Hello Sunday. November 01 2026 |
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The sculptures outside Central Library are definitely “keeping Indy weird.” They’re not your usual historical statues + they come with a few less than usual stories. |
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It's hard to remember what the library looked like without these pieces. | Photo by INDYtoday team |
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📖 The background
The Central Library was built in 1917 by architect Paul Cret, who incorporated two outdoor pedestals intended for his own work. However, those plans were never fulfilled due to lack of funding, leaving an impression that the building was unfinished. Fast forward 92 years, when they were finally put to use by artist Peter Shelton’s bronze work in 2009.
Over 60 artists were reviewed for the project from across the world, but the decision to choose Peter was unanimous. The art costed $750,000 and was privately funded by arts advocates Ann + Chris Stack the library foundation.
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"Thinman" is true to its name. | Photo by INDYtoday team
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🐦 🍩 The pieces
Chris Stack described Peter Shelton’s other work as “totally impractical but beautiful,” and we’d have to say the same for “thinmanlittlebird.” “Thinman” stands at 40 ft tall, and yes, it’s headless. The trailing limbs remind us a little of a Tim Burton movie, but for a passerby during the piece’s installation, they said “it could be in a Stephen King movie. The guy gets up and walks around Indianapolis.”
“Littlebird” — aka “the donut,” or bagel, if you like — is 3,500 pounds + includes a little bird perching upon it (which I’ve never actually noticed). That’s probably because it’s tiny compared to the scale of the piece, mimicking the size of a real bird, which the artist knew it would attract. He said the bird is a metaphor for “our delicacy on the edge of that universe.”
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Can you see the bird? | Photo by INDYtoday team |
🏗️ The logistics
Both pieces look a bit physically improbable, so you can bet that they were a challenge to install. To anchor the work to the building, a steel shaft had to be installed from the roof down into the ground. A lot of details had to be accounted for in order to keep the pieces stable, including wind + seismic waves.
The next time you’re strolling up those Central Library steps, you’ll be sure to impress your company with these artsy tidbits. |
Use the buttons below to share this story with your fellow library goers + anyone else who's been wondering how those sculptures stay in place. |
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Today Friday -
Drea Cofield: All At Once | Fri., April 1 | 6-10 p.m. | Tube Factory Artspace, 1125 Cruft St. | Free | Drea is an artist working between Brooklyn + Indy and most of the paintings in this exhibit were created in one sitting. 🎨
- April First Friday Gallery Opening | Fri., April 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 N. Delaware St. | Free | Stop by this near north side art space for a number of opening exhibits + live music by Josh Gillespie. 🖼️
Saturday - Bunny Yoga | Sat., April 2 | 9:45-11 a.m. | Metazoa Brewing Co., 140 S. College Ave. | $20 | Bring your own yoga mat + get ready to cuddle adoptable bunnies. 🐇
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Handpicked: A Vintage & Handpicked Market | Sat., April 2 | 12-4 p.m. | Living in the Moment Events, 6935 Lake Plaza Dr., Suite B8 | Free | Shop local + stick around for a free movie showing and popcorn on the house. 🍿
Sunday - The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest | Sun., April 3 | 2:30 p.m. | Phoenix Theatre, 705 N. Illinois St. | $27+ | See this Southern Gothic spanning 400 years come to life on stage. 🎭
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We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends. |
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Weather -
47º | Showers | 47% chance of rain
Show -
R&B icon Patti LaBelle + multi-platinum selling performer Monica are coming to Indy to headline the Heritage Music free outdoor concert, hosted by the Indiana Black Expo (IBE). The event will be at 6 p.m. on Fri., July 15 and the rest of IBE’s Summer Celebration will take place through Sun., April 17. (WTHR)
Sports -
The Colts were one of two teams to propose that the NFL have a new overtime format — which will begin this coming season for postseason games. It guarantees each team at least one overtime possession + if the game remains tied afterward, the winner is the next team to score. 🏈 (IBJ)
Watch -
Remember when Mike Epps was in town last year? Well the comedy special he filmed at the Walker Theatre is out now + you can stream it on Netflix. The special is called “Indiana Mike” and it discusses his parents’ legacy, TikTok dances + of course, the Hoosier State. 🎥
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Indy is hosting the third stop on Indiana Humanities’ nine-city film tour featuring six short docs on the state’s waterways + Hoosiers’ diverse relationships with water. The event will be held at Taggart Memorial Amphitheatre in Riverside Park at 8 p.m. on Thurs., April 7. Registration is free. 🌊
Cause -
The Warren Central Girls Track team is growing + they need the community’s help to stay on track. Currently, the team’s coach, Le’gretta Smith and her husband have been feeding the athletes out of their own funds before competitions. If you’d like to support the team, you can donate on their website. 👟 (WTHR)
Shop -
Pike Township is hosting its own farmers market this year at 5429 Lafayette Rd. Pike Farmers Market will have produce, honey, eggs, baked goods, jam, soap + more on Saturdays starting June 18-Sept. 10 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 🛍️
Hoosier
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Remember this name. Indy-native Deanna Dixon has worked with Ye (formerly Kanye West) + recently performed backup vocals for Beyoncé’s Oscar performance. Next up? Deanna will be at the GRAMMYs on Sun., April 3 supporting an undisclosed artist. Though she moved from Indiana in 2012, she still tells people she’s “Deanna from Indiana.” (IndyStar)
Community Learn -
Going on vacation soon and need to learn a new language fast? With Babbel, you could be speaking a new language in as little as three weeks. Bonus: Get 60% off your subscription for a limited time. 🌎*
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We were just starting to get used to the Carvana vending machine off I-465 + it’s already being torn down.
It’s moving over to make room for a new I-465 interchange as part of the state’s $435 million Clear Path 465 project.
Did you know there are only 24 car vending machines in the country? It’s unclear whether we’ll get ours back, but we’ll keep you updated.
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Editor's pick: In other Central Library news, I’m looking forward to stopping by on Friday to learn more about its Name Engraving Project, which is an initiative to highlight the literary contributions of writers of color. The library will be unveiling 10 more names to be added to the 81 names engraved in its walls, so keep an eye on our Instagram for more info. 👀
Missed yesterday's newsletter? Indy to host Olympic Swimming Trials |
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