New art exhibit on display at Broad Ripple Art and Design

Behind the doors of a quaint, single-story tan bungalow in the heart of Broad Ripple lays a world of creativity and color.\nBroad Ripple Art and Design is located on the southwest corner of Winthrop Avenue in Indianapolis. The gallery’s philosophy is to connect consumers to a community of artisans committed to outstanding quality, design, professionalism, customer service and integrity, according to their Web site. \nThe gallery contains artwork from a variety of materials, including wood, stone, metal, paint, glass, water, light, ceramic and fiber.\nBRAD planned an exhibit titled “A Summer Affair” that began June 8 and will run through Aug. 7. The exhibit has a variety of different pieces from Hoosier artists and craftsmen. Pieces ranging from glass, wood and steel furniture, hanging art, ceramics, glass, limestone, wrought iron and concrete can be found amongst the 17 different artisans being featured, with prices ranging from $50 to $3500.\n“There is nothing like it anywhere. We are absolutely unique because we cover all media,” said Doug Arnholter, co-owner of BRAD, who has concrete work of his own being shown in the exhibit. “These are samples. Any piece anyone looks at can be customized. If someone came to us today and asked us to make the Statue of Liberty, we could say ‘OK.’ We have the craftsmen, the artists and the materials to do that.”\nWhat makes this gallery different from others is that instead of simply displaying art for customers to purchase, the gallery offers 45 artists who have the potential to build anything a customer desires. Arnholter explained that various projects such as spiral staircases, floors or swimming pool decks are possible requests from customers.\n“We look at the project and decide who will be good to create it. It’s about synergy,” he said.\nIndianapolis resident Sofia Inger is an acrylic painter who enjoys using different media. She has three acrylic paintings on canvas displayed at “A Summer Affair.” It is her first time displaying art at BRAD. She is optimistic about the results of showing art at BRAD and looks forward to seeing the benefits.\n“They have good designers and craftspeople, and they have an interesting program that they are doing,” she said. “Since I am new to the group I cannot say how my art will turn out there, but I am hoping for some results. This group is kind of a new thing for me.”\nIndianapolis resident Lynn Medsker said she feels displaying art at BRAD has a vast number of benefits. She has been displaying her art, which includes photography, digital art, digital collage and collage on canvas, since the gallery opened this past fall and feels that the exhibit has a lot to offer to the consumer.\n“I loved all the bright colors, and that the space felt so open,” Medsker said. “It was refreshing. I think (people) would be intrigued with it because there are so many different kinds of art there. I also like that it is shown in a home setting so you can envision how the art would look in a home, as opposed to in a big gallery where it would be hard to see what it looks like in a home.”\nHe is not, however, sure what kind of a reaction he will receive from the public, Arnholter is hoping for an encouraging one.\n“We always get a very positive reaction to every show we’ve ever had. People are pretty amazed by what we can do here,” he said. “We look forward to whoever wanders in and to how we can help them create their dreams. You can dream it, we can conceptualize it and we can make it.”\nFor more information on “A Summer Affair’ or Broad Ripple Art and Design, visit their Web site at www.broadrippleart.com.