The OneAmerica Broad Ripple Art Fair is back this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a two-year pandemic-related cancellation. WFYI’s Taylor Bennett talked to Indianapolis Art Center Executive Director Mark Williams and local artist KP Singh about the new focus of popular events and why art is important to the community.
WFYI’s Taylor Bennett: Mark, how is this year’s Broad Ripple Art Fair different?
Mark Williams, Executive Director, Indianapolis Art Center: By the way, this year will be a more festive environment. It’s part of the festive atmosphere that we’re pushing music a little further. As you know, we have partnered with the Indie Jazz Fest to curate the music throughout the weekend and complement all the art. The judges focused on the quality of the art being judged at this year’s Art Fair. So it’s a pool of much more sophisticated artists, a little less clever.
Bennett: KP, you have been attending the Broad Ripple Art Fair for a long time.
Artist KPSingh: I’ve been around for a while, but the first Broad Ripple Art Fair was on the deck behind the fire department in the Broad Ripple area, and there would have been very modest events on the deck. As a result, it has grown significantly over the last 50 years.
And over the years, we were happy to be able to send our work around the world. So, for years, those who think of small art fairs have earned a reputation as one of the best art fairs in the Midwest. Certainly in the center of Fusher. So don’t forget to say hello to KP Shin for everyone who is listening. There are many people who have supported my work over the years. You may also share work with the same family for three generations. And it’s really about telling something about that kind of love that people have for the Broad Ripple Art Fair.
Bennett: Talk about the importance of art and why the community needs to support the art community.
Shin: Mr. Taylor, I think our heart and soul are whether to design a spoon, a bride’s gown, a building, or a wall. Our house or room. Art is the central essence of the way we really like to see things.
And someone comes in and makes me say it really well, what about this kind of wall? Or what about this kind of art? But what about drawing this kind of picture on your wall? Do you have a specific background? You have a specific part of the world and now you live here. How about something that you have been familiar with for a long time? In other words, art is a connector, a connector to our being, a connector to our soul.
Bennett: Mark, this is a fundraiser, isn’t it?
Williams: correct.It’s our biggest fundraiser
Bennett: And where do the revenue go?
Williams: It goes to support our business. It goes to support the grounds and exhibitions we have — up to 20. It is important to note that we are always free, open and accessible to everyone. There is no paywall. There is no admission. We are a place for people.
And it supports our operations that also support our outreach programming. So we not only tried to take people to our campus, but also meet people where they have art. So we have spread all over the country. We serve more than 1,000 young people each year through our outreach and community engagement programs.
Bennett: How many vendors are there this year?
Williams: This year, 150 artists will participate. 150 high quality artists.
Bennett: There is a lot to see and a lot to do. Thank you very much.
Shin: joy. joy.
Williams: Thank you.
Contact Taylor Bennett (tbennett@wfyi.org), newscaster and reporter for WFYI Morning Edition. Follow us on Twitter: @ TaylorB2213..
