First Friday at the Harrison Center: April 3 Art Openings Feature 8 New Exhibitions by Indianapolis and International Artists

Too Pink? Too Bad. Sit and Spin. by Elise Howell

Art lovers are invited to celebrate creativity and community during First Friday at the Harrison Center on April 3 from 6–9 p.m. The monthly event transforms the historic arts campus into a vibrant hub of exhibitions, open studios, and conversations with artists. Home to more than 40 artist studios and multiple gallery spaces, the Harrison Center has long served as a catalyst for artistic expression and cultural connection in Indianapolis.

This month’s First Friday features an impressive lineup of exhibitions across the building’s galleries, each offering a unique perspective on nature, philosophy, community, and personal reflection.

In the Harrison Gallery, Elise Howell presents Reverie in Revolt, a new body of work that offers a calming counterpoint to the overwhelming pace of modern information. Howell’s paintings celebrate feminine energy and the resilience found in nature. Through gentle brushwork and expressive forms, her works merge anthropomorphic qualities with elements of the garden, inviting viewers to reflect on emotion, memory, and desire.

Next door in the Gallery Annex, Emily Wingate’s Of Earth and Sea explores the restorative power of nature through watercolor. Wingate’s soft petals, bold colors, and tranquil waters evoke a sense of balance, reminding viewers that gentleness and strength can coexist even in life’s most challenging moments.

In the Speck Gallery, Ting Waddles presents Taoist Composition, an abstract assemblage inspired by Taoist philosophy. Using repurposed materials and a restrained palette, Waddles blurs the line between painting and sculpture while reflecting on the impermanence of existence and the emotional journey inherent in the act of creation.

Visitors will also find inspiration in the City Gallery, where Emily Winslow’s Awaken Your City captures the quiet beauty of Indianapolis at dawn. Working in both watercolor and oil, Winslow depicts warm morning light illuminating familiar urban landscapes. Inspired by her faith, the collection focuses on discovering hope in everyday places and celebrating the promise of a new day.

Floral imagery takes center stage in Hank & Dolly’s Gallery with new work by Carolyn Springer. Using the ancient encaustic technique, which involves layering pigmented wax, Springer creates richly textured paintings that explore the spiritual and emotional resonance of flowers. Her vibrant compositions encourage viewers to contemplate the universal beauty and symbolism found in nature.

In the Sky Gallery, Jason Zickler’s IMMERSION pushes the boundaries of traditional painting. Zickler layers saturated neon colors beneath glossy epoxy resin surfaces, creating luminous works that feel almost architectural. The large-scale pieces blur the line between object and environment, inviting viewers to step into an immersive visual experience where spontaneity and control collide.

Fashion and craft meet contemporary art in the Lift Gallery with Loopz by Valencia Bullock. Bullock’s crocheted purses transform functional accessories into wearable sculptures. Built from abstract shapes, asymmetry, and bold colors, each piece symbolizes life’s cyclical nature—where beginnings and endings are connected like the loops of crochet itself.

Finally, the Underground Gallery hosts Coloring Outside the Lines: A Journey Across Artistic & Geographic Borders, presented by Exodus Refugee Immigration. This powerful group exhibition features artists from Cuba, Haiti, and Afghanistan whose lives have been shaped by war, persecution, and displacement. Through painting and visual storytelling, the artists share deeply personal narratives of resilience, loss, and hope, celebrating the vibrant contributions of immigrant communities.

With eight exhibitions spanning multiple mediums and perspectives, April’s First Friday at the Harrison Center promises an evening of reflection, discovery, and artistic dialogue. Whether visitors come to support local artists, explore new creative voices, or simply soak in the atmosphere, the event offers a meaningful way to experience the diversity and vitality of Indianapolis’ art scene.