This is May celebrates the history, tradition and spectacle of the Indianapolis 500. A handmade, confetti-covered banner is stretched tight to create a bulletin board for race and Hoosier State mementos—old lapel pins, patches, photographs, souvenirs and trinkets.

Welcome to Indianapolis, known to many as “The Circle City” and the home of the Indy 500, the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana Pacers! Burns created this colorful, abstract, mixed media piece that highlights downtown and the monument circle, as well as the wonderful sporting events and the diverse people and fans that visit and attend them.

The Indy 500 is an unforgettable and iconic event that has captured the hearts of many. This piece commemorates the race and its rich cultural history and tradition. The wreath and bricks are iconic symbols that celebrate the race and its customs. The bold and vibrant red car was inspired by some of the classic models of race vehicles seen throughout its history.

We Made It signifies a celebration of achievement and accomplishment of victory in the advancement of the Indy 500 promoting unity and diversity among race fans, racers, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

During the month of May Indianapolis is electric, the atmosphere is buzzing, and everyone feels it. Hundreds of thousands of fans, parade goers, concert lovers, mini-marathon runners, princesses, drivers, teams, rookies, veterans, and legends. There are parties, pageantry, and paparazzi. Friends and families, floats and flyovers. Culminating with 33 Indycars screaming around the track.

H. Herin, an interdisciplinary textiles artist, hand-dyed vintage flags from Indy 500 races, cut them into strips, and braided them together. “I thought of all the stories, lives, and histories that have become intertwined with the race,” they said. Ode to Alice Green honors the woman who coined the term “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in the 1950s.

Speed. Danger. Modern technology combined with down-home tradition. To highlight the sights and sounds that make the Indy 500 so unforgettable, Bills created a collage of race cars, the Borg-Warner trophy, and the famous wing and the wheel logo. “The vibrant colors evoke race cars flying by at over 200 miles per hour.”

Lucie Rice, an illustrator and designer, juxtaposed race imagery, symbols, and iconic landmarks with text to move the viewer’s eye through her piece, mirroring the movement on the track. Gold and red represent Indianapolis Motor Speedway traditions, while the blue colors reference the Indiana state flag. Back Home Again is a digital illustration on wood with resin.

Peer closely at Mindiola’s collage on canvas, and you’ll find portraits of all the Indy 500 winners since 1911, along with other key people who make the race possible. “Look for more details that are all part of race day and objects that are emblematic traditional symbols,” the Venezuela-born artist says.

Eckert’s painting combines realistic imagery, abstract elements, and symbolism to capture movement, springtime, and tradition. Tires from cars driven by Indy 500 winners form the central “peony,” Indiana’s state flower. Musical notes from the song, “Back Home Again in Indiana,” are in the upper left corner, along with silhouettes of the crowd, to celebrate the full return of fans in the stands.