Photos: Jazzed-Up Pianos on Monument Circle—and Citywide

Local Indy artists have teamed up with thirty 6th to 8th graders through the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana’s new project, titled Go Ahead & Play. Their goal: bringing music and visual art to the Indy metro community. Their props: 20 donated pianos and a list of unusual art mediums. Through August 18, you can spot these decorative pianos placed throughout Indianapolis and Carmel.

Perhaps the quirkiest of them all is the “Tickled Pink, Tickling the Ivories” piano located on Monument Circle. Annette Marino, a knitting pro who goes by the moniker Stockannette, and the Yarnburners, a group of 14 serious knitters and crocheters from all over Indiana, joined forces to create the “piano sweater” after hearing of the Women’s Fund’s efforts. Their final “yarnbombed” product—with intricately stitched patches, including musical notes and treble clefs—was rolled out onto the Circle on August 1, joining the brightly painted “Out Loud in the City” piano and the foot-print-covered “Stroll” piano.

Stockannette, who staked out a spot near her piano on August 2 to watch people interact with it, says they seem unsure at first if they’re allowed to touch it. But citizens on the Circle have taken a liking to the dolled-up instrument—one of several located downtown. “They see someone play a tune, they come in for a closer look, and play a little something themselves,” Stockannette says.

The reaction from youngsters was most heartwarming. During a debut of all the pianos in one place prior to their public rollout, a toddler told Stockannette, “Thank you for making this pretty piano.” For now, the young Hoosier’s response to the Yarnburners’ masterpiece serves as hope for those who might fear that music, and the arts in general, are fading from our community.

You can follow @Stockannette on Twitter here. For more citywide piano photos, see the @womensfundindy Instagram account.