FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Art This Way, a program of Downtown Fort Wayne, reveals plans for a mural installation at The Sidecar designed by local artist Julie Wall.
The Sidecar, an outdoor patio cocktail bar retrofitted in a 40-foot long shipping container, sits next to The Harrison building at 301 West Jefferson Boulevard Suite 99, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802.
This high-profile site opened in 2016 outside the north gate entrance near the center field of the Parkview Field TinCaps Stadium in Downtown Fort Wayne.
The Downtown Improvement District released the following:
This latest public art installation directly addresses and improves connectivity and walkability, as identified by the Downtown Fort Wayne Public Realm Action Plan, produced by internationally recognized design firm Gehl.
According to the Gehl study, individuals are drawn to streets and spaces that engage their senses. Public art strategically links residents and visitors to key Downtown landmarks and zones, improving the community’s quality of place amenities while driving local economic impact.
“We really wanted, and needed, to paint The Sidecar this year,” said property owner Gary Skeel. “We expect to see a tropical collage of colors, florals, and palms. [Wall’s] style of art is the perfect pairing for The Sidecar’s general theme.”
Wall, a Fort Wayne native, has completed 11 total murals over the years and incorporates “modern botanicals” in her stylistic approach.
“The property owner was integral in developing the theme overall,” said Wall. “I’m excited to add some bright pops of color to The Sidecar.”
The Sidecar mural project will be completed at the end of June 2022.
Funding for this project is partially provided by the City of Fort Wayne Community Development Division through the Commercial Façade Grant (CFG) Program.
The Gehl Downtown Fort Wayne Public Realm Action Plan was funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne and Knight Foundation in partnership with the City of Fort Wayne’s Redevelopment Commission and Community Development Division.
For more information on the CFG Program, please contact the City of Fort Wayne Community Development Division’s Redevelopment Specialist, Lindsey Maksim, at Lindsey.Maksim@CityOfFortWayne.org.
For more information about Downtown Fort Wayne’s Art This Way program, please go to ArtThisWayFW.com.
