Indy Arts Council put the spotlight on central Indiana musicians, spoken word artists and teaching artists during Taylor Swift’s three-day Eras Tour stop in Indianapolis, November 1-3, 2024.
Musical Family Tree and INSPIRE Music Collective curated a series of pop-up performances in 13 premiere downtown locations. ArtMix activated the Indianapolis Artsgarden with Taylor Swift-themed artmaking activities led by local artists.
Funding for this program was generously provided by the Capital Improvement Board of Managers of Marion County.
Photo: Josh Gillespie performs at the Indiana Repertory Theatre (credit: Miguel Dominguez)
Mandie Anderson is a freelance illustrator, designer, and educator. She lives in Indianapolis with her wonderful husband Robert and two sons. Working in the industry for over 15 years, Mandie created over 45 book design and illustration projects with the Christian not-for-profit, One Hope. Mandie has experience creating web, print, and app design for numerous clients, and served as the Assistant Regional Advisor for the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Mandie received her Bachelor of Science degree in both Illustration and Graphic Design from Indiana Wesleyan University, and her Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
Sarah Jane Bryant serves as the VP of Programs at ArtMix. She holds a BS in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Sarah Jane’s role at ArtMix includes designing creative and innovative arts programming that is accessible for all ages and abilities. She supervises ArtMix’s roster of 27 Teaching Artists and the Artisans Director. Sarah Jane manages all off-site Residencies including Fee for Service Programming and Community Partners. She is also an avid knitter and loves to sew!
Emily Compton has been an ArtMix Teaching Artist and staff member since 2001. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Indiana University with a minor in Art History and Art Education with an emphasis in Printmaking from Herron School of Art and Design. Currently, Compton is a Teaching Artist and the Program Director for the ArtMix Artisans Program. She has taught in nearly every type of program that ArtMix offers – vocational, recreational, therapeutic and educational. In addition to her professional career, Emily continues to find enjoyment and renewal from my own art practice in printmaking, photography, collage, painting and ceramics.
Shelby Lahne is a Teaching Artist at ArtMix in Indianapolis where she helps out in the ceramics studio! Lahne earned her bachelor’s degree from Herron School of Art in 2018 and recently finished her master’s degree in art education from Bowling Green State University. When Shelby isn’t busy teaching, she enjoys roller skating, reading, and hanging out with her two cats, Mabel and Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez!
Award-winning mixed media Artist Rebecca 
Christy has been a Teaching Artist with ArtMix since 2001. She received her BFA from Herron School of Art. She has an Associate Degree in Physical Therapy and is a certified Yoga Instructor. She has volunteered at Face, Agape, Jaycees, Riley Hospital, and Lucille Raines. Christy teaches in multiple programs at ArtMix, Community Class, UA, IPS- ROOTS, and other offsite programs. She specializes in Clay, hand-building and wheel throwing, movement and yoga.
Molly Wolfe is a professional watercolor artist and art educator living and working in her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from Herron School of Art + Design in 2021, with a BFA in Painting, and a minor in Art History. Outside of her studio practice, Molly is the Gallery Director, and a Teaching Artist, for ArtMix. 
Bella Heilbrunn joined ArtMix in 2000 where she’s been teaching residences from pre-schools to nursing homes, community classes, the LOLLY Program at Indianapolis Hospitals, and Work Smart events. She’s also been busy teaching art at the Indianapolis Art Center, ARC of Greater Boone County, Horizon Christian School, and Voices Corporation.
Laura Imbriano is an ArtMix Teaching Artist, specializing in ceramics. She earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling with an Art Therapy Concentration from the University of Indianapolis. Laura enjoys sharing her love and knowledge of art with others. She cherishes her role of wife and fur mom, and spends her summers boating on a lake with her family.
Meghan Cristeen Martin has ten years of experience in the performing arts. Her expertise is in music performance and production and specializes in ukulele group teaching. 
Beverly Roche is an actor and teaching artist with special training in mime and puppetry. She has appeared on stage at the Phoenix Theatre, the Indiana Repertory Theater, the Fonseca Theater and with Sight Lines and Betty Rage Productions. Beverly has been a member of NoExit Performance for 10 years, acting in many of their productions and building theatrical elements. As a teaching artist, Beverly has taught for Arts for Learning, the Fonseca Theatre, the Indiana Repertory Theatre and ArtMix Indiana.
Lifelong sculptor and teaching artist, Linda Wisler has worked predominantly in clay, limestone and steel. Her love of art and community came together 25 years ago when she started working at ArtMix and discovered the pure joy of making art in an inclusive environment.
