Transforming a dark alley into a jewel of downtown

When Levi Rinker came back to his hometown of Anderson, IN, after 10 years overseas, he was stunned. General Motors had shut down operations while he was away, cutting over 25,000 jobs. “It drained so much from the community,” he says. “Those who could leave, left, and there were a lot of empty, boarded-up buildings downtown.” 

“I asked myself, ‘What can I do to celebrate what we have in our community?’” His first answer? Install 10-foot tall steel sculptures of people around town and invite local artists to paint them. It gave businesses, artists, and townsfolk a reason to go downtown and feel they had something special to show off that they could be proud of. He didn’t stop there.

Rinker, a professional artist, organized temporary art exhibits and got artists and non-artists alike to grab paintbrushes and help paint murals around town. He and his partner opened an artist cooperative downtown offering art classes, concerts, theater, yoga, movie nights, and a poetry club.

Over the years, he built trust and a following. So when Rinker had an idea to transform a dark, dilapidated alleyway in the center of downtown into a permanent exhibition space for local artists, the community was enthusiastic. He launched a crowdfunding campaign and brought in double the money he hoped to raise.

Today, the alley features arching gates at either end, a set of swings, and interactive LED lights that illuminate the alley day and night. He had enough money left over to commission new art from 10 artists a year for the next 10 years.

Folks of all ages enjoy the swings in the alley. Photo credit: Levi Rinker

Kids, couples, friends, and neighbors come to see the art and enjoy the swings. The alley has become a popular spot for selfies. It’s part of the city’s First Friday art walk and a stop on the city’s mural trail. 

“Every organization that is doing something brilliant in the community has an artist represented in the alley,” Rinker says. “We made it a new pathway that celebrates the type of vibrancy and livability we want Anderson to have.” 

The result was so successful that Rinker has been asked to transform more alleys. “Businesses reach out to us asking us to add lights, art, increase walkability, because they understand that increased foot traffic brings in business for downtown and pushes out unwanted behavior.” 

Turning under-used or neglected public spaces into thriving gathering places is known as placemaking and people are doing it around the world. If your community could use a shot of energy and pride, you can learn more about placemaking here, and if you are interested in requesting a Weave speaker experienced in placemaking, you can do so here.