Artists (from left) Biagio Azzarelli, Michael Swolsky and Jerry Points showcase their Òinner-missionÓ of creativity. Azzarelli, 67, a former Indiana University professor, is a sculptor; Swolsky, 65, whose career was in marketing and sales, creates art from metals; Points, 66, a former art director at Eli Lilly, paints in oils. (Michelle Pemberton / Indy.com)

The Last Kiss by Biagio Azzarelli. (Michelle Pemberton/The Indianapolis Star)

Pop culture enthusiasts might remember the 1987 feel-good movie "Three Men and a Baby," but how many are familiar with one of the newest additions to the Indy art scene -- three men and an IRA (Individual Retirement Art)?

They've completed the child-rearing phase and managed successful careers, and now Jerry Points, Michael Swolsky and Biagio Azzarelli are moving into "Act 3." The name of their June 6-July 3 exhibition at the Stutz Art Space Gallery represents their new "inner-mission" of creativity.

"When I was 18, I was doing art and my father told me to go to America, go to school and do something productive to make a living," said Azzarelli, 67, who grew up in Santiago, Chile, and came to the United States in 1971. He made a career as professor of neuropathology, neurology and neurosurgery at Indiana University before retiring in 2005.

After retirement, he wrote poetry and started a novel but knew he had to follow his muse and dedicate himself full time to art. His primary medium is bronze, but he has taken a figure-drawing class from Points. Azzarelli expresses psychological complexities in his bronze works, which depict such life situations as a soldier giving his lover a last kiss and a mother nursing her infant.

Like Azzarelli, the 66-year-old Points longed for a career in fine art. When practicality won out, he worked as an art director at Eli Lilly and taught printmaking and design at the University of Evansville. He retired at 62 and headed back to the studio, where he creates vibrant oil landscapes that have been recognized with awards in the Hoosier Salon Exhibitions.

"I decided if I was going to paint, I wanted to experience color. None of that brown and gray stuff," said Points.

Swolsky met Points when he signed up for his painting class. He gave canvas a try, but his passion is working in metals.

"I welded for my father when I was in college. He owned a car dismantling business," said Swolsky, 65, who traveled around the world in marketing and sales.

His contemporary three-dimensional pieces combine copper, brass, bronze and steel with natural colors and designs that are created with heat variations and tools that grind and shape the surfaces. The art has been purchased for private collections throughout the United States, England, France and Germany.

"We call this retirement, but it's really new life, the ability to be creative without the stress of buying food to feed a family," said Swolsky. All three men are married with children and grandchildren.

"When I retired, I got rid of 20 dark suits and 100 ties," Points said. "I'm done with that part of my life. Now I have two sets of clothing; one with paint on them and one that will get paint on them."

Act 3

Where: Stutz Business Center, 212 W. 10th St.

When: June 6-July 3.

Admission: Free.

Info: www.stutzartists.com or (317) 503-6420.

- By T.J. Banes / The Indianapolis Star