About
Primary Colours is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit, charitable organization comprised of visual artists and art enthusiasts.
Our Mission
Primary Colours is a nonprofit arts organization that facilitates interaction between visual artists and the community.
Our Purpose
To create and sustain a thriving environment for the visual arts through unique exhibitions, workshops, and special events.
Contact Us
For general inquiries, please e-mail us at info@primarycolours.org.
WE’VE MOVED! Our new mailing address is
1043 Virginia Ave, Box #23
Indianapolis, IN 46203
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317.721.ARTS (2787)
Our Organization
To learn more about the Primary Colours gang, just click here.
Our History
The organization was established in 1998 by Jeff Martin and Fred Shields. After nearly two years of exchanging ideas and planning and with the help of Jeremy Efroymson, the first event was held. Dubbed Allotropy and held in a vacant space at 10 W. Washington St. in April 2000, the event showcased 21 artists, several student artists, live entertainment by local musicians, and food provided by Rock Bottom Brewery. Approximately 800 patrons attended the event, which set a new standard for independent grassroots art events in the city.
After the success of the first event, Primary Colours realized the potential Allotropy had to make a difference in the city. Also recognizing how much work it would take to continue their effort, Primary Colours asked three more artists to join in the cause: Robert Evans III, Tony Garcia, and Dane Sauer.
Since that time, Primary Colours has organized many more major visual arts events in Indianapolis. Using vacant buildings as our gallery space for most of our events, from 2001 to 2005 Primary Colours had exhibited the work of more than 100 locally based artists to a combined audience of 6,000+ people, all of which, in turn, generated over $46,000 for the local arts community.
In July 2002, the group invited Larry Endicott and Jim Clinger to join Primary Colours. In 2005, Primary Colours expanded its board to include Brian Myers, Janine Betsey, Alan Schoff, Hugh Vandivier, Joanna Nixon, and Shannan Schaaf. This expansion of the board filled gaps in fundraising, marketing and administration. It has also enabled Primary Colours to develop a more effective committee structure that oversaw the administrative and operational functions of the organization and programs, that allowed for the diversification of responsibilities, and that provided an appropriate match of talents and areas of expertise.
In February 2009, Primary Colours hired its first paid staff member. Hugh Vandivier currently serves as executive director for the organization, working to solidify day-to-day operations, spearhead fundraising initiatives, and pursue meaningful partnerships in the community.
Since then, Primary Colours has evolved and grown, as has the cultural vibrancy of this city.
