Indiewalls

In the heart of Chicago, the art collection of this Confidential Law Firm’s office explores the city through its architecture, culture, and natural landscape to create a layered collection that reflects the movement and richness of the city.⁠ ⁠ A pleated paper sculpture by Dawn Wolfe interprets Chicago’s The Loop through its physical form looping back onto itself to represent the city's interconnected architecture and infrastructure. ⁠ ⁠ The concept of movement extends into Natalie Blake’s ceramic installation inspired by “The Windy City” which captures the softness and energy of wind.⁠ ⁠ With each level of the office, new layers of Chicago come into view through the exploration of movement through the music, theater, arts, and green spaces that contribute to the city’s cultural identity⁠ ⁠ The final art collection creates an interconnected narrative of the diverse beauty of Chicago through pieces that are elegant, refined, and complement the interior design of the space.⁠

Elevating and championing artists sits at the heart of what Indiewalls stands for, so we wanted to pause for a moment to spotlight the work of one artist in particular. Grace Teng is a fiber artist who creates beautifully immersive pieces and site specific installations out of rope. Not only is the caliber of her work exceptional, she showcases her attention to detail by carefully iterating on all components of a piece, like how different types of hardware or even hiding hardware contribute to the overall feeling of an installation. Along with working on multiple Indiewalls projects, Grace led a custom workshop for our clients at our Dallas Behind the Canvas event, walking guests step-by-step to make their own custom wall art. Click through to see a sample of some of her work for Indiewalls’ clients over the years. 

In the reception area at AC Hotel Arlington National Landing, artist Niina Kratz's piece creates a show stopping moment for guests as they arrive. Senior Interior Designer Emily Perry Willson explains a little more about working with the Indiewalls team to commission this piece as part of the larger art program for the property. To see the full-length video showcasing the public spaces art collection, watch here: https://lnkd.in/g9-Jh3BA Thank you to the design team at //3877 for this collaboration in bringing this project to life.

Bright colors and geometric patterning activate this multifamily art collection. The thread running through the entire collection at The Alary is geometric exploration: from a mural using precise color sequencing to generate optical illusions to 3D-printed ceramic sculpture to paintings with bold abstraction and fearless color. Indiewalls championed local artists throughout, building a program where each voice contributes something distinct yet complementary. This is a collection that makes residents feel the energy and it creates a sense of home. Design led by Jacquelyn Monastra and Taylor Fleming, and thanks to all our partners at Fogarty Finger and Allstate Ventures for collaborating on this project.

Most of our clients experience art on the walls. This Behind the Canvas event changed that. Guests left with a hand-painted, one-of-a-kind jacket by Chicago artist Isabelle Gougenheim, and the real magic was watching everyone's reactions and sharing that moment together.

This Monday, we gathered in Chicago for another edition of Behind the Canvas, hosted by Audrey Gatins Shepard. Over dinner, conversation, and art, guests had the opportunity to connect with artist Isabelle Gougenheim and receive a one-of-a-kind hand-painted jacket created specifically for them. Watching guests discover the details and personal touches in their jackets was a reminder of the power of art to create meaningful connections. Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a special evening! Adrienne Erbesti, AIA, EDAC, LSSYB, Candace Rimes, Cas Swope, Clare Glower, Emily Levinson, Heather O'Sullivan, Isabella McCaleb, NCIDQ, Lauren Holloway, Margaret Schroeder, NCIDQ, IIDA, Malena Paz, Margot Hebert, Michael Dalton, Olivia Perron, NCIDQ, WELL AP, Ronnie Belizaire, FIIDA

What's the best that could happen? That question stuck with us after Audrey Gatins Shepard and Courtney Webster spent three days at Stay&Gather in Boca last week, and honestly, it's the one we keep coming back to. The conversations around AI in our industry can feel heavy. But the sessions there weren't about fear. They were about action. Two takeaways we're still thinking about: 💡 Risk is inevitable, so instead of asking what could go wrong, flip it: What's the best that could happen? 💡When you're stuck, don't look for the big move. Find the smallest step. That's usually all the momentum you need. The event itself was beautifully run: thoughtful, intentional, and full of the kind of conversations you actually want to be having. Grateful for the people and ideas we came home with!

Last Thursday, we hosted Behind the Canvas: DC Edition aboard The Patriot, a restored vintage yacht sailing through the Potomac at sunset. Guests moved throughout the boat between courses, cocktails, and conversation while cruising past the Washington Monument and the Frederick Douglass Bridge during golden hour. The evening featured a six-course experience created alongside the incredible teams behind CURATED by TPK, Troy Knapp, and Fish Shop Washington DC, with thoughtful service and details woven into every part of the night, including custom scarves illustrated by artist Valero Doval for guests to take home. There’s something really special about creating space for people in our industry to connect outside conference halls, project deadlines, and formal meetings. Very grateful to everyone who joined us for such a beautiful evening in D.C., and a special thank you to Nautiste for helping create such a thoughtful experience on the water!

Last week, Indiewalls had the pleasure of sponsoring the latest Stay&Gather evening at Tribeca Rooftop alongside a wonderful group of hospitality and design industry peers. After hearing so many good things about the community Stay & Gather has been building, it was great to finally experience it firsthand. Gavi Wolf and Alexandra Newman joined the evening on behalf of Indiewalls, and what stood out most was how intentional and relaxed the atmosphere felt. Genuine conversations, familiar and new faces, and a reminder of how valuable thoughtful industry gatherings can be. Thank you again to the Stay & Gather team for having us!