Public surveys are now open to select a muralist for Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings’ mural on Massachusetts Avenue.
The mural honoring Catchings, a Naismith Hall of Famer and community advocate will be placed in the Mass Ave neighborhood this summer as part of a collaboration between the Indy Arts Council and the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee. However, following an international search for artists and narrowing the selection down to four finalists, the review committee is seeking community opinions, according to a press release.
“Being part of this process is truly humbling and it’s such an honor to be recognized in this special way, especially in the city I call home,” Catchings said in a statement. “Basketball has given me so much, but my greatest passion has always been giving back, lifting up the next generation and inspiring others to chase their dreams.”
Catchings, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, has set and broken several records over the span of her career. She played all 16 seasons of her professional career with the Indiana Fever, played in 10 WNBA All-Star games and led the Fever to the WNBA national championship in 2012. Catchings also served as the president of the WNBA Players Association from 2012-2016.
The athlete turned entrepreneur, philanthropist and basketball executive still lives and serves the Indianapolis community today. Catchings is the owner of three Tea’s Me cafes in the city and co-executive director of Catch the Stars Foundation — a nonprofit she started to promote youth development through sports, literacy and character, according to a press release.
“This tribute isn’t just about me; it’s about the power of perseverance, teamwork, and believing in something bigger than yourself,” Catchings said. “I hope this mural will serve as a daily reminder that with hard work and heart, anything is possible.”
The mural was commissioned to coincide with the WNBA All-Star 2025, which Indianapolis is hosting July 18-19 with Catchings serving as Host Committee co-chair.
The mural will be displayed on a residential building, owned by Buckingham Companies, at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, New Jersey Street and Michigan Street — adjacent to the Etheridge Knight Mural. Though the mural is being created courtesy of a grant from the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County, Indy Arts Council will own and maintain it — which is anticipated to be at least 15 years, according to a press release.
The Indy Arts Council placed an international call for artists in late 2024 and then selected four finalists to create concept designs. The finalists — Aziza Andre from Atlanta, Georgia; Nate Baranowski form South Bend, Indiana; Lula Goce from Galicia, Spain; and Desiree Kelly from Detroit, Michigan — were then given the opportunity to meet with Catchings to learn more about her to accurately express her personality and legacy within their designs.
Community members are invited to view the concept designs and give feedback on each of the designs. The public survey is an opinion poll, not a voting poll, and is open now through April 13 at surveymonkey.com/r/catchings.
For more information about the Indy Arts Council or to access the survey, visit indyarts.org.
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.
