Indianapolis Museum of Art Blog

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While roaming the Internet one day, I ran across a design website with photos of fun coffee mugs of all shapes and sizes. It made me think of our newly opened European Design exhibit, and work, and drinking coffee since that’s what I do at work–drink coffee.

I found some more interesting websites about coffee, especially ones where coffee intersects with art and design. And I thought back to the old days when our coffee arrangement here at the IMA was entirely different. Cue the harp sound effects and wavy visual for a flashback… Read the rest of this entry »

There is no place I enjoy more on a snowy December morning than stepping into a warmly-lit coffeehouse buzzing with java, chatter and art. The environment is simply soothing.

Mo’Joe Coffeehouse on Michigan Street displays works of art for sale by local self-taught artists with advance permission from the shop’s owner. Currently, Angelina Fielding’s art is featured along with her bio and artist statement. According to the barista, “the art adds to the atmosphere” but doesn’t necessarily sell. My Starbucks on Massachusetts Avenue is in the process of establishing a program for local artists. In the meantime, the store encourages partners (employees) to display their work, along with other individuals connected to the store’s management. Nathan Wohlt and Jenny Elikins are a few of the artists with work on view. “A lot of artists work in coffeeshops so it’s a good place to sell your work,” said the barista. But where did the connection between art and coffeehouses originate? Read the rest of this entry »

I have the infamous bug that’s been going around offices across Indianapolis; the sore-throat-stuffy-head-headachy -feverish-hacking-cough bug to be more specific. I’m hardly ever sick, and I never take sick days. Yesterday, however, was an exception. I was too sick to be at the office, so instead, I worked from my bed. Snug under the covers with my two cats at my feet, I knocked out all kinds of emails and even wrote a couple of small marketing plans .

This got me thinking. I often times work more efficiently outside my office. Maybe it’s the lack of distractions, maybe it’s the creativity produced by a new environment, but there’s something about getting away from my desk that fuels productivity. In this day-in-age of laptops, wireless internet, and remote access to networks, I’m convinced that working from bed (or at least from outside the office) is good for business.

So, because I’m still pretty sick and don’t really want to talk about serious work-related stuff, I’ve decided to put together a list of my favorite places to work that aren’t my office. (For the record, I really love my office. It’s comfortable, colorful and a bit messy, and that suits me perfectly.)

Read the rest of this entry »