This year is bound to be a huge year for Black artists throughout Indianapolis.
As the arts and culture reporter, it’s my job and my pleasure to keep up with all things arts in Naptown — from Meet the Artists to Art & Soul to the WNBA All Star, BUTTER and more. I’m anticipating a year filled with more creativity and innovation stemming from Naptown’s arts scene than ever before.
However, in honor of Black History Month, I have put together a short list of a few multidisciplinary artists and their projects I’m keeping an eye out for in 2025.
Akili Ni Mali
Singer, actress and musician Akili Ni Mali is currently finishing her run as Nina Simone in the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s thought-provoking production of “Nina Simone: Four Women.”
I first saw Mali in the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company’s production of “Ricky 3” in 2023 and then in “Riverside” in 2024. Her wealth of talent is unmistakable, as I said in my review of “Nina Simone: Four Women.”
So, it comes as no surprise that Mali is one of the featured artists in Art & Soul 2025. Coming up, you can find her performing in the Art & Soul Showcase alongside Kierra Ready on April 11 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center. Mali is also a featured artist in the Indy Arts Council’s ongoing series Art & Soul Sundays, with a performance on March 23 in the Indianapolis ArtsGarden.
If that’s not enough, she’s also got a series of performances throughout March, including live music at Del Friscos and “I want My 80s” on March 22 at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.
Follow along, akilinimaliofficial.com.
Austin Dean Ashford
Originally from San Francisco, poet, playwright and Ph.D. candidate Austin Dean Ashford came to Indianapolis in 2023 for the Indiana premier of his one-act play “Black Book” at the Naptown African American Theatre Collective (NAATC). The performance was a bold and refreshing introduction to both his work and the NAATC’s mission to deliver poignant Black theater.
Since then, Ashford has gotten to work in Indy’s performance arts scene, lending his expertise to the NAATC’s “Education for All” workshop series and stepping into the role of Flanner House Arts Stage Academy’s artistic director.
Through a new partnership with IF Theatre entitled Flanner Fringe Lab, Ashford is cultivating the next generation of Black and brown playwrights. On Feb. 7, after five months developing their skills, the first cohort of students presented readings of their work at the Flanner House Campus. At least four young playwrights earned a guaranteed spot in the 2025 IndyFringe Festival, and one was offered a place in IF Theatre’s Spotlight Season.
Follow along, austindeanashford.com.
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Brandon Lott
Indy-based songwriter, musician and producer Brandon Lott is also one of the featured artists for Art & Soul 2025 (all four are on this list for a reason).
Originally from South Bend, Lott’s blend of R&B and neo-soul explores themes of self-reflection and “life’s deeper mysteries.”
A former Harrison Center music intern, Lott’s career in the music industry has only grown in more than a decade, from singing with 199X Sound, composing original works, scoring films and collaborating on so, so many creative projects.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Lott perform this year, whether in the Art & Soul 2025 Featured Artist Showcase on April 11, the Roof Deck Concert on June 6 at the Harrison Center, or The Alley Sessions on Aug. 1.
Follow along, brandonlott.com.
D’yshe Mansfield
Indianapolis native and multi-hyphenate artist D’yshe Mansfield is always doing something, somewhere in the city.
However, I was first introduced to her as the director of the NAATC’s production of “Detroit ’67.” Her work on the show was incredibly profound and heartwarming, and everything she’s done since has blown me away.
You can see her talent firsthand at the second iteration of “Nourishing Well: Black Women and the Poetics of Sacred Space” Feb. 7-March 20 at Gallery 924. Curated by poet Mariah Ivey, the multimedia art exhibition spotlights narratives, experiences and intersecting identities of Black women. Mansfield’s photography will be highlighted in the exhibition alongside the work of nine other Black women. (Spoiler: Mansfield’s “Freedom (detail)” is the official cover art for the exhibition).
That’s not all though. Mansfield is starring in Fonseca Theatre’s upcoming production of “can i touch it?” March 14-30. Written by Francisca da Silveira, the play explores the struggles of entrepreneurship, community and politics surrounding Black hair throughout a Boston neighborhood undergoing gentrification.
Follow along, instagram.com/dyshe.official.
Israel Solomon
Visual artist and arts educator Israel Solomon was one of the first Black artists I got to know as the Recorder’s arts and culture reporters.
As one of the Harrison Center’s resident artists, his studio is typically open each First Friday, inviting guests in to see how his brightly colored, geometric paintings explore themes of family, love, nostalgia, grief and more.
Originally from Kokomo, Solomon’s work has been showcased in a handful of exhibitions and juried art shows both in and outside of Indiana — including Black Boy Art Show, Indiana Black Expo, Culture Black Fine Art Fair, BUTTER, BUTTER Home Court Art Fair.
You can catch Solomon’s work next at his upcoming solo show “ELEVEN ELEVEN.” Opening March 7 at the Harrison Center, the show features more than 30 pieces highlighting sequence of numbers on a clock, which have represented significant events, concepts, stories and ideas in Solomon’s life.
Follow along, israelsolomonart.com.
Kierra Ready
Kierra Ready’s art, regardless of the medium, is always deeply rooted in community.
Indy-based muralist and digital artist Ready turns personal experiences into works of art, whether that’s through her own original pieces, to teaching painting classes, live painting weddings and creating murals around the city.
You can find a lot of Ready’s art through her LLC, Free Mind Creations. Her work has also been exhibited throughout the community, including Re:Public, Storefront Indy, Indy Black Expo, the Harrison Center and the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center. Ready also designed a mural for the Eastside Community Mural Project, which is open for voting through Feb. 28.
As one of the Featured Artists in Art & Soul 2025, Ready will participate in the Art & Soul Featured Artist Showcase on April 11 and Art & Soul Sundays on March 23. You can also catch her solo exhibition, Kierra Ready: From the Inside Out — An Art & Soul Exhibition, April 4-May 22 at Gallery 924. Ready is also leading an Art in the Garden Workshop June 16-20 at Touba Gardens and a Community Mural on June 21 at Arts For Lawrence’ Juneteenth Jubilee.
Follow along, freemindcreations.com.
Monique Burts
I’m not very familiar with Monique Burts yet, but thanks to Art & Soul 2025, I’m paying close attention to her work this year.
Burts is an “unconventional wearable artist” and costume designer who uses visual storytelling to bring wearable sculptures to life. Her designs seem to push the boundaries of fashion and art, drawing attention to Black women’s beauty, strength and boldness.
Previously, Burts’ designs have been showcased at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, The Vogue Theatre and the Indy 500 Snakepit Ball.
As one of the featured artists for Art & Soul 2025, Burts’ designs will be exhibited during the Art & Soul showcase on April 11 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center. Coming up this summer, Burts will also present an interactive and “whimsical” picnic themed wearable art fashion show on June 6 at the Tube Factory Artspace.
Follow along, instagram.com/theemogio?igsh=cHc2cmt6dWZ5c29p
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 graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
