When Brooke McGee spotted a call for artist apprentices from the Indy Arts Council, she hesitated—but only for a moment. A psychology major at Butler University with no formal training in the arts, Brooke had always kept painting on the side. Still, the opportunity to help create a massive downtown mural honoring WNBA legend Tamika Catchings was too compelling to pass up.

That decision led her to spend much of her summer working alongside renowned muralist Nate Baranowski on a 24-foot-tall portrait of Catchings—a centerpiece of Indianapolis’ celebration of the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend. Working alongside Baranowski, Brooke played an essential role in bringing the large-scale portrait of Catchings to life.

A rising senior majoring in psychology and minoring in anthropology, Brooke has always had a passion for visual storytelling, one lovingly nurtured by her grandmother from an early age. Though her academic path is not centered in the arts, Brooke has found creative ways to merge her love of research, storytelling, and visual expression.

“I love the idea of communicating information and meaning through multiple modes—realistic images, iconography, words, symbolism,” she said. “It’s like creating a full story within a single piece.”

So when the Indy Arts Council issued a call for apprentices to assist with a mural in honor of Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings—coinciding with the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend—Brooke took a leap. Despite having just one prior mural project under her belt, she submitted her black-and-white oil painting portfolio and soon found herself selected to work alongside internationally renowned muralist Nate Baranowski.

Baranowski’s design is an energetic swirl of Catchings’ many achievements—from her 2012 WNBA championship to her philanthropy and broadcasting career. Brooke contributed to many sections of the mural, including her favorite—the sky. “That was the part I was most proud of,” she said. “It had this big, vibrant gradient that set the tone for the rest of the piece.”

The project involved seven or eight consecutive twelve-hour days, often in the summer heat. Brooke describes the experience as energizing rather than exhausting. “It was so fun working with Nate and another artist, Chris. They were both so experienced, and I learned so much—especially about time management and not getting stuck on the small details,” she said. “Watching Nate accomplish in two brushstrokes what would take me an hour was incredibly humbling and inspiring.”

She also appreciated the collaborative nature of the process. “It wasn’t just about showing up and filling in the lines,” she said. “Nate gave me the freedom to take ownership of parts of the design and encouraged me to experiment. That really built my confidence as an artist.”

For Brooke, who also plays on Butler’s club basketball team, the project held personal meaning. She not only got to help honor a figure she’d long admired, but she also had the chance to meet Catchings during the mural’s unveiling. “She was so sweet and energetic—just like I expected,” Brooke said. “Getting to paint someone like Tamika, who has done so much on and off the court, was a total honor.”

The mural will be formally unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 16, 2025, kicking off downtown Indianapolis’ WNBA All-Star Weekend festivities. It will remain in place for the next 15 years as part of the city’s public art collection, celebrating not only Catchings’ legacy but also the artists who brought it to life.

Now that the mural has been completed, she is open to tackling new projects. Brooke continues to evolve her art—often in black and white oil paints filled with hidden symbols, text, and intricate meaning. While she doesn’t study art formally, her Butler experience has provided her with the space and encouragement to continue creating. “Being at Butler has helped me explore who I am—both in and outside of the classroom,” she said. “I’m learning how to take risks, follow my curiosity, and keep doing what I love.”