April FIRST FRIDAY at the Factory Arts District
Schedule
Fri Apr 04 2025 at 06:00 pm to 09:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
1125 Brookside Ave, 46202 | Indianapolis, IN
The Factory Arts District, formerly known as the Circle City Industrial Complex, will host an in-person First Friday, April 4th, 6-9pm. Admission is free. The Factory Arts District is comprised of two buildings, Factory Arts North (1125 Brookside Ave) and Factory Arts South (1011 Massachusetts Ave). For First Friday purposes, all of the listed galleries and studio spaces are located in Factory Arts North. Open Studios and Galleries
Several studios and gallery spaces will be open throughout the building. This list is not all-encompassing; some artists may decide to open that night based on current information and comfort levels.
The Schwitzer Gallery
Located on the second floor of the North Studios, the Schwitzer Gallery will feature Charles Horsman with “Faded Faces: Abstract Echoes of Power and Paper,” part of his ongoing “Money” series with hints of the bills and presidents, speaking to the current discussion of what is money with the rise of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. “I’m an oil painter. My art is deeply rooted in the human form, with a particular fascination for the face—its skeletal and muscular architecture shaping each unique expression,” Horsman said. “Through vibrant colors, I play with shadows and highlights, infusing drama and character into every piece. My work weaves narratives. Subtle icons, text, and images—or sometimes bold ones—layer each portrait with the story of a life. From a distance, these pieces captivate; up close, they reveal intricate details that deepen the viewer’s connection to the subject.”
Arts & Images by Anthony Armstrong
Anthony Armstrong presents a blend of new abstract paintings highlighting bold colors, deep texture and movement. Armstrong is a self-taught abstract painter and photographer. As a mixed media artist, Armstrong wants the art collector to be engaged with their pieces, hoping to garnish new perspectives and elements of design. Arts & Images by Anthony Armstrong is located in the South Studios.
Bruce Armstrong / Bruce's Fine Arts
Bruce Armstrong features a wonderful collection of abstract, minimalist, collage and figurative paintings, highlighting bold colors, strong movements and sharp angles. Bruce Armstrong is located in the South Studios.
Kalli Bednarz
Step into an archaeological discovery with fresco paintings and textiles by Kalli Bednarz. Her travels to sites like Machu Picchu, Chichén Itzá, and the Roman Baths have greatly impacted her work and is leading her to speak to archaeologists in the field. Bendarz bridges ancient wisdom and modern expression through her paintings, proving that the past still speaks if viewers are willing to listen. “I'm a painter working with ancient techniques of fresco and hand-painted textiles,” Bendarz said. “The works are translations of channeled iconographic depictions of humans and symbols. I'm currently speaking to archaeologists to better understand what this work is and its potential to relay information on how to thrive presently as a human civilization.” Kalli Bendarz is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
Daily Epiphany Studio: Michele Burns and Kurt Kriese
Michele Burns creates photoluminescent artwork with one design visible ‘by day,’ and the other revealing itself once the lights are turned off. Her art is inspired by pattern, color, and texture and incorporates light-absorbing minerals that create a second “nightlight” composition (and also creating an art nightlight, in a way). Burns makes her own OSHA-rated and toy safe pigments herself for maximum luminance. Kurt Kriese, of this dynamic duo, creates an eclectic mix of abstract and realistic art, and experiments with various media. He is a gifted landscape and figure painter and stained-glass artist. The Daily Epiphany Studio features new work for winter 2025, including glowing mosaics, photoluminescent landscapes, complex abstracts, whimsical glowing nursery art, and Nightlight/I-Spy/Memory games and artwork. Daily Epiphany is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Darkroom Revelations
Guest artist John Hoover will display his panoramic images of Iceland in “Portfolio 15 - Iceland.” In August of 2024 John and his partner Colleen visited the country of Iceland. Over the course of five days John and Colleen drove the
Ring Road and the Golden Circle stopping way too many times in Colleen’s opinion to photograph the landscapes of Iceland. These photographs represent some of the resulting landscape photographs. Darkroom Revelation owners Tom Potter, Nancy Frass, and Gayle Moore, are photographers using both film processes as well as digital imagery. Darkroom Revelations is on the first floor of the North Studios.
Stephanie Doty
Stephanie Doty is a mixed media artist working in a variety of materials. Working both in 2-D and 3-D art her work primarily is centered around the use of texture revealed by color. Currently on display are new paintings and works in ceramics. Her new series of work is titled “Elements” and focuses on the basic elements: Air, Water, Earth and Fire. Stephanie Doty is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Full Circle Nine Gallery
The Full Circle Nine Gallery (FC9) will feature Elisa Barety in “Legendary.” “This show is about stories, pulling characters from both pop art and mythology and mixing them with my own experiences and background to create a new remixed version of them,” Barety said, working in both digital and traditional media such as watercolors and acrylics. “It’s an idea that has been slowly developing for a while. I really want to combine these popular tales and bring my own perspective and cultural influence to them.” Elisa Barety grew up in Puerto Rico and moved to Indiana for college, studying classical art forms and media, such as oil painting and figure drawing. After years of trying to stylize herself as an artist of more “serious” subject matter, she returned to the form she loved and what felt right: Drawing comics, stories, and characters. The Full Circle Nine Gallery is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Victoria Gillieron
Victoria Gillieron painted one painting, which turned out pretty good, and decided to get a studio. Not having any idea what she was doing, she quite amazingly found artist friends who took her under their wings and basically turned her into an artist. After many years studying with big name, extremely talented artists, attending workshops, and trying to learn how to correct the billions of problems she encountered, she finally feels like she can paint! Victoria feels that art is a subject that can never be mastered and will always be a challenge but that she can, now and then, knock out a doozy of a painting! Victoria Gillieron is located on the first floor of the South Studios.
Glass Arts Indiana, Inc.
Glass Arts Indiana creates a collaborative glass community to support and promote emerging and established artists; to participate in events to increase the knowledge and appreciation of glass arts with Indiana residents; to host fun, interesting and educational events; increase appreciation and understanding of the glass arts; and promote glass-related opportunities in Indiana and the U.S. Finished works are available and visitors will get to see glass-blowing in action. Glass Arts Indiana, Inc. is located on the first floor, in the corridor.
Matt Hurdle/Matt Hurdle Fine Art
Matt Hurdle is a juried Indiana painter whose work blurs the lines of impressionism and abstraction. He paints big sky contemporary landscapes with a dreamlike quality. His intuitive work elicits a feeling of peacefulness and calm. This month, he presents new, big sky landscapes created using multiple layers of acrylic paint producing depth and a dreamlike quality. Matt Hurdle is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Indy Fused Glass
The artist instructors at Indy Fused Glass (IFG) create fused glass art for sale in a retail gallery. IFG teaches introductory fusing sessions, guided by artists to learn to create with fusible glass. IFG offers 14 different fusing projects to select from. These can be fused or “slumped” (another method of using fusible glass to create functional forms). The Indy Fused Glass, LLC Gallery has newly created fused glass art each week on display and available for purchase. For First Friday, IFG Glass Artists either offer hands-on sessions or feature a working glass artist, doing a demonstration. Indy Fused Glass is on the first floor of the North Studios.
Scott Johnson / Studio F60
Scott Johnson operates a contemporary art and design studio with a mix of painting, collage, and digital art. He blends representational and figurative artwork as well as selected forms of abstraction. There’s also a pool table. Scott Johnson is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Larry Lad, LadArt
Larry Lad is a painter who covers the spectrum of abstract and representational work. He likes to add dimension to his paintings using additional canvas, cigar boxes, collage, and other materials to layer his work. His show "Replication" traces his journey as an artist as he searches for his own style by borrowing from the works of artists he admires. Lad also creates large sculptures and installations. Larry Lad, LadArt is located in the corridor on the first floor.
Nancy Lee of Nancy Lee Designs Studio
Nancy Lee is a metalsmith, enamelist, and artisan jeweler. Her jewelry is made by hand in silver and karat gold, one at a time or in small batches, and is often embellished with faceted gems or unusual cabochons. Most are one of a kind. Lee's abstract enamel landscapes are kiln fired at high temperatures using pigmented powdered glass on a copper substrate and are mounted on wood. She produces small-scale copper sculpture using traditional metalsmithing techniques. Lee's new work revolves around a simple four-petal flower shape. She uses this shape in a variety of ways, including minutely detailed sterling silver flower stud earrings set with white gemstones. Other styles may include a cluster of various sizes and shapes of the four-petal flower in bunched arrangements on a necklace or in a simple embellished ring stack. Nancy Lee is one of the three original artist pioneers who brought First Friday art openings to the Circle City Industrial Complex. Nancy Lee Designs Studio is on the first floor of the North Studios.
Cindy Lory
Cindy Lory works in a variety of mediums creating paintings, drawings, and digital artworks. She has had a lifelong love of fine arts and music and attended Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. Having recently returned to pursuing the visual arts, she enjoys working and creating in her studio. Cindy Lory is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Grace Marshall, Grace M Design
Grace Marshall has always had a passion for using her hands to create beautiful and functional designs. Making unique jewelry with precious metals and gemstones has been both a challenging and rewarding career choice. As a certified jeweler and gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, making unique jewelry with precious metals and gemstones has been both a challenging and rewarding career choice. Grace M Design is located on the first floor of the North Studios.
REDEFINITION Clothing
Tendai Phillips brings REDEFINITION Clothing, where global influences converge to create a unique fashion experience and designs transcend time. “We believe fashion should be a universal language, and that's why we design clothing that transcends borders,” Phillips said. “Every stitch tells a story, weaving together the threads of inspiration from around the world. Our pieces are more than garments: they're a fusion of art and personal expression.” Born at the intersection of K-Pop’s vibrant energy, the rhythmic beats of Hip-Hop, the colorful vibes of Afro-pop, the avant-garde aesthetics of Japanese street style, and the pulse of current trends, REDEFINTION is a celebration of diverse cultures. REDEFINITION Clothing is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
Strawberry Studios
Maya Smith-Custer, a painter and digital artist, creates a colorful and eclectic environment, with art inspired by travels, foods and nature. By using pastels and bright colors, she is hoping to remind others to not shy away from colorful expression. Strawberry Studio is located on the second floor of the North Studios.
The Factory Arts District is open during regular business hours, and the Schwitzer Gallery is accessible throughout the week. A number of the city’s most varied and exciting artists and galleries will remain open for their regular hours, with many of them available on weekends, posted on their own websites and social media. Some studios will be open by appointment.
About the Factory Arts District
Located just east of downtown Indianapolis, the Factory Arts District (formerly the Circle City Industrial Complex) encompasses a 16 acres and houses two buildings: Factory Arts South (1011 Massachusetts Avenue)—a 95,000 square foot facility—and Factory Arts North (1125 Brookside Avenue)—a 420,000 square foot facility—as well as two free parking lots. The property was previously home to the Schwitzer Corporation, a pioneer in automotive technology. This location is the gateway of the Mass Ave/Brookside Industrial Corridor, which encompasses more than 300 acres of vacant or underutilized commercial and industrial property. In 2014, with much of this area suffering from deterioration and environmental issues, it became a focus for revitalization for the City of Indianapolis. In 2015, the City awarded a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant to the Factory Arts District; funds that were used to renovate, repair, and ultimately stabilize the property. Today, the Factory Arts District provides a case study for successful industrial reuse in an urban environment.
For more information, please visit https://www.factoryartsdistrict.com/
