Downtown Association celebrates new art during September First Friday
New artwork for Artist Alley and Back Alley brings creative expression to the area
KOKOMO, Ind. — Guests to the heart of Kokomo will notice new artwork being displayed in downtown alleys. This is part of the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association’s public art initiative that fills these spaces with creativity.
During First Friday: Art Walk on Sept. 5, the association opened the 2025-26 Artist Alley Exhibition in partnership with the Kokomo Art Association. Guests had the opportunity to hear from the artists behind the work and explore the new exhibit in a causal and inviting atmosphere.
Since 2014, Artist Alley has generated a dynamic visual experience for guests in an art gallery that always remains open. Formerly a dark, forgotten alley between the Howard County Administration Building and the Kokomo Art Association’s Artworks Gallery, the space serves as a unique venue with high visibility for regional artists to showcase their work.
“As this exhibit enters its 12th year, I think it’s shown how art can enliven a community,” said Susan Alexander, manager of downtown initiatives for the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance. “This exhibit has been a pillar to the vibrant art scene in the Kokomo community.”
The 12th annual installation features 15 art pieces made with various media such as acrylics, pastels, interior and exterior paints, and even clay accents — seen in works such as “Field of Dreams” by Marilyn Aleman and “When I Thrive” by Dajanell Johnson. The exhibit also features a stone sculpture of an owl crafted by Amber LaPorte. The collection will be on display through August 2026.
Artist Alley is part of a larger initiative entitled “All Alleys Lead to Art,” which creates inviting public art spaces between downtown businesses and organizations. This program led to the creation of Artist Alley as well as Garden Alley on the east, Main Street side of the Courthouse Square; Geek Alley off Sycamore Street; and Back Alley, a new exhibit coming soon to the north façade of the Beckley’s Office Equipment and Supplies building.
Back Alley will feature oil and acrylic paintings by artists from The Bohemian Tattoo Club: Timothy Boor, Max Egy, Chris Doyle, Matthew Davidson, Doug Burkmire, Cameron Fagan, and Jesilyn Shambarger. The exhibit will debut in the alley in October, but guests can preview the work inside Bohemian through Sept. 25.
For more about the art experiences in downtown Kokomo, check out the Downtown Association’s Art Walk map and learn more about its art programs greaterkokomo.com/downtown-art.