The Indianapolis Bicentennial Legends mural series honors Hoosiers whose talent, courage, and humanity helped make our city the vibrant place it is today.
Each mural is a unique collaboration involving the artist, community partners, the building owner, the neighborhood hosting the mural, and the public.
The Bicentennial Legends project builds on Indy's already-iconic murals of Hoosiers such as author Kurt Vonnegut, poet Mari Evans, and former Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller. New murals will depict people who embody the Bicentennial Commission’s guiding principles: History, Civic Pride, Innovation, and Legacy.
PAINT A LEGEND. HOST A LEGEND. NOMINATE A LEGEND.
With support from the community, artists, and property owners, we can celebrate many other Legends over the next several years.
ABOUT THE MAJOR TAYLOR MURAL
In 1899, Marshall "Major" Taylor, who was born and raised in Indianapolis, became the first African American world-champion professional cyclist. He was also the U.S. sprint champion in 1899 and 1900, and became a pioneering role model for other athletes facing racial discrimination.
The Arts Council identified Major Taylor as the first Bicentennial Legends portrait mural subject in partnership with the Major Taylor Coalition, an informal group of Central Indiana residents who are passionate about seeing Taylor honored in his hometown.
The mural will be installed in 2021 on the Barnes & Thornburg building, 11 S. Meridian St. Lead funding support is provided by the City of Indianapolis Bicentennial Commission, Barnes & Thornburg, Glick Philanthropies, the CIBA Foundation, and public donations to the Major Taylor Coalition, matched by SRAM Corporation.
Visit the Major Taylor project page.
Image courtesy of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.
Thank you to our funders
