Mayor Scott Fadness, John Wechsler and other community stakeholders, including artist Rachel Johnson, unveiled the first in a series of three public art installations on The Edge parking garage today. The artwork, titled Pursuing Innovation, welcomes residents and visitors to the Nickel Plate District, and pays homage to the thriving entrepreneurial culture of the city.
“At the entrance to the Nickel Plate District, the artwork welcomes visitors and residents to the heart of downtown Fishers and celebrates what makes our community so special,” said Mayor Scott Fadness. “We are a vibrant city with big ideas and the innovation-driven culture to turn those ideas into reality. This art installation captures that spirit and culture and puts it on display for the world. I couldn’t be more excited to unveil this public art today.”
In a series of seven large banners, the Pursuing Innovation installation features local Fishers’ entrepreneurs and highlights the thriving culture of innovation found throughout the community. The silhouettes on the banners explore the idea of entrepreneurship and what it means to call oneself and entrepreneur, and features actual people in the community including local business leaders, teachers in the HSE School System, students and Launch Fishers founder, John Wechsler.
“After living in Fishers the last four years, and having the opportunity to speak with many entrepreneurs in the community, I have met an amazing diversity of people pursuing innovation in their chosen fields,” said Rachel Johnson, Pursuing Innovation artist. “All of these unique individuals have broadened the image that comes to my mind of what an entrepreneur looks like. This work is a celebration of all of those individuals in our community.”
The first in a series of three art installations, the panels are 23 feet tall and 10 feet wide, and can be visible from the bridge over I-69. Pursuing Innovation will remain on display through the first of 2017. The project was made possible through a partnership between the City of Fishers and Fishers Urban Development.