The City of Westfield is commissioning an Underground Railroad art installation to honor the city’s historical ties.
Aaron S.Coleman, an Indiana-based multidisciplinary artist, was selected to create a work of public art paying homage to the Quaker families of Westfield who “helped guide enslaved individuals on their path to freedom,” according to a press release. Coleman’s design, Hold the Stars, was selected by The City of Westfield in partnership with GANGGANG, and will be installed at The Grand on Main development at the southeast corner of State Road 32 and Poplar Boulevard in 2027.
“Public art has the power to tell the stories that define a community, and this installation does exactly that,” Scott Willis, mayor of Westfield, said in a statement. “Hold the Stars will create a meaningful place for residents and visitors to gather, reflect, and connect with an important part of our history.”
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Hold the Stars was selected through a competitive request for pre-qualification (RFPQ) process that drew on historical context and community input to evaluate how the artwork could thoughtfully honor Westfield’s historical identity while creating an engaging civic experience for future generations.
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Indianapolis, Coleman’s nationally recognized work spans printmaking, sculpture and installation. Having graduated from Herron School of Art and Design and Northern Illinois University, Coleman currently serves as the Kenneth E. Tyler Endowed Chair in Printmaking at IU Indianapolis.
Coleman’s work is influenced by hip hop, street art and historical inquiry, recontextualizing imagery and objects to explore historical memory, systemic power and the contemporary Black experience in America, according to a press release.
Hold the Stars uses symbolism, craftsmanship and scale to reflect themes of resilience, protection, care and guidance, connecting Westfield’s past to its present and future. Coleman’s design will be crafted from native white oak, using traditional steam-bending techniques associated with shipbuilding, and the artwork incorporates references to the Big Dipper constellation, historically used by those seeking freedom to locate the North Star while traveling north.
“Hold the Stars is a beautiful opportunity for truth and history to come alive in masterful artistic expression,” Mali and Alan Bacon, co-founders of GANGGANG, said in a joint statement. “We could not be prouder of BUTTER Alum Aaron Coleman and his vision for this story. This site will become a cultural destination for public art seekers, tourists, and learners of all ages.”
Hold the Stars represents a significant investment in public art, storytelling and placemaking in Westfield and will serve as both a visual landmark and immersive gathering space, according to a press release. The sculpture is designed as two monumental, cupped hands emerging from the ground, creating a partially enclosed, ADA-accessible environment where residents and visitors can sit, reflect, gather and engage directly with the art.
Coleman will work with the fabrication company 900 North Studios to bring his vision to life.
“Projects like this are critical for preservation, community memory, and insight into the future,” Mali and Alan Bacon added. “The arts, history and culture are inextricable. We are proud to partner with the City of Westfield to uphold long-standing values of togetherness, sustainability and progress and appreciate their investment in the arts.”
Installation of Hold the Stars is expected for summer 2027. Once installed, Hold the Stars is anticipated to become a “defining cultural landmark” for the City of Westfield and a destination for residents and visitors alike.
For more information, visit westfield.in.gov or ganggangculture.com.
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.
