In 2006, Citizens Energy Group embarked on a 20-year project to improve local waterways by constructing the DigIndy Tunnel System 250 feet below the surface of Indianapolis. The purpose? To clean and preserve the city’s rivers and streams for generations to come. The first 10 miles of the system opened in late 2017 and have prevented more than 1.3 billion gallons of sewage from entering the White River and Eagle Creek across the southern half of Marion County. Upon completion, the 28-mile DigIndy Tunnel System will nearly eliminate sewer overflows from area waterways.
In 2024, Big Car Collaborative partnered with Citizens Energy Group to collaborate with four local artists on a project to design eight manhole covers, which will be installed along walking paths throughout Indianapolis. Each artist painted their designs directly onto real manhole covers, drawing inspiration from the neighborhoods they call home. In addition, eight wooden manhole covers were brought to community events, where local residents had the opportunity to paint them. The featured neighborhoods are Bean Creek, South Indy, Martindale-Brightwood, and the Near Northwest, with each design reflecting the culture and character of its community.
True Blue & Candy Corn by Alysah Rice (Near Northwest artist)
“I thought of Indy’s most popular crop and instantly got inspired by a house in my own community on the west side of town. The house has a beautiful garden that includes some corn crops as well! I have never seen anyone in the community grow corn so close to home and I thought that was super cool to see alongside their gardens. I got inspired to do a blue background to match the yellow corn for Indiana’s state colors. The orange, brown and white version reminds me of fall and halloween which are my favorites so I had to make that version as well!”
Fertile Land by Cierra Johnson (Martindale Brightwood artist)
“Fertile Land” is a commentary on the history of Martindale Brightwood. Many of the residents have memories of eating from the fruit trees that used to be in the neighborhood. This community continues to plant seed of investment to improve the quality of life in the area. I hope that one day my neighborhood can harvest that level of abundance and sweetness for every neighbor.”
Locally Bloomed by Dailyn Eades (South Indy)
“Locally Bloomed” depicts Indianapolis native flowers. It includes Rue Anemone (white flowers) and Sharp Lobed Hepatica (purple flowers) that bloom in the spring. As well as Purple Coneflower (pink flowers) and Tickseed Sunflower (yellow flowers) which can be found in the summer. Dai found inspiration for this piece from walking through their neighborhood Garfield Park.”
Purple Clematis by Justin Cooper (Bean Creek artist)
Justin Cooper is a resident of the Bean Creek neighborhood.Cooper created this piece inspired by the purple clematis flowers that grow in his family’s garden and they can be seen in many yards and gardens around the city.
In 2023, we continued to partner with Citizens Energy Group to design and create a colorful mural on the Citizens chilled water plant on North Illinois Street in Downtown Indianapolis. Chilled Water Cycle was designed by Indianapolis-based artist Julie Xiao. The mural depicts the chilled water process and was a collaborative effort between the artist, Big Car staff, and Citizens Energy staff.
About the Artist: Julie Xiao is an Indianapolis-based visual artist whose work delves into the complexities of identity through her distinctive large-scale ink scrolls. Xiao received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Animation in 2019 from Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana) and a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art in 2023 from the Herron School of Art and Design (Indianapolis, IN). Her work combines both traditional techniques with modern themes. Xiao’s artistic pursuit is an introspective odyssey, one that seeks to spark intellectual discourse on the multifaceted nature of identity in our interconnected world.
For the fourth year in 2022, we again partnered with Citizens Energy Group to design and create public art throughout the city as part of the Dig Indy Art Project. Click here to see our photos. We worked with local artist and historian Kaila Austin to paint a colorful mural — located on West Street near Lucas Oil Stadium — that features prominent historical figures, original businesses, and community centers from the area. The work is reflective of the community near the stadium named after a prominent leader, Babe Denny. This neighborhood was a historically Black and Jewish cultural hub. The mural design was informed by neighborhood residents and stakeholders through community meetings and painted by members of the public — including family members of community leaders portrayed in the mural — at the Babe Denny Park and Monument Circle.
2021 DigIndy Art Project mural is reflective of the vibrant Latino culture found on our city’s west side. Click here to see our photos.
Located at 3750 W. Washington St. in Indianapolis, the artwork brings to life the vision of local Mexican American artist Samuel Peñaloza, who interpreted Aztec mythology by featuring Tlāloc, supreme god of rain, earthly fertility, and water. The art highlights the influence of water on our city and in nature. Big Car staff artist and Arte Mexicano en Indiana executive director, Eduardo Luna, helped lead the project.
In past years, the DigIndy Art Project featured original art hand-painted on manhole covers around the city and a mural on a Citizens building at Meridian Street and Westfield Boulevard. This year’s mural is part of Citizens’ ongoing efforts to educate the public about the transformational benefits DigIndy is providing our community.
“The 2021 DigIndy Art Project is a celebration of our local waterways and the rich Latino culture in the mural’s westside neighborhood,” said Jeffrey Harrison, Citizens President & CEO. “Citizens is grateful to Big Car Collaborative and artist Samuel Peñaloza for their partnership and vision, and to the community members who provided their input on this inspiring piece of public art.”
The open portion of the DigIndy Tunnel System already has prevented more than 2.5 billion gallons of sewage from entering our local waterways. When the entire system is complete in 2025, it will capture up to 6 billion gallons of sewage annually, restoring our local waterways to levels not seen in more than 100 years.
In 2020, we worked with local artist and illustrator, Ess McKee, to paint a colorful mural on a prominent pump house building at Meridian Street and Westfield Avenue near the canal, an important water source for Indianapolis. The mural is a collaborative effort that channels the artist’s inspiration and the community’s ideas on what cleaner waterways mean to them.
“While we were walking around, I was taking a look at the trees and water. I wanted to incorporate some of the elements of the actual surroundings here.” Ess McKee
By creating a mural design informed by neighborhood residents and stakeholders through surveys and virtual community meetings, this project served as a connection point between local artists and the community to help beautify the neighborhood and protect Indy’s waterways.
“I think it’s really important as a connection point for people to be apart of something greater than just yourself. Art and artists can actually help solve problems. They can collaborate with people outside of art to enhance the outcome.” Andy Fry, Big Car’s Creative Director
Check out photos from the project here and a video created by Citizens Energy Group here.
In 2019, the DigIndy Art Project partnered with Big Car to highlight some of the major changes taking place under our feet and allow community members to become involved. Eight Indianapolis-based artists developed designs that visualize our city’s future with enhanced waterways as a result of the DigIndy Tunnel System. The artists painted their pieces onto real manhole covers. The manhole covers were placed throughout the city and serve as reminders of the DigIndy Tunnel System, our future with cleaner waterways and our connection to one another.
Artists featured: John Clark, Carlie Foreman, Andy Fry, James Kelly, Ess McKee, Chris Tower, Ezi Underwood, John DeWeese. Check out photos from here.
