``Masterpiece in a Day'' Invites You to Paint the Town Red, Puce, Turquoise, or any Color You Like!

Business Editors

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2003

The thrill of competition is alive and well in Fountain Square. This year's "Masterpiece in a Day" is just around the corner, and will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2003. The all-day event, presented by Fountain Square Main Street, offers Indiana artists and writers the opportunity to showcase their talents while competing for over $4,500 in prize money.

With pens and paintbrushes in hand, contestants will create a finished work in just one-day's time. "Masterpiece in a Day" is free to enter or to watch, so it's easy on the pocketbook. With roving entertainment and hands-on activities -- plus neighborhood shops, galleries and restaurants -- there's more than enough fun for the whole family.

Now in its ninth year, "Masterpiece in a Day" is one of Indianapolis' most unique arts events, and also represents the strong civic partnerships behind the continued cultural, social, and economic revitalization of the Southeast neighborhood. Event sponsors include a broad range of local merchants and businesses, foundations, government and community-based non-profit organizations. The neighborhood is one the city's five designated cultural districts and a state leader in a national effort to revitalize urban main streets.

The event is also different from other art competitions because of the focus it places on individual artists and how they work, says artist Philip Campbell, creator of the event. "They're everywhere, they're working, and people can witness the progress." And there are few limits when it comes medium. "We welcome all forms of visual expression -- two- and three-dimensional, realistic, abstract, film, dance and other performing arts. The only limits are that the work has to be suitable for public viewing, and it has to fit through a standard door," says Campbell. Unlike contests that require entry fees, months of waiting, and limited visibility of the winners, "Masterpiece in a Day" generates a day-long flurry of activity and offers immediate results. Winners will be displayed at the Indiana State Museum.

For those who paint with words, there's also the "Written in a Day" prose and poetry competition for people 18 and over. Writers must use the neighborhood and the activities that day as "raw materials" for pieces. A second contest for young people will be conducted with prizes of Borders gift cards. Age categories for this contest will be 15-17, 12-14, and 11 and under. Bringing home the second place prize in the prose competition of last year's "Written in a Day" was warehouse manager, Dan Hook. Hook describes his experience as "fascinating and challenging because you have to have pretty keen observation skills to be successful in the competition." This year, winners will also be invited to read their work at a post-contest celebration that will feature high-energy drumming by the Undefeatable Beats from United States of Mind, belly dancing by Badria and Belly Belly, and spoken-word performances by a variety of local writers -- including the contest's judges and organizers.

The Wheeler Arts Community will join the festivities and open its doors to the public. Starting at noon, visitors will be able to view the work of several artists, which will include photographs, blown glass, ceramics, and paintings. At 7 p.m. a local acoustic guitarist will perform a free show and 15 artists will open their private studios. Visitors can also tour a magician's studio and attend a free performance of "Delores" by actors in the Intimate Space Performance Salon.

"Masterpiece in a Day" is sponsored by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC); The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Indiana Foundation; with support of the Arts Council of Indianapolis and City of Indianapolis; Borders; DCG; Fountain Square Merchants Association; J.W. Flynn; Lilly; National City; Norle Investments; NUVO; Old National; Plews, Shadley, Racher & Braun; Southeast Neighborhood Development; and Willow Marketing.

"Masterpiece in a Day" takes place in the Fountain Square Historic District, the commercial corridor that includes sections of Virginia Avenue, Prospect Street, Shelby Street, and Morris Street. The event is coordinated through the Fountain Square Main Street Program. The Fountain Square Main Street program is designed to improve all aspects of the business district, and uses methods developed by the National Main Street Center. The program is funded by the Local Initiative Support Corporation. Fountain Square is one of Indiana's first designated urban main streets.

Fountain Square Main Street is a program of Southeast Neighborhood Development, Inc. (SEND), a non-profit community development corporation created by neighbors to revitalize the near southeast side of Indianapolis and to enhance the quality of life of its diverse spectrum of residents. Since 1991, SEND has furthered these goals by investing more than $26 Million into community development. It has become the largest community development corporation in Indianapolis, and its most productive. SEND's investments have leveraged millions more in reinvestment by businesses, government, and neighborhood residents, leading to a significant resurgence in the Southeast neighborhood's commercial, residential and retail development. .

"Masterpiece in a Day" is a great way to display your creative talents, or just to spend time in one of Indianapolis' coolest neighborhoods. To pre-register for the art competition, call 317-686-0895 or email Philip Campbell, creator of the event, at [e-mail]. To pre-register for "Written in a Day," contact Jim Walker at [e-mail] or call 254-2400 extension 5229. Walk-ins are welcomed to register the morning of the event. For more information visit www.discoverfountainsquare.com.