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Celebrating the past, present and future of NICKEL PLATE ARTS

8TH ANNIVERSARY GALA RECAP

This year, Nickel Plate Arts celebrated its 8th Anniversary in two ways. Nearly 100 people joined us for an in-person celebration at Mustard Seed Gardens in Noblesville, while about 20 more joined us online. Here are some photos of all the fun that night.

Gala guests, including Christina and Eric Hollering, enjoy Four Day Ray beer and other libations on the beautiful grounds of Mustard Seed Gardens.

Our online attendees had as much fun as our in-person guests.

Husband & wife duo Darren Peterson and Jennifer Roberts demonstrate how to make the Nickel Plate Arts signature cocktail. Liz and Robert Tate chat with Nickel Plate Arts Board President Darren Peterson.

The Gordon Family enjoys a scrumptious dinner by Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering.

Muralist Koda Witsken paints an 8-foot-tall folding panel in her classic style during the Gala reception. These panels went up for sale during the gala and brought in over $1000 to support our mission!

8TH ANNIVERSARY GALA RECAP

WE ALSO PRESENTED AWARDS TO SOME AMAZING LEADERS IN OUR ARTS COMMUNITY:

1. Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi was named Arts Educator of the Year 2. The Indy Gorgeous Club, led by Jay Thornbury, were named Emerging Artists of the Year 3. Dick Gordon of Gordon Marketing was named Emerging Patron of the Year 4. Korie Pickett was named Artist of the Year 5. Anthony Najem of Meyer Najem was named Patron of the Year 6. Sue Payne of Hamilton County Artists’ Association and Conner Prairie was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for 50+ years of leadership and creativity in the arts.

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A TIME TO BE GRATEFUL FOR ART

by Jocelyn Vare, Nickel Plate Arts board member and Fishers City Council member

“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear … That is how civilizations heal.”

-Toni Morrison, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning American novelist

ne of the many lessons we’ve learned about our civilization in 2020 is that art can be a balm for uncertainty and a salve for grief. During a year of interruptions, isolation, frustration, and disappointments, art and creativity offer moments of joy and help us heal.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began this past spring, Nickel Plate Arts locked down but also opened up in new ways. The organization cultivated new arts resources to enrich lives and heal hearts during a difficult time. People from all over the community enjoyed virtual video events, participated in online workshops, and received art kits in the mail so that they could keep creating art at home. Favorite community experiences like First Fridays, Comic Book in a Day, Annual Gala/ Awards and Fairyville had to adapt to the realities of a pandemic, but they still brought people together with art, just like always. Through it all, Nickel Plate Arts continued to provide a source of entertainment, togetherness, and arts appreciation. Indeed, art goes on and is valued more now than ever.

You already know that Nickel Plate Arts is committed to supporting art, artists and our community. But, like with all things, the pandemic has made fulfilling this mission a lot harder. Annual donations and grants were frozen this year. Without this funding, Nickel Plate Arts can’t do the good work that our arts community needs right now. This is where you come in. You can create a meaningful arts impact in our community by becoming a partner of Nickel Plate Arts.

Before 2020 concludes, please visit nickelplatearts.org/ donate and make a donation to Nickel Plate Arts or use the enclosed donor envelope. No matter what amount you give, your contribution will be valued and put to good use to help maintain a vibrant arts community in Hamilton County. Your generous donation will support (socially distanced and safe) special events, rotating art exhibits, artist development and much more. You will help create a true champion for art makers, performers, art organizations and art patrons. And, you will help to give our community what it needs at this moment in time – the joy and healing that only art can bring.

Nickel Plate Arts is the only non-profit organization that is dedicated to local outreach and arts enrichment across Hamilton County cities and towns. Nickel Plate Arts is a 501 (c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible. I am grateful for this organization’s service to the arts and our community.

As a Nickel Plate Arts donor, board member, and collector of local artists’ work, I am one of the many people in our community who has seen how art and creativity lift the spirit.

Please join me and support Nickel Plate Arts.