New era begins for Fishers Arts Council Gallery

The work of artists Critt Hunter and Ali (Koral) Mutlu were chosen for the first exhibition in the new Fishers Arts Council Gallery, located at the Collaboration Hub, 11810 Technology Drive, Fishers. Those works are Hunter’s “Autumn Kale” (left) and Mutlu’s “Balerina” (right). (Art provided)

Fishers Arts Council (FAC) announces its partnership with Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF) to provide a new art experience at the Collaboration Hub (Hub), 11810 Technology Drive, Fishers, when the Art Gallery at the Hub offers its first exhibit of the season.

“We chose two amazing artists to open the gallery with our inaugural Second Friday free public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hub on Friday, June 10,” according to FAC Vice President Tom Rich.

The artists are Critt Hunter and Ali (Koral) Mutlu. This public reception will also feature live music by Crossing Bridges, adult beverages sponsored by SunKing Brewing, and refreshments.

“We are thrilled to work alongside FAC as we promote the arts in Hamilton County,” HCCF President Tom Kilian said. “We know art brings people together and it is important for our community to have that opportunity.”

The exhibit will be open from Monday, June 6 through Wednesday, June 29. Jeena Siela, Community Leadership Officer, added, “Each month, the FAC Cultural Alliance Committee will offer a new exhibit that features the local talent of the region while growing the impact we share.”

FAC Executive Director Les Reinhardt said, “With the upcoming demolition of the Art Gallery at City Hall, we looked for a partner that had a great space as well as a vision of inclusion and opportunity. We found all of that and more with HCCF. I could not be more excited for the future of our partnership.”

About Critt Hunter

Critt Hunter is a relatively new artist.

“My life until the age 50 focused on my family, my education career, and my community,” Hunter said. “That half century was spent in my hometown of Hartford, Ky. Graduating from the local high school, I moved to Lexington, Ky., to begin my college studies.  Marrying at 19, we moved closer to home, transferring to Western Kentucky University.  My college degrees span a few years and include a BS in Art Education, a master’s degree in Art Education, and an EdS, Specialist in School Administration.”

It wasn’t until five years after he moved to Indianapolis and retired from employment with Nora Elementary that he began to focus on his art.

“Forty-three years was enough,” Hunter said. “This was a first for me. Painting subjects that I found interesting, entering exhibits, being accepted into art fairs, and selling my art presented a validation that I never dreamt possible.  Who knew old age could be so much fun?”

Hunter’s exhibited works consist of oil, acrylic, and mixed media art. He says he likes to show the variances between colors and often will exaggerate expected colors and draw attention to complementary colors.

About Ali (Koral) Mutlu

Ali (Koral) Mutlu is new to the art scene here in the county. A native of Turkey, Koral moved to the United States in 2016. He is a graphic designer and illustrator with an amazing eye for detail. He works with ink and pencil, as well as watercolors. His piece titled, “Rabia,” is a black and white illustration of his grandmother. It is very detailed. With “Balerina,” a watercolor piece, the dancer seems to be floating in mid-air.

In all, this exhibit has 30 pieces of art, most of which are for sale. Please come out on Friday, June 10 at the Collaboration Hub from 6 to 8 p.m. to see these amazing works of art and talk to the artists.

About the Fishers Arts Council

Fishers Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to support, advocate, and cultivate visual and performing arts opportunities that educate and/or enhance the lives of those who live, work, and visit Fishers. Visit the new art gallery space at the Collaboration Hub at Hamilton County Community Foundation, 11810 Technology Drive, Fishers, online at FishersArtsCouncil.org, or call (317) 537-1670.