Paintings by local artist Willard Johnson will headline the “virtual” First Friday at the Harrison Center – but what won’t be “virtual” is a First Friday Blood Drive being hosted by the Old Northside venue in partnership with Versiti. “There is a blood shortage and you can help,” Harrison Center leaders said. The First Friday Blood Drive will take place from 6-9 pm in the Harrison Center galleries. Donors will safely register and give blood, practicing social distancing, by spreading out over the Harrison Gallery, Speck Gallery and City Gallery. All donors will be required to wear masks and register in advance. Spots are limited. Reserve spot today at https://donate.indiana.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/141583.
When Strangers Meet, paintings by Indianapolis-based artist Willard Johnson will be shown in the Harrison Gallery. This exhibit draws inspiration from Johnson’s own experiences living in Korea, Egypt, Lebanon, Germany, Gaum and Japan. His paintings explore the language of abstraction, reassembling fragments in an attempt “to map and tell stories about the tensions I have witnessed in the collisions of a shrinking and paradoxical world.” “When Strangers Meet” sets the stage for the collision and intersection of time, culture, place, and identity. The work functions as part celebration and part homage to the often bittersweet experience of straddling worlds. Safely watch a virtual gallery tour, brought to you by WFYI, by tuning into WFYI or the Harrison Center’s Facebook pages at 6 p.m. Friday, June 5. Or view the images on the Harrison Center’s new online gallery.
Other exhibits being shown include:
Lucy Burton’s Hearth will open in the City Gallery. Burton asks the viewers to focus on the subtle parts of life— “life between the monuments.” After prompting family and friends to send her writings and images describing their unique definition of home, those memories were masterfully transformed into mixed media fiber pieces. Hearth examines ideas of place revealing the quiet, routine parts of life that make Indianapolis our home. Hearth will be on view on First Friday in the online gallery. Look out for more interviews and content from this show, produced by WFYI, throughout the month of June.
Everglow, a new body of work by Benaiah Cusack, remains on display in the Underground Gallery and available for sale on the Harrison Center’s website.
The Harrison Center continues to invite local residents when out exercising or walking to enjoy the Social Distance Window Walk, a series of unique installations by local artists located in the windows on the perimeter of our building. This outdoor installation is currently open 24/7 for walkers and bikers to enjoy. Please observe all social distancing guidelines when viewing the exhibit.
