Golden Ticket and Beyond: A Winter Showcase of Imagination at the Harrison Center

This December, the Harrison Center comes alive with creativity as six unique exhibitions transform its galleries into a multidimensional art experience. Headlined by the annual Golden Ticket show in the Harrison Gallery—presented by the Katharine B. Sutphin Foundation—this season’s lineup celebrates artistry in all its forms, from posthumous reflections and community storytelling to reimagined memories and nature-inspired soundscapes. Visitors can explore an evening of open studios, live performances, and the beloved Winter Artisan Market, making December 5, 2025, a night where Indianapolis art truly shines.

In the Harrison Gallery, the annual color themed show, Golden Ticket. Presented by the Katharine B. Sutphin Foundation, Golden Ticket brings together artists from across the region in a celebration of creativity, imagination, and possibility, united by inspiration in the form of the color gold.

In the Speck Gallery, Julia Zollman Wickes—I Am a Storyteller by Julia Zollman Wickes, a posthumous retrospective. Wickes’ paintings told stories, mostly about people—people she knew, might have noticed and wanted to think more about. She was interested in the gestures and expressions in private moments of thought, the inside moments.

In the City Gallery, PAST TENSE by Jingo M. de la Rosa. In Past Tense, memory takes the shape of a city transformed after loss. What was once ordinary becomes charged with memory, revealing fragments of what once was, and what it will be from now on. Despite the echoes of absence, new meanings emerge, and hope is renewed.

In the Underground Gallery, Circle City Made by Cierra Johnson. Using mixed-media collage, graphic design, and photography, Johnson creates visual narratives that reflect her personal experience and the history of her community. Each piece is handcrafted to embody the unique stories that inspire it. 

In the Sky Gallery, Listen By Elizabeth Guipe Hall. Inspired by recorded bird songs, Hall delves into different species, translating their calls into vibrant, textured artworks. Using layers of wax and collage, she transforms sound into color, offering a visual experience that bridges what we hear and what we see. 

In the Hank & Dolly’s Gallery, New Work by William Minion. This show features a series of large scale graphite drawings, often inspired by scriptures. Combining pencil realism with abstract and surreal elements, the series explores a new direction in Minion’s work.

Guests can also enjoy:

Open Studios all night! Visit the artists behind your favorite pieces of work, and get a glimpse into their creative process. (Hint: See if you can find the studio with the famous koi pond!)

In the Courtyard, engage with a large-scale public outdoor installation by artists Michelle Walkey-Thornburg and Aaron Thornburg, and watch dancer Neil Cain perform dances that interact with the sculpture. 

Hungry? Grab a bite across the courtyard from the 3 Marias’ food truck for authentic Tex-Mex cuisine. 

In the Historic Gymnasium and Underground Gallery, get your holiday gifts early at the 8th year of the Winter Artisan Market. Hand-crafted art, jewelry, goodies, and all sorts of wares from local creatives will be available, with over 40 local vendors offering something for everyone.

All shows will open at 6:00 pm on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Visitors can take in-person gallery tours Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Online galleries will open on April 5th. You can make an appointment or view the online galleries at harrisoncenter.org/buy-art. 

Special Senior Hours are every Friday from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. No appointment is needed.

With support from Indy Arts Council, Indy Arts Council Art & Soul, City of Indianapolis, Indiana Arts Commission, Lilly Endowment, and Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation.

Golden Ticket poster by Hogan Sempsrott