Exhibitions To Spotlight Robert Indiana, William John Kennedy and Local Regional Masters

INDIANAPOLIS -— During the month of February, Conrad Indianapolis and Long-Sharp Gallery will transform over 8,800 square feet of the hotel's public space into a tribute to significant Indiana artists, with a spotlight on blue-chip pop artist Robert Indiana.

The installation will begin on February 7, as a dozen art movers, clad in iconic "LOVE" shirts, morph the Conrad lobby into an homage to Robert Indiana's "LOVE" and "American Dream" works.  The comprehensive exhibit, titled "Always in an Indiana State of Mind," will also feature the photography of William John Kennedy.  Kennedy's early 1960s photographs of Robert Indiana, only recently discovered, have taken the pop art world by storm.  Several of Kennedy's photos are part of the Indianapolis Museum of Art's permanent collection.

Conrad Indianapolis' lobby exhibition will foreshadow the IMA's Robert Indiana exhibit opening February 14 and follow Robert Indiana's September retrospective at New York's Whitney Museum of American Art.

To continue the tribute to Hoosier talent, Long-Sharp Gallery proper will open "Indiana Icons" on February 17.  This exhibit will feature contemporary portraits of iconic Indiana faces created by Indianapolis figurative painter Constance Edwards Scopelitis.  Scopelitis, like Robert Indiana, was a Saturday School student at Herron School of Art and Design.  She was also a pupil of legendary American master figurative painter Isabel Bishop. This solo exhibit - the first of its kind in the gallery by any artist other than Robert Indiana - presents a new genre of Scopelitis' portrait work, inspired by the portraits of Ellsworth Kelly and the pop art of Robert Indiana.  Long-Sharp Gallery will celebrate this exhibit at the IDADA First Friday on March 7 from 6-9 p.m.

Work by Indiana-based artists will extend to the public space on the Conrad's second floor, featuring the abstract works of The Herron School of Art and Design's 2013 Outstanding Alumnus, Lois Main Templeton; the prints of The 2012 Indiana Legend in Design, Walter Knabe; the Indiana Limestone sculptures of Dale Enochs; and additional works by Scopelitis.

All works comprising the "Always in an Indiana State of Mind" exhibit are available for purchase.  Proceeds from art sales will be used to support various Indiana charities. In the month of March, 20 percent of the sale price of all works by Constance Edwards Scopelitis will go to support Indianapolis' Gennesaret Free Clinics. In April, 15 percent of the sale price of Walter Knabe's works will be donated to the Indianapolis Humane Society. In May, 15 percent of the sale price of all works by Lois Main Templeton will be donated to Herron's Lois Main Templeton Outstanding Artist Scholarship. For details on donations, visit www.indycontemporary.com/events/indiana-icons/.

For further information, images or interviews, please contact Jacqueline Cromleigh, Public Relations and Marketing Manager at 317 524 2516 or jacqueline.cromleigh@conradhotels.com.

- ### -

About Long-Sharp Gallery

Long-Sharp Gallery, an extension of ModernMasters Fine Art, is located in the Conrad Indianapolis luxury hotel. The gallery features works from "Picasso to Pop," with a primary focus on works by some of the best known names in modern and contemporary art, including: Picasso, Warhol, Basquiat, Haring, Frankenthaler, Indiana, Lichtenstein, Miro, Motherwell, Russell Young, and William John Kennedy.   

About Conrad Indianapolis

Conrad Indianapolis is the hotel of choice for discerning travelers visiting the "Circle City." Located at one of the city's most prominent intersections, the hotel is truly in the heart of it all - connected to Circle Centre Mall and just steps from nearly everything that downtown has to offer including museums, live music and theatre, and the Indianapolis Zoo & White River Gardens State Park. The hotel is also connected via elevated walkway to the Indiana Convention Center. The 23-story building features 243 guest rooms, 15,000 square feet of intimate, state-of-the-art meeting space and 15 private residences. World-class dining experiences can be enjoyed in Tastings Wine Bar or The Capital Grille® restaurant, and relaxation awaits at Evan Todd Spa & Salon. Conrad Indianapolis, open since March 2006, is the city's first true luxury hotel.

About Conrad® Hotels & Resorts

CONRAD® HOTELS & RESORTS is Hilton Worldwide's global luxury brand and the choice for today's modern, sophisticated traveler. By focusing on the individual, Conrad offers guests genuine and personalized experience and a world of style, service and connection. Each Conrad is a dynamic reflection of its city and culture, as well as a showcase for striking design and distinct surroundings. Across five continents, in the world's gateway cities and most sought-after resort destinations, Conrad invites each guest to enjoy The Luxury Of Being Yourself®. For information on Conrad, please visit http://www.conradhotels.com/. Conrad Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide's ten market-leading brands.