September 30, 2022

Why Vonnegut's face is green and needs a refresh

Vonnegut mural is on Mass Ave. (Jill Sheridan WFYI)

Vonnegut mural is on Mass Ave. (Jill Sheridan WFYI)

An iconic mural in Downtown Indianapolis is receiving a facelift. 

When Pamela Bliss first painted the Kurt Vonnegut mural for the 2011 Super Bowl mural series the vibrant colors helped make it a favorite. 

Bliss said people comment on it all the time, one couple even got engaged under it.

“There’s some literary people out there, some big literary fans, so Vonnegut is one of their heroes,” Bliss said.

The Indianapolis Arts Council supports the project to restore the mural that has faded and needs to be kept up.  Especially noticeable is Vonnegut’s face and hands which are turning green.

Bliss said the skin tone is created with a mixture of red, yellow and blue.

“The reds faded first in this, that left the yellows and the blues so that’s why he’s looking green,” Bliss said.

The Super Bowl mural series created 46 projects across the city.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.

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