Indianapolis, IN
When the Spotlight Hits the Game, Black Artists Take Center Stage – Indianapolis Recorder
When the lights come up on a championship court, most eyes are fixed on the game. The buzzer. The movement. The moment.
But behind every major sporting event — behind the spectacle that draws thousands into arenas and millions to their screens, there is another story unfolding. One that doesn’t always get the same visibility, but carries just as much cultural weight. It is the story of the artists.
In cities like Indianapolis, where sports are woven into the community’s identity, art often works quietly in the background — shaping how those moments are experienced, remembered, and understood. Murals, performances, visual storytelling, and cultural programming all help define what a moment means, not just what it looks like.
And for Black artists, that work carries an additional responsibility. Because too often, the cultural contributions of Black communities are present in the experience but absent from the narrative.
Black artists don’t just capture moments. We contextualize them. We connect them to history, to struggle, to joy, to resilience. We tell the fuller story, one that reflects the communities that have long shaped the culture surrounding the game itself. And the impact of that work is not just cultural — it is economic.
The arts and cultural sector contributes more than $1 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports millions of jobs. Cities that invest in their creative ecosystems are not simply supporting the arts; they are strengthening a major driver of growth, talent attraction, and community vitality. Research also shows that diverse creative environments lead to stronger innovation and more meaningful engagement, reinforcing what many communities already experience firsthand.
When Black artists are included, the work does not just become more representative; it becomes more relevant, more connected, and more complete.
Indianapolis has a deep and often underrecognized legacy of Black artistic expression. From visual arts to performance, from community-centered storytelling to intergenerational creative practice, Black artists in this city have consistently created work that reflects both who we are and where we are going. But visibility has not always kept pace with contribution.
Across the country, studies have shown that artists of color remain significantly underrepresented in major cultural institutions and platforms. That gap is not a reflection of talent—it is a reflection of access, investment, and whose stories have historically been prioritized.
Major events bring energy, investment, and attention to a city. They also create a rare opportunity: a chance to be intentional about whose stories are elevated alongside the main stage.
When Black artists are included — not as an afterthought, but as a central part of the cultural experience — the impact is different. The city feels more complete. The story becomes more honest. The moment becomes more connected to the people who live here every day. This is not just about representation. It is about accuracy.
Because culture is not created in isolation. It is built through community. And when we fail to include the voices of those who have helped shape that culture, we present an incomplete picture — not just to visitors, but to ourselves.
At the Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis, our work is grounded in that belief. We exist to create space for artists to explore identity, history, and creativity in ways that build confidence, deepen understanding, and strengthen community connection. Through arts-centered programming, we are not only developing artists; we are cultivating storytellers, leaders, and individuals who see themselves as active participants in shaping the world around them.
That work matters in moments like these.
Because when the spotlight turns to Indianapolis during championship season, the question is not just what the world will see, but what story we choose to tell.
Will it be surface-level, focused only on the game? Or will it reflect the depth, diversity, and creativity of the communities that make this city what it is? That answer depends on who we invite into the frame.
This championship weekend, that broader story will take shape through A Touch of Glory, a production that brings together art, history, and sport to honor legacy and connection across generations. It is a reminder that the game is only part of the story, and that the cultural narratives surrounding it deserve just as much attention.
When we make space for those narratives — when we invest in artists, elevate their voices, and recognize their role in shaping how moments are experienced — we don’t just enhance events. We strengthen the cultural fabric of our city. And long after the final buzzer sounds, that is the story that lasts.
Deborah Asante is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis, dedicated to advancing cultural storytelling, fostering creative expression, and empowering communities through the arts.
In recent years, the Indianapolis Colts have taken pride in their offensive line. It only took derailing Andrew Luck’s career for general manager Chris Ballard to realize that he needed to bolster the trenches to protect the quarterback.
Despite some minor turnaround between seasons, the Colts’ line has held its ground for the most part. That has helped Jonathan Taylor establish himself as one of the most underrated players in the game.
Considering that, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski chose center Tanor Bartolini as the Colts’ best-kept secret. In his latest column, he gushed about how he was a seamless replacement for Ryan Kelly and how crucial he’ll be for Shane Steichen’s team.
The Indianapolis Colts need Tanor Bartolini to take another step in 2026
“After one full season as a starter, the Indianapolis Colts’ Tanor Bortolini has established himself as one of the game’s best centers already,” Sobleski wrote. “The Colts eased Bortolini into the lineup as a rookie, because Ryan Kelly was still on the team. With Kelly leaving last offseason, Bortolini was asked to take over the spot and excelled.”
Standing at 6’4″ and 310 pounds, Bartolini has the prototypical body of an NFL center. However, he’s light on his feet and much more athletic than the average center, though his shorter arms limited as a pass-blocker. He has a strong technique and has the potential to be one of the best run zone-blockers in the game.
Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave him an 82.6 overall grade, which ranked 3rd among 40 eligible players at the position; not so bad for a 23-year-old in his first full season as a starter. He was slightly above average in pass protection (66.2, 16th), but he was absolutely elite for the running game (88.2, 3rd).
Bartolini allowed just 17 pressures, including five hits, in 937 total snaps played. He didn’t allow a single sack, though he was called for four penalties, which is something he’ll clean up with more reps under his belt.
The Colts enter this season with more questions than answers on offense. They have fewer weapons for the passing game now that Michael Pittman Jr. is gone, and with Daniel Jones coming off a major injury, keeping a clean pocket will be paramount for Shane Steichen’s team.
Likewise, this team will have a better shot at success the more they get Jonathan Taylor involved. Bartolini’s ability to climb and move in open space will come in handy in 2026, and having him play at the same level — if not better — than he did last season could be the difference between a playoff spot and watching the postseason from home again.
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce has experienced what it’s like to ride in an IndyCar two-seater.
He took a ride in the Fastest Seat in Sports ahead of the 2025 Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
This past Sunday, he rode in the Fastest Seat in Sports again. But this time, the two-seater reached higher speeds as it screamed around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval ahead of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
“Incredible experience,” Pierce said. “I’ll never forget that. So cool… At the end there, with the helicopters, that was pretty cool.”
Pierce added that when he was in the car going around the track, he was able to truly realize just how many people were inside IMS. Keep in mind, Sunday’s race was a grandstand sellout and more than 350,000 fans were thought to have been inside the facility.
“You really can see how many… hundreds of thousands of people of people out here,” Pierce said.
Andrew Chernoff, WISH-TV and WRTV 6 weekend sports anchor/reporter, asked Pierce how the Indy 500 ride in the two-seater compared to the once Pierce took ahead of the Sonsio Grand Prix.
“The Grand Prix I didn’t know what I was signing up for,” Pierce said. “That was a little bit more like the racing itself. The driving in the car was crazy because it was all those turns and this was cool. This was we were just going super fast. This was more just cool to see everybody out there and just be on the track and be a part of such a special event.”
Pierce just wrapped up his fourth season in the NFL.
This past year was arguably the best year of his career. He finished with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards. Pierce also hauled in six touchdowns.
He signed a new, four-year contract with the Colts back in March.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2022 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Jimmie Johnson drove the two-seater that Pierce experienced this weekend.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hundreds of fitness enthusiasts started Memorial Day with a climb.
The Hill 317 kicked off its 16-week season Monday morning after a last-minute venue change to Paul Ruster Park. The event was initially set for Lawrence but moved due to safety issues, organizers said.
“Once police officers realized this was a health event, and no weapons, alcohol, or drugs were involved, they didn’t see a reason to stop people from working out together.”
Brandon Beasley, who founded The Hill 317 in 2019, said the turnout shows how the group has grown from a small running club into a citywide movement.
“I created this health event in 2019, and it’s been going ever since,” Beasley said. “I decided to run the hill, asked people to run with me, and the next thing you know, we have 3-4-500 people.”
‘It’s really your level’
The two-hour sessions include running, walking, or pacing up the hill, followed by a halftime break for calisthenics like squats, push-ups, and jumping jacks. Refreshments and a DJ round out the workout.
“It’s really your level,” Beasley said. “If you can walk up the hill, you can walk up the hill. If you can push yourself to run up the hill, flip up the hill, crawl up the hill, go backwards — whatever you need to do to push yourself to exercise — then we take a halftime break to do calisthenics.”
People of all ages joined Monday’s session. Organizers said even a baby in a stroller made it to the top.
‘No competition. We’re pushing each other’
Mollie Lindeman, softball coach at Cardinal Ritter and a longtime participant, said the community focus keeps her coming back.
“This is amazing,” Lindeman said. “There are so many people here for our first hill of the season. I love to see everyone out here getting up and running today, after or before they eat some Memorial Day food. This is really a great turnout. It’s awesome.”
Lindeman said the group’s supportive environment stands out.
“I am the softball coach at Cardinal Ritter, but I love the community aspect of this,” she said. “Everybody here is together. There’s no competition. We’re pushing each other. You can meet people here and connect with people.”
Free workouts run through summer
The Hill 317 will meet every Monday and Thursday for the next 16 weeks. Sessions are free and open to all fitness levels.
Organizers said the program focuses on building healthier lifestyles through group accountability and encouragement.
Registration and location updates are available online.
If anyone wants to help sponsor the community event, contact info@thehill317.com.
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