OSP on Monon Trail

OSP

OSP stands for Outdoor Sculpture Project for a sculpture yet to be named.   The sculpture project is the largest project ever undertaken at Indiana School for the Deaf by artist/ art instructor, Scotty Zwicker and his middle/ high school art classes.

Monon Trail

The trail next to Indiana School for the Deaf is to provide our community with inexpensive self-directed fun of fitness activities such as walking, biking, running, and so on. Currently, the Monon trail is 15.2 miles in length. It was completed in 1999 and there are plans to extend the trail north over toward Sheridan, Indiana.

The trail uses a portion of the Chicago-Indianapolis main line of the former Monon Railroad, which was abandoned between Indianapolis and Delphi, Indiana in 1987. According to Indiana Deaf Historians, in the 1830’s parents often had their deaf children board the train and it stopped at Indiana School for the Deaf. Hence, the trail has some history on campus.

The Monon trial has three advantages:  1) Fitness activities with support from retail shops nearby. 2) Strong means of community econonmic development- provides  attractions for developers to build and people to live along and near the pathway. 3) Art has become popular on the trail. It continues growing and becomes an art haven! It’s also becoming one of the nation’s longest art galleries.

How did it begin?

In 2004, Zwicker was walking with his two dogs on the Monon trail and was impressed with the sculpture at the Indiana School for the Blind “Why can’t ISD have one?” was the first thing in his mind. Zwicker wasn’t sure where to begin.

He decided to contact VSA, Very Special Arts of Indiana, who has worked with Zwicker at Indiana School for the Deaf.   He served on the VSA Board for four years. Zwicker has a good relationship with VSA and they created an artist in residency program for ISD.

Zwicker met Barbara Zech, an artist in residency in 2004 and they became good buddies.  She has come to ISD for four years in a row.  Zech is hearing and Zwicker is Deaf. They developed a wonderful relationship communicating through writing and sign language interpreter, and Zech learned sign language. Zech and Zwicker decided to work together on the OSP with lots of feedback from deaf students at Indiana School for the Deaf. This is just the beginning.

Sculpture represents Deaf Culture

OSP will represent Deaf Culture. It includes four themes that students at Indiana School for the Deaf chose that strongly represent the campus of ISD and the trail. Nature, Abstract, Hands, and animals will be displayed in American Sign Language forms. The color will have very natural tones. The tile sizes are variable. The purpose of this is to bring passersby to an understanding of deaf culture and the beautiful language- American Sign Language. Benches, drink water fountain, and bicycle racks will be surrounded by the sculpture site to let passersby rest and enjoy learning sign language.

Who will see it?

It will be countless! According to Marion County, it has become one of the nation’s busiest urban greenways.

ISD is very fortunate. Figure it out. State Fair is right across from Indiana School for the Deaf. Every year, we have thousands people parking at Indiana School for the Deaf. They will NOT miss it.

Site

It will stand a few feet away from the corner of 42nd Street and Monon Trail.

ISD History Preservation

 A beautiful yellow brick building full of architectural characteristics was called the 1200 Club, a cafeteria building once stood next to what is currently Brown Cafeteria. It couldn’t be saved by the Indiana Historical Society preservation and was costly to renovate. Sadly, it was torn down in 2003. However, we still have the famous yellow bricks and quotes engraved in limestone which was rescued and will have its new home at the OSP site.

OSP Rendering

How big is it?

It will be a HUGE sculpture! The rough estimate is 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide.  Both columns will be 20 inches in width.

Sponsors

We are very fortunate to have CSO Architects and Shiel Sexton, both of which are very well-known architect firms in Indianapolis who are willing to build our dream sculpture at Monon Trail.

Not only do we have those two, but also we have a wonderful outside community who is able to roll up their sleeves and help us to start this exciting project. KIB, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, will provide trees and plants surrounding the OSP site. They will carefully select appropriate trees, plants, and shrubs to attract birds, butterflies, etc. to pleasure passersby and deaf students at Indiana School for the Deaf.

Donations to the Indiana Deaf School Sculpture fund

We need to raise funds to build a quality sculpture for Indiana Deaf School as well as to represent the Deaf community of Indiana, the community of Indianapolis and a trail where passersby can appreciate the art.

OSP Wish List

There are a few things that need to be added to the site. Some items are very expensive and aren’t covered by the grant. 

It could be gifts from you, from an organization, a private donor, your business company, your club funds, or any surplus from the lottery.  You may donate in remembrance of a loved one or to recognize someone dedicated to ISD.

Click here to find out what you can do to help us.

Yes! I want to support and contribute to Indiana School for the Deaf vibrant cultural life, an Outdoor Sculpture Project on Monon Trail. Click here to print out Donation Form.

For more Information

Please contact Mr. Scotty Zwicker at SZwicker@isd.k12.in.us

Check out on us to see what we have done so far. (Coming Soon!)

Special Thanks to our Donors

ASLFilms, Inc., Brian Bippus, Class of 2000, Class of 2005, Class of 2006, Mr. & Mrs. John Fenicle, David Geeslin, Hoosier Deaf Bikers, Indiana Association for the Deaf, Indianapolis Washington Township Lions Club, ISD Art Class Annual Pottery Sale,VSAI-Very Special Arts of Indiana, Barbara Zech, and Scotty Zwicker.