2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason Needs

The Colts must really be lucky to win the No.1 pick in the draft twice when a generational talent was available for them. Peyton Manning, arguably the best quarterback in NFL history, was forced to miss the entire season last year. Because of this, the team wound up with a pathetic 2-14 record and was unable to get a win until Week 15. The team's bad record led it to the No. 1 pick, however, and the opportunity to choose a quarterback that would be its franchise player for the next decade. Of course, the Colts had to make a decision on the future of Peyton Manning with the franchise, and now that he has signed on with the Denver Broncos, the team is set on picking Andrew Luck come draft time. Here are the Colts' big additions and subtractions so far in this young offseason, plus a look at their top five needs heading into the draft.

Additions:

Nfl 2012

OT Winston Justice

DE/DT Cory Redding

SS Tom Zbikowski

C Samson Satele

QB Drew Stanton

NT Brandon McKinney

Subtractions:

QB Peyton Manning

WR Pierre Garcon

TE Dallas Clark

RB Joseph Addai

C Jeff Saturday

CB Jacob Lacey

C/G Mike Pollak

TE Jacob Tamme

ILB Gary Brackett

OLB Philip Wheeler

S Melvin Bullitt

QB Dan Orlovsky

WR Anthony Gonzalez

G Ryan Diem

Top 5 Needs:

1. Quarterback

Now that Peyton Manning is no longer with the team, it is quite obvious that the Colts need to replace him this offseason. Some might feel that Robert Griffin III is worthy of the top pick, but there is just no way that the Colts pass up on the opportunity to draft the top-rated college quarterback in the last 25 years. Andrew Luck is as close as you can get to the real deal, but it also wouldn't hurt to add another backup. Dan Orlovsky proved his worth but he, too, moved on and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Drew Stanton was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets, but it seems as though he is not the answer as the No. 2 quarterback in Indianapolis.

2. Offensive Guard

The Colts have found themselves suddenly without their two starting guards from last season. Mike Pollak decided to sign elsewhere and Ryan Diem retired. Indianapolis was able to trade for offensive tackle Winston Justice, which allows them to move Ben Ijalana into one of the vacated spots. But it would really help matters if the Colts were able to re-sign Jamey Richard. Until that happens, though, this remains one of the team's biggest priorities in the draft.

3. Corner

The Colts featured one of the worst secondaries in all of football last season, and this remains their biggest need on the defensive side of the ball. Now that Jacob Lacey has moved on and signed with the Detroit Lions, the Colts are stuck with Chris Rucker, Kevin Thomas and Brandon King as their top three corners heading into 2012. But that simply is not enough. They need to add at least two players capable of challenging for a starting spot, whether it is through the draft or via free agency.

4. Tight End

Indianapolis cut Dallas Clark and saw Jacob Tamme follow Manning to Denver. The Colts could still go back and re-sign Clark to a new deal, but as of now that seems to be a stretch. The Colts must find someone whom Luck can rely on across the middle of the field, especially in red zone situations. The team's clear priority is to draft a tight end after drafting Andrew Luck with its first pick. Coby Fleener, Luck's teammate at Stanford, could be available for them with the first pick in the second round.

5. Wide Receiver

Right after Manning left for the Broncos, it seemed as though Reggie Wayne would follow him as well. But he decided to come back to Indianapolis and try to help this team get back on track. Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez, though, thought otherwise, as they left the team in search of greener pastures. Indianapolis now needs to bring in some new weapons for Luck coming into the 2012 season.

2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason Needs

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The Best Draft Picks by the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are one of the more storied franchises within the NFL. The Colts were founded in 1953 as the Baltimore Colts and moved to Indianapolis in 1983. While in Baltimore the franchise won four NFL Championships and since relocating to Indianapolis the team won Super Bowl XLI in Miami in 2007. There have been a number of great players drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. The best players drafted by the Indianapolis Colts are Marvin Harrison, Raymond Berry and Peyton Manning.

No. 3: Marvin Harrison, WR, (1996 - 2008)

Nfl 2012

Marvin Harrison spent his entire career with the Colts, having been drafted in 1996 with the 19th selection of the first round. The player is described as one of the best catchers of the football and an extremely productive wide receiver. He broke the single-season reception record in 2002 with 143, and is one of four players to record over 1,000 career receptions. He ended up with over 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons and he and quarterback Peyton Manning became one of if not the most lethal WR-QB combinations. During his career he was named to eight Pro Bowls and was a six-time first team All-Pro selection. He amassed 14,580 yards receiving, with 1,102 receptions and 128 touchdowns.

No. 2: Raymond Berry, WR, (1956 - 1967)

Berry was selected in the 1956 draft in the 20th round and is what you would consider a sleeper of the draft because he turned out to be a tremendous asset for the Colts and a consistent target for quarterback Johnny Unitas. Berry won two championships with the Colts, becoming a regular starter in his second season. In his career, he led the league in receptions on three occasions. He practiced with Unitas on a constant basis, and preparation and toughness were characteristics for which he was noted. Berry went to six Pro Bowls and retired in 1967 with a then-career reception record of 631. The Hall of Famer will be remembered for the Championship game of 1958, catching 12 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown.

No. 1: Peyton Manning, QB, (1998 - 2011)

Some will consider Peyton Manning in the running for the title of the best quarterback in NFL history despite the current doubt surrounding the future of his playing career. Peyton Manning was drafted first overall by the Colts in the 1998 draft, and the Colts drafted their franchise quarterback of the future with that selection. The former Tennessee player is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and brother of fellow current NFL quarterback Eli Manning. Peyton Manning holds numerous records for the Colts franchise. These records include career passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass attempts, career wins and pass completions. This great player is the holder of four MVP Awards and 4,000-plus passing yards in consecutive seasons. Peyton Manning's passer rating is ranked in the top four all-time of any NFL quarterback, and he made the second-most consecutive starts in the NFL. He defeated the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI, bringing the first championship to the city of Indianapolis. A player selected to 10 Pro Bowls and five All-Pro first teams, he currently has more than 52,000 passing yards, more than 350 touchdowns, a career completion percentage of 64.9% and an impressive passer rating of more than 90.0.

Peyton Manning basically created who the Indianapolis Colts are today and the whole team has flowed through him ever since. He will be moving on after missing the 2011 season due to injury and being released by the Colts, who will hold the first pick in the 2012 draft and are seeking their next franchise quarterback. Peyton Manning is the best player drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.

The Best Draft Picks by the Indianapolis Colts

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Jobs in Indianapolis

For those seeking employment as well as a reasonable cost of living, searching for potential jobs in Indianapolis should be at the top of the list. Home prices are very inexpensive and there are plenty of activities to suit nearly any individual or family. Spacious homes can be purchased for as little as 4,000, far less than many other parts of the country. On sunny, warm days, many people like to walk on the Monon trail (open to bicyclists, joggers and even those walking their dogs) or check out the Indianapolis Museum of Art. But it is the large number of employment opportunities which causes people to seek out jobs in Indianapolis,probably after hearing about the benefits of the city and potential employers.

What about employers in Indianapolis? Eli Lilly is world famous in the pharmaceutical industry and consistently wins awards for having an employee friendly work atmosphere as well as attractive benefits packages. Jobs in Indianapolis for those working at Eli Lilly include careers in engineering, finance, human resources, medical research, marketing and sales. Pay is extremely competitive with similar jobs around the country and retirement packages are also very appealing. The company attracts thousands of potential employees each year looking for excellent jobs in Indianapolis.

Super Bowl 2012

The city is also a central area for those seeking working in the trucking industry when checking out jobs in Indianapolis. There are well over 340 trucking companies listed in Indianapolis. As might be expected, truckers need supplies so there are many companies which also sell trucking supplies and need employees in this area as well. Plenty of truckers' families live in Indianapolis and love the city.

Indianapolis also is a great place to live and work for sports fans, partially because of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its world famous annual race. Indianapolis is also home to the Indianapolis Colts, a team which has won the Super Bowl Championship in recent years. There are plenty of youth sports, including soccer, football,baseball and swimming offered through local schools, athletic centers and private teams.

With so much to see and do, it is no surprise that many looking for jobs in Indianapolis is of interest to those who love sports. The Speedway is also a major employer and job seekers should check out employment possibilities there. Plenty of buzz and excitement is building for the 2012 Super Bowl hosted by Indianapolis.

Those seeking environmentally friendly jobs should be pleased to learn that new opportunities abound in Indianapolis, especially since the city received a million dollar grant to make companies and residences more energy efficient. The money will be spent on new jobs for those skilled in anything that helps businesses and homes save energy, from solar panels to companies built with the latest energy saving technology.

The city has also received more that 2 million to make specific neighborhoods more energy efficient. Older homes will receive retrofits to help them save energy while newer homes will be built using special eco-friendly materials and the latest technology to reduce energy use. The millions spent to fund these projects will also open up tremendous opportunities for those seeking jobs in Indianapolis. Workers will have the added reward of knowing that their efforts could save as much as 0 million in energy costs.

Low cost of living, excellent arts, sports and cultural centers and plenty of employment opportunities should make jobs in Indianapolis worth seeking. Those who move to the city will also find that long time residents in Indianapolis are friendly and welcoming and that this city is known for its Hoosier hospitality.

Jobs in Indianapolis

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Lucas Oil Stadium - New Home of the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are enjoying their stay at their new home - the Lucas Oil Stadium. The stadium is a retractable roof stadium located in Indianapolis, Indiana which opened in the second half of 2008. The new stadium replaces the RCA Dome which was the long time home of the Colts. This stadium is constructed in preparation for the Super Bowl XLVI to be held in 2012. Aside from the stadium, a new high-rise JW Marriot Indianapolis is being constructed as part of the preparation for the Super Bowl.

The architectural firm behind the design of the new stadium is HKS, Inc. with Walter P. Moore as the structural engineer. Similar to other stadium, the Lucas Oil Stadium has a retractable roof and window wall which allows the Colts to play outdoors. The concept of kinetic architecture was utilized in the design of the stadium for it to be a multi-functional facility with the ease of conversion for an increased return of investment.

Nfl 2012

The rights to name the stadium was purchased by Lucas Oil for approximately 0 million for 20 years, thus it is fondly nicknamed as The Luke by some commentators. Despite the state-of-the-art facilities of the new home of the Indianapolis Colts, a retro look is inculcated in the design as a result of Indianapolis's liking of a field house appearance of sports venues which were popular a few decades ago. The construction of the stadium costs 0 million which was raised through a cooperative effort from the government of Indiana and the Colts.

The seating capacity of the new stadium for football games is 5,000 more than the old one. Now, 63,000 fans can watch from the sidelines during the game. In the event that Indiana will host the Super Bowl, this seating capacity can be increased to 70,000. For basketball games, the seating capacity of the facility can go beyond 70,000. Features of the new stadium includes two huge Daktronics HD scoreboards each measuring 97 feet wide and 53 feet tall and located in the northwest and southeast corners of the stadium.

The retractable roof of the Lucas Oil Stadium was designed by Uni-Systems. The roof divides lengthwise into two retractable panels, each sliding down the slope of the roof of the stadium when it is open. Each panel weighs 2.7 million pounds each. It takes nine minutes for the roofs to open, twelve minutes for it to close and is fully automated at that. What is unique about these retractable roofs is that it is the first ever roof that divides lengthwise. However, the entire stadium is not waterproof so the roofs remain close for most of the year.

A peculiar addition to the stadium's design is the large moveable window wall that allow additional light while closed and gives a more open environment when open. This is another first for that stadium since it is the largest movable glass wall in the world. The first NBC Sunday Night Football of the 2008 NFL Season was played in the Lucas Oil Stadium. Unfortunately, the home team wasn't able to grab the win.

Lucas Oil Stadium - New Home of the Indianapolis Colts

Rick Grantham is an avid NFL fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on Indianapolis Colts Merchandise [http://www.booyahvillage.com/nfl-indianapolis-colts.html]. Many articles are related to NFL blankets [http://www.booyahvillage.com/nfl-blankets-and-throws.html] and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

Indianapolis Bragging Rights

You may have lived in the Circle City all your life or be relatively new to town. But have you ever really listened to what others say about Indianapolis? Two decades ago, it may have been, "Why do I have to spend my weekends here?" Indianapolis has been recognized as the amateur sports capitol of the world over the years; it has blossomed into much more.

Not only is Indianapolis the 13th largest city in the United States, but it's a terrific place to live, work, play, eat, shop... and the list goes on and on. Most people who reside in Indianapolis are proud of their city, but may not know ALL the fun facts that can be shared with friends, relatives and visitors.

Nfl 2012

Consider this your Indianapolis "Brag Session."

Brag about the culture

• Indianapolis Cultural Trail, A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick is a world-class urban bike and pedestrian path that connects neighborhoods, Cultural Districts and entertainment amenities, and serves as the Downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system. The eight-mile path allows users to pass by and through many destinations that make Indianapolis a recognized leader in the arts community. The trail will be completed by 2012.

• Indianapolis boasts The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, not only the largest museum of its kind in the world, but also rated "the best museum" by Child magazine. Among the interactive, hands-on attractions are the Dinosphere; featuring life-size, roaring dinosaur skeletons and simulated fossil digs. In 2006, the 43-foot Fireworks of Glass was installed, the largest permanent sculpture of blown glass ever created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Since then, the museum has expanded even more, adding a fabulous new lobby, new exhibits and more.

• Indianapolis is home to the Madame Walker Theatre Center, which stands as a memorial to America's first female self-made millionaire, Madam C. J. Walker.

• The Indianapolis Museum of Art was ranked by USA Today as one of the top 10 locations for marriage proposals -- in front of the famous LOVE sculpture. Adjacent to the Museum and located on 100 acres that includes woodlands, wetlands, meadows and a 35-acre lake is the 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. The park opened in June 2010 and is one of the largest museum art parks in the country, and the only one to feature the ongoing commission of site-specific artworks.

• The Indianapolis Zoo is the nation's only accredited combined zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. The zoo's Oceans exhibit features the world's largest shark touch tank; while the Dolphin Adventure offers the world's first totally submerged dolphin viewing experience. During summer 2010, the Indianapolis Zoo opened its newest exhibit - Cheetah: The Race for Survival.

• The Old National Centre (originally named the Murat Temple when it opened in 1910) is the largest Shrine temple in North America.

• The Indiana State Museum features art, science and culture. The museum not only has exhibits inside, but is an exhibit itself with its 92-county walk, Indiana material-made exterior and more. It will feature Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Sept. 25 - Jan. 16, 2011.

• Indianapolis houses the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, one of only two museums east of the Mississippi with both Native American and Western art. A NEW exhibit featuring replicas of national treasures, Jingle Rails, will be unveiled in November 2010. Every canyon, mesa, lodge, Mt. Rushmore and even the replica of Indianapolis' own Soldiers and Sailors Monument-are made with natural materials by renowned-artist Paul Busse.

• Indianapolis is second only to Washington, D.C. in its number of monuments and memorials commemorating veterans.

• The 35th Running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon takes place Saturday, May 7, 2011. The Mini has sold-out for the past nine years with 35,000 registrants, and an additional 4,000 participants in the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. The Mini-Marathon is the largest half-marathon in the U.S., and overall, the sixth largest running event in America.

Anyone would agree there's A LOT to do in Downtown Indianapolis. People of all ages can be entertained at numerous museums and historic sites, performing arts and theatres, memorials and parks, major sports venues and various unique attractions.

If you want to see what's only in Indianapolis, discover Indianapolis' Cultural Districts.

Indianapolis is bursting with pride over its six unique Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave and Wholesale District. Four of the six districts have homes directly in Downtown Indianapolis, while Fountain Square is just a mile southeast and Broad Ripple Village nine miles northeast. The districts showcase distinct pockets of cultural opportunity thriving in the city. You'll find delightful public art, unique galleries, inspiring museums, quaint shops and engaging recreation. Satisfy your appetite at exquisite restaurants, ethnic eateries and cafes. Laugh out loud or dance the night away at one of dozens of night clubs and theaters. The districts also have your ticket to professional sports and performances.

Downtown is home to baby elephants, Duckpin Bowling, a working indoor carousel, a world-class symphony orchestra, a 55-foot "Indiana" sculpture, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and so much more to explore.

In recent years, Indianapolis has continued its reputation for Amazingly Always New attractions such as Rhythm! Discovery Center in 2009, Cheetahs: Race for Survival at the Indianapolis Zoo in 2010 and plenty of new Downtown residences to be close to the action!

Brag about Downtown dining and shopping

• Circle Centre, Downtown's world-renowned shopping and entertainment complex, is celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2010.

• Indianapolis is home to the 1886 City Market, which has remained a 'market' ever since and is undergoing a makeover through spring 2011 to further enhance the market.

• Indianapolis' Mass Ave, one of the few remaining diagonal streets on the original 1821 plat, is Downtown's premier arts and entertainment district where people live, work and play in the same eight-block area.

• Downtown Indianapolis has nearly 300 eating and drinking establishments to enjoy.

The dining options are endless ranging from national eateries like Capital Grille, Fogo De Chao, Weber Grill, Palomino and Ruth's Chris to the unique local hot spots such as Saffron Cafe, R bistro, Harry & Izzy's and Bazbeaux pizza.

• St. Elmo Steak House's infamous shrimp cocktail was named "World's Spiciest Food" by Food critic and Travel Channel blogger Alison Stein Wellner in May 2009.

• The Slippery Noodle Inn is Indiana's oldest, continually-operated bar (since 1850). It won the Keeping the Blues Alive - Blues Club of the Year from the Blues Foundation.

With more than 210 shops Downtown, residents and visitors can enjoy everything from the trendy, one-of-a-kind shops such as Windsor Jewelry Company or At Home in the City/Silver in the City, to the popular national chains like Nordstrom, Carson Pirie Scott, T.J. Maxx and Border's.

The JW Marriot hotel will open its doors in 2011. This will be the largest JW Marriot in the world with 1,005 rooms and 145,000 square feet of meeting and event space. It will join more than 30 quality hotels and bed & breakfasts Downtown.

• TripAdvisor named Conrad Indianapolis a Top 25 U.S. Hotel from its 2010 Traveler's Choice awards.

Brag about the sports

• Indianapolis is the only city to boast four professional sports teams, playing within a four-block radius, all in the heart of Downtown. (NBA Pacers, WNBA Fever, NFL Colts and Triple-A Indians)

• In 2012, Indianapolis will host Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. The spectacular new venue opened in 2008.

• Lucas Oil Stadium was named the Sports Facility of the Year in May 2009 by Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Journal.

• Conseco Fieldhouse was ranked the best NBA arena by The Orange County Register.

• Indianapolis is home to a football team of world champion caliber. In 2010 the Indianapolis Colts returned to Super Bowl XLIV. In 2006, the Indianapolis Colts dominated the Chicago Bears for a Super Bowl XLI victory.

• Indianapolis is the only city to have hosted the NCAA Men's Final Four three times in a decade: 1991, 1997 and 2000. Downtown hosted again in 2006 and 2010 and is set for 2015 too. In 2005, the city hosted the NCAA Women's Final Four for the first time and will again in 2011. (The Sporting News named Indianapolis as the "Best Final Four Host" stating "there's no better basketball town than Indy.")

• Indianapolis IS basketball in March. The city hosts the Big Ten Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments from 2008 - 2012. The Women's Tourney also visited in 2007. Indianapolis hosted the World Basketball Championship, which is held every four years, in 2002. This was the first time in the event's 52-year history that it had ever taken place in the United States.

• The Indianapolis 500 race is the largest, single-day sporting event in the world. Coincidentally, the second largest is the Brickyard 400.

• A national spotlight shone on Indianapolis as we hosted the 2005 VISA U.S.A Gymnastics National Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse. Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational will be in Indy January 2011.

• Indianapolis played host to the USA Swimming Nationals and ConocoPhillips Swimming Championships and World Championship Trials in July 2009. Indianapolis also welcomed the USA Diving Olympic Team Trials in 2008.

• The city hosted the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2006 and 2007 at the Indiana University Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium.

• Indianapolis ranked as the second best sports host city in the U.S. in May 2009 in The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live by Robert Tuchman

Of course, Indianapolis earned its bragging rights early as the amateur sports capital of the world. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long been noted as the city's icon. The addition of Victory Field, "the Best Minor League Ballpark in America" according to Sports Illustrated, as well as the state-of-the-art Conseco Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium, have furthered the city's sporting image. In addition, the USHL Indiana Ice is a Tier I junior hockey team that entertains the Indianapolis community.

During any given season, sports fans are sure to find an Indianapolis team to rally or event to attend. From the annual Circle City Classic or Indiana High School Athletics Association championships to the Big Ten Women's and Men's Basketball Tournaments, the action is non-stop.

What's more, various national governing bodies either originated in or have moved their headquarters to Indianapolis including the Black Coaches Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, USA Gymnastics Federation, USA Track & Field, USA Diving, Inc., U.S. Synchronized Swimming and others.

Brag about the international competitions and awards

• The American Pianists Association has been supporting aspiring young artists for more than 25 years. Unique Fellowships, both classical and jazz, offer significant opportunities for American pianists, ages 18-30, to advance their careers. Each Fellowship is valued at more than ,000 including cash awards, fees, publicity and recording opportunities.

• The Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native American Fine Art program has awarded more than .5 million in unrestricted grants and art purchases and added more than 125 pieces of art by 35 Native American fine artists to its permanent collection over the last 10 years. This biennial program is one-of-a-kind in the world for Native Americans and first nations and has led to the distinction of having "the finest collection of Native contemporary art in the world."

• The Indianapolis Prize, presented by the Indianapolis Zoo, is the largest individual monetary award (0,000) for animal species conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree. The Prize is given every other year to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts involving a single animal species or multiple species.

• The International Violin Competition of Indianapolis takes place every four years. Music lovers from all parts of the globe focus their attention on "The Indianapolis" - now regarded as one of the most respected music competitions in the world. The 17-day festival, Sept. 10 - 26 in 2010, features talented violinists from around the world.

Brag about the future

You may think that Downtown is complete. Not true. Development momentum remains steady with MORE THAN .3 billion of new construction to be completed by 2015. Since 1990, .9 billion have been invested in Downtown.

So, next time someone asks you about your town, you can quote Indianapolis native David Letterman. "I'm very, very proud of the fact that I was born and spent most of my life in that wonderful community of Indianapolis. It's a great city."

Thanks, Dave. We think Indianapolis is pretty wonderful too.

Indianapolis Bragging Rights

Find this story online: http://www.indydt.com/IndianapolisBraggingRights.cfm

Mural Art in Indianapolis

Indianapolis

Murals - Outside Public Art

Super Bowl 2012

Some say that street art is the most exciting of all graphic art. It has taken several years of wandering the streets of Indianapolis and, when least expecting it, turning a corner and encountering a beautiful piece of art, to appreciate the number and variety of murals in our city. Sharing this experience is the main reason for this article on outside public art which is also in many respects outsider art.

Almost all street art is short-lived, either painted over, destroyed when the building is removed, or simply succumbing to the elements and to deterioration. So documentation becomes another purpose of photographing and writing about mural art.

Since mural art had some of its beginnings in advertising, the first section of the book is about old signs that are still around and ghost signs that are fading but still visible. Some recent signs that are unusual or illustrate an artistic treatment of an advertising theme are also discussed.

The sign at 16th and College advertises a popular soft drink, and a mural at 707 Massachusetts Avenue advertises cereal. Although these murals are very old, these products are still around, and it's interesting to see how their marketing has evolved.

The second very contemporary mural is in Broad Ripple on the Monon Trail, just south of Broad Ripple Avenue. It was painted by Artists Joshua Wells and Dan Thompson of PaintSubsurface in 2006 and advertises a restaurant on the trail using a wave. It is reminiscent of Katsushika Hokusai's famous painting, but this one contains cups, saucers, and sodas. Very cool! Mural styles and influences from other artists and art traditions, is a subject I found most interesting. Muralists apparently build on the work of their predecessors, and their work tends to reflect current artistic trends.

Another example of an old advertising, mural which has recently been beautifully redone, is on Pendleton Pike near Franklin Road and adorns a German restaurant that has been family owned for more than thirty-five years. The restaurant offers a unique cultural dining experience as well as scrumptious baked goods from its bakery, and imported food and gift items that can't be found anywhere else in the city. The newly painted mural is a work of art more than advertising, showing scenes from the German countryside.

A final example of the beginnings of mural art in advertising can be found on Indiana Ave., now Martin Luther King Boulevard near 26th street. Piggy speaks for himself on this restaurant saying, "Best in the World since 1962". This mural is near the Indiana Avenue Cultural District which was the home of jazz in Indianapolis for many decades and still boasts the Madame Walker Theater.

The community mural movement, which started in the late 1960's, produced hundreds upon hundreds of large scale wall paintings in less than a decade. They were concentrated in major cities, but almost every city had a few, including Indianapolis. These were sparked by the civil rights movement, labor movements, the Chicano movement, and community development programs. Hispanic muralists such as Diego Rivera, Clemente Orozco, David Sequeiros, and Arnold Belkin influenced the style and content of these murals. They were also influenced by graffiti and by advertising art.

Murals with a message describes some ambitious community murals such as, "The Street of Dreams". It is located in the Watkins Park Family Center and includes portraits of many of the well known jazz artists in the city such as David Baker, Cheryl Hayes, and Jimmy Coe. The equally talented muralists who painted this and many other murals relating to the community mural movement are Barbara Stahl, Carol Tharp-Perrin, Larry Ginhardt and Lawrence Clark IIII. In Indianapolis, many of these murals are gone, but a few can still be seen in city parks. A mural in Douglass Park on the near east side celebrates one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery in the United States before the Civil War.

An interesting and unique example of mural art is still visible near 38th and College. Clayton Hamilton's Message Wall has posted community related messages and political commentary for years. He changes the wall frequently. Some examples include, "Vote out Greed, Lies, and Secrecy" and "Our Vote Mattered...Power to the People in '06 and '08!"

A mural commemorating the U.S.S. Indianapolis by Cynthia Walden, painted in 2002, is located under the New York street bridge over the canal in downtown Indianapolis and shows the ship superimposed on an American Flag with the caption "Freedom isn't Free.

The final section of this article deals with murals in churches and schools and in various neighborhoods of the city. It covers outside murals only, as their are numerous inside murals in public schools and in many places of worship.

An unusual and unsolicited work of mural art can be seen at east 10th and Sherman Drive beneath the underpass. It was painted by Tami Lannom and intended to beautify the neighborhood and inspire with its message, "Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it." Her message seemed to encourage many other artists in this area, resulting in the painting of other exceptional wall art. With the attention to development being paid to this neighborhood because of the city's hosting of the Superbowl in 2012, many more can be expected. The other neighborhoods in the city can boast similar mural achievements.

There are also numerous murals on the Monon Trail and in the city's newly designated cultural districts including, Broad Ripple, Indiana Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square, Downtown and Wholesale District, and the Canal District. Street art and graffiti, Eli Lilly & Company's Global Service Day murals, and new murals planned for sprucing up the city for the Super Bowl in 2012 add to the mix. Please comment if you have seen any murals that are newly painted or have any favorite murals that you would like to know more about. Thanks and "keep painting"!.

Mural Art in Indianapolis

Sylvia Andrews is the author of the three volume publication, Indianapolis Murals, Outside Public Art, and several children's books including If You Take a Horse to the Gym, about the serious problem of childhood obesity. She also teaches a gourd art class at the Indianapolis Art Center and has a degree in Art History. http://www.sylvanartspress.com

2012 Super Bowl at Indianapolis, IN - Know the Most Exciting Things to Do

This is an exciting time for the people of Indianapolis since the National Football League or NFL championship will take place there. The Super Bowl 2012 is one of the much awaited tournaments as the Giants and Patriots prepares themselves to give their best at the games. For all the football lovers, this will be the best time of their lives as they will be able to watch the matches as well as party with superstars. The Super Bowl Village will create an electric ambiance for the sports loving people. Tourists from all across the world will experience the rich culture of Indianapolis. Several concerts, games and of course party will make your week special.

While you are in Indianapolis you can visit the ESPN Broadcast Studio. This studio will be inaugurated on 30th of January where the channels will cover the entire sports festival through television and radio broadcasts. Do not forget to drop in at the Fire and Ice Lounges for unwinding after an entire day's outing. These counters will be located throughout Super Bowl and you can pick up your favorite drink and grab a bite of your favorite snack there. The Huddle is a club opening on 27th January in the center of Super Bowl Village. This 20,000 sq feet of sprawling structure will feature the best of cocktails, the top of the line DJ's churning out cool music as well as a separate VIP area.

Super Bowl 2012

If you are bored of music and drinks then take a break and reach the Ice Gurus. This is an exhibition of ice sculptures created by famous artists, which will make you marvel at their skill and art. Visit the Super Bowl Numerals, Pepsi Stage for unique experiences. Apart from visiting these sites, you will be able to attend concerts like the musical evening of Bret Micheal's live on the Verizon Stage or you can attend the musical theater of Anthrax with Testament and Death Angel. If you are fond of Jazz music, then drop in at Lozzo's Garden of Italy and enjoy your time.

There will be several events which you can attend throughout these 10 days. Events happening at The Super Bowl Village Zip line, Near East side Legacy 5K Run or Walk and Health Fair, Indiana Judges Cup Gymnastics Indy Circle Track Expo, Match for a Cure, Winter fest Craft Beer Festival, Tazon Latino VI and many more venues will be exciting for you to attend. There will be other entertainment options as well which include dance, theater, films, workshops, consumer shows for you.

Among the tourist attractions in and around the game village, you can visit Broad Ripple Village, the Children's Museum, Fountain Square Cultural District, Conner Prairie Interactive History Park and White River State Park. Apart from all these you can also shop for your favorite things at Circle Center and Macy's Castle-ton Mall. You can also do some amount of boating, bowling and play basketball, poker and go-carting. Skating, golf, hockey, facilities also exist. Tickets for the events are available online. You can buy the cheap Super Bowl Tickets online.

2012 Super Bowl at Indianapolis, IN - Know the Most Exciting Things to Do

2012 Super Bowl tickets on available now. Get cheap Super Bowl Tickets today. Buy your Super Bowl 2012 tickets and make your way to the big game. Its your chance to watch your favorite play. Hurry Up!!

Concerts, Sport and Events in Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana, also known as the Circle City because of its circular street exchange in the heart of downtown. Indianapolis is home to many events each year. The signature event is the Indianapolis 500 which is held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indy 500 as it is better known draws a huge crowd of both local and out of town visitors for the event. The two and one half mile track also host some other festivities and events such as the very popular "Carb Day"

The Indianapolis Colts are another local favorite as the one time Super Bowl Champion is led by the very well known Peyton Manning. Colts Tickets are also a tough find as the team consistently sells out to the capacity of Lucas Oil Stadium. If you want to find "Colts Tickets its a pretty good bet that you will need to consult an Indianapolis Ticket Broker. Lucas Oil Stadium is also slated to play host to the 2012 Super Bowl, many Indianapolis NFL fans are hoping that a potential labor dispute does not derail those plans.

Nfl 2012

The Indiana Pacers have seen better days, but are on the upswing. The Pacers play downtown at Conseco Fieldhouse which is a modern facility in the heart of downtown Indy. If you want Pacers Tickets you can probably buy cheap upper level seats at the venue, but premium and court side seats will be tougher to find.

Indianapolis Concert Tickets are available for many popular Indianapolis area venues such as The Murat Theater and The Murat Egyptian Room, The Vogue Theater, Hilbert Circle and many other venues too such as Verizon Wireless in Noblesville, Verizon Wireless is also known as Deer Creek.

Concerts, Sport and Events in Indianapolis

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Indianapolis to Host Super Bowl in 2012

Indianapolis Super Bowl 2012

Indianapolis has definitely been excited since the NFL awarded the 2012 Super Bowl to the city. Already, the 2012 Indianapolis Super Host Committee has been formed and is undertaking the arduous task of making the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl an event to remember. They have set up the official site at OUR2012SB.com and you can expect many updates and changes as the planning moves past the initial phases.

Super Bowl 2012

Why Should Indianapolis Host the 2012 Super Bowl?

If you live in or around the Indianapolis area, you definitely know the answer to this question. Put simply, Indianapolis is a great place to live and is also home to the Indianapolis Colts, winners of Super Bowl XLI. So why shouldn't we share our wonderful city with the rest of the 60,000 plus football fanatics (uh, fans) that will pack the city during the festivities? We've got plenty of excellent places to eat and entertainment to spare and we'll be taking it all up a notch in 2012.

Jobs for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl

Of course, since Indianapolis is hosting this event in 2012, we will need your help with the planning and execution of everything related to the game and festivities. If you are looking for a fun job and love football and planning, then you might be just the right person to help out. On the official site set up by the host committee, there are already a dozen or so jobs listed, so you may want to go ahead and dust off your resume'. Just be aware, that applications for positions will not be accepted until a bit later this year.

Be a Volunteer for the Indianapolis 2012 Super Bowl

If you are not interested in applying for one of the jobs available but still want to help out with the festivities, consider volunteering. We need all the help we can get in bringing this exciting event to Indianapolis. One of the most valuable resources at major sporting events in and around the Indianapolis area is the volunteers who work tirelessly to bring such events to fruition. This event is no different and your skills and help will definitely be appreciated.

Indianapolis to Host Super Bowl in 2012

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