MARKT’D is a Toronto based platform striving to connect with various cultures and communities around the world by using creative expression in the form of art and footwear. Through the efforts of PATTERN, MARKT’D came to Indianapolis on Saturday April 3rd, and 39 local artists got a chance to compete in the art on sneaker event.
Sponsored by Puma, Yellow Brick Impact, Finish Line, Tarrago Sneaker Care the highly anticipated event was a huge success. A big thanks to the our emcee, Brandon “Edge” Haines, our DJs Dezzy Dez, & Sir Limitless, and an incredible street dance performance put on by the Alkemy Dance Collective and the 31SVN Street Dance Academy. Additional gratitude to the Circle Centre Mall for hosting the event.
The event kicked off with a fireside chat, where MARTK’D founder Dion Walcott, and guest speaker Brian Richardson, the Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Indianapolis Colts, sat down to discuss the value of the creative community and the need for events like MARTK’D.
With only an hour to create their design, each artist brought their own vibrant energy to the competition. Each and every sneaker conveyed a unique concept and captured the authentic style of its artist, truly representing the endless amount of talent in the Indianapolis creative community.
Our incredible panel of judges featuring style blogger Kiarra Logan, former Pacer Fred Jones, artist Aaron Scamihorn, and former Colts player Tyjuan Hagler, had to make some tough choices before arriving at the winner and the runners up. A huge congratulations goes to winner Bryan Head (read our interview with him here), runners up Matthew Cooper, Phil Ramilo, and Phyllicia Carr, as well as all the artists involved for bringing this event to life with their talents and passion for art.
Thanks to our photography interns Jacob Moran and Solomon Mabry for capturing all the action!
A gallery of our artists, guest, VIPs and staff! #fashioningacommunity
Shout out to the PATTERN and MARTK’d teams and to Alkemy Dance Crew & 31SV Dance Academy for taking the energy to the next level!
