Here I Grew Up

Here I Grew Up is a large mosaic artwork at Indiana Government Center North that illustrates five stages of life in Indiana between ages 7 and 21. The composition extends 70 feet in length and 25 feet in height, made from more than 300,000 Byzantine Smalti glass tiles imported from Murano, Italy.

The artwork was created in 1962 by artist Garo Z. Antreasian and documents an important chapter of early personal development. It was made during a period when public artworks increasingly served to preserve local history and human experience in urban centers.

The artwork shows scenes of daily life such as 'Backwoods Stump Speaker', 'Taking Grain to the Mill', and 'Flat Boat Trip to New Orleans' in 87 different colors. These depictions reflect experiences that shaped a person's growth during their time in Indiana.

The mosaic is located on the west side of the building near the escalators leading to the tunnel that connects to Indiana Government Center South. Visitors should note that the artwork is indoors, making it accessible year-round regardless of weather conditions.

Each of the more than 300,000 tiles was individually hand-cut and set in mortar by Ralph Peck, a Herron School of Art graduate, and his assistant Mrs. Charles Pitts. This manual craftsmanship made the project an extraordinary feat of hands-on artistry.

Location: Indianapolis

Inception: 1962

Creator: Garo Antreasian

GPS coordinates: 39.76700,-86.16200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:04