INDIANAPOLIS — A once-blighted building in Irvington could soon become a hub for artists and the community if a local business owner’s vision comes to life.
Elysia Smith, owner of Irvington Vinyl & Books, is leading an effort to turn the long-vacant property into a fully equipped maker space. The project aims to give artists access to affordable tools, collaborative opportunities and even an artist residency program — all while preserving and growing Irvington’s cultural legacy.
“This is going to take what was once a space that no one could use and turn it into something a lot of people can use,” Smith said. “It’s about fostering collaboration and keeping this community’s creativity alive.”
The maker space will operate four days a week, with equipment available for in-house projects and a checkout system so artists can work from home. Smith said financial accessibility is key; those unable to pay will still have opportunities to participate through volunteer work, skill-sharing or staffing the space.
Smith says the building’s property owner is donating its use for five years and offering the upstairs apartment three months each year for a subsidized artist residency. She adds visiting artists will only need to cover travel and food costs. Local artists will help them showcase their work and connect with venues around Indianapolis.
Irvington community leaders hope the project will not only boost the neighborhood’s creative economy but also position the area as one of the city’s next designated cultural districts. They are applying for a one-time grant from the Department of Metropolitan of up to $100,000 to support the renovations, equipment and artist programs.
“It’s a one-time opportunity for these cultural districts to pour into their communities, their artists and their local infrastructure,” Smith said.
If awarded, the grant could be used for building improvements, restoring historic elements, developing artist funds or helping nearby small businesses maintain operations.
Organizers say the goal is simple: Ensure Indiana’s artists have the resources they need.
Irvington Development Organization is working to turn Irvington into a Cultural District.
"The Irvington Development Organization (IDO) was honored to submit the application for Irvington to become Indianapolis' next Cultural District and request funds to install the Helene Hibben Art Park at one of our neighborhood's main entrances. Irvington has been a strong hub for community, culture and art since it was founded by abolitionists in the 1870s and named after the famed author, Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. We are a diverse and eccentric neighborhood that represents the largest protected historic area in Indianapolis.
Irvington is a natural fit for a Cultural District designation. While we are widely known for hosting one of the nation's largest Halloween festivals, our community building efforts are on display all year long. From our businesses enticing people from around the city into our neighborhood every December for the Holiday Open House and in the Summer for Irvington Pride, to neighbors and families gathering on our beloved Circle Park for monthly summer concerts, to our large Ellenberger Park Farmers' Market, and the recent expansions of public art through murals and painted electrical boxes, Irvington is a vibrant community focused on keeping culture, art and gathering at the forefront of all we do.
In addition to the Cultural District application, IDO also applied for grant funding tied to this initiative to install an art park at the entrance to our main street, named after Helene Hibbon, a resident artist to Irvington known for her work in illustration, painting, pottery and sculptural work with bronze that has been featured nationally. The park will include installations dedicated to our neighborhood's founders and artists, and will also be a place for modern artists to display their work. We look forward to having a notable entrance that reflects our preserved history, cultural uniqueness and ongoing contributions to all of Indianapolis."
