Gallery Opening • Transitions & Belonging: German American Artists in Indiana

Transitions and Belonging: German American Artists in Indiana, celebrates the profound experiences and artistic contributions of six German-born artists who have made Indiana their home.

It explores important themes of transition, identity, and the search for belonging in a new cultural landscape. The exhibition is particularly fitting for the Athenaeum, a building that stands as a testament to Indianapolis’ rich German heritage. For generations, German immigrants have played a vital role in shaping the city’s cultural fabric, and this show continues that legacy through contemporary art.

Featured works span a wide range of mediums, including book art, drawings, acrylic and pastel paintings, and intricate memorabilia display cases reminiscent of Joseph Cornell. While diverse in form, the art is united by the artists’ decades-long engagement with their arrival in a new land. Each piece offers an intimate glimpse into their personal journeys, reflecting complex questions about finding one’s place and forming a sense of home.

The works tell powerful stories of loss and gain, memory and adaptation, and the complex process of cultural integration. They invite viewers to reflect on their own definitions of home and belonging, creating a shared space for empathy and understanding.

This exhibit is free, open to the public, and will run through the month of October. There is no ticket required to attend.