The arts in Indy have a habit of heating up with the climate, and in its seventh year, the Oranje festival will bid a climactic farewell to the summer season of culture and vibrancy with 43 artists and 26 musical acts — many of them Hoosiers. This Saturday, on the last day of summer, dozens of sculptors, painters, illustrators, clothing designers, jewelers, videographers, actors, photographers and interior decorators will compete for your attention in a 60,000-square-foot warehouse on North Illinois Street, from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m.  

The event is compelling in its size, as it overflows into the parking lot with musicians, the sound of local artists pouring into the surrounding neighborhoods several blocks down the street. Multiple levels of art exhibits snake upward through the massive warehouse, passing various entertainment lounges and vendors. The finely-tuned artworks of established local professionals are aligned with the work of anyone, from a regionally recognized stud to a local student from the Herron School of Art.

But for all its artistic and aesthetic merit, Oranje is not limited to the formalities of a typical art exhibition. There is an Indie Film Lounge, in addition to the NUVO Lounge, which will offer an open-stage “Rock Band.”

Once again headlining this year’s festival as an Oranje mainstay is Stuart Sayger, a nationally established comic book artist from Indianapolis. He publishes his own book, Shiver in the Dark, while penciling and inking Bionicle and creating cards for DC Comics’ VS card game. Many of his works are for sale in poster and portrait form at his exhibition for incredibly reasonable prices, and he will happily sign anything you buy.  

Multiple musicians perform at various locations throughout the complex at any given time. The vastness of the warehouse allows the eclectic mix of indie, hip-hop and electronic acts to drive the ambiance to all corners of Oranje, without stepping on each other’s toes. Visual artists will accompany some of the dance music with laser and lighting art on certain stages.

Caterers will be on hand to provide booze at main-event prices — last year at $5 a drink. However, the PR girls from Sparks (“energy beer,” which tastes like Sweet Tarts and, appropriately, turns your mouth orange) will hand out samples like an alcoholic Santa Claus, bringing merriment to all the good little young adults and art aficionados, delivering both the courage and energy to dance in a single swig.

History

Oranje is simply the Dutch word for “orange.” The event was initially held at the intersection of Madison and Orange, so, cleverly enough, Oranje was born — after a searching attempt by its creators to find a word that encompassed a distinct association with the sense of sight, taste and smell. Founded by Adam Crockett and Ryan Hickey, a pair of IU graduates, Oranje started in 2002 as a small gathering of friends to share their art and music. It was based on a fundamental belief in the paramount importance for human beings to indulge their senses. It has grown exponentially each year since, peaking with an attendance of 2,300 in 2006.

They change the location annually to preserve an “underground” theme to the event. But this year, for the first time it is being hosted at the same location: The warehouse on the 23rd block of North Illinois Street proved to be too enticing for a change of scenery. Its massive outdoor parking area becomes a festival-style ground for music tents, vendors and porta-potties, and the openness of the building’s vast interior suits the event’s needs perfectly.  

Festivities begin at 8 p.m., with most of the participant attention being afforded to the visual arts and various lounges during the early hours. As the night pushes on, the crowds drift toward the music and hooch, until 2 a.m., when Oranje-goers are forced to peel out. Parking is available along North Illinois Street if you arrive early; there is free street parking in nearby neighborhoods for late arrivals. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or with cash at the door — an ATM is available.

The charm and appeal of Oranje is not its musicians or even the art within — you can go see a band or to an art exhibition anywhere, in any city, and probably for cheaper. What makes Oranje unique and tantamount to the arts in our city is its sheer vastness; the variety, the ambition, the expansive proof that there is, in fact, a stubborn legion of artists in our city, still creating and inventing beauty and warmth above the muck.

ORANJE “An Interactive Experience of Art and Music”
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: 2323 N. Illinois St.
What: 43 artists, 26 music acts, Indie Film Lounge
Cost: $20 (ages 21 and over only)
Info: www.oranjeindy.com
Purchase tickets via www.ticketmaster.com, or at the door.