Dec 20, 2023
Piano Alley
Pianos hold a special place in the heart and history of Kimball International and in the city of Jasper, Indiana, and are now forever commemorated through Downtown Jasper’s newest community art piece, “Piano Alley”.
Piano Alley creates a musical passage on the southeast side of Jasper’s Downtown Square. A colorful mural of painted piano keys stretches from the sidewalk and up the wall of the adjacent building, creating a perfect photo opportunity for visiting pedestrians. Danish Author Hans Christian Andersen’s words adorn the colorful keys, stating “Where words fail, Music Speaks.” At the alley’s entrance sits a restored and vibrantly painted Kimball piano. A plaque hangs beside, describing the historical impact Kimball pianos have had on Jasper, Indiana, and on the world, and how their world-changing success led to the global furniture manufacturing company we know today.
The new art installation rounded out the city’s Downtown Renovation and Revitalization Project and was funded through donations by Kimball International, Kimball Electronics. The Dubois County Community Foundation. The project was brought to life through a partnership between the Community Foundation, Heart of Jasper, and the City of Jasper, as well as the Indiana University Center for Rural Engagement and the students and faculty of the U Eskanazi School of Art, Architecture + Design.
Indiana University Students, Hayden Grider and Katie LaTorre, were the artists behind the eye-catching alleyway mural. Jasper resident and North Spencer Elementary School art teacher, Corie Eckerle, turned the donated Kimball Piano into a visual art piece as well, inviting passersby to stay and play.
A celebration of Piano Alley’s grand opening was held on Tuesday, October 10th, with several Kimball International employees in attendance. Local employees are encouraged to stop by and explore the new community art piece while out in Downtown Jasper.
About Kimball International
Kimball International is a leading commercial furnishings company with deep expertise in the Workplace, Health, and Hospitality markets. We combine our bold entrepreneurial spirit, a history of craftsmanship, and today’s design-driven thinking alongside a commitment to our culture of caring and lasting connections with our customers, employees, and communities. For over 70 years, our brands have seized opportunities to customize solutions into personalized experiences, turning ordinary spaces into meaningful places. Our family of brands includes Kimball, National, Etc., Interwoven, Kimball Hospitality, D’style, and David Edward. Kimball International, based in Jasper, Indiana, is a business unit of HNI Corporation.
For additional information contact:
Abby Troutman
Communications Manager