FHLBank Indianapolis unveils in-house art display for Black History Month

last updated on Thursday, February 1, 2024 in Federal Home Loan Bank Indianapolis

Things look a little different inside the FHLBank Indianapolis headquarters, thanks to a cultural first in the Bank’s history.

Now through Feb. 23, 2024, 34 pieces of Black-inspired wall art will be displayed throughout the building as part of Black History Month events. Titled, “Impact and Influence: The Intersection of Art and Black History,” the display is the first time the Bank has highlighted the diverse artistic talents of Black artists from its district states of Indiana and Michigan with an in-house display.

Black History Month art exhibit at FHLBank Indianapolis Featuring acrylic, watercolor and mixed media art, the display includes work from Butter, the annual Indianapolis fine art fair centered on Black art, a key partner in the pop-up sports-culture art displays Feb. 16-18 for the city’s NBA All-Star Game activities.

Other featured artists include Shirley Woodson, 89, a leading African American artist from Detroit whose works have been featured in the Detroit Institute of Arts, Smithsonian Magazine and on CBS Sunday Morning.

Video: Click here to see the artist list and their hometowns.

Artist bios: Click here to read background about the artists and their training.

Leaders in the Bank’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion said they wanted a new approach to telling the story of diversity in the Bank’s district.

“We wanted to create something where our community and our staff could intersect, something with the potential to inspire, enrich, empower and expose,” said Marchelle Costa, AVP, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “Art, music and food are universal – and they have the power to connect people in a meaningful way.”

Other Black History Month events at the Bank include a staff lunch featuring soul food and live music from an Indianapolis jazz and blues band, as well as the announcement of the Bank’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Citizenship Award, established in 2000 to recognize the talent, character and citizenship of our employees for their dedication to local organizations, charities, churches and community activities.

Story by Scott Thien, Sr. Internal Communications Lead. Contact the FHLBank Indianapolis Corporate Communications department at corpcomm@fhlbi.com.