A Canvas Worth the Cars
How the Arts & Design District and Carmel Midtown became inseparable from the Artomobilia experience.
When Artomobilia first took shape nearly two decades ago, the Arts & Design District looked very different than it does today. Chain link fencing, construction barriers, and yellow tape were part of the landscape. At the time, the Lurie Building felt big at three stories. The Indiana Design Center was new. The Center for the Performing Arts was still on the horizon. Much of what people now associate with downtown Carmel simply did not exist yet.
What followed is well documented. Building by building, block by block, Carmel invested in creating a downtown centered on design, walkability, culture, and experience. The result is a district that feels intentional, welcoming, and alive.
What is not lost on us is how closely Artomobilia’s growth has mirrored that transformation.
From the beginning, our charter was simple. Introduce individuals and families to the Arts & Design District through cars, then give them every reason to return. Come for the cars. Stay for the surroundings. The restaurants, retail merchants, galleries, and businesses have always been central to the event, not background scenery.
The Arts & Design District and Carmel Midtown are not just venues, they are active participants in the experience
Nearly two linear miles of collector and enthusiast cars bring tens of thousands of guests into the heart of downtown
Many district restaurants consistently credit Artomobilia as their highest revenue day of the year
That is not accidental. It is the result of alignment between an event, a city, and a shared belief that great places deserve great experiences.
Today, Artomobilia stretches across both the Arts & Design District and Carmel Midtown, showcasing cars within one of the most distinctive downtown environments in the country. We are proud to partner with the City of Carmel to host the automotive community in a setting that continues to raise the bar.
Our sincere thanks to Mayor Sue Finkam and her team for their continued support and trust. There are few places where the art of the automobile feels more at home.
Mark your calendars, and make plans to join the automotive community when Artomobilia returns to the Carmel Arts & Design District and Carmel Midtown on Saturday, August 29th.
