Easel by Penrod returns to downtown Indianapolis at The Stutz with artists, music, and fundraising focus

A spring arts benefit returns to a historic downtown campus

Easel by Penrod is returning to downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, March 7, 2026, bringing an evening of art sales, entertainment and fundraising to The Stutz at 1060 N. Capitol Ave. Organizers have scheduled the event from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. inside the renovated Stutz complex, a former early-20th-century factory campus now home to artist studios, offices, food and retail.

The 2026 edition is billed as the second annual Easel by Penrod, staged as a spring counterpart to the long-running Penrod Arts Fair held each year on the Newfields campus. The event is presented in collaboration with the Stutz Artists Association, highlighting work created by artists who maintain studios and creative businesses in the building.

How the event is structured

Easel by Penrod is designed as a ticketed evening experience with artwork available for purchase alongside live music and programmed entertainment. Organizers describe it as a curated indoor showcase intended to connect patrons directly with local artists and provide a formal setting for viewing and buying work.

• Date and time: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

• Location: The Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis

• Partners: The Penrod Society and the Stutz Artists Association

Where the proceeds go

Proceeds from Easel by Penrod are directed to the Penrod Society’s grantmaking, which supports arts, cultural and educational activities and institutions across Central Indiana. The Society’s annual grant process is structured around applications from nonprofit organizations recognized under federal tax rules, with recipients typically notified in late March following the winter submission period.

The Penrod Society’s published grant history indicates that dozens of organizations have received annual support, spanning arts groups, community programs and institutions whose work includes cultural and educational activity.

The Stutz’s role in Indianapolis’ arts ecosystem

Hosting Easel by Penrod at The Stutz ties the fundraising event to a site with a long industrial legacy and a newer identity as a creative hub. The Stutz complex was built in the early 1910s and later adapted into a mix of workspaces and studios. In recent years, the property has undergone a major renovation that modernized building systems and expanded amenities while positioning the campus for broader public access through food, retail and event programming.

The event places working studios and locally produced art inside a downtown redevelopment setting, linking patron spending on art to a regional grant program supporting arts and education.

What to watch for this weekend

With the event scheduled for the evening of March 7, attendees can expect an indoor program focused on viewing and purchasing local artwork in a social setting. For downtown, the timing adds a marquee arts fundraiser to a weekend calendar that also includes multiple sports and entertainment events across the city, increasing demand for parking and rideshare traffic near North Capitol Avenue and surrounding streets.