Portraits of Our City
A short audio postcard created for WFYI that shares the story behind Portraits of Our City
Installation views of Portraits of Our City in the Damon C. and Kay D. Davis Lab, October 27, 2017—December 2, 2018. Artwork © Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Courtesy of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.
What can a portrait tell us about a person? What can you learn from someone by asking them a single question? What can the dreams, hopes, fears, and memories of a city’s residents tell us about the city itself?
Portraits of Our City was a community focused exhibition that explored these questions through hundreds of portraits of Indianapolis residents, inviting the community to discover human connections through people and place. Using one question as a jumping-off point, 450 residents shared their experiences, and a selection of their responses was woven into an original audio piece that played throughout the gallery. Developed with 17 community partners, including WFYI, the project became a conversation about the people who make up Indianapolis—revealing both the diversity of the city and the experiences we share.
My Role
I conceived, pitched, and curated the project, leading it from initial concept through exhibition. I built relationships with 17 community partners and led the photography, volunteer, and project management teams. I served as the project’s primary spokesperson, representing itacross the city and in local media. I also provided creative and art direction across the exhibition and maintained relationships with many participants beyond the exhibition, creating opportunities to continue their connection and engagement with the museum.
Explore the project through the documentary video and exhibition website, which offer different perspectives on Portraits of Our City and provide additional context, stories, and content from the project.
