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From a quintessential Midwestern city to the heartbeat of a state where nearly a thousand global companies support 250,000 Hoosier jobs, Indianapolis has become a dynamic international city. Intentional investment and real leadership at all levels of civic, business, and philanthropic life has been the catalyst. There’s the sports strategy, of course, that has included investing big in sports infrastructure and positioning the city as the Amateur Sports Capital of the World. There’s the brand of the Indy 500, the largest single-day outdoor sporting event in the world. And, without question, there’s basketball, the birthright of every Hoosier and the thing above all else people inside and outside our state associate with the Indiana experience 

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A bold and beautiful collage of local sign-based landmarks highlights the places that Indianapolis holds dear. The Indianapolis Artsgarden functions as a futuristic spacecraft, hovering over classic signs for Mug ‘n Bun, Knobby’s Drive-In, La Parada Mexican Restaurant, Roselyn Bakery, Irga Food Market, the Children’s Museum dinosaurs, and more. The composition emphasizes that Indy is the sum of its history, and it is respect for both our individual and our shared histories that points us to our future.

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Indy’s leaders have for decades used sports as a deliberate strategy to fuel the city’s growth, something Faust’s painting reflects. Icons symbolizing nineteen different international-level sports, for which title-contending competitions have been hosted here, combine with flag-like graphics and representations of ten different pieces of sporting equipment. All are arranged in the form of Indianapolis’ city flag.

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Slick Cubed - Bliss’s Iconic Moments series casts familiar images from Pacers history into the style of well-known icons from art history. Inspired by the quirky Cubist style of Pablo Picasso, Bliss showcases Bobby “Slick” Leonard’s colorful persona and multi-faceted career as a player, coach, and color commentator and his now-classic phrase, “Boom Baby!”

Pacers Allegory - Bliss’s Iconic Moments series casts familiar images from Pacers history into the style of well-known icons from art history. Inspired by the dramatic figure style of Baroque artists like Caravaggio and Paolo de Matteis, Bliss collages Pacers players from different eras into a single scene, painted in rich, dark colors and contrasting tones of light and shadow.

The Art of the Choke - Bliss’s Iconic Moments series casts familiar images from Pacers history into the style of well-known icons from art history. In this piece, Bliss imagines what the celebrity-focused artist Andy Warhol might have done had he encountered the now-classic image of Reggie Miller trash-talking Spike Lee.

Impressionable Larry - Bliss’s Iconic Moments series casts familiar images from Pacers history into the style of well-known icons from art history. Because Larry Bird left a great impression on the Pacers organization as its head coach and, later, as president of basketball operations, Bliss chose to depict him in the style of the French Impressionists and, more specifically, using the groundbreaking style of Vincent van Gogh.

Golden Girl - Bliss’s Iconic Moments series casts familiar images from Fever history into the style of well-known icons from art history. Bliss was inspired by the textural and gold-forward style of Gustav Klimt to depict Tamika Catchings, the Fever’s “golden girl,” in an iconic pose. Catchings, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, led the Fever to the 2012 WNBA championship and is one of the few players in men’s and women’s basketball history to win an Olympic Gold Medal along with championships at the high school, college, and professional levels.

Champions - Bliss’s Iconic Moments series casts familiar images from Fever history into the style of well-known icons from art history. Inspired by Baroque still life artists like Pieter de Ring, Bliss creates a thoughtful still life of the Fever’s 2012 championship trophy combined with other elements, each with both a literal and a symbolic meaning. 

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The Court - In this large diptych (two wooden panels), Cruse-Griffin tells the story of the ascendance of Black basketball in Indianapolis, from the powerhouse Crispus Attucks High School teams to the “Dust Bowl” court in the segregated Lockefield Gardens housing project on the city’s westside. On this court, street players, business-sponsored teams, Police Athletic League teams, and high school players met, mingled, and then competed in annual tournaments staged from 1948-1974. Sportsmanship, camaraderie, and cultural cohesion made the court symbolic of more than just basketball.

The Farm - Indianapolis’s Black neighborhoods on the city’s westside remained a combination of urban and rural well into the 20th century. While the Dust Bowl was the urban equivalent of the basketball hoop nailed to the barn, the city still housed barns with hoops where local kids played neighborhood pickup games. Cruse-Griffin recreates this era where basketball knitted people from different backgrounds together through the love of the game.

1955 - Cruse-Griffin recalls the moment in 1955 when Crispus Attucks High School, an all-Black segregated team, brought home its first state basketball championship. With a season record of 31-1, Attucks beat the other all-Black school, Gary Roosevelt, 97-74 in the final game and became the nation’s first all-Black team to win a state championship. In doing so, the team that had been excluded from the state tournament until 1943 not only became a state powerhouse, it also cemented the legacy of star player Oscar Robertson.

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The Sixth Man - The “Sixth Man” refers to the fans. The energy and excitement of the crowd was electric at Butler Fieldhouse during the 1954 State Championship game. With an enrollment of only 161 students, Milan remains the smallest high school ever to win a state championship in single-class play, earned national recognition that cemented Indiana basketball into legendary status, and inspired the 1986 Hollywood movie Hoosiers. In this four-part study, Schwier looks at the championship game from three different perspectives:  the fans, the court, and the team.

David vs. Goliath - The 1954 State Championship final game between Milan and Muncie Central at Butler Fieldhouse was a nailbiter. Muncie Central had won 4 previous State titles; Milan High School was tiny and had never come this far.  Against all odds, Milan won the game. With an enrollment of only 161 students, Milan remains the smallest high school ever to win a state championship in single-class play, earning national recognition that cemented Indiana basketball into legendary status, and inspired the 1986 Hollywood movie Hoosiers. In this four-part study, Schwier looks at the championship game from three different perspectives:  the fans, the court, and the team.

Pierceville Alley Cats - Bobby Plump, Gene White, Glen Butte, and Roger Schroder, four members of the Milan 1954 championship basketball team, grew up together in the neighboring community of Pierceville. They referred to themselves as the “Pierceville Alley Cats” and played behind Schroder’s family’s store. They often scrimmaged here, and a manure pile off to the left side made for a strong deterrent to go out of bounds. (It was better in the winter when the pile was frozen.) Milan remains the smallest high school ever to win a state championship in single-class play, earning national recognition that cemented Indiana basketball into legendary status, and inspired the 1986 Hollywood movie Hoosiers. In this four-part study, Schwier looks at the championship game from three different perspectives:  the fans, the court, and the team.

Plump’s Last Shot - The definitive star of the 1954 IHSAA championship game was Bobby Plump. His game-winning shot just three seconds before the buzzer sparked his team, the underdog Milan High School, to the state championship in what is now called the “Milan Miracle.” Schwier depicts the exact moment of the game-winning shot, full of excitement, anticipation, and achievement.

The Milan Water Tower - The water tower is one of three in the small town, but “State Champs 1954” was painted on it shortly after the Milan High School basketball team’s iconic win. It still is there today as a reminder of the “Milan Miracle”. Milan remains the smallest high school ever to win a state championship in single-class play, earning national recognition that cemented Indiana basketball into legendary status, and inspired the 1986 Hollywood movie Hoosiers. In this three-part study, Schwier looks at the championship game from three different perspectives:  the fans, the court, and the team.

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Celebration - The Indiana Fever became the gold standard for the WNBA in the early 2010s, winning three conference titles and the 2012 WNBA championship. When thinking about that championship team, Israel Solomon chose six team values that contributed to their success. Celebration talks about how the team acknowledged their wins as a team and celebrated them together.

Confidence - The Indiana Fever became the gold standard for the WNBA in the early 2010s, winning three conference titles and the 2012 WNBA championship. When thinking about that championship team, Israel Solomon chose six team values that contributed to their success. Confidence speaks to the team members’ knowledge of their own and each other’s skills, and the commitment to take them as far as they could go.

Unity - The Indiana Fever became the gold standard for the WNBA in the early 2010s, winning three conference titles and the 2012 WNBA championship. When thinking about that championship team, Israel Solomon chose six team values that contributed to their success. Unity – the knowledge that they all stand and fall together – led the Fever to rally from their first game loss to defeat the Minnesota Lynx 3 games to 1.

Teamwork - The Indiana Fever became the gold standard for the WNBA in the early 2010s, winning three conference titles and the 2012 WNBA championship. When thinking about that championship team, Israel Solomon chose six team values that contributed to their success. Teamwork is the hallmark of the Fever: although one or another player may temporarily be a star, everyone knows that championships are awarded to teams that work together.

Consistency - The Indiana Fever became the gold standard for the WNBA in the early 2010s, winning three conference titles and the 2012 WNBA championship. When thinking about that championship team, Israel Solomon chose six team values that contributed to their success. Consistency refers to the team’s skills, practiced incessantly until they are almost second nature and deployed reliably in game play.

Accountability - The Indiana Fever became the gold standard for the WNBA in the early 2010s, winning three conference titles and the 2012 WNBA championship. When thinking about that championship team, Israel Solomon chose six team values that contributed to their success. Accountability – to the rules of the game, to the strategy outlined by the coach, and ultimately to each other – means that everyone has their role and everyone owns the team’s success equally. 

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Slick - Rhodes’s approach to telling the story of the 1970s ABA Championship Indiana Pacers melds a period aesthetic with an almost icon-like approach to portraying the people who made it happen.  Bobby “Slick” Leonard coached the team in the ABA from 1968-1975 and in the NBA from 1976-1980, leading them to 13 consecutive wins in his first year and ultimately turning them into an ABA championship franchise. Under his direction the team went to the ABA championships five times in nine years, winning three titles (1970, 1972, and 1973).

Brown & Daniels - From 1967 to 1974, forward Roger Brown and center Mel Daniels were an unstoppable duo, racking up points and rebounds at a dizzying rate. Both were named to the ABA all-time team, both had their jerseys retired by the Pacers, and both were named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 

McGinnis - From the time he was drafted in 1971 until the end of the ABA Pacers in 1975, power forward and Indianapolis native George McGinnis was a standout star. He played a key role in the 1972 and 1973 championship seasons and, alongside Pacers legends Roger Brown and Mel Daniels, was the nucleus of the team’s vaunted frontcourt.

Six - Six honors the ”key six” players of the best ABA years: Roger Brown, George McGinnis, Mel Daniels, Darnell Hillman, Freddy Lewis, and Billy Keller. Rather than focusing on individual talent or stardom, Six celebrates their teamwork, their camaraderie, and the complementary skills that made the entire team winners.

Championship - In Championship, Rhodes celebrates celebration itself: the culmination of an ABA championship season’s ups and downs, hard work, and ultimately the moment when it was all worth it. Relief, joy, and triumph can be read on each of the player’s faces.

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The 1999-2000 Indiana Pacers is the only team in franchise history to reach the NBA Finals. Mike Graves depicts the story of that season through an examination of the starting players’ jerseys. Surrounding each jersey are newspaper clippings, game memorabilia, and other materials that illuminate each player’s journey as well as the players as a team.

Jalen Rose SF #5 - Jalen Rose became the first player in eight years other than Reggie Miller to lead the Pacers in scoring in the 1999–2000 season when he averaged 18.2 points per game for the eventual Eastern Conference Champions. Rose was the winner of the NBA Most Improved Player Award in the process, the first player in Pacers history to receive that honor.

Reggie Miller SG #31 - Reggie Miller is widely regarded as the greatest player in Pacer franchise history. On May 6, 2000 at Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers-Miller and teammate Jalen Rose each scored 40 points—becoming the highest-scoring pair of teammates in playoff history. The Pacers won that series 4–2 and returned to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth time in seven years; this time they finally defeated the rival Knicks in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on June 2, 2000. This win was sealed by Miller's 34 points, with 17 coming in the fourth quarter to help Indiana clinch the series. At long last...the Hicks beat the Knicks!

Dale Davis PF  #32 - Davis was drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the 13th pick of the 1991 NBA Draft and spent the first nine years of his career in Indiana. He quickly established himself as the team's starting power forward, routinely averaging double-digits in points and near double-digits in rebounds throughout his Pacers career. Davis left the franchise as the team’s all-time leader in rebounds in their NBA era. Dale Davis was named to the All-Star team following the 1999-2000 season.

Mark Jackson PG #13 - Mark Jackson’s involvement with the Pacers starting in 1994 made them a playoff contender. An unquestioned leader of the team, he routinely dominated in steals and assists and was the starting point guard in his only NBA finals in 2000.

Rik Smits C #45 - Rik Smits, nicknamed “the Dunking Dutchman”, spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers. Named to the 1998 All Star Team, the 7-foot-4-inch center averaged double digits points per game during his 13-year career. The Dutchman endeared himself to Pacers fans with outstanding playoff performances.

1999-2000 Season - For the Indiana Pacers, the 1999-2000 season was a landmark occasion. Not only was it the first season played in their new venue, Conseco Fieldhouse, they also won 25 straight games and clinched the division title. The team was the first in franchise history to reach the NBA Finals since joining the League, ultimately falling to the Los Angeles Lakers in six hard-fought games. It was truly a “season to remember.” Mike Graves’ depiction, which includes clippings, game memorabilia, and other materials, focuses on the season as a whole, its ups and downs, its players, and the fans.

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Derrick Carter

F I E L D H O U S E, 2022

acrylic and sand on canvas

Gainbridge Fieldhouse has always been a home to so much more than basketball. From ice skating shows to swimming competitions, police officer funerals to graduations, the venue is the most versatile in the state. Derrick Carter depicts the wide variety of events that have taken place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse each year.

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Derrick Carter

C U L T U R A L, 2022

acrylic and sand on canvas

Gainbridge Fieldhouse has played host to a diverse list of some of the most notable artists and performers who have influenced American culture of the 20th and 21st centuries. Derrick Carter recalls just a few of them, such as Lady Gaga, Wiz Khalifa, Simone Biles, Ariana Grande, and more.

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Derrick Carter

Garth Brooks, 2022

acrylic and sand on canvas

The Fieldhouse was the site of a landmark event in the career of country pop singer Garth Brooks. The international mega-star sold the six millionth ticket of his incredible 2017 tour for the show right here in Indianapolis. No other artist has even come close to that tally for a continuous tour, regardless of the tour length. The previous record was 5 million, set by…Garth Brooks! Derrick Carter depicts this milestone of the popular entertainer’s legacy.

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Simon Brothers - Choppy financial waters followed the Pacers’ transition from the ABA to the NBA, but it was the dedicated efforts of special people within the organization and the commitment of the community that ultimately saved the franchise. In this composition, Becky Hochhalter depicts brothers Herb and Mel Simon, who bought the team in 1983 and understood the importance of keeping it right here in Indianapolis. 

Slick and Nancy - Choppy financial waters followed the Pacers’ transition from the ABA to the NBA, but it was the dedicated efforts of special people within the organization and the commitment of the community that ultimately saved the franchise. On July 3, 1977, Pacers Coach Slick Leonard and his wife Nancy, the team’s General Manager, held a telethon to stave off the team’s creditors and keep the Pacers in Indianapolis. Terre Haute artist Becky Hochhalter honors Slick, a fellow Terre Haute native, and the Leonards’ successful effort to sell over 8,000 seats for $2M cash in one incredible night.

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Mel Daniels (34) - Matthew Filer combines text and a precise digital drawing style to create portraits of the most important players who made the Pacers and Fever one of basketball’s most respected franchises. Hall of Famers, legends, and players whose numbers have been retired are the subjects of Filer’s works. This piece focuses on Mel Daniels, the ABA’s all-time leader in rebounds and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer who helped the Pacers win three ABA championships from 1970 to 1973. A prolific scorer and force on the boards, Daniels was part of the Pacers frontcourt that powered the team to the top of the League.

Mel Simon - This piece focuses on Mel Simon, co-founder of the Simon Property Group, whose business vision helped fuel the boom of suburban shopping malls across the country, was co-owner of the Pacers and Fever until his passing in 2009. Simon and his brother, Herb, purchased the Pacers in 1983 and committed the franchise long-term to Indianapolis. The Simon Family has long been active philanthropically and is credited with helping to build Indiana and Indianapolis into what it has become.  

Reggie Miller (31) - This piece focuses on Reggie Miller, the most recognizable Pacers legend of all time and a five-time All Star and Olympic Gold Medalist who was the face of the franchise for his entire 18-year career in the NBA. One of the greatest shooters of all time, Miller led the Pacers during their most memorable rivalry games with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls and Patrick Ewing’s New York Knicks throughout the 1990s. He was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

George McGinnis (30), 2022 - This piece focuses on Indianapolis native George McGinnis, another legend who played at Indiana University and spent his entire professional career with the Pacers. McGinnis was instrumental in the Pacers ABA championships in 1972 and 1973 and was named ABA Playoffs MVP, and his frontcourt play helped make the ABA Pacers one of the most successful teams of all time. A three-time ABA and NBA All-Star, McGinnis was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Lin Dunn - This piece is focused on Lin Dunn, who coached the Fever to the 2012 WNBA title following a successful 25-year career as a collegiate coach. From 2008-2014, Dunn helped turn the Indiana Fever into one of the WNBA’s most recognizable and successful franchises. In February 2022, she returned to the Fever as the team’s interim general manager and guided the franchise through a historic 2022 WNBA draft, during which the team selected four of the top 10 picks. 

Bobby “Slick” Leonard - This piece focuses on Bobby “Slick” Leonard, the Pacers championship coach and national championship player at Indiana University and played professionally in the NBA. Following a seven year NBA playing career, Slick moved to coaching and led the Pacers to three ABA championships (1970, 1972, and 1973).  His 529 wins as the Pacers’ coach made him the winningest coach in Pacers history, but it was the connection he and his wife, Nancy, maintained with the organization that truly made him one of the most beloved Pacers legend for fans of all ages. He became the Pacers’ TV color commentator in 1985 and later the team’s radio analyst, and his singular catch phrase, “Boom Baby!”, always energized the fan base. Slick, who passed away in 2021, was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014 and his 529 banner hangs in the rafters in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Tamika Catchings (24) - The focus of this piece is Tamika Catchings, who was drafted by the WNBA Indiana Fever in 2001 and played from 2002-2016. She is one of the most recognizable and decorated players of all time, one of the few players to have won an Olympic gold medal as well as championships at the high school, college, and professional levels. Catchings broke and set many records in her career, leading the Fever to the league championship in 2012 while racking up five Defensive Player of the Year Awards and the WNBA MVP award in 2011. She was also a member of four Gold Medal USA Olympics teams.  Following her retirement she has become a WNBA general manager, a broadcaster, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropic leader. Catchings was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.

Roger Brown (35) - The focus of this piece is Roger Brown, the first player signed to the ABA Pacers when the team was established and a franchise legend who helped lead the team to three ABA championships (1970, 1973, and 1974). A forward who was part of the Pacers vaunted frontcourt of the early 1970s, Brown was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

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High school basketball in Indiana is just different. Koda Witsken’s mural conveys the excitement of Indiana’s game by referring to key aspects of its history and culture. It is no exaggeration to say that Indiana has a love affair with boys’ and girls’ high school basketball, and the childhoods of countless Hoosiers are spent reliving these special moments under the shadow of a basketball hoop. Bright colors and lines of energy course through the entire composition as Witsken tells the story of the game that means more in Indiana.

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Tasha Beckwith’s mural depicting Pacers and Fever royalty uses design details inspired by 19th century Art Nouveau, a Victorian-era aesthetic, and a grayscale portrait style to give a classical feeling. Moving forward in time from left to right, the composition begins with portraits of legendary Pacers Coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard and his star players Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, and George McGinnis. Owner Mel Simon represents a new era for the Pacers, and Fever Coach Lin Dunn and her star player Tamika Catchings. Finally, Reggie Miller, the most recognizable player in franchise history, looks ahead as if to welcome the star Pacers players of the future.

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Fun and whimsical characters romp through William Denton Ray’s two-part mural, representing the many non-basketball events which have taken place in the Fieldhouse over the years. These characters include colorful star characters with Disney-esque hands, an enthusiastic and magical ring master, a globe-trotting globe, rodeo clowns, robots, wrestlers, living musical instruments, dancing and singing concession food, popcorn-eating dinosaurs, and more, who frolic in a fantastical landscape lined with stages, rainbows, bubbles, with hidden elements that represent Indiana.

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Characteristic poses and well-known faces grace this whimsical approach to portraying the “best of the best” from decades of Pacers and Fever history. Jingo de la Rosa uses brilliant color, flowing lines and Pacers Hall of Fame Coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard’s evocative “Boom Baby” exclamation to convey the excitement and significance of these monumental figures in franchise history. From left to right: George McGinnis, Reggie Miller, Pacers Coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard, Fever Coach Lin Dunn, Mel Daniels, Tamika Catchings, owner Mel Simon, and Roger Brown.

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While Gainbridge Fieldhouse is known primarily as one of the best basketball venues anywhere, it also plays host to numerous world-class events. Concerts and performances, amateur and professional sports competitions, and community events are just some of the myriad offerings bringing nearly 2 million guests from Indiana and beyond to the Fieldhouse each year. Artur Silva’s two-part mural reverses the typical emphasis of why people visit this venue, displaying icons representing music performance clearly emerging from digital “noise” representing all non-music activity. This clever switch displays a fresh, tech-savvy take on what people naturally think of when they come to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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In true street art style, Ish Muhammad portrays the Pacers’ Boomer and the Fever’s Freddy, combined with INDY and CIRCLE CITY in graffiti letters, to capture the energy and excitement one experiences when enjoying a home game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. These beloved mascots have been entertaining home crowds for decades, and Boomer, a member of the national Mascot Hall of Fame, is renowned for his athleticism and daredevil personality. Muhammad relates more to Boomer and Freddy than he does the players, and he wants every fan to experience the kind of fun the mascots are having.

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Basketball is as much about the fan experience as it is about the game itself. Dan Handskillz focuses on four essential fan experiences that are beloved but get little exposure: watching your team win from a remote location, in the company of other die-hard fans; listening to your school’s pep band fire up the crowd; seeing your team on the court from the upper stands; and cheering on the returning championship team when their bus finally arrives home.  

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Indiana high school basketball is on display in this parade of 30 youth players wearing historically representative uniform styles and representing the wide range of genders, ethnicities, and body types seen playing Indiana’s game through the years. Hoosier Hysteria, the phrase that sums up how folks in Indiana feel about their state sport, is known to at once be a source of state pride, unification, and fierce debate. But mostly, it is what brings people of all backgrounds together, culminating in the Indiana High School Athletic Association basketball state championship games at the fieldhouse to end each season. The background coloration subtly references the Pacers team colors.

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Anyone who has played high school basketball in Indiana knows just how unique the experience is. JD Bills presents the experience of high school basketball from the players’ perspective. Traveling to games, intense rivalries, the excitement of being on the court, earning the chance to play in the State finals at the Fieldhouse, and the thrill of winning the championship trophy all have their place in this expansive scene.

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A backdrop of Indiana basketball-related symbols awaits anyone who wishes to take a selfie in the iconic fieldhouse venue. Available nowhere else, and custom-designed by illustrator Kevin Smola, this backdrop whimsically proclaims history, fandom, dedication, and the pure fun of the game.