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The WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and Indy Arts Council selected six women to create murals displayed on Monument Circle in advance of the All-Star Game scheduled July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Tasha Beckwith, Tiffany Black Behzad, Christina Hollering, Shaunt’e Lewis, Ashley Nora and Koda Witsken contributed digital illustrations for a special “Victory Series” of murals in the Sidewalk Galleries program that launched during the pandemic.
In addition to using “victory” as a prompt for their work, the artists were encouraged to explore floral themes.
Black Behzad, an artist who grew up in Danville and lived and worked in New York City, Baltimore and Arkansas before moving to Indianapolis in 2021, said the murals convey the idea of WNBA players “getting their flowers” in recognition of hard work and dedication.
“Rebound and Rise” is the title of Black Behzad’s artwork, which depicts a woman’s head in the center of a flower while she holds a basketball on her shoulder.
“She’s blooming,” Black Behzad said. “It’s this visual representation of her growing into her power.”
In February 2024, Black Behzad participated in the public art initiative surrounding the NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis.
She painted one of the 6-foot fiberglass basketballs that celebrated Indiana’s highlights of high school basketball. Specifically, Black Behzad paid tribute to Judi Warren, who was selected in 1976 as the state’s first Miss Basketball.
The player roster for the WNBA All-Star game includes two former Indiana Miss Basketball honorees: Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (who attended Washington High School in South Bend) and Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (Princeton High School). For the second consecutive year, Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell will represent the Indiana Fever in the game.
Black Behzad said she enjoyed working with Witsken—who served as curator of the “Victory Series” murals—and her fellow artists.
“They are people I’ve been really lucky to get to know over the past few years,” Black Behzad said. “They are all very inspiring women.”
The roster of arts and culture showcases organized by The WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and Indy Arts Council for July 18-19 includes:
Tamika Catchings mural, 459 Massachusetts Ave.
South Bend-based artist Nate Baranowski painted this mural of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.
Indianapolis Artsgarden murals
Temporary murals by Phyllicia Carr and Amiah Mims are scheduled to be installed July 11 on the east and west facades of the Artsgarden at the intersection of Washington and Illinois streets.
“W” sculptures
Indianapolis-based design company Expo Arts fabricated four “W” sculptures to be installed on Georgia Street, Monument Circle and Morris Bicentennial Plaza. Artists Paula Shoultz and Kwazar Martin will add creative touches to two of the sculptures.
Live music
Hoosier musicians will perform on the patio of the Starbucks at 30 S. Meridian St.
Indy Dance Council performances
This group will perform at the All-Star Stage outside the Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave., and on South Meridian Street at Monument Circle.
DJ performances
DJs will provide a soundtrack at the All-Star Stage outside the convention center.
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