It’s time to acknowledge just how big a year 2025 was for arts and culture in Indianapolis.
Black Hoosier artists and arts organizations celebrated milestones, hosted monumental events, raised funds for essential programming and curated unique experiences for their communities to enjoy all year long. It’s time to recap a few of the biggest moments in Black arts and culture.
Ruth E. Carter’s Afrofuturism exhibition
In a Q&A with the Recorder, Emmy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter said bringing Black characters to life on screen brings her “a lot of joy.”
Creating a character, including their costumes, is part of a visual language that is a collaborative process with the actors, Carter said. Things like personality traits, social status, pop culture and art from their time period all influence what they might wear, why they wear it and how.
“Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design,” ran at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on March 22- Sept.7, showcasing more than 60 costumes from films and series she has worked on — including “Black Panther,” “Selma,” and “Coming 2 America.”
Indy Arts Council’s new CEO and 5-year strategic plan
Judith Thomas stepped into the role of president and CEO of the Indy Arts Council in mid-April. The former deputy mayor told the Recorder she was excited to get to work as there was “a lot of work to do and a lot of ground to lay.”
Thomas was looking forward to showing off the artists and creative community Indianapolis has and hoped to bring in new collaborations and partnerships to increase exposure for Hoosier artists and arts organizations in the city.
In July, Thomas and the Indy Arts Council unveiled the organization’s 5-year strategic plan to make Indianapolis a destination for accessible arts and culture. The plan included the organization’s new mission, vision, values and pillars alongside its top five priorities.
Of the five priorities, Indy Arts Council is committed to securing sustainable funding for artists, increasing everyday access to and awareness of events and opportunities for arts and culture, and professional development and services.
Tamika Catchings WNBA All-Star mural
Nate Baranowski, a street artist and muralist from South Bend, Indiana, created a portrait mural honoring Tamika Catchings. The mural was commissioned in collaboration with the Indy Arts Council and the 2025 WNBA All-Star to celebrate the life and legacy of the Naismith Hall of Famer and community icon.
Baranowski’s design “best captured Tamika Catchings’ sunny and joyful personality,” her basketball legacy and current contributions to Indianapolis, according to the selection committee.
Catchings, who was the Host Committee co-chair for the 2025 WNBA All-Star, said Baronowski’s artwork highlighted her entire career “from basketball to giving back through the Catch the Stars Foundation.” The mural was installed on the residential building at Massachusetts and Michigan Avenues and New Jersey Street on July 18-19.
Sydney Colson at Fever Fest
Fever Fest was just one of many activations that took place during the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend. Fever guard Sydney Colson delivered her first stand-up comedy set during the event on July 19, which was presented in partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Kevin Hart’s entertainment company Hartbeat. Cedric the Entertainer, Leslie Jones and Aida Rodriguez also joined the lineup.
Babyface and Marvin Sapp at the Indiana State Fair
Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds came home over the summer. Edmonds, who was also named an honorary board member of the Madam Walker Legacy Center, played a special 90-minute set on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair on Aug. 6.
Gospel artist Marvin Sapp was also one of the headlining artists during the state fair, and sat down with the Record for a Q&A ahead of his Aug. 17 set. Having toured for 36 years and coming off a major tour in 2025, Sapp said he was excited to come out and provide Hoosiers with an evening of encouragement.
“These types of moments give me a real opportunity to reflect,” Sapp said. “Not only that, but it gives the people an opportunity to listen to songs that could have possibly gotten them through some of the most important and traumatic seasons of their lives.”
Mike Epps concert at Washington Park
The Hoosier comedian returned to his hometown over the summer to host a second annual Free Community Concert at Washington Park. The concert was designed to bring people together around the power of art, music and community while supporting mental health and well-being. Additional performers included Zapp, Carl Thomas, Michel’le and Jon B.
Tyrese Haliburton mural unveiling
Tyrese Haliburton joined the ranks of Indianapolis’ Keepers of the Culture. GANGGANG co-founders Mali and Alan Bacon joined artist William Minion for the mural unveiling and ribbon-cutting ahead of BUTTER 5 on Aug. 27.
The mural depicting the Pacers’ starting point guard adorns the side of Tyler Marzullo’s XG Groom Room Barbershop. It’s the third installation in GANGGANG’s Keepers of the Culture series, which pays homage to Indy’s Black creative and entrepreneurial icons.
Minion said he had been interested in doing a Haliburton mural during the NBA Finals, and Marzullo wanted the XG Groom Room to host it; that GANGGANG was looking to commission one for BUTTER 5 was serendipitous.
“Even though we didn’t win, it’s like, he still did a lot for the city,” Minion said. “We still appreciate it because we don’t want to take any of that for granted. … What it means for me is honestly just like perseverance, but also just an appreciation for what he’s done for the city.”
Ruby Bridges at the Children’s Museum
Civil Rights leader Ruby Bridges spoke on a panel alongside AIDS/HIV activists Jeanne White-Ginder and Andrea White, and Doyle Stevick, executive director of the Anne Frank Center, during the Children’s Museum’s Second Century Soiree on Aug. 22.
The panel featuring Bridges, White-Ginder, White and Stevick highlighted the Power of Children exhibition, which tells the stories of children — such as Ryan White, Anne Frank, Malala Yousafzai and Bridges — who “maintained bravery, dignity, and pride in the face of fear, prejudice, and discrimination.”
“Children are our biggest supporters, because they see us as their heroes,” Bridges said. “We’re standing up for them.”
BUTTER 5 broke new records
BUTTER: A Fine Art Fair celebrated its fifth year over Labor Day weekend. The equitable art fair curated for local and national Black artists has seen a whopping $1.2 million in artwork sales since 2021, with more than 60,000 attendees from across the U.S.
“Remembrance” was the theme of BUTTER 5, with the event designed as a sort of homecoming for current and past artists, curators and guests. BUTTER 5 took place at the Stutz Aug. 29-31, paying homage to how far the art fair has come and how far it has yet to go, Deonna Craig, Butter director, said.
By the numbers, BUTTER 5 saw 104 pieces of artwork sold. Notable collectors such as Tyrese Haliburton and John Green both acquired two more pieces each. Gary Gee sold a record 34 pieces and Asia Estelle won the inaugural Alan Mills “Best in Show” award.
For more arts and culture stories, visit indianapolisrecorder.com/category/local-news/arts-culture.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
