Fletcher Place

Client: Fletcher Place Neighborhood Assn
Service: Murals
Type: Community Outdoor
Coverage: Full
Detail: Signature
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Square footage: 500 sq ft

Tactical Urbanism refers to a citizen-led approach to improving our neighborhood using short-term, low-cost, and scalable interventions to catalyze long-term change—enter ground murals painted by volunteers

Setting the Mood

For this project of several painting interventions, the mood board included simple shapes, nautical themes (reflecting the area's Italian and Danish heritage), and native Indiana flowers.

Different artists designed different areas, but we all used the same color palette so the pieces felt united.

the heart of the project:

Improve sense of belonging with colorful ground murals connected to history

Design Concepts

For the historically Italian neighborhood, I wanted to avoid cliché imagery. I landed on the original idea of making sea creatures out of pasta (cavatelli, penne, shells, and stelline). You can see my initial pencil sketch and the full-color digital designs. I also created a gelato ocean, a macaroni sea monster, and a pepperoni pizza sailboat!

Installation

Ahead of the paint day, I drew out the designs in chalk and then painted thin lines so the volunteers would have an easy-to-follow guide. I also made several laminated color design guides.

30 volunteers came through to paint during the one-day installation. The weather was chilly but sunny and beautiful. Everyone did great!