Indianapolis, Indiana – A young artist from Benjamin Harrison School 2 is spreading holiday cheer this season in a way few fifth graders ever get the chance to. Sharon Polk, now a fifth grader at the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) campus, recently learned that her fourth-grade drawing was selected for the cover of the Indianapolis Public Library’s (IndyPL) annual holiday card, an honor that will put her artwork into hundreds of homes and into the hands of library patrons and donors across the city.
“I think that librarians don’t get enough recognition, and it is important to honor what they do,” Polk said. “Books have made me who I am, and for me to have a way to celebrate that is very exciting and meaningful to me.”
The story behind Polk’s artwork is as charming as it is serendipitous. Last year, Benjamin Harrison’s media specialist, Shellie Rich, was asked to have students create thank-you cards for IndyPL staff members who had helped bring IPS schools into the library’s Shared System. This system allows students to use their library cards to borrow books and resources not only from their own school but from all participating schools, museums, and the public library, creating an interconnected network of learning resources for equitable access.
Rich saw the request as the perfect opportunity to turn it into a creative classroom project. She guided her students to design hand-drawn thank-you cards, sending dozens of these student creations—including Polk’s—to the library. While the project was completed months ago, the selection of Polk’s artwork came as a surprise.
“I have to admit that when I first read an email from Sharon’s mom about her daughter’s work being selected, I had no memory of the artwork in question,” Rich said. “After a full five minutes of thinking, though, it came back to me.”
What was once a small classroom project has now taken on a life of its own. Polk’s drawing, depicting a joyful library scene, was personally chosen by Gregory A. Hill, Sr., CEO of the Indianapolis Public Library, for the 2025 holiday card. Hill explained that the piece immediately stood out to him for its joyful spirit and its ability to capture the essence of what the library strives to share with the community.
“Some of our favorite moments come from the letters students send us—especially the hand-drawn ones that show their genuine love for our public libraries,” Hill said. “When I saw Sharon’s drawing of a library, I knew that I wanted to share it with others who love the library. It was joyful and full of the spirit we work hard to share with our community.”
The selection carries even more meaning because of Polk’s involvement in the library outside of school. Sharon, along with her younger brother Andrew, has served as a “Kid Librarian” at the library’s Irvington Branch, a program that allows children to assist librarians in recommending books and designing creative displays. Hill praised the Polk siblings for their contributions, describing them as “young library ambassadors who express their love of libraries.”
The artistic talent runs in the family. Andrew Polk recently gifted Shellie Rich a hand-drawn thank-you card featuring Godzilla reading a book about Godzilla, a playful nod to the iconic Japanese monster. Rich, reflecting on the creativity of both children, said, “Clearly, they are a family of gifted card-makers. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so seen by a student.”
For Sharon Polk, the recognition is both unexpected and deeply rewarding. Her artwork, which started as a simple thank-you card, now serves as a celebration of libraries, creativity, and the ways student expression can reach far beyond the classroom walls. The project exemplifies the impact that arts and literacy programs can have on young students, reinforcing a love for reading, creating, and participating in the community.
The 2025 IndyPL holiday card is more than a festive greeting; it is a testament to the spirit of Indianapolis Public Schools and the broader community. By highlighting the work of young artists like Sharon Polk, the program showcases how IPS classrooms foster creativity, civic engagement, and meaningful connections between students, schools, and community institutions.
As the holiday cards make their way into homes, Polk’s artwork will remind recipients of the joy, imagination, and dedication that young students bring to their communities every day. For a fifth grader, this recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a celebration of the power of art to connect, inspire, and honor the work of others in a meaningful and lasting way.
