5X5 Is Last Big Blast For Service Center

Every time a 5X5 event is held, the winner walks away with $10,000 to develop an idea that uses art to promote community building. The contest series was launched last year by local foundations and organizations committed to growing arts and culture in Indy.

The latest competition was inspired by Reconnecting to Our Waterways, a grassroots effort to get people in touch with the city’s natural assets.

The event was hosted by Big Car and held at their Service Center for Culture and Community right in front of Lafayette Square.  This was the last big party for the arts focused community center and the turn out was terrific comments Jim Walker, Big Car executive director.

"You just look around and see all the cars and you don't normally see that out here," says Walker, "I think we can bring that kind of energy to another place out here and we're getting real close to some possibilites."

Walker says the group is committed to relocating in the northwest side neighborhood attempting revitalization as the recently dubbed ‘International Marketplace’. 

The winner of the 5X5 was Dan Fifer with the concept to connect residents to waterways via a floating garden on the White River in Broad Ripple.  An Indy native, Dan left the city only to return with a greater appreciation of his hometown's natural attributes.

"I grew up crossing Fall Creek almost every day and not realizing how great it is and how rare it is to have not just one river but the vast different waterways we do have." explains Fifer.

Other proposals included piñata fishermen, giant water-bug sculptures, an observation station and an audio project. 

Three other 5X5 events are planned this year and the format is always the same.  Five finalists are given five minutes to present their ideas using five PowerPoint slides.  Anyone can submit their ideas online.  This time around 30 applicants applied for a chance to make their mark in Indy.