Harrison Center For the Arts

I so enjoy first Friday’s at the Harrison art center. As a local small business manager, I enjoy helping the arts and being a parting something that is an important part in a lot of people’s life’s.
I have done 3 first Friday’s at the Harrison center and all 3 times I have been so impressed with the talent of the artists. I love some of the programs that they have ongoing and really appreciate the work they do with the disabled. I am so interested in learning more about it.
If you have never been to a first Friday at the Harrison art center, I highly recommend going. Check out one of the open studio nights when they are open later and have more to see. It is definitely worth your time.

I have been here a handful of times for different events, but the most recent, and the one that spurred me to write this review, was their First Friday event in which they open up all of the studios later in the evening and invite the public to come check everything out. I’ve been to a lot of the art-​centric offerings at different places on First Fridays, but usually didn’t make it here as it was a little out of the way for me. I’m glad I finally did, and feel very confident in saying this is the top place to go for that community wide event night.
They have hands down the most art and artists of any place I have been, assuming museums don’t count. The artists were actually in most studios and a lot of them were very engaging with the people who were in there looking. I’m not sure that I made it everywhere in here, but it seems safe to say we made it into 30 or so different artist’s galleries. They varied in size, but the majority were small spaces with walls covered in art and there were certainly plenty of clues to show that this was in fact a working studio you were in. The majority, if not all, of the art displayed was for sale. Sun King was there selling beer for their standard and reasonable price of $ 5 a pint. By around 8:00, it was pretty full, but there was so much space that it can hold quite a few people comfortably.
Outside of this one popular community evening, I have been here for a few additional occasional. The building has a large gym that can host pop-​up events, and they have an outdoor space that they have events in during the warmer months. Both of those spaces are available to rent for private events. I made it to an Indy 5×5 here in the courtyard, and will certainly be back for that again if they continue to have them and decide to host them here again.
This is also a must visit stop during the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange when the streets around the area are taken over by 100+ vendors selling unique arts and crafts. The HCA hosts their own music and arts festival in conjunction with this and it is a lot of fun, especially when the weather works out.
The mission of the HCA goes well beyond just being a host for all of the artists here. It’s worth following them on social media or checking out their website to learn about what they try to do and how they accomplish those goals, in addition to different ways to help support that effort.

I like that this place exists within walking distance from my place. It doesn’t seem that big on the outside, but there are small spaces with artists all throughout the building, and you can end up spending several hours walking through the place without ever leaving the basement.
Lot of events, including First Friday openings in March and May (every other month perhaps?) with other events in the summer out on the lawn. Get on their mailing list to stay informed about what’s going on, and if you live in the neighborhood, walk over instead of taking up some of the street parking. It’s a residential area and parking can be at a premium as there is only one small lot and the rest is on the street.

First Friday in Indy has changed over time but one constant is the Harrison Center. You can always count on interesting exhibitions at the monthly open house. There are two main galleries on the first floor, and during First Friday the artists’ studios are also open throughout the building. The studios are located mainly in the basement, but there are also a few on the second floor. You can easily immerse yourself in art during the visit. Beer and wine are usually available for purchase during First Friday, and some snacks may be available as part of the exhibition openings.
Harrison Center also play host to various events throughout the year. The events include INDIEana Handicraft Exchange in the gymnasium, 5×5 Indy in the courtyard, and Independent Music + Art Festival just to name a few. Because of proximity to the 16^th Street corridor, you can also check out the burgeoning restaurant and café scene nearby.
Next time you are interested in checking out the arts in Indy. make a stop at Harrison Center for the Arts!

I attended a fashion show here Sunday and the venue is AMAZING. Can’t believe I wasn’t familiar. The fashion show was held in the gym where they had lights strung and it was dimly lit with two bars it was a beautiful set up and a beautiful space

A staple on our «Tour de First Friday.» We always start in gallery 2 to get our Sun King in hand for the long meander through the various floors full of artists showcasing their latest work.
You might get a little turned around in here, but once you’ve come to a few events, you get the general layout. A great place to bring young kids, groups of friends, or just a date night for the adults on First Friday.
Favorite artists include: Allison Ford, Kipp Normand, Kyle Ragsdale, Cordial Kitten, and Emma Overman.
Get lost in the different nooks and crannies that house various local creatives. I know we do!

This is one of the best spots to visit on First Friday. They always have great featured shows and the majority of the studios are open during this time. (A couple of my favorite local artists have space here, so I love to see their new work when I visit.) There are also complimentary snacks and wine, or Sun King beer or purchase.

I’ve been attending the First Friday events here for quite awhile and although it’s typically super packed, it’s a great time. This building has a lot of twists and turns so make sure you try to get to every floor and every space. It’s been my experience that even though they do First Friday once a month, not all of the individual studio spaces are open but they seem to be open for every 3^rd First Friday event. In the summer, some of the area food trucks have been there and there is usually free wine and some snacks inside. Sun King has been there the past few times I have gone which is always a bonus for my boyfriend. Make sure you get there early to get decent parking since it’s all street parking but if you come once, you’ll be hooked for every month.

This is the best gallery in the city.
Great food on First Fridays, and Kyle Ragsdale paintings on the walls!

Wow, this place was PACKED for Spirit in Place. We were asked to be there for Athletes & Art: A Happening where athletes posed for artists, and the artists would create art for the National Art Museum of Sports. It was mostly drawing and photos. The venue was a bit difficult to navigate on skates, up stairs, across smooth floors to find yourself on ripply, stony floors. But the purpose of the layout is not for skaters ;)
The whole building is a bit difficult to navigate. It’s really easy to get lost. Which has it’s own pros and cons. Building too easy are no fun. But it’s good at first to know where you need to go… or at least be able to follow the directions someone gives you (which are never the same from one person to the next.

This is my favorite stop for the First Friday art tours. Not only am I huge fan of the resident artists, but the space and changing events are wonderful. While it may not be within walking distance of some of the other galleries that participate in First Fridays, it is definitely worth the visit. Check their website or sign up to receive a mailer about events beyond and shows throughout the month.

Great art gallery and community space! My first time here was for the May First Friday event, which happened to be the «mandatory» night when ALL the artists had to have their studios open. I thought it was a great experience. Kids were playing outside and people were picnicking on the lawn of this converted church… felt very small town. There were a lot of kids, up through high school, taking in the art alongside us… winding in and out of the basement galleries.
Elizabeth Guipe Hall, whose work I just discovered, was having an opening that night and I really enjoyed seeing her Mexico-​themed pieces. I’d only seen Indiana pieces up until that point. I love Emma Overman’s whimsical, dark illustrations too (and she’s super nice). The space is dominated by painters but there’s also a glass blower (who gives lessons), jewelry makers, photographers, furniture makers, and other craftsmen. School children are able to display their work here as well. Probably the coolest find of the night was the guy who makes the Corkbo… a crossbow which shoots wine corks. They start at $ 90. We ended up buying a really rad praying mantis print in a gilded frame instead, but it was a tough decision!
The night we were there 2 food trailers were parked out front: Duos and Mabel. We ate dinner before going because we didn’t think there would be food there but we wished we would’ve waited! Not sure if there is always food available or if this was just because it was mandatory studio opening night.
Also…make sure you can parallel park! The old Northside can be a bit of a tight squeeze.

My favorite «First Fridays» spot! Kipp Normand, Kyle Ragsdale and Emma Overman are the ones I never miss stopping by. Also bought a really cool piece of art from VSA Arts. This building has a bit of magic and sense of adventure to it; you never know what you might find around the corner! Harrison Center seems to always be on the cutting edge of what is going on in town. The first pecha-​kucha event in Indy was held here and it seems like if there is a new idea relating to art that is going to be attempted, this will be its debut spot. We are so lucky to have a place like this in greater downtown and so convenient to two of the most beautiful historic neighborhoods in Indianapolis: Herron-​Morton Place and Old Northside, of which the Harrison Center is a wonderfully contributing part.

check out Artur Silva here at the Harrison on first fridays… and buy something for pete sakes:)

Great Arts Center! Went to the First Friday last night, great vibe, great Art. A real community center. Will make a habit of the First Friday events. Even bought a piece from a local artist.