The Indianapolis Airport Authority, in partnership with INARF and Ability Indiana, celebrated artists with disabilities using a temporary art exhibit in the Indianapolis International Airport. The exhibit highlighted the airport's commitment to displaying diverse artists and creatives from Indiana, and showed off local organizations making an impact on the disability community during National Developmental Disability Awareness Month. The grand opening reception was held on March 29, 2023, and featured many of the artists and many special guests, including the Lieutenant Governor, Suzanne Crouch.  The art exhibit was on display through April 30, 2023.

Media Links:
- artists celebrated at Indianapolis International Airporthttps://www.wthr.com/video/news/local/artists-celebrated-at-indianapolis-international-airport/531-5b51ed73-220f-4b1b-872c-f9daa4ff1d87
- Indianapolis Airport Authority showcases art exhibit by adults with disabilities
https://travelprnews.com/easyjet-launches-twilight-bag-drop-service-at-edinburgh-airport-for-hassle-free-travel-688885/travel-press-release/2023/03/30/
- Indy Airport, INARF, Ability Indiana Honor Local Artists with Disabilities
https://www.ind.com/about/media/media-releases/indy-airport-inarf-ability-indiana-honor-local-artists-with-disabilities

House and Flowers - Darren Puzzello
To purchase this piece, email Pam at [email protected]. A square invoice for purchasing will then be sent. This painting is $45.00

Darren Puzello
Darren lives in Lebanon and has been involved in the local arts community for many years. He reports that he finds that art makes him happy. He says, "I like painting because I enjoy being able to paint with the talent I have. What makes me happy about art is that I enjoy seeing me complete the painting, and, hopefully, I like the painting. I sometimes want to second guess myself." ​Art helps him build his confidence.
INARF Member Organization: The Arc of Greater Boone County, Inc.

Emily Parker
Emily lives in Indianapolis and finds art fun and relaxing. She loves arts and crafts, animals and her work at The Arc of Greater Boone County. She is humble about talking about herself.  
​​INARF Member Organization:​ The Arc of Greater Boone County, Inc.

Abstract Flowers - Emily Parker
​​SOLD

Visions of Paris - ​Jai Mathew
​SOLD

Jai Mathew
Jai lives in Indianapolis and is very involved in creative pursuits. She gets joy in painting and notes that she used to paint with her dad when she was younger. She finds that working with color and making things look real are exciting to her.
INARF Member Organization: ​​​The Arc of Greater Boone County, Inc.

Cup of Coffee - Marita (Monica) Johnson
​To purchase this piece, email Pam at [email protected]. A square invoice for purchasing will then be sent. This painting is $40.00

Marita (Monica) Johnson
Monica lives in Lebanon. In addition to art, she loves word searches, reading and puzzles. Monica is a quiet lady who enjoys relaxing pursuits.​
INARF Member Organization:​ ​The Arc of Greater Boone County, Inc.

Rachel Henthorne
Rachel lives in Indianapolis and is very involved in creative pursuits including painting, drawing and writing. She finds her artistic pursuits to be a stress reliever. She describes art for her as a diary - that she draws how she feels. She did this painting which reflects her love of cats and books, and notes that she recently got glasses. Rachel enjoys 1800's history, which ​is reflected in much of her arts, which includes fantasy and steampunk inspiration. 
INARF Member Organization: ​​The Arc of Greater Boone County, Inc.

Escape Artist - Rachel Henthorne
​​​SOLD

Alligator With Fish - Bill Samarus

Bill Samarus
Bill enjoys doing ceramic work and has created many pieces. Bill enjoys a good time with good conversation, music, and old movies. Bill likes to look good and enjoys shopping for his clothes. Bill lives in one of New Hope's supported living homes and enjoys chatting with his roommates. ​Bill has a big heart and is always ready to offer any help a friend may need.
INARF Member Organization:​ New Hope of Indiana, Inc.

Eric LaMar
Eric's paintings can be described as beautiful explosions of color. Although he is unable to see he is deliberate with his brush strokes and color choices. Eric finds joy in all things and that is especially apparent in his paintings. Eric lives in a group home supported by New Hope of Indiana. He attends day services and art therapy classes. ​Eric enjoys Chinese traditional music, games of all sorts, talking with friends and walking laps.
INARF Member Organization:​ ​New Hope of Indiana, Inc.

Moment - ​Eric LaMar

Countryside - ​Jason Chang

Jason Chang
Jason is a prolific painter who also does ceramic work. Jason has worked on honing his skills through classes at the Indianapolis Art Center. Jason lives with his family and works with an art therapist through New Hope's behavior services. I​n addition to creating art, Jason has a part-time job, volunteers and enjoys being with his peers.
​INARF Member Organization:​ New Hope of Indiana, Inc.

Josh Stone
​Josh is a very focused and deliberate painter. This is apparent in his brush stroke. Josh seems to find painting to be self-soothing. Josh is an active participant in art therapy sessions through New Hope of Indiana. Josh lives in a supported living home with New Hope and attends the day service program. ​Josh also enjoys music and is always ready with a smile.
INARF Member Organization:​ New Hope of Indiana, Inc.

Light - ​Josh Stone

Traveling - Michelle Jones

Michelle Jones
Michelle is a passionate painter who produces most of her work at her home studio. Her paintings can be identified by bright colors and a mixture of geometric and organic shapes. Michelle is a graduate of New Hope of Indiana's food truck program. ​Currently Michelle works with an art therapist through New Hope's behavior program.
INARF Member Organization:​ New Hope of Indiana, Inc.

Rita Makiejus
​Rita's father painted as a hobby and she feels a connection to him through her own painting. Rita's paintings are usually based in realism and soft colors. Rita loves to paint and also has a passion for crocheting. Rita lives in a supported living home home through New Hope, where she enjoys talking with her roommates. Rita attends New Hope's day services program and works with a behavior consultant. ​Rita is a great storyteller and enjoys sharing her stories.
INARF Member Organization:​ New Hope of Indiana, Inc.

Flowers - ​Rita Makiejus

Plane - By Tosha Ramsey, Amy Sendek, and Mark Vanderhoff

Amy Sendek
​Amy has been a Green Light artist for 5 years. She enjoys creating abstract art and painting. Amy also loves to create ​needle art as well. 
INARF Member Organization:​ ​Putnam County Comprehensive Services & Green Light Art Studios 

Mark Vanderhoff
Mark has been a Green Light artist for 5 years. He enjoys all types of artwork. His favorite type of art to create Is paintings and ​object art.
INARF Member Organization:​ ​Putnam County Comprehensive Services & Green Light Art Studios 

Tosha Ramsey
​Tosha has been a Green Light artist for 6 years. She volunteers her time to help at all of our central Indiana Green Light events. She enjoys drawing, painting and crocheting. Tosha's favorite type to create is florals. 
INARF Member Organization:​ Putnam County Comprehensive Services & Green Light Art Studios ​

Happy Skies - ​Dale Luttrell

Dale Luttrell
Dale has been a Green Light Artist for 5 years. She is a resident of Bainbridge. She enjoys drawing and coloring. She enjoys taking care of animals. Her favorite animal is her dog, Chance. She enjoys being around other people. ​She enjoys riding her golf cart.
INARF Member Organization:​ ​Putnam County Comprehensive Services & Green Light Art Studio

Joe O'Conner
Joe has been a Green Light Art Studios artist for 5 years. Joe is a resident of Greencastle. Joe enjoys drawing and sharing his art with his peers and the community. Joe's Earth Day piece won the PCCS Earth Day Art Contest in 2022! 
INARF Member Organization:​ Putnam County Comprehensive Services & Green Light Art Studios

Earth Day - ​Joe O'Conner

Galaxy - ​Kristina Steigerwald

Kristina Steigerwald
Kristina has been a Green Light artist for six years. Kristina enjoys drawing and painting. Her favorite types of art to create are object and abstract.
​INARF Member Organization:​ Putnam County Comprehensive Services & Green Light Art Studios

Matthew Hovey
Matthew resides in Greencastle and his family lives in Indianapolis. Matthew started making art during the pandemic lockdown. Matthew enjoys making up jokes for his comedy routine along with spending time with his family and friends. Matthew's biggest inspiration is his grandmother Jean "Bo" Sipes.
INARF Member Organization: ​Putnam County Comprehensive Services & Green Light Art studios

Security Check - By Matthew Hovey

My Family Vacation - ​By Mary Ward

Mary Ward
Mary lives in Lafayette, Indiana with her parents and her service dog, Jupiter. She has had Jupiter for one year. Mary loves to paint on rocks and hide them at the park and find rocks painted by others and re-hide them. Mary loves to color and read and her favorite subjects are science, history, and the solar system. Mary loves to mess with her parents and her brother. She also loves pizza, ribs, Japanese food, and hot dogs.
​INARF Member Organization: ​Wabash Center

Nellie Purk
Nellie has loved art for her entire life. In the last 23 years, she has refined her talent even more.
Her favorite types of art are abstract and multimedia canvases. 
Her main motivation is to bring happiness to everyone with her art. After each piece she completes, she tells everyone with a big grin on her face, "I did that."
​Nellie is an avid bowler and loves being in the community and still refuses to retire.
​INARF Member Organization: ​Wabash Center

Flower Abstract - Nellie Purk

Abstract 54 - Nellie Purk

Flamingo - Nellie Purk

Wolf Abstract - Nellie Purk

Photo, Left to Right:
Back Row: Walter Wathen, Elizabeth Rogers, Kole Oesch, Brooke Moore, Nicole Mohs, Kathryn Hunter, Marlian Johnson
Middle Row: Paige Rogers, Adam Miller, Kristen Rice
Kneeling: Mary Vennemann, LPN, Haley Forler, Lead RBT, Hikaru Kikuchi, Dorian Daniels
Harmony in Bloom is a collaborative piece by the individuals served at Easterseals Crossroads Adult Day program on North Keystone Ave in Indianapolis. Haley Forler, artist and Lead RBT in ESC's ABA program, leads a weekly art class with individuals in the Adult Day program with the support of Mary Vennemann, LPN. Harmony in Bloom was a month-long project that utilized the creative abilities of over 15 adult day participants. The goal of the project was to create a vivid spring scene that symbolized growth, positivity, and unity through movement and bright colors. Each class session had a different group of 5 participants completing a different portion of the project. The first group created the tissue paper background, the second group created flowers in the foreground, the third group created more flowers in the middle ground, and the last group created the sun at the top of the piece.
INARF Member Organization: Easterseals Crossroads

Harmony in Bloom - Easterseals Crossroads Adult Day Program