Indianapolis's Art & Soul Featured Artist Showcase, originally set for October 10, has been rescheduled to October 11, 2026, marking 30 years of the program's mission to celebrate Black art and music across Central Indiana. The showcase will be held at Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave., with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $10, and organizers are offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal.
According to WISH-TV, this year's showcase carries the theme Reset, which focuses on taking an intentional pause, letting go of old habits and creating a foundation for growth. Art & Soul is a partnership between the Indy Arts Council and the Madam Walker Legacy Center, and this year's lineup includes four featured artists: Dr. Austin Dean Ashford, Auboni Essence, D’Yshe Mansfield, and headliner Kenn.wav. The showcase will feature original music, poetry, storytelling and theatrical performances, per the station's report.
A Program Rooted in Indiana Avenue's History
Art & Soul was established in 1996 by the Indy Arts Council as an annual month-long celebration designed to coincide with Black History Month at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, according to Mirror Indy. In 2025, organizers expanded the initiative from a February-only event into a year-long program and struck a formal partnership with the Madam Walker Legacy Center to host its flagship showcase on a larger stage, Mirror Indy reports. Over its 30-year history through 2025, the program has directly supported and recognized more than 60 Black musicians, visual artists, dancers and spoken-word performers in Central Indiana, the outlet notes, and in 2025 alone it received 60 artist submissions and nominations, per the same account.
The Walker Theatre itself carries deep symbolic weight for the program. Built in 1927 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991, the building served as the world headquarters for Madam C.J. Walker's hair care empire and stands as the last surviving historic building from Indiana Avenue's Black business and entertainment district, according to Wikipedia. The venue underwent a $15 million historical renovation completed in 2020, modernizing its 1,500-seat theater, HVAC systems and community spaces while preserving its original 1927 African, Egyptian and Moorish architectural designs, as reported by Indy with Kids, with the restoration funded through partnerships with Lilly Endowment Inc. and Indiana University. Art & Soul is supported annually by Lilly Endowment Inc., according to WISH-TV.
Meet the Four Featured Artists
Dr. Austin Dean Ashford, described by WISH-TV as a multidisciplinary artist, playwright and performer, mentors emerging Black artists in theater, music and storytelling. Ashford serves as the inaugural artistic director at Flanner House Arts Stage Academy, where he directs a free playwriting lab in partnership with IF Theatre to mentor emerging Black playwrights in Indianapolis, according to Mirror Indy. He holds dual MFAs and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts, the outlet notes.
D’Yshe Mansfield, a singer, songwriter, actor and director who works across music, theater and film, trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City before returning to Indianapolis in 2021. Mansfield has since expanded her vocal repertoire across pop, rock, R&B and soul, including participating in the REVERB series supported by GANGGANG's I Made Rock N Roll initiative, Mirror Indy reports. She also works as an actor, director, photographer and loctician, per the outlet.
Poet and spoken-word performer Auboni Essence, born Auboni Hart, combines personal experiences with universal themes in her work. She co-curates Indianapolis's That Peace Open Mic alongside Mariah Ivey, facilitates community writing workshops, and once competed nationally with a local slam poetry team at the Southern Fried Poetry Slam, according to the Indianapolis Recorder. Essence began writing poetry at age 12 before focusing on performance poetry in college, the Recorder notes.
Headliner Kenn.wav Brings Gospel Roots to the Stage
Headlining the showcase is Kenn.wav, a Fort Wayne native, pianist and alternative R&B artist who draws inspiration from artists such as D’Angelo, according to WISH-TV. He learned piano at age 8 on his cousin's instrument and developed his musical style playing in church youth choir before building his career, the Indianapolis Recorder reports; his music blends gospel warmth, jazz freedom and R&B depth. Kenn.wav released Frequency with vocalist B. Slade in 2023 and has a collaborative EP with Breon Lanier, per WISH-TV.
Artists selected for Art & Soul's Featured Artist Showcase receive direct career development support, including paid performance and exhibition opportunities, career coaching, media placements and financial stipends, according to Black PR Wire. Candidates are chosen based on artistic talent and commitment to their creative careers, the release states, with four featured artists selected each year for the program's showcase and support opportunities.
