INDIANAPOLIS — June is LGBTQ Pride Month and an exhibit at the Athenaeum is showcasing the work of local queer artists. Pride & Joy, the community art show, is celebrating Indy’s LGBTQ+ artists this June and July.

Ayanna Tibbs is an Indy-based mixed media artist.

Her piece “Striking” is one of over two dozen on display in Pride & Joy.

“Especially as a young black queer child, in a church area in Indianapolis, I didn’t get to see people like me. It was demonized. It was not okay. Now, to walk around and say I do this. I do this well,” Tibbs said.

The annual exhibit features a range of work, including painting, photography, sculpture, and more, from artists of all ages and skill levels.

Gara Gaines with the Athenaeum Foundation says the work gives viewers a glimpse into the artists’ journeys and identities.

“The Athenaeum was founded as a community center. Yes, it was for German Immigrants and German Americans, but we uphold that legacy in a lot of ways. I like to think of this as a community center for the people who are here,” Gaines said.

Artist Rainn Doll says their piece “At her Kitchen Table” evokes queer joy.

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“I want people to feel hope, that there are good things out there when everything feels hard, and sometimes it’s just little things like clipping your carabiner to your girlfriend’s carabiner,” Doll said.

Photographer Jack Melton is behind the piece “Found Family.”

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“It’s inspired by those communities you have, especially as queer people, the people that stick by your side, in thick and thin. Maybe if you don’t have an accepting family, really that found family,” Melton said.

The exhibit is on display in the ArtSpace of the Athenaeum.

It’s free and open to the public.

It takes a staff of dedicated journalists to bring you the news from around Central Indiana. In this feature, the Indianapolis Star introduces readers to our newsroom staff — or, rather, we let them introduce themselves. Up this week is Shari Rudavsky.

What’s your job title?

Local news editor for entertainment and business

When did you join IndyStar?

2004

What’s your favorite part of your job?

Meeting strangers who tell me that IndyStar has had an effect of any sort on their lives. That impact may range from trying a certain restaurant, changing their outlook on an issue or leading them to take action, all based on something they read either in our physical paper or online.

Why journalism?

I staunchly believe that the role of journalists consists of informing our community about the issues that matter in our lives and bring us together.

What do you do to unwind from a job that can be stressful?

Read, walk, do the New York Times Wordle, Spelling Bee and crossword puzzles.

What song do you shamelessly jam out to in the car?  

“Naked Eye” by Luscious Jackson. Yep, you’ve probably never heard it.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

“Be yourself” — the last words my father said to me with the wish I pass them on to my son, his only grandchild.

If you could guest star on any TV show past or present, which one? 

Can I just take over for Terri Gross, queen of the NPR show “Fresh Air,” when she retires?

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

My first job out of college was at Penthouse magazine. Seriously, I worked for Omni magazine, a now-defunct science magazine, as an editorial assistant, and Omni was published by Penthouse. Every morning I walked by a huge photo on the wall of Bob Guccione with a topless “pet” on his lap.

What’s the meanest tweet ever directed at you?

Not a Tweet and not the meanest (because I did write about abortion for several years so had unspeakably mean comments hurled in my direction), but years ago an IndyStar reader wrote to tell me that I needed to do something about my eyebrows.

How did you earn your first dollar?

I earned my first money pairing socks for the family laundry at the generous salary of “a penny a pair.” Since my family only had three people in it, my first full dollar was earned babysitting.

What’s your favorite comfort food?

New York City poppy or everything bagel toasted with butter

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced that quarterback Anthony Richardson is dealing with an injury in the same throwing shoulder in which he suffered his AC joint sprain. Steichen said that Richardson will miss next week’s mini-camp.

Richardson originally suffered a grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right throwing shoulder in a game against the Tennessee Titans in his rookie season. The injury forced Richardson to the sideline for the entire remainder of the season.

Steichen said that Richardson felt discomfort in his shoulder after an OTA practice last week (per the team). Richardson proceeded to get the shoulder checked out by team doctors, who found aggravation in the AC joint.

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The team does not expect Richardson’s injury to need surgery. Steichen said he expects Richardson to return at some point during training camp.

The Colts will now turn to newly signed quarterback Daniel Jones to carry the first-team reps in next week’s minicamp. Jones and Richardson are expected to battle for the starting job in training camp, barring any setbacks in Richardson’s injury recovery.

Richardson has dealt with his fair share of injuries since entering the league in 2023. From a concussion to a shoulder injury to a hip injury, Richardson has had problems throughout his body.

The Colts will hope that Richardson can make a full recovery in time for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins in early September. Hopefully, this injury is not a sign of permanent damage to Richardson’s shoulder.