Submitted by IMS
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Arts Council announced Feb. 22 the five artists selected to create the 2024 Welcome Race Fans artworks, which are a culmination of the Hoosier hospitality that welcomes visitors to the city throughout the Month of May.
Selected from a pool of 38 applicants, the five artists who will create this year’s welcoming artwork are Anna Afshar, Lindsey Lord, Miracle Hall (Ratat Rayay), Jaylei Marie Osting and Carlos Sosa Pagán.
Since 2016, Welcome Race Fans artwork has exemplified what May means to Indianapolis, both on and off track. Each year, Central Indiana artists are challenged to bring to life what “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” means to the Racing Capital of the World. While some artists utilize vibrant colors with bold strokes and others manipulate computer coding, all Welcome Race Fans artists rely on their own personal connections to tell the beautifully unique story of Indianapolis and its culture.
“The city of Indianapolis and the people who call Indy home are one of the many reasons the Month of May is so special,” said IMS President J. Douglas Boles. “As thousands flock to IMS from across the globe, the Welcome Race Fans art is one of the first things they see, letting them know they’re home, too.”
Each artist will create a piece of original artwork, to be placed throughout the city, using their own unique processes and styles to showcase the intersection of art and motorsports.
For Anna Afshar, art is a way of life. She enjoys depicting all subjects while challenging herself to bring a moment to life. With the use of watercolor, oils and acrylics, Afshar looks to have fun while creating art and connecting with people who have an appreciation of creative artwork.
Miracle Hall, known as Ratat Rayay, utilizes vibrant colors, bold strokes and intricate details to bring to life their cosmic art style. As they blur the lines between reality and imagination, Ratat Rayay aims to challenge conventional beauty while highlighting beauty in diversity.
Lindsey Lord finds inspiration for her artwork in her environment. Motherhood, memories and nature are at the center of her creative process. Through her work, she aims to highlight the beauty in the persistent nature found in the world.
As a young abstract painter, Jaylei Marie Osting uses techniques to create constant movement and an array of color in her artwork. Music is the foundation of her art process, as her paintings reflect what she envisions while listening.
Carlos Sosa Pagán combines an extensive graphic design career with his contemporary interpretations of Latin American cultural imagery. With both hand-drawn and digital imagery, Sosa aims to depict his views surrounding the complexity and uniqueness of the multicultural environments in which we live.
The five Welcome Race Fans artworks will be unveiled Thursday, May 2 at the Indianapolis Artsgarden with the artists and other special guests.
“‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ meets the ‘Greatest Art in Racing’ in this highly anticipated annual collaboration with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Julie Goodman, president and CEO at Indy Arts Council. “Welcoming the world to Indianapolis with engaging public art is a key part of our mission, and we are excited to celebrate the creativity of this year’s featured artists in May.”
To explore the full list of Indy 500 community initiatives and programs, visit IMS.com/Community. To see an up-to-date calendar of events IMS will have a presence at this May, click here.