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July 2023 by Skye Wellness Academy (Leader&Lifestyle Coach)
This was actually one of the coolest first Fridays I have been to in Indianapolis since the city has come back to life. I perused around the galleries in awe.I loved interacting with the artist in their spaces! I am sure I did not see everything and will have to return-I actually can’t wait. I was able to meet Joanna the executive director and she told me all the cool things they have going on at the Harrison Center.Did you know that there is a karaoke elevator or how about the Koi pond? If you look up, you may find a table that lowers from the ceiling in the main gallery. But I’m not trying to give it all away. You absolutely have to come and see it for yourself, on this occasion there happened to be circus performers in the gym. Yes there is a gym and a slide! So have fun (1)look around (2) as the artist are all cool and you can talk to the genius behind the creation.Overall there were just extremely cool people walking around doing cool things and showing off cool art pieces but in general it was the best time in a long time. Ensure that your perusing allows you to make it up to the Terrace -but why wouldn’t you make it up to the Terrace unless you didn’t know there was a terrace -now you know friends! Make sure you go up there and get some wine (1)say hi to the rock climbing wall(2). Yes there’s a rock climbing wall up there.When I tell you the Harrison Center absolutely blew me away. I am just all done and ready to act like I can paint now. That is how I left feeling -fuzzy and inspired.Thank you so much for a good time and Joanna for telling us about all the tidbits that we would’ve otherwise missed.
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May 2023 by Quincy Owens
I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this place for all of the years I’ve had a studio here. I’ll say that this place is incredible for so many reasons but, most excitingly, because it just keeps getting better and better.
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February 2023 by Kylie Lockett
Amazing place to come to for First Friday!
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February 2023 by George R.
I don't know how I didn't review this place before. I visited the Harrison Center during a first Friday event two months ago. All I have to say, is that it was a labyrinth of artist studios, with hundreds of people interacting with artists, and even a gymnasium with a live band performing.
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October 2022 by Andrew Head
Lots of assistance when you want it. Super cool meeting all the talented artists!
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December 2021 by Denelsia Walker
Enjoyed my tour at Harrison Center. Lovely faculty. Rich in culture. They are very involved with the community. I look forward to my next visit.
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November 2021 by Richard P.
There's much to love about Indy's Harrison Center, a place I hadn't visited for quite some time until recently when I had the opportunity to stop by and check out a friend's exhibit during a First Friday event. This entire corner has always intrigued me. The roots of the Harrison Center go all the way back to 1903 when the First Presbyterian congregation planted its fourth church home at the corner of 16th and Delaware. It was also the neighborhood housing the home of President Benjamin Harrison, a First Presbyterian elder and Sunday School teacher. In 1970, the Presbyterian Metropolitan Center became a central location for Indy Presbyterian congregations to do community outreach. However, by the late 90's the building had fallen into disrepair and was acquired by local philanthropist Jeremy Efroymson. In 2000, he opened it as the Harrison Center for the Arts, a secular and for-profit arts center with tenants like VSA (Very Special Arts), Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Herron School of Art, The Nature Conservancy, and other artists. A year later, a concert was held during Talbot Street Art Fair here and this would turn into the acclaimed Independent Music & Art Festival. Redeemer would acquire the building and in 2002 began operating as Harrison Center. By 2003, Harrison Center became a non-profit and its artist population grew. Within a couple years, it received Nuvo's Cultural Vision Award. In 2007, it housed the birth of Herron High School. Numerous other projects are started over the next several years and in 2017, Harrison Center for the Arts becomes simply Harrison Center. Programs include First Fridays, Art Dish, IMAF, Community Engagement Drawing Sessions, Greatriarchs, Preenact Indy, Music, Video, Foodcon, Porch Party Indy, Place-Based Art, and the podcast "Music in Place." The artist slate is full here, though Harrison Center has a variety of rooms that can be rented (not all are fully accessible - be sure to ask if that's needed!). There's even a gymnasium that's pretty awesome. Facilities include the 1,100 square foot Harrison Gallery, the 1920s gymnasium, Speck Gallery, 24 artist studios (on 3 floors, again not all accessible). The artist studios are cool because many of the spaces were formerly parts of a church and retain that feeling. You can buy art from the artists and some of it is available online. I'm currently eyeing a couple of pieces. This is a wonderful space with a tremendous feeling filled with people who love art and artists. Art comes in a variety of prices, though these are all professional artists and prices reflect that. While I'm tempted to take off a star simply because there are some accessibility issues, it has improved over time and generally I can typically get where I need to go. However, if you have certain places you're trying to get to it's definitely a question I'd ask first. I recently returned for a First Friday event and fell in love with the space again. I look forward to returning in the near future.
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October 2021 by Julio Garcia
Nice place to visit for art and culture. Best to go on First Friday.
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September 2021 by Doug Webster
This is the most enduring spot for art and artists in Indy.
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September 2021 by David Gulley
The Harrison Center shows promote talented area artists in their monthly exhibits. Their diverse and inclusive programming is a model for all of us. They have a great team doing great things in our city. Definitely worth a visit and especially on First Fridays!
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August 2021 by Desiree R
One of my favorite places in Indy! The people who work at the Harrison Center not only love art, but they love the Indy community. It brings me joy knowing we have a spot in Indy that want to lift up all Indy voices and share incredible local artists work. Their events are intentional and specially crafted. Thank you for making art accessible to all people!
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June 2021 by Brad Johnson
really nice place to visit
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May 2021 by Jameson Terzini
Great community outreach from the Harrison Center. They are always involved in neighborhood activities, local art exhibits and most recently distributing decorations for the Greatest Spectacle in Homes event.
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February 2021 by Desiree Reeves
One of my favorite places in Indy! The people who work at the Harrison Center not only love art, but they love the Indy community. It brings me joy knowing we have a spot in Indy that want to lift up all Indy voices and share incredible local artists work. Their events are intentional and specially crafted. Thank you for making art accessible to all people!
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December 2020 by Julia Wickes
HCA is community spirited and diverse. They welcome outside artists into their shows. They provide space for ArtMix.