The design of this traffic signal box artwork pays homage to Benjamin Harrison, the “Hoosier President,” and his legacy and connection to Indianapolis’ historic Old Northside neighborhood. The phrase “I Love This City” is prominent, with a background image of Harrison’s portrait converted to black pixels.

The artwork is located on the edge of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Grounds. Since 1966, the Presidential Site has worked to preserve the home of the only president elected from the state and continues to do so by sharing the life stories, arts, and culture of Harrison and his family with a mission to increase public participation in the American system of self-government.

Harrison, who was the 23rd U.S. President (1889-1893), famously said, “I am, myself, a citizen of no mean city,” meaning that Indianapolis was a significant place even in 1897 when he made the statement.  The phrase came to be associated strongly with Indianapolis and was even engraved on the cornerstone of the “new” City Hall building in 1909.  The artwork itself incorporates another Harrison quote, delivered just before leaving Indianapolis to take up the office of the presidency: “I love this city.” The artwork, then conveys the sense of his known love for his home, his neighborhood, and his city.

The artwork was created by Jim Sholly of Commercial Artisan, an Indianapolis-based graphic design and illustration studio. It was installed courtesy of a Public Art for Neighborhoods grant from the City of Indianapolis, a program administered by the Indy Arts Council.