New public arts project in Broad Ripple launches a crowdfunding campaign

After a longstanding neighborhood mural was erased, a new campaign is seeking to bring a beautiful memorial back to the area.

INDYtoday: INDY_DJ Mpozi Tolbert mural Broad Ripple_AUG24

DJ Indiana Jones with the former Mpozi Tolbert mural.

Photo courtesy of family of DJ Indiana Jones

Last year, a mural featuring the late DJ Mpozi Tolbert that had watched over Broad Ripple since 2008 was painted over. Now, neighborhood members are seeking to restore his legacy — times two.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for two new public art projects in Broad Ripple. One piece will honor Tolbert, while the other will pay tribute to Ron Miner, also known as DJ Indiana Jones. Miner had a hand in updating the mural of Tolbert in 2020 before it was erased.

The campaign is seeking to raise $12,500 by Thursday, Sept. 19. If it does, the organizations in charge of the new artworks — BRIDGE Collective and the Broad Ripple Village Association — will receive a matching grant from IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.

The CreatINg Places program launched in 2016 to help Hoosiers easily support local projects. Since its creation, more than $11.1 million in funds has been raised across Indiana communities.

Donate to the campaign.

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