From the August 2026 print edition of Urban Times
By HAROLD MAILAND / For the St. Joe Press / St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood
I knew Leah Orr from 1972 until her death in 2024. In 1972, we were both pursuing master of arts degrees at Indiana University. At the time, she was transitioning from the Sisters of Providence in Terre Haute into a new chapter of her life. We later worked together at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
In April 1980, Leah and I moved to the corner of St. Joseph and Alabama streets. There she transformed an abandoned neighborhood grocery store into one of Downtown’s first artist lofts. The first floor became her weaving and wire sculpture studio, her gallery and a place where public school children could experience the arts. From that building, she helped shape a vibrant neighborhood by encouraging interesting people and artists to settle here – and by working with the city to establish services for people experiencing homelessness and other community resources that had previously been unavailable downtown.
To honor Leah’s extraordinary contributions, I proposed and funded a mural in her memory. L.J. Adams, the new owner of Alabama Liquors, enthusiastically embraced the project, recognizing that it would celebrate Leah, honor the neighborhood’s pioneers and bring attention to his business.
Muralist J.D. Bills, already familiar with Leah’s reputation as an artist, conducted additional research and created a design that captured her creativity, energy and lifelong commitment to community. Former student and neighbor Caroline Laudig donated one of Leah’s wire sculptures, which is now part of the installation.
“Painting this mural was a wonderful experience,” J.D. said. “Throughout the project, neighbors and complete strangers would stop to thank me, share stories about Leah, and talk about what she meant to them and the neighborhood. It quickly became clear that this mural wasn’t just about creating public art: It was about honoring someone whose kindness, creativity, and community spirit are still deeply felt today.
“Everyone I met was incredibly welcoming, and it was an honor to help preserve a small piece of Leah’s legacy. I’m grateful to have played a role in bringing your vision for this tribute to life.” Remembering Leah’s love of cats, I often think she truly had nine lives: Sister of Providence, art teacher at Ladywood, curator of education at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, social worker, artist, neighborhood organizer, architectural historian, curmudgeon and “the cat lady.”
