Westfield, IN (May 20, 2026) — The City of Westfield, in partnership with GANGGANG, has selected Indiana-based multidisciplinary artist Aaron S. Coleman to create a transformational public art installation that honors the city’s historical ties to the Underground Railroad and the Quaker families who helped guide enslaved individuals on their path to freedom. 900 North Studios is the fabrication partner that will bring Aaron’s vision to life.
The commissioned artwork, titled Hold the Stars, will be installed at The Grand on Main development located at the southeast corner of State Road 32 and Poplar Boulevard. The piece was selected through a competitive RFPQ process that prioritized historical resonance, artistic excellence, and community connection. The project represents a significant investment in public art, storytelling, and placemaking in Westfield.
Hold the Stars will serve as both a visual landmark and an immersive gathering space. The sculpture is designed as two monumental, cupped hands emerging from the ground, creating a partially enclosed environment where residents and visitors can sit, reflect, gather, and engage directly with the installation. Integrated seating and tactile surfaces encourage exploration and contemplation while creating a welcoming communal experience.
Inspired by Westfield’s role in the Underground Railroad, the artwork incorporates references to the Big Dipper constellation, historically used by freedom seekers to locate the North Star while traveling north toward liberation. Through symbolism, craftsmanship, and scale, Coleman’s design reflects themes of resilience, protection, care, and guidance — connecting the city’s past to its present and future.
Crafted from native white oak using traditional steam-bending techniques commonly associated with shipbuilding, the installation further ties together historical narratives and regional craftsmanship traditions. The work will also include an ADA-accessible circular base featuring an illuminated stainless steel star map highlighting the seven stars of the Big Dipper.
Coleman, born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Indianapolis, is nationally recognized for work spanning printmaking, sculpture, and installation. Influenced by hip hop, street art, and historical inquiry, his practice recontextualizes imagery and objects to explore historical memory, systemic power, and the contemporary Black experience in America. Coleman earned degrees from the Herron School of Art and Design and Northern Illinois University and currently serves as the Kenneth E. Tyler Endowed Chair in Printmaking at IU Indianapolis. Coleman has also been a featured artist at BUTTER, GANGGANG’S an all-black fine art fair that gives 100% of the proceeds back to the artist.
“Public art has the power to tell the stories that define a community, and this installation does exactly that,” stated Westfield Mayor Scott Willis. “Hold the Stars will create a meaningful place for residents and visitors to gather, reflect, and connect with an important part of our history.”
The selection process included extensive consideration of how the artwork could thoughtfully honor Westfield’s unique historical identity while creating an engaging civic experience for generations to come. Community input and historical context played a central role throughout the process, ensuring the final installation reflects both local heritage and contemporary artistic vision.
“Hold the Stars is a beautiful opportunity for truth and history to come alive in masterful artistic expression. We could not be prouder of BUTTER Alum Aaron Coleman and his vision for this story. This site will become a cultural destination for public art seekers, tourists, and learners of all ages,” said Mali Simone Bacon and Alan Bacon in a joint statement. “Projects like this are critical for preservation, community memory, and insight into the future. The arts, history and culture are inextricable. We are proud to partner with the City of Westfield to uphold long-standing values of togetherness, sustainability and progress and appreciate their investment in the arts.”
Once installed, Hold the Stars is expected to become a defining cultural landmark for Westfield and a destination for residents and visitors alike — inviting reflection, education, and connection through public art.
Installation is anticipated in Summer 2027.
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About the City of Westfield: The City of Westfield is a fast-growing community in Hamilton County, located just north of Indianapolis and home to more than 50,000 residents. Westfield is recognized for its safe neighborhoods, nationally recognized public schools, and convenient access to U.S. 31 and State Road 32. The city is home to the 400-acre Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus, the nation’s most visited youth sports tournament destination, and continues to invest in connectivity, recreation, and community spaces that enhance livability for residents and visitors alike.
About Aaron S. Coleman: Aaron S. Coleman is an American multidisciplinary artist whose work spans printmaking, sculpture, and installation. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Indianapolis, his work explores historical memory, systemic power, and the contemporary Black experience through recontextualized imagery and materials. Coleman’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and he currently serves as the Kenneth E. Tyler Endowed Chair in Printmaking at IU Indianapolis.
About GANGGANG: GANGGANG is an Indianapolis-based cultural development firm and creative ecosystem builder dedicated to elevating artists, investing in creative economies, and producing experiences that strengthen communities through culture and connection. Through initiatives including BUTTER Fine Art Fair and public art collaborations, GANGGANG works to create meaningful opportunities for artists while advancing equitable placemaking in cities across the country.
