May Reverie

This May, the Harrison Center's Lift Gallery proudly presents May Reverie, a solo exhibition by artist Kristi Marsh Watson. Deeply personal and joyfully nostalgic, the show is a love letter to May in Indianapolis, a time when the city sheds the gray of winter, blossoms burst open, and the unmistakable hum of racing fills the air. For Watson, May has always been magical. Her childhood was shaped by memory-making traditions centered around the Indianapolis 500. Her family didn't just watch the race, they celebrated it as a month-long season of joy, community, and renewal. Now, as a mother, she shares those same experiences with her daughter, passing down the reverie. 

Watson's style, marked by layers of drips, sprays, and rich color, captures the movement and emotion of the season. Each canvas feels alive, reflecting both the chaos and harmony of spring. However, some of the most striking works in May Reverie are not on traditional canvas. The show includes a collection of circular paintings created on vintage whiskey barrel lids, antique rounds thought to be over 60 years old. These lids were donated to the Harrison Center by a community member whose father had collected them over time. Watson was thrilled to use these heirloom pieces, recognizing them as more than just unique surfaces; they are relics of local history, transformed into vibrant tributes to place and season. In Watson's hands, they become medallions of memory, connecting generations through art.

A touching aspect of May Reverie is three collaborative pieces created with Watson's daughter, Vivienne Marsh Watson. At only five and a half years old, Vivienne, who has non-verbal autism, is already making her mark as an artist. This is her second time to be in a show at the Harrison Center, where she is known not only for her creative contributions but also for delighting in the building's playful features, especially the curvy slide. The works Peony, Decoration Day, and Robin's Nest reflect a tender collaboration between mother and daughter, demonstrating how art can communicate across differences and deepen familial bonds. These pieces are not only beautiful, they're meaningful, embodying the generational continuity at the heart of the exhibition.

Guests are invited to explore Watson's distinctive works, which reflect the city's historic May traditions and the personal stories that make this season so beloved. With May Reverie, Kristi Marsh Watson invites us to pause, remember, and celebrate. This is Indy at her finest: full of life, history, and shared joy. The exhibition can be viewed through May, Monday through Friday, 9 AM—5 PM, in the Lift Gallery and on our online gallery.