Generations, A Collection By Gregory & Appel

“Curated by Maureen Shiel Miller & Ariana “Ari” Beedie…Generations offers insights into how humans celebrate history, communicate suffering, preserve meaningful cultural traditions and ultimately carry on their legacies…Over the span of five generations, the community has supported Gregory & Appel. Because of this, we wanted to create a new way to draw much-needed attention to local art.”

This collection of paintings, video, and sculpture by more than 40 different local Artists lives on the walls of Gregory & Appel’s office.

Roots is a vibrant exploration of the city of Indianapolis, using its map as both a literal and symbolic framework. The work highlights the city's waterways, streets, and interstates, all united by a network of green lines. These lines represent the interconnectedness of the urban environment, while the smaller, shifting colors within the green suggest the dynamic forces that shape the city’s growth. Inside these lines, I have embedded shapes that symbolize the city's assets—its parks, neighborhoods, and the many facets that contribute to the life of Indianapolis.

This piece speaks to the unique pockets of the city, areas created by both human and natural barriers, each presenting its own challenges and opportunities. The barriers that define these spaces, whether man-made or organic, help shape the identities of the people and communities that occupy them. On a personal level, Roots is a reflection of my own family’s journey. My great-great-grandmother, Mary Ann Lee, immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s and chose Indianapolis as her new home—a decision that echoes the city's pull as a place of refuge and possibility.

In this work, I celebrate both the complexity and beauty of Indianapolis as a city where history, nature, and human resilience intersect. It is a tribute to the roots we establish, the paths we follow, and the places we call home.