Each artist reveals their personality and connection to the race in their artwork. Read on to learn a little more about them and their process.
Race Day Series
Acrylic with collage
@annaafsharart
annaafsharart.com
What is your favorite memory from race season?
I like seeing gardens emerging with the race flags around the city and the excitement about the upcoming race. The 500 Festival and Mini-Marathon! It’s May, it’s warm, it’s happy!
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
A few years ago I was invited to the Rev event at the track as an artist- entertainer. I didn’t have any race pieces in my portfolio, so I did a couple of long paintings of the cars coming down the canvas, very spontaneously, in watercolor. And everyone loved them and I sold them right away. Then a customer of mine commissioned something similar, he said: “Can you paint me a nice oil so I can gear the engines!” That was the task?! So I expanded my concept to the track with the spectators, trying to capture the movement and speed. My customer loved it and I sold many prints of it, and more commissions and variations of that concept followed. So when I was selected to do the Welcome Race Fans piece, I decided to stick to everyone’s favorite, rotating the image to landscape and adding pit stops and so.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
I think the biggest benefit is that it brings more people with varied interests and who seem would be otherwise totally not connected, together. It unveils the stigma that the arts is something exclusive and not for “the masses”. Speaking for myself, it helped me to understand and appreciate sports (and race (!)) culture so much more, particularly in Indiana. So I hope both art lovers and sport fans can learn to appreciate each other and their corresponding disciplines more!
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
For a very cosmopolitan person, that I think I am, the international aspect of it, both people who make it happen as well as fans. I travel extensively and everybody around the world does know Indianapolis for Indy500! I personally know some drivers and people who work for the teams, from around the world as well as Indiana. Also historical part of it, such great and important tradition!
Speedway Portrait
Acrylic, pencil, wood, vinyl
@lindseylord
lindseylord.com
What is your favorite memory from race season?
I’ve always loved the people-watching. My father lived just 2 blocks west of the track for much of my life, right next to the large field where people camp out for days leading up to the race. We have so many stories, from the mostly funny to the sometimes frustrating, which you’d expect when the population of a town goes up substantially and quite suddenly!
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
My artwork was inspired by wanting to visually represent just how impactful the track and the race are, both to me personally and to the town of Speedway. My artwork combines a personal history with that of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I aimed to illustrate that while it’s a singular place and event, every single visitor has their own special meanings and memories associated with it.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
Having managed the artist side of the Welcome Race Fans project for the Indy Arts Council and Indianapolis Motor Speedway for several years, the biggest benefit I witnessed was the introduction of talented Indiana artists to an audience that might not otherwise be looking to engage with local art. Over the years, participating artists have been able to take the opportunity and really expand upon it to make great strides in their careers.
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
My favorite part of the Indy 500 has always been connecting with the people who enjoy it: From the family and friends who would come to town to stay at our house to the friendships we made with people we’d see annually by sitting in the same seats at the race. It’s like a reunion. The race is about so much more than racing!
Racing Into Color
Acrylic on wood
@jayleisart
What is your favorite memory from race season?
Race season is filled with so many events and music that it’s hard to not look forward to. My favorite memory has been attending Carb Day and the Snakepit, because I enjoy it with my closest friends and it’s unlike any other event I’ve ever been to.
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
Most of my pieces are inspired by music and what I envision throughout a song playing. I express that through vibrant colors and unique designs. Although this piece wasn’t based on a piece of music, it was inspired by all of the colors of racing flags. I wanted to include all of the colors to tie back the piece to the Speedway and give the color of the piece a purpose.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
I think merging sports and arts is really beneficial because it can bring two separate communities together as one. Arts people who typically wouldn’t consider themselves a “sports fan” can be included into a community they aren’t familiar with and bring their talents and perspective to sports fans who wouldn’t consider themselves “artistic.”
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
This will only be the 3rd spring that I have lived in Indianapolis and gotten to experience the Indy 500. It’s so spectacular, it’s hard to find words to describe it. I’ve gone to Carb Day and the Snakepit the past 2 years. I have a lot of fun at the Snakepit because I enjoy the music and get to experience a concert like no other with my friends.
Bienvenidos 24
Digital and acrylic
@csosa317
What is your favorite memory from race season?
Meeting Dario Franchitti with my sons on Carb Day several years ago.
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
My Latino heritage, and the Latino drivers and fans that I have seen participating in the race over the years are the primary inspirations behind this piece. Essentially, the concept was inspired by Latino art, like papel picado, and other symbols that I merged with the Indiana state flag. I’ve also incorporated a few race symbols like the checkered flag into the complexity of the piece. I also made it a point to translate, “Welcome Race Fans” into Spanish to give it a more international feel.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
I think sports are an important part of life and art helps bring the spirit of any sport when done effectively. I’ve also designed the Indianapolis Indians logo and the logo for the National Institute for Fitness and Sports (NIFS), so I’ve had an opportunity to merge my design work with sports in the past. I strive to have this work make the connection to the race clearly and effectively, while giving it a sense of energy.
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
I enjoy the excitement leading up to the race. I think the ceremonies in the parade help bring an excitement to the city that I enjoy.
Welcome Race Fans
Digital
@thegodiscorner
thegodiscorner.com
What is your favorite memory from race season?
Honestly, my favorite memory from race season is being selected as an artist! I’m not from Indiana, so this will be my first year going!
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
I know there has never been a woman winner of the Indy 500, so I definitely wanted to “manifest” that.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
The imagery! The greatest stories ever told were painted, drawn and photographed. It’s like history in the palm of your hands. I believe art and sports make a huge impact. Every team has its own colors, mascot, etc. I love the fact that the story of a sport can be told through many forms of imagery
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
I’m excited to find out!
