Hi. I am a manager Luke Austin Daugherty. He is an indie singer/songwriter and also a poet, painter and storyteller. We have had a great experience working with the Be Indypendent organization over the last 2 months!

Luke followed up on an opp from the Be Indypendent campaign and was selected to have a studio photo session with Mike Loudermilk...Mike took some incredible pics. As a result of learning more about the local art scene...Luke joined IDADA and he is now actively working with the Indy Arts Council and Be Indypendent. He was selected for a Be Indypendent ad in NUVO in October. He exhibited his paintings at the Indy Metro Gallery at 425 Mass Ave during First Friday on Mass Ave (Nov. 2nd). He also added his profile to the Indy Arts Council's website.

I know you are talking more about the large Indy cultural institutions needing to embrace the artists and the Be Indypendent movement. And since we have just been involved with the this for 2 months...I can't comment on that.

I just wanted to mention that from the artists side of the equation...the support system is strong within the Be Independent organization to really help artists get to the next level with exposure.

Hopefully the exposure will result in more opportunities and sales. It is great to exhibit and have exposure but in order for an artist to continue to work full time or part time with their art...there has to be a funding source...so, either sales, grants, etc. have to happen.

I see the same thing on the music side...it comes down to the fact that if the community wants to have opportunities to hear great local talent or see great local art...they have to first of all take the time to visit the venues and galleries...and secondly, they have to invest financially by buying cds and paintings, etc.

The Indianapolis area has amazing talent...I encourage all of you to make an investment with your time and money in order to encourage the artists & musicians. And you are correct, the large cultural institutions have to get behind the "Be Indypendent, Buy Indy Art" movement too.

were you at oranje?