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New mural unveiled at Bicentennial Unity Plaza

Bicentennial Legends Mural

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Bicentennial Unity Plaza has become one of Indy’s premier spots for residents and tourists, and that will only continue as we get closer to the NBA All-Star game coming to Indy this season.

Looking over the Bicentennial Unity Plaza is a new mural with 43 different portraits of Hoosier legends. It is the fourth and final mural in the Bicentennial Legends series.

The mural is on east wall of the Steak ‘n Shake building overlooking the new plaza.

This project is a partnership between Indy Arts Council, the Marion County Capital Improvement Board, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and Indiana Humanities.

Chicago-based artist Anna Murphy painted the mural.

A 40-person committee spent six months reviewing and selecting the legends for the mural, considering nearly 200 leaders who helped shape Indianapolis between 1820 and 2020. The list included only people who have died. Other criteria included a strong connection to the city, accomplishments that benefited the common good, memorable personal stories, and an inspirational legacy in Indianapolis and beyond.

Also, her design includes the carnation, the tulip tree, the zinnia, and the peony, each of which has at some point served as Indiana’s official state flower.

The northern cardinal is also featured as it is the Indiana state bird.

The mural is tied together using blue and gold, which are the colors of the state flag and the Pacers uniforms.