’s a 2-minute drive) through the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood.
If you go
“The BFF Show”
🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Aug. 15
📍 Storage Space, 121 E. 34th St.
🎟️ Free
“Wet Wet Mud III”
🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Aug. 15
📍 COMPANION, 3715 Washington Blvd.
🎟️ Free
“The BFF Show” at Storage Space, 121 E. 34th St., started with BFF curators Michelle McGuire and Megan Treby. The duo owns the pop-up artisan jewelry shop M&M Things that’s usually set up at Storage Space during gallery openings.
“We were spitballing ideas about how we could use our work in a show, so then we said, ‘What if we have other artists come up with pieces with their BFFs?’” said McGuire.
McGuire and Treby got 64 artists to submit artworks for the show, including works made in collaboration and complementary pieces that represent friendships by artists who are BFFs.
BFF chefs Grace Seibert and Mary Louise Ade will prepare food for the exhibition opening 6-10 p.m. Aug. 15.
BFFs Kristin Roche and Briana Wolfe created a mixed media artwork for “The BFF Show” opening Aug. 15 at Storage Space Gallery. Credit: Kristin Roche and Briana Wolfe 
BFFs Lindsay Lord and Kate Oberreich made complimentary artworks to be displayed together at “The BFF Show,” opening Aug. 15 at Storage Space Gallery. Credit: Lindsay Lord and Kate Oberreich 
BFFs Chelsea Myrick and Heather Davis created a mixed media artwork for “The BFF Show” opening Aug. 15 at Storage Space Gallery. Credit: Chelsea Myrick and Heather Davis 
BFFs Kyle Ragsdale and Johnny McKee created a mixed media artwork for “The BFF Show” opening Aug. 15 at Storage Space Gallery. Credit: Kyle Ragsdale and Johnny McKee 
BFFs Eleanor Hernly and Sam Heninger created a mixed media artwork for “The BFF Show” opening Aug. 15 at Storage Space Gallery. Credit: Eleanor Hernly and Sam Heninger
At COMPANION, 3715 Washington Blvd., “Wet Wet Mud III” will showcase nine female and nonbinary Hoosier artists: Lizzie Bilbrey, Iryna Bondar, Marissa Cohen, Jess Dunn, Lily Groot, Charlie Kozlowski, Alexandria Scott, Lily Tade and Anisha Thiel.
Besides great art on the walls, expect a mud painting performance the night of the Aug. 15 opening.
This is the third year that Bilbrey, the organizer (and one half of the comedy art band Tubbles), has put together the show. All of the artworks in the Wet Wet Mud shows were created at weekly artmaking gatherings in Bilbrey’s basement.
“I struggled with prioritizing my art,” said Bilbrey. “When there are others around, who are sharing their work, it helps me put value into my own.”
The Wet Wet Mud group is made of professional artists who create art for a living, as well as artists who make one artwork a year because they have day jobs.
“All of them are talented. If you want to be an artist that shows work in a gallery, you don’t have to conform to one thing,” said Bilbrey.
Street parking will not be available at COMPANION because of construction. Some parking will be available on 37th Street and off the side streets of Washington Boulevard.
More upcoming programs at COMPANION
Muddy Buddy Artist Dinner
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26
🎟️ $0-$30
A community pot luck-style dinner made with food from the artists’ gardens and by guests. Tickets include food, drinks and a special edition zine, as well as conversations with the artists.
Papermaking Workshop with Kahli Brown
🗓️ 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Sep. 14
🎟️ $35
Naturalist Kahli Brown will share the history of handmade paper and its materials, tools and processes. From pulp to product, you will create your own unique sheets of paper. All materials will be provided, but you can also bring your own.
Closing Reception
🗓️ 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sep. 14
🎟️ Free
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Jennifer Delgadillo is Mirror Indy’s arts and culture editor. You can reach her at jennifer.delgadillo@mirrorindy.org.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
