Gary Gee is a visual artist, educator, and community builder whose work spans drawing, ceramics, curation, and cultural storytelling. His creative journey blends street aesthetics with gallery precision, often exploring identity, heritage, and liberation through mixed media, hip-hop culture, and Afrocentric narratives.
By 2025, Gary has exhibited widely across Indiana, the Midwest, and nationally, with over 70 exhibitions to his name. He has curated signature series like Hip-Hop Anthology (Volumes 1–6), participated in major art fairs like BUTTER and The Other Art Fair, and contributed to public art throughout Indianapolis. His piece “The Architect,” a ceramic portrait of Dr. Colette Burnette, was featured in the Building a Beloved Community exhibition at Newfields in 2024.
Gary teaches youth and adults as a Teaching Artist with Arts for Learning and as an Adjunct Professor at Ivy Tech, integrating STEAM, storytelling, and cultural literacy into his practice. He continues to be a pivotal force in local and national art conversations, empowering creatives while building community infrastructure for the next generation.
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EDUCATION
•Herron School of Art and Design, Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Integrated Studio Practices (2016)
•Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis, IN
Associate of Fine Arts (2014)
Associate of Applied Science – Visual Communications (2013)
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
•Teaching Artist, Arts for Learning (2020 – Present)
•Adjunct Professor, Ivy Tech Community College – Life & Object Drawing I & II (Spring 2021)
•Workshop Lead, Madame CJ Walker Summer Institute, various Arts for Learning Residencies
2025:
•The Other Art Fair (w/ Pigment International), Chicago
2024:
•TINY, Gallery 924
•Artist Talk with Stephanie Brown, Black Art in America Gallery
•Universal Drip III, Center for Black Literature & Culture, Central Library
•Hip-Hop Anthology Vol. #5 (Curator), Indianapolis Artsgarden
•BUTTER 2024, The Stutz
•Madness 2.08, Gallery 42
•BUTTER: Home Court, Indianapolis Artsgarden
•Hoosier Hysteria Mural Project, Downtown Indianapolis
•Meet the Artist: All-Star Edition, Indianapolis Central Library
•Building a Beloved Community, Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
2023:
•Last Time in the Basement, Harrison Center
•BUTTER 3, The Stutz
•Deciduous, Harrison Center
•Universal Drip, Central Library
•2-Person Exhibit with Israel Solomon, University of Wisconsin
•We Are and Friends, Harrison Center
•Hip-Hop Anthology Vol. #4 (Curator), Indianapolis Central Library
•2nd Annual Black Art & Culture Expo, RAM Mahogany Gallery (WI)
•Black Features #2, University of Wisconsin–Parkside
•Honeywell, XVIII Group Show, Wabash, IN
•Ancestral Fabric, Saks Fifth Avenue
•Full Circle, Full Circle Gallery
•Art in the Garden, 3001 Building, Indianapolis
2022:
- Flight Mode (Curator), Indianapolis Airport
- Color Theory 111 (Curator), Gallery 924
- Ground Breaking Breaking Ground (Solo), Hillside Arts Center 1st Exhibition
- BUTTER 2, Ganggang Cultural Development, Stutz Building
- Deciduous, Harrison Center
- Universal DRIP, Central Library
- Abstract Show, We Are Indy Arts, Harrison Center
- Hip Hop Anthology Vol. #3 (Curator), Central Library
- Meet The Artist, East 38th Street Branch Library
2021:
- Pop Up Art & Shop (Curator), Murphy Art Center
- Off The Wall, We Are Indy Arts, Indiana Landmarks
- 18 Launch Party, 10 East
- BUTTER Fine Art Fair, Ganggang Cultural Development, The Stutz Building
- Atmosphere (Solo Show), Harrison Center for the Arts
- Response, Indiana State Museum
- Hip Hop Anthology Vol. #2 (Curator), Central Library
- 18 Piece Ensemble (Curator), Hilbert Circle Theater, We Are Indy Arts, Harrison Center for the Arts
- Meet the Artist, Central Library
- Saks Fifth Avenue
2020:
- 7 Regions (Curator), Indianapolis Central Library
- Hip Hop Anthology Vol. #1 (Curator), Indianapolis Central Library
- GLO (Curator), Kheprw, Indianapolis, IN
- Tranquility, Healing Arts Indy (Curator)
2019:
- Indy Bookfest 2019 Artist Market
- The Button Show Tiny Wearable Art, Gallery 924
- Meet the Artist 31st, Indianapolis Central Library
- 49th Annual Black Creativity, Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry
2018:
- Sankofa We Are Indy Group Show, Rapp Family Gallery
- Flava Fresh 15, RAW at Brooklyn Bazaar
- Immersed, Clowes Memorial Hall
- Art & Soul 2018 RISE Meet, the Artist 26th, Indianapolis Central Library
2017:
- Flava Fresh Invitational, Indianapolis Arts Garden
- We Are Indy Group Show, Rapp Family Gallery
2016:
- RAW Verve, Melrose Ballroom Astoria Queens
- Flight of Fancy, Rapp Family Gallery
- nexUS, Rapp Family Gallery
- RAW Reveal, Philadelphia PA
- Flava Fresh, Primary Colours Gallery
- We Are Indy Arts, Mixer Oasis Gallery
- Art Junkie, Indiana City Beer
- Evoking the Streets, Garfield Park Art Gallery
- Meet the Artist 26th, Indianapolis Central Library
2015:
- The Rebirth of Cool, Playground Production Studio
- Ambient Noise (Solo), Tinker Coffee
- Flava Fresh, Garfield Park Art Gallery
- Insight Group Show, Art Town 5547 Project Gallery
- Artville, Raymond James Stutz Gallery
2014:
- RAW Current, Old National Center
- Painting Show, The Gallery at the Learning Resource Center
- No. College Avenue Branch Indianapolis Public Library
- 5547 Project Gallery, Indianapolis Arts Garden
- Art In Fishers – Fishers Town Hall
- IIC Gallery, Indiana Interchurch Center
- Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University
- RAW Awakening, Old National Center
- Meet the Artist 26th, Indianapolis Central Library
2013:
- Indianapolis Arts Garden
- IIC Gallery, Indiana Interchurch Center
- No. College Avenue Branch Indianapolis Public Library
- Vivid Anthology, the Gallery at the Julia M. Carson Learning Resource Center
2012:
- IUPUI Cultural Arts Gallery
- No. College Avenue Branch Indianapolis Public Library
- Vanitas, the Gallery at the Julia M. Carson Learning Resource Center
This comprehensive list reflects Gee’s continuous engagement in exhibitions, both as an artist and curator, highlighting the diversity of venues and themes explored throughout his artistic career.
CURATION
- Hip-Hop Anthology Vol. 1–6
- Color Theory 111, Gallery 924
- 7 Regions, GLO, Flight Mode, and more
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
- 2019 – On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Graduate
- 2018 – Ivy Tech Alumni of the Year
- 2018 – Beckmann Fellowship
- 2018 – Featured Artist, Art & Soul
- 2017 – High Art Billboard Selection
- 2014 – Best of Show, Flava Fresh
Commissions / Public Art:
2023:
- Winter Faire, Children’s Museum Indianapolis
- Kwanzaa, The Main Event, Big Brothers Big Sisters, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Live Painting / Auction)
- Traffic box (Community Caretakers), Hillside Neighborhood Association, Douglas Park, 30th and Dr. Andrew J Brown
2022:
- The Main Event, Big Brothers Big Sisters, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Live Painting / Auction)
- Game Room Mural, P30
- Traffic box (Frederick Douglass), Hillside Neighborhood Association, Douglas Park
- Eli Lilly day of service, Garfield Park, Community Mural
- Young Artist Showcase 18 Artist Collective with 10 East Arts
2021:
- R.O.C (Mural), (Restoring Our Community, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, and Arts Council of Indianapolis), Eagle Valley Meadows
- Interior Mural (Eagle Valley Meadows)
- Van Gogh’s Bedroom, working with Sapphire Theatre (Newfields, The Loom)
- The Masterpiece, Interior Mural (Private)
- Bookmark Indy (Ceramic), (Indiana Humanities, and Art Strategies LLC.)
- Legacy Park of Hope, (Miracles and Blessings, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, and the Arts Council of Indianapolis)
2020:
- Children’s Museum Indianapolis, reproduction, Letter (I), Black Lives Matter Mural
- Community Equity Mural, GLO (Gary Gee, LaToya Marlin, Omar Rashan), (Kheprw)
- Black Lives Matter Street Mural (Letter I) Assisted by Devon (Fossco) Kimbrough (Indy 10 & Indianapolis Urban League)
- Murals For Racial Justice (Hilbert Circle Theatre & Indianapolis Arts Council, Cultural Trail, Pattern Magazine)
2019:
- The Power of YOUnity, (Roche Diagnostics, Diversity and Inclusion)
- The Masterpiece Exterior & Interior Murals (Private)
2018:
- Dig Indy (Manhole Cover), Citizens Energy Group
- The Cultural Trail, Indianapolis Arts Council
- Workshops:
2021:
- Drawing 2 Conclusions, with Arts 4 Learning
2020:
- Drawing 2 Conclusions, with Arts 4 Learning
Lectures:
2021:
- Response, Artist Talk, Indiana State Museum
Relevant Experience:
The Scope Magazine, Indianapolis, IN – Summer 2013 Education Intern
- Served as a Graphic Designer for various advertisements.
- Reworked older designs for publication.
Elite Media, Indianapolis, IN – Summer 2013 Education Intern
- Assisted on video and photo shoots.
FedEx Super Bowl Program 2012
- Hand-painted miniature footballs for FedEx executives during Super Bowl Weekend in 2012.
Activities:
Art Club, Ivy Tech Community College
- Participated in the Art Club at Ivy Tech Community College, engaging in artistic activities and fostering a creative community.
