Third-anniversary event will celebrate the people, partnerships, and purpose behind Fort Wayne’s Inclusion Mural
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Fort Wayne is getting ready to celebrate National Inclusion Week, September 14 – 20, 2026, in a unique and creative way.
Mayor Sharon Tucker will join Audiences Unlimited, the Embassy Theatre, artists, community leaders and supporters for a special celebration marking the third anniversary of Fort Wayne’s Inclusion Mural.
The event will take place on Wednesday, September 16, at 10 a.m. at the law offices of Fletcher Van Gilder located at 436 East Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802.
All are invited to attend and join the celebration.
Created in 2023 as part of Audiences Unlimited’s 50th anniversary, the colorful downtown mural was designed to celebrate inclusion, empower creators of varying abilities and remind the community that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
Three years later, participants will make that message visible once again.
Mayor Tucker, former Audiences Unlimited board members, the original artist and collaborators, representatives from WindSwell and Fletcher Van Gilder, and other community supporters will each pick up a brush and add new, symbolic strokes to the mural—showcasing the fact that inclusion is never a “one-and-done” accomplishment.
“Inclusion asks us to notice one another—to make sure people feel seen, valued, welcomed and able to participate,” said Embassy Theatre President & CEO Kelly Updike. “This mural gives our community a beautiful, visible reminder that creating a place where everyone belongs is work we all share.”
Audiences Unlimited has spent more than 50 years working to remove barriers to the arts for older adults and people with disabilities throughout Northeast Indiana. Now a program of the Embassy Theatre, its mission continues through cultural experiences designed to enrich the lives of people with limited access to the arts.
The anniversary celebration is intended not only to recognize National Inclusion Week, but also to remind the community that inclusion is something to practice throughout the year—in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, arts organizations and everyday relationships.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Third Anniversary Celebration of Fort Wayne’s Inclusion Mural
When: September 16 at 10 a.m.
Where: 436 East Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Who: Mayor Sharon Tucker, Embassy Theatre, former Audiences Unlimited board members, original artists and collaborators, WindSwell Foundation and Fletcher Van Gilder representatives, and community supporters
