8 Reasons I Love Carmel’s Art & Design District

Entry to the Carmel Arts and Design District in Carmel, Indiana
Entry to the Carmel Arts and Design District in Carmel, Indiana

1. Man on the Street Sculptures

By J. Seward Johnson Jr., American realist. Some people might find seeing a life-size statue along Main Street to be a bit bizarre, but I see it as endearing. There is something classic and iconic about the sculptures that makes me feel at home.

“Unconditional Surrender”
A soldier embraces a nurse with a big kiss, mimicking one of the most famous photos in history, the “VJ Day Kiss,” snapped by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt to commemorate the victory over Japan, with the end of WWII on August 14th, 1945. Located on Main Street just east of Range Line Road near Artisan Masterpiece and Pillow Talk.

Unconditional Surrender Statue in Carmel, Indiana
Unconditional Surrender Statue in Carmel, Indiana

“Things To Do”
A businesswoman sitting on a bench with a pen and notebook while deep in thought with her sunglasses in hand. Located on southeast corner of Range Line Road and Main Street, right outside of the Renaissance Fine Art & Design Gallery.

Woman with things to do in Carmel, Indiana
Woman with things to do in Carmel, Indiana

“Holding Out,” depicts a woman carrying a bag of groceries in one arm and two additional shopping bags in the other. The sculpture is located on the sidewalk in front of Joe’s Butcher Shop and Fish Market, on the south side of Main Street between 1st Ave. SW and the Monon Trail.

Holding Out is a statue of a woman holding shopping bags in Carmel, Indiana
Holding Out is a statue of a woman holding shopping bags in Carmel, Indiana

“Sidewalk Concert” – A street musician closes his eyes as he plays a sweet song on his violin, leaving his case open for spare change. Located in front of Carmel Music Center along Main Street just West of Range Line Road.

Sidewalk Concert with a statue of a man holding a violin in Carmel, Indiana
Sidewalk Concert with a statue of a man holding a violin in Carmel, Indiana

“There, Now You Can Grow” – A little girl, with a straw hat hanging from her neck and wearing overall, waters nearby flowers. Located next to The World’s Smallest Children’s Art Gallery at 1st Avenue NW and Main Street

Statue of a little girl watering flowers in Carmel, Indiana
Statue of a little girl watering flowers in Carmel, Indiana

“Confirming Predictions” – A gray-haired businessman, focused on his newspaper, sits comfortably on a bench. Located along Main Street just East of the Monon Trail in front of Art Splash Gallery at 111 W. Main Street, Suite 140.

Statue of a man reading a newspaper in Carmel, Indiana
Statue of a man reading a newspaper in Carmel, Indiana

“First Ride” – A young, smiling girl takes off on a bike as her father watches and lets go for the first time. Located at the intersection of Main Street and the Monon Trail.

Statue of a man helping a child learn to ride a bike in Carmel, Indiana
Statue of a man helping a child learn to ride a bike in Carmel, Indiana

2. Flowers & Fountains

The flowers hanging from lamp posts throughout Carmel add a nice pop of color and really enhance the beautification of the city. Adding a fountain to the center of a roundabout is a great way to utilize the otherwise unused space.

Carmel, Indiana streets lined with hanging flower baskets.
Carmel, Indiana streets lined with hanging flower baskets.

3. Roundabouts

I have really grown to love roundabouts because they seem to save me time and there is something fun about them. In fact, Mythbusters just did an experiment to find out whether a 4-way stop or roundabout is more efficient and the roundabout took the cake. Carmel really seems to be getting it right with over 80 roundabouts in the city to date.

Round-a-bout a fountain in Carmel, Indiana
Round-a-bout a fountain in Carmel, Indiana

4. Art Galleries

It’s great being able to walk down the main strip and see so many galleries and art displayed in the shop windows. Every second Saturday of the month these galleries open their doors for a gallery walk from 5-10pm.

  • Magdalena Gallery of Arts 27 E Main St #100, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Kuaba Gallery 404 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032
  • The Carmel Arts Council Children’s Art Gallery 40 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Steve Haigh Fine Art 111 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Art Fair National 580 E Carmel Dr Suite 180, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Mary Johnston Studio 27 E Main St #300, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Soori’s Gallery 258 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Art On Main Gallery and Gifts 111 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032

5. Classes for the Arts

Restyled offers several different types of workshop classes on how to restyle used furniture and home items.

Midwest School of Voice offers a modern vocal performance program, hourly lessons, and guitar, piano, and ukulele lessons.

There are also several art galleries that offer classes in studio.

Nancy Keating of ArtSplash teaches a fabulous mosaic class, info can be found at her website: www.mosaicsandwine.com

Susan Mauck of French Bleu Gallery will be teaching open figure drawing as well as some wonderful new classes, for more information contact her at [email protected]

Kathleen O’Neil Stevens of Renaissance Gallery is always adding classes and workshops with award winning instructors for oil painting, pique assiette
mosaic, Decorative finishes, pastel painting, iPhone artistry, watercolor,
mixed media, jewelry making, acrylics, plus several open figure drawing
sessions a week. You can visit her website at
www.renaissancefineartanddesign.com

Magdalena Segovia and Mary Johnston of Magdalena Gallery of Art
teach many different levels of art classes from children to adult. Please see a listing of availability at www.magdalenagallery.com.

Artisan Masterpiece will be offering children’s creative summer camps. Please see the listing of camps available:
www.artisanmasterpiece.com/Summer_Camp.html

Lynne Medsker of ArtSplash will be teaching a wonderful “Introduction to Mandala Art” class at different times during September & October. Making a mandala is a very soothing process that can be enjoyed by anyone, more information can be found on her website:
www.lynnemedsker.com/classes.html

6. Revitalization & Glimpses of History

The city has done a lot to make Main Street an exciting place to be while holding true to the historical aspects of the town.

Little touches of the past throughout Carmel make me happy. This depository box can be found on the side of one of the art galleries.

Woody’s Library Restaurant was formerly the first Carmel Public Library built back in 1913. The restaurant has kept a lot of the history alive by displaying bookcases with shelves full of books in the dining areas.

7. Public Art

Brick Head sculpture by James Tyler located outside the Evan Lurie Gallery.

Brick Head sculpture by James Tyler located in Carmel, Indiana
Brick Head sculpture by James Tyler located in Carmel, Indiana

“Eternal Spring”
A whimsical piece entitled “Eternal Spring,” created by artist Jerry Joslin, depicts a dancing woman surrounded by flowers. Located at the corner of W. Main Street and 3rd Ave NW

A whimsical piece entitled "Eternal Spring,” created by artist Jerry Joslin, depicts a dancing woman surrounded by flowers
A whimsical piece entitled “Eternal Spring,” created by artist Jerry Joslin, depicts a dancing woman surrounded by flowers

8. The Monon Trail

The Monon Trail cuts right through the Art & Design District and makes it extremely easy to get from Indy up to Main Street. On a nice day you’ll see lots of people riding bikes, walking dogs, and enjoying the trail with friends and family.

Statue of a policeman directing traffic in Carmel, Indiana
Statue of a policeman directing traffic in Carmel, Indiana