CELEBRATE THE 105TH RUNNING OF THE  INDY 500 and the ARTISTS OF WELCOME RACE FANS, 2021. 

Welcome Race Fans, a partnership between the Arts Council and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, started in 2016 to mark the 100th running of the Indy 500. That year, 33 artists were commissioned to create original artworks to welcome visitors and celebrate the history and excitement of Indianapolis racing culture. Since then, 58 artists have made unique artworks using their own styles, materials, and processes–from salvaged metals and poplar to colored pencils on paper or acrylic paint on canvas. 

New this year, all artworks are created as GIFs and will be shared at the track on the big screens, in the Artsgarden on the small screens, in baggage claim at the Indianapolis International Airport, and larger than life every night during the month of May on Monument Circle during Shining A Light – and of course by all race fans on your favorite social media page! 

We are proud to present the 2021 Welcome Race Fans artists for the 105th running of the Indy 500! (clockwise from top left) Madison Watson, Marathons & Milk; Petronio Bendito, Crossing the Line: Welcome Race Fans 2021; Sason Kayyod, Serpent Circuit; Randi Frye, Indy Car Evolution; and Rob Day, Welcome Race Fans. 

Join us Tuesday, May 11 from 7pm to 9pm on the SW quad of Monument Circle to meet the artists, get your FREE poster* and meet  IndyCar driver Dalton Kellet! Then stick around to watch the special May edition of Shining a Light at 9:45.

It’s FREE and open to the public!

*While supplies last. Artists and driver will be on site from 7:30 to 8pm. 

To see the GIFs in motion, click on the Artwork/105th Running tab above.