New Mural at Spades Park Branch Celebrates Community and History

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Public Library unveiled a new mural at the Spades Park branch Saturday, bringing fresh color and deeper neighborhood meaning to one of the city’s only historic Carnegie libraries.

Created by local multidisciplinary artist Jarrod Stone, the painting was installed above the branch’s fireplace and reflects the spirit of the surrounding community. The mural includes imagery inspired by the Feast of Lanterns, a portrait honoring longtime branch employee Ann Barnes, scenes of reading and childhood, and architectural details from the branch itself.

Opened 114 years ago, the library is one of only two remaining Carnegie library buildings in Indianapolis.

Community members and library staff gathered for a reception to celebrate the mural’s debut. Titled Entering a New Era, the event marked the reveal of the branch’s effort to replace previous artwork with a piece that more fully reflects the people and culture of the neighborhood, and the broader Indianapolis community.

“The hope is that by creating a new painting that really represents our neighborhood, larger region, and city, that Spades Park Branch will continue to be the neighborhood hub it has been for over a century,” said Branch Manager Renny Canaday.

Canaday said the mural adds a vibrant and welcoming presence to the historic interior while celebrating the residents the branch serves every day and the staff members who make it all possible.

Members of the public are able to see the mural on display at the Spades Park branch during regular business hours.