August 3- October 13

The Indianapolis Bee Sanctuary (IBS) is a 5 year project that promote a philosophy that a better environment for bees is a better environment for humans. This is fostered through the creation of a pollinator friendly, chemical-free design and in its multi layered community outreach programming. Located in the Tube Factory community garden, IBS will house two beehives surrounded by a living wall created using pollinator friendly native plants. The living wall made of organic soil will grow an abundance of native plants and flowers for bees throughout the seasons. The living wall will create an intimate space for the public to observe and interact with the hives. The IBS is also designed with a multilayered community outreach programming that embraces the urban ecosystem, arts education, job training, culture by providing a space for dialogue among community members.

The construction and process of maintaining the IBS will embrace the concept of working together as a hive by incorporating participation from neighborhood residents, community leaders, local beekeepers, Tube Factory staff, volunteers and youth workers from TeenWorks, a six week long summer employment and college readiness program for high school seniors. Along with the construction, participants will also be invited to several educational workshops that focus on ecology, plant biology, landscape design, beekeeping and entrepreneurship.

Exhibition

Chávez's exhibit will reflect upon the experience and process of creating IBS, and share artifacts from the collaboration with the public in the multimedia installation. This will also reflect how the work relates to Chávez’s Peruvian heritage.