Broad Ripple Random Ripplings

Brought to you by:

Everything Broad Ripple Home

Random Ripplings Home

2007 11 16

Random Rippling

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n23)

Broad Ripple celebrates its distinction as a cultural district - By Ashley Plummer

posted: Nov. 16, 2007

By Ashley Plummer

The Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA), in conjunction with Indianapolis Downtown Inc. (IDI), celebrated Broad Ripple Village's distinction as a Cultural District at the Indianapolis Art Center on Tuesday, October 30, 2007.

Festivities for the night included food, beverages and a pumpkin carving contest where village merchants were able to design pumpkins that either represented their business or Broad Ripple in its entirety.

Before introducing numerous speakers affiliated with Broad Ripple and IDI, BRVA President Ellen Morley Matthews began the event by thanking everyone who came out.

BRVA President Ellen Morley Matthews welcomes the crowd

"We here at the BRVA want to say thank you to everyone who has helped us recognize the many accomplishments that have been made in our neighborhood since Broad Ripple was fortunate to be chosen as a cultural district in 2002."

Matthews continued by explaining that 2002 was the year when the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission designed what would become the Cultural District Program as a way to support economic development all over Indianapolis.

"The goal was to give support to the numerous areas in the city where cultural events were already thriving," she said. "Based on an application submitted by the BRVA and the Indianapolis Art Center, Broad Ripple Village was selected as a Cultural District in 2003."

In the months following, Broad Ripple stake holders and merchants convened to develop a plan to enhance the village as a cultural destination for locals and visitors.

"Managed with help from IDI, the cultural district program has afforded our neighborhood many cultural advancements," she said.

There are currently six cultural districts including Broad Ripple, Fountain Square, Mass Ave., Indiana Ave., the Canal District and the Wholesale District.

The evening continued with various speakers talking about some of the additions that have been brought into the Village as a result of Broad Ripple's participation in the Cultural District Program.

Joyce Sommers, president and executive director of the Indianapolis Art Center, was to first to come to the podium to speak about the Art Center.

"I am really so proud to have everyone here today," she said "As you know, we have 1,300 people in some of our 200 classes a week here at the Arts Center."

Joyce Sommers, president and executive director of the Indianapolis Art Center

She highlighted that Artspark, the pathway garden located behind the building, was one of the Art Center's biggest achievements, as well as working with local children and students in the Public Art program.

"The one thing I really wanted to celebrate was being included with our good mayor who had the insight to think about creating cultural districts for Indianapolis," she said. "What a difference it has made in the Public Art program.

Mark Demerly spoke next about the developing greenways and gardens.

"Some of the money donated from the cultural district went towards developing gardens in the area and we are now working on developing gardens along College Avenue," he said. "This fall, we are planting around 100 trees down to the bridge on College."

Mark Demerly

Linda Shikany, who owns Marigold and is co-owner of ginko, spoke about the Cultural District identity logo which can currently be seen on the back of Chelsea's Gifts and all over BRVA and IDI publications.

"I have been working with IDI since 2003," she said. "We sat and brainstormed and thought about all the things that 'are Broad Ripple' and that is where the logo was formatted.

"One of the great things as a business owner to me is that it tells people that they have arrived in Broad Ripple. It takes what Broad Ripple is about and makes it visual. Whether you are a visitor or resident, you know you are here."

Linda Shikany

Other speakers included Indianapolis Greenways manager Karina Straub, who spoke about the Village map pedestals; Jeb Banner, owner of Small Box Consulting, spoke about the Cultural District guides; and Elizabeth Ricke from the Broad Ripple State Farm Insurance.

"Remember, the Broad Ripple Cultural District Web site is www.discoverbroadripplevillage.com," Ricke said. "It was created with funds provided by IDI."

The final speaker of the night was Tamara Zahn, president of IDI.

"The Cultural District Commission is very proud of its six chosen districts," she said. "We thought long and hard about taking on this project in the beginning of our efforts and, thanks to partners like you, we are happy that we can engage in efforts outside of downtown.

"Just looking around here, you all here tonight deserve to be extremely proud of all the accomplishments that have become a part of the Broad Ripple area."

She continued by saying that the night was an example of the importance of the Cultural Districts.

"These are the things we are doing to continue making sure Indianapolis is a world-class city," she said. "We have seen examples of a few years of hard work, but I am really looking forward to the future."

The night ended with announcing the winners of the pumpkin carving contest.

The Bungalow received the award for the most creative, Marigold for the design that best depicts Broad Ripple and the Bike Line for the design that was the best representation of a business (their own).

Bike Line's award-winning pumpkin