In 2008, Artomobilia Event Director John Leonard coordinated an auto show in Carmel with around 40 cars.
“I started it because I love cars,” Leonard says, “but I continued it because the guys that are involved are great.”
Now the largest single-day event in Carmel, Artomobilia will host around 500 vehicles and an estimated 25,000 attendees when it returns to the Carmel Arts & Design District on September 7.
“Artomobilia definitely appeals to car enthusiasts who want to show their cars in a well-organized show,” Leonard says. “But you’re not just going to see any one type of person. Artomobilia brings out families and couples and teenagers who are interested in cars.”
Artomobilia doesn’t claim to be the “Cadillac of car shows,” like Pebble Beach or Amelia Island.
“We’re a little more pedestrian, but we will have multi-million-dollar cars,” Leonard says. “There’s something for everyone. It’s the most eclectic car event I’ve ever been to.”
That variety has contributed to the growth and popularity of the event as one of the largest and most popular car shows in the Midwest. Guests will see a wide range of vehicles, from Packards to Porches, from 1965 Shelby Cobras to a late model Ferrari SF90s.
“Everyone loves a beautiful car,” Leonard says, “but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so we want all the cars.”
Last year, Artomobilia showcased one of only four GM Futureliners from the 1950s, the only one that isn’t in a museum.
“Our focus has been on unique cars and unique owners,” Leonard says. “We have guys bringing out cars worth $28,000, and we also have guys that are bringing out cars worth $8 million.”
Leonard tells about a man in Hamilton County who owns a multi-million-dollar Ferrari.
“He will pull into the show and be ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’ over someone’s Chevrolet Corvair,” Leonard says.
Leonard chalks this up to two effects he sees play out at Artomobilia each year: One is aspiration, the other is nostalgia. Attendees see cars they aspire to own one day. At the same time, owners see automobiles that have a different kind of value because they are full of memories for them.
“Each group looks longingly at the other,” Leonard explains.
These car owners are not just local, though. They come from all over the U.S.
“I’m sure the guy that comes from Houston passes a few other car shows along the way,” Leonard laughs.
Artomobilia hosts large congregations of cars, like Porche-Palooza. In fact, the Mercedes Monumental Collector Car Show holds their event in Indiana so that they can participate in Artomobilia. Approximately 50 Mercedes come in from more than 20 states.
“A couple of guys drive from Maine and Denver,” Leonard says.
Each year, Artomobilia selects a vehicle to be its “Feature Marque.” This year, it’s the timeless sophistication of the Aston Martin.
“It’s an absolutely drop dead gorgeous car,” Leonard says.
But Artomobilia isn’t about one car, or even one car show. Throughout the years, Artomobilia has hosted road rallies, like the Meatball 10,000, to raise money for various charities. Last year, they began a pre-party event called VELOCE. This year, in addition to VELOCE happening on September 6, Artomobilia is adding a Ladies Luncheon on September 7 where speaker Stephanie Chen will be talking about ways to support the arts.
“We’ve always talked about cars as art,” Leonard says.
Once a year, Artomobilia becomes one more facet of art in the Arts & Design District, and Leonard endeavors to maintain the positive partnership between Artomobilia and the City of Carmel, pointing attendees to the shops and restaurants in the area.
“Since 2008, the Arts & Design District has gone from not much to something really special,” Leonard says. “The Monon Trail has gone from nothing much at all to something amazing.”
The same could be said for Artomobilia.
“It is literally a celebration of auto art and design,” Leonard says, “and there’s no better place than the Arts & Design District to do that.”