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.
Rat Race
Sgraffito on porcelain, cone 5 electric
What is your favorite memory from race season?
One of my favorite memories comes from the track itself – I had the pleasure of joining a friend for a Porsche experience where we drove a fast lap at 150+ mph. I almost passed out, and it was awesome.
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
My work in-general is inspired by story telling through the use of humor and off-beat cartoon characters. When first brain storming for this piece, the two movies “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World” and “Rat Race” came to mind. It became obvious that I had to include rats racing to the finish line of this conglomeration, made up of greedy critters and clown cars – my interpretation of how much fun we all have during the Indy 500.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
This one’s a fun question for me – I’ve rode the line between sports and art my entire life. I’ve played softball since I was 5 years old, ended up winning state during my senior year of high school, and continued casually in college where I also pursued a degree in sculpture and ceramics. These two worlds colliding, in the most dramatic way possible, is necessary for the survival of humanity. Different view points, different walks of life, and different interests all create a beautifully chaotic world. What a boring place this would be, having one without the other.
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
ADRENALINE! Sitting right up against that fence and feeling the wind from the cars blasting by, the insanely loud roar of the engines, and flash of colors zipping past your vision every few seconds – it’s hard to beat that feeling. But a close runner-up would be a fat hot dog loaded up with some mustard while getting sunburnt sitting in a lawn chair.
Velocity
Acrylic and spray paint on canvas
What is your favorite memory from race season?
One of my favorite memories is from when I was in elementary and middle school. Back then, honor roll students got the chance to take pictures with an Indy 500 car and watch the time trials at the track.I remember being excited to see the cars up close and just how real the whole experience felt. It’s one of those memories that made the race more than just a big event on TV-it became something personal to me. That early connection has definitely stayed with me over the years.
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
My piece was inspired by my favorite pace car, the 1990 Chevrolet Beretta. It had two color versions-one yellow and pink, and the other turquoise and pink. I liked how bold and bright those colors were, so I wanted to bring that same energy into my artwork. I didn’t want it to be just a copy of the car, but more like capturing the vibe those colors gave off.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
I think the biggest benefit is how both sports and art require a lot of focus and mental strength. Athletes use positive self-talk to stay motivated, and artists do something similar when they’re working through challenges. Bringing sports and art together shows how important mindset is in both areas, and it’s cool to see those connections.
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
For me, it’s not just the race itself but the whole build-up around the city. A few days before the race, you can feel the energy picking up everywhere-people getting ready, events happening, the city just feels different. That excitement and anticipation is something I really enjoy and look forward to every year.
Hoosier Hospitality
Mixed media
What is your favorite memory from race season?
For the past 15 years, I’ve been going to the race with my best friend and her dad. Each year, prior to the start of the race we take turns circling drivers to cheer for from the lineup on the hood of my friend’s dad’s car. I love the anticipation of what will happen in the race, and how he always sends a tally of how we all scored with the drivers we picked the next day.
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
Most of my work centers around the big idea of place; I love the interwoven memories that so many different people can have with one specific place. The title of my piece is “Hoosier Hospitality,” and it celebrates how groups of people from all walks of life gather at the track or on peoples’ porches to celebrate the race. The juxtaposition of the landmarks from the IMS with the porch shows how both venues can have front row seats in celebrating THE GREATEST SPECTACLE IN RACING.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
Art and sports have the magical power of bringing people together. By merging the two together it helps to bring an even bigger awareness to the amazing arts community that is present in Indianapolis.
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
I love the beginning of the race and the anticipation of what is about to happen. I love hearing the national anthem, Back Home Again in Indiana, the roaring of the planes flying overhead, and getting to see all the cars do their pace lap before the start of the race.
Endless Possibilties
Digital
What is your favorite memory from race season?
My favorite memory from the race season is seeing the race for the very first time in 2024. I got to experience why so many people enjoy the Indy 500 so much. It isn’t just about the cars, it’s about the energy, the tradition, and especially the community that truly makes experiencing the Indy 500 worthwhile.
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
I was inspired by my experience as a 500 Festival Princess in 2024. Being a part of the Princess Program allowed me to not only experience the festival for the first time, but experience the race for the first time in my life. I learned how much this experience brings people together and inspires people to dream bigger than they ever imagine. Especially with the kids, seeing their faces light up knowing that they can be part of something that’s bigger than them is something that has truly stuck to me whenever I think about the Indy 500. So, I wanted to show that in my piece.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
Art is everywhere, whether you notice it or not. We all have a creative bone in us, and being able to express that is what I love about art. Art is a way for people to merge their interests and show people a new perspective. By combining sports with the arts, we open the gateway for different communities to find common ground and give everyone a platform. I’m glad to have been part of the process that continues to merge arts with so many different fields!
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
My favorite part of the Indy 500 is the very end of the race. The anticipation that comes with seeing who will reach the finish line the final lap is a feeling I will NEVER forget.
Racing History of the World
Mixed Media, acrylics and paper
What is your favorite memory from race season?
My husband and I loved taking our kids to the pre-qualifiers. We all liked the anticipation of who will qualify and it what position. We were in awe of how fast these drivers can go!
Did something specific inspire your piece? If not, how did you come up with the concept?
Yes, I was inspired by my dad. He was a cars fan, especially red sports cars. So I knew I had to collage a red Indy500 car. My dad also loved historical facts. Therefore, I wanted to include newspaper articles and all that is iconic about the Indy500 race. The map of the world in the background was inspired by the race itself. The Indy500 is the greatest one day race in the world. It brings people together at an international level.
What do you believe is the biggest benefit of merging sports and arts?
When you merge both, fans are brought to different levels of celebrating this iconic race. Not only do fans enjoy the presence of the drivers and their outstanding performance, but also they can admire and purchase artworks that will remind them of this moment in time forever.
What is your favorite part of the Indy 500?
The beginning always gets me. I get emotional with the Blue Angels flyover, the American Anthem, the Back Home in Indiana song, all of it. Then it’s excitement time. Sharing this moment with my family is a must. And of course the last lap…the winning lap. Who will be crowned the winner and drink the milk?
