Artist: John Wesley Hardrick (1891-1968)

Hardrick entered drawings at competitions like the Indiana State Fair and won many awards, which allowed him to enroll in the Herron School of Art, studying under William Forsyth (buried in Crown Hill Cemetery). His reputation as a gifted artist allowed him to show at exhibitions like the Tenth Annual Exhibition of Works by Indiana Artists, an exhibition at the Pettis Gallery in Indianapolis, and at the Art Institute of Chicago’s exhibition of African American artists. But financial pressures kept him from being a full-time artist. He had to work other jobs like driving a cab, selling newspapers, and working at the Indianapolis Stove Foundry, but he still pursued his art.

During the Depression, he received work through the Civil Works Administration Public Works of Art Project, with a mural at Crispus Attucks High School; the mural has hints of Hardrick’s non-art work with glimpses of foundry workers. Hardrick captured many members of the African American community in his portraits, including Madame Walker and L.S. Ayres dress designer Xenia Goodloe.

If you want to see some of his work, the Indiana State Museum has a special exhibition of his paintings (Through the Eyes of an Artist) until June 29, 2025. Click here to learn more!