By Karen Kennedy
If you are feeling inspired to express your inner Elton John or Diana Krall, head over to either the City Center or Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream through Aug. 18. Beautifully repurposed pianos, turned into works of art, are on display there and are available for the public to play anytime.
The pianos are the result of the Women’s Fund GO Ahead and Play project, in which they invited 20 local artists to take a donated piano and turn it into a playable piece of art. The project was led by local sixth- through twelfth-graders. The mission of the program is to bring music into public places and make arts accessible to the community.
On the interior of the Carmel City Center, between Nature’s Karma and Authentic Sports Collectibles is a piano entitled “One Small Voice,” sponsored by Carmel City Center and the City of Carmel. It was transformed by Carmel artist Nancy S. Peterson and reflects a musical theme through multi-faceted mediums including brilliant paint, mirrors and clay. Carmel high school student Danny Yount will perform at this piano on Aug. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In front of Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream is a piano entitled “Good Fortune Teller,” sponsored by Efroymson Family Fund of CICF. It was transformed by Zionsville artist Erin Lawrance Salewicz. The piano is bright and boldly painted, with cookie fortunes and peacock feathers incorporated to bring attention to the under-appreciated parts of a piano.
“It has been exciting to watch the enthusiasm, passion and commitment of the students leading this project – the time and energy they have dedicated to the success of GO Ahead & Play is remarkable,” said Jennifer Pope Baker, executive director, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana. “After more than a year of hard work by the students and volunteers, and with generous support by artists and our corporate partners, it is wonderful to see these pianos on the streets for our community.”
Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, founded in 1999, has distributed 324 grants totaling more than $4.9 million to nonprofit organizations which serve women and girls in central Indiana. Women’s Fund is an endowed special interest fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation.
For more information about Women’s Fund, call 634-2423 or visit womensfund.org. For a list of other piano locations, visit womensfund.org.
