—by Mikaili Azziz, Marketing & Communications Associate at CICF
Mikaili Azziz
A few times per month, Hamilton County residents walk through the doors of the Hamilton County Community Foundation building with one question: “Can I see the art?”
Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hamilton County Community Foundation’s Collaboration Hub was created to be a coworking space for not-for-profits, among other uses. Today, its potential has evolved – as it quickly becomes a “hub” for local artists. The growing popularity is thanks to a partnership with the Fishers Arts Council.
Every “Second Friday,” the council celebrates a new exhibit on display. This past Friday, March 10, the Hub was buzzing with action during a reception in honor of Disability Awareness Month.
Typical Summer (band): Steve Schuster, Cassandra Leigh, Toru Kikuchi
The exhibit, called “Building our Future Together,” has been hosted in partnership with the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability (FACD) since 2017 – and aims to further the discussion on disability inclusion.
“We’re thrilled that our ‘Second Friday’ receptions at the Collaboration Hub have been well received by the community since opening this gallery space in June of 2022,” said Les Reinhardt, executive director of the Fishers Arts Council. “This year’s Disability Awareness Exhibit had the highest turnout of individually represented artists since we started hosting it in 2017. We’re elated to share this exhibit with the Fishers Community and we enjoyed spending a chilly Friday evening with everyone who attended Second Friday.”
Local comic book creator Jason Funk, who has autism, was one of the artists to share his work at Friday’s reception and gave a presentation on his life and creative process. Funk, a student at Hamilton Southeastern High School, was featured in IndyStar last year for his comic “The Bus Seat.”
Jason Funk with his mom, Julie Funk
Other artists on display included: apdavs, Cassidy Atkins, Christopher Baird-Roberson, James Beisel, Lina Carter, Krista Darrow, Blake Dauby, Min Durham, Mark Fornefeld, Anna Inger, Hikaru Kikuchi, Hiro Lerman, Nick Mangos, Warren Miller, Zander Phillips, Mark Rouse, Johnson Simon, Adelaide Thompson and Collin Young.
Indianapolis-based band, Typical Summer, filled the space with live music during the event.
Those who couldn’t attend the art reception can still visit the Collaboration Hub to view the exhibit Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, through the end of March. Artwork from the event is available for purchase here.
Leave A Comment