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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v01n04)
Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
posted: Jun. 24, 2004

June 4, 2004 - More than 150 attended the Indianapolis Art Center's ceremony for breaking ground and planting trees for the ARTSPARK project. ARTSPARK is a new creativity park that will change the landscape of both Broad Ripple and Indianapolis.
Kenneth Turchi, chairman of the board of the Indianapolis Art Center, opened the ceremony with a unique speech. "We didn't model our art center on centers in other cities. Ours is unique," said Kenneth. He continued to explore this idea and described practically every way in which our center is unique.

Kenneth Turchi - chairman IAC
Kenneth Turchi - chairman IAC
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The word unique was mentioned so many times that when Mayor Bart Peterson coined the 'unique' theme, he received the big laughs. "Ken really let the wind out of the sails of my speech - uniqueness," Mayor Peterson said.
It was entertaining to watch each speaker try to eliminate the word unique from their prepared speeches. Each speaker became increasingly self-conscious.
Michael Graves, world-acclaimed architect and Broad Ripple native, pointed out that "One thing that I learned at School 80 (the Broad Ripple area grade school that Michael attended) is that nothing goes in front of unique." This was a good reminder to all the speakers who added adjectives to 'unique' in their attempts to describe the new project.
Frank Basile, senior vice president of Gene B. Glick Company and Art Center contributor, made it clear in his presentation that, "Without Joyce (Sommers) we would not be here today. She inspired us and brought us kicking and screaming to where we are today." It was Joyce's vision as the president and executive director of the Indianapolis Art Center that brought Michael Graves in first to design the art center facility and than again to design the ARTSPARK.
Frank was asked hours before the ceremony to speak by a gravely-voiced Joyce Sommers, who had laryngitis. "When I first heard the voice on the phone at 4 A.M. I got excited. Then I realized it wasn't an obscene caller, it was just Joyce," laughed Frank.
Jim Durst introduced the students who attended that were from the Indiana School for the Blind. The students then planted several trees where the ground breaking had just been completed. Jim expressed how pleased he was that his school has joined with the Art Center on the ARTSPARK project.
The Indianapolis Art Center is located at 820 East 67th Street. The ARTSPARK will be constructed on 12 acres along the south bank of the White River and surrounding the Art Center, providing a "one-of-a-kind" experience.

Before the ceremony
Before the ceremony
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Rendering of the ARTSPARK as seen from the northeast, above the Monon trail
Rendering of the ARTSPARK as seen from the northeast, above the Monon trail
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Sadashi Inuzuka's installation model
Sadashi Inuzuka's installation model
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Mayor Bart Peterson
Mayor Bart Peterson
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The audience
The audience
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Frank Basile, senior vice president of the Gene B. Glick Co. and Art Center contributor, describes Joyce Sommers' importance to the center.
Frank Basile, senior vice president of the Gene B. Glick Co. and Art Center contributor, describes Joyce Sommers' importance to the center.
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Michael Graves
Michael Graves
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Joyce Sommers, president and executive director of the Indianapolis Art Center, listens as architect Michael Graves describes the design of ARTSPARK.
Joyce Sommers, president and executive director of the Indianapolis Art Center, listens as architect Michael Graves describes the design of ARTSPARK.
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Rundell Ernstberger - landscape architect
Rundell Ernstberger - landscape architect
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Michael Graves and Joyce Sommers
Michael Graves and Joyce Sommers
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Ralph Nowak and George Seybert - campaign chairs
Ralph Nowak and George Seybert - campaign chairs
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Getting ready for the groundbreaking
Getting ready for the groundbreaking
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Turning over the soil
Turning over the soil
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Indiana School for the Blind - tree planting - Jim Durst with students
Jim Durst with students
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Jim Durst, Indiana School for the Blind superintendent with master artist Sadashi Inuzuka and a model of Sadashi's art installation.
Jim Durst, Indiana School for the Blind superintendent with master artist Sadashi Inuzuka and a model of Sadashi's art installation.
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Joyce and Michael watch the planting ceremony
Joyce and Michael watch the planting ceremony
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Indiana School for the Blind planting trees
Indiana School for the Blind planting trees
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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Fans with Michael Graves
Fans with Michael Graves
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Michael Graves being greeted by one of the many adoring fans who came to the ceremony especially to meet him.
Michael Graves being greeted by one of the many adoring fans who came to the ceremony especially to meet him.
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Architect Michael Graves and IAC Break Ground for ARTSPARK Project
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