Enter the Magic of Canopy This November |
There’s a particular quality to light filtering through striped canvas or leaves overhead—fleeting, intimate, slightly melancholy. Kyle Ragsdale captures these moments in Canopy, where figures gather in sheltered, mysterious spaces, caught between concealment and light.
Working quickly to "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis," he paints fast, then destroys and rebuilds sections with trowels and palette knives. The heavy impasto captures fabric billowing in wind, water catching light, figures half-emerged from shadow. “In this troubled time,” he says, “I want to make beautiful paintings. I want to bring peace, not cheapen the moment we're in."
Click to read the full blog and browse the Online Gallery. Supported by the Christel DeHaan Fund for Support of the Harrison Center. |
Explore As the Crows Fly by Andre Parnell
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Andre Parnell embraces vulnerability and leans into metaphoric storytelling in his debut exhibition in the Hank & Dolly's Gallery this November. "The process led me somewhere unexpected – away from oil painting and back toward the language of my early illustrations." Furthermore, Parnell rediscovered his ability to speak to the social and political realities of black boy and girlhood.
The pieces in this show focus on the freedom of movement. Parnell gained inspiration from artist Gary Kelly and leaned into illustration through the use of colored pencils and acrylic paint. "If my work can spark conversation or open a small window toward self-discovery, then it has done its job," says Parnell.
Click to read the blog and view the Online Gallery.
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| Meet the Greatriarch: Miss Crystal |
Crystal Rhodes is a woman of many talents. An author and award-winning playwright, her works have been produced nationwide, including two plays directed by Academy Award nominees.
Raised in Martindale- Brightwood, she returned home after decades in California, where her writing career continues to thrive. Her books and plays spotlight heroines over 50—especially mature African American women—portrayed with creativity, strength, and resilience. “They may start at the bottom," she says, "but they always rise to the top.” |
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| 2025 Creative Impact Award |
We’re honored to share that the Harrison Center has been named a recipient of a 2025 Creative Impact Award from United States Artists, with support from the Joyce Foundation. One of 57 organizations selected across the Great Lakes region, the Harrison Center will receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant recognizing our ongoing commitment to creativity, collaboration, and community impact.
This award celebrates spaces and artists whose work continues to inspire growth and connection across our region, and we’re proud to be part of that creative legacy. |
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Shop Local This Holiday Season |
Join the Harrison Center on Friday, December 5th, from 5-9pm for our annual Winter Art Market (WAM): a festive evening celebrating creativity, community, and handcrafted treasures. With more than 40 local vendors, you’ll discover unique finds for everyone on your list (yourself included).
Explore an inspired mix of art, jewelry, ceramics, apparel, and food, alongside thoughtfully made candles, bath goods, stationery, and more. From macramé and housewares to plants, baby gifts, and cozy crochet creations, every booth tells a story of talent and care. Come shop small and support Indy artists. WAM at the Harrison Center is the perfect way to kick off the season! |
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