It's not too late for your fantasy arts league draft

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OK, admit it. Last year your fantasy arts league limped its way into missing the playoffs — again — but you want to blame the advice you received from your old college roommate who was in the drama club.

Let us stop you right there. You’re to blame. Deal with it. You spend all that time eating out or going to the latest brewery or catching the big game that you miss all of this other tremendous entertainment that surrounds you in Central Indiana. Stage and musical performances. Art showings. Comedy. Dance. Surprises.

With so many talented artists in the Indianapolis area and the season soon to kick off, IndyStar has created this arts league draft guide to introduce you to some of the players who make for not only a better place to live, but also a better fantasy team to carry you into the playoffs. We’ve broken them down into four positions: visual artists, musical artists, performance artists and special teams. Draft wisely, and enjoy the shows.

Visual artists

WALTER KNABE

Team: Free agent.

Position: Screen printing and painting.

Age: 60.

College: Columbia College (BFA), University of Wisconsin, Madison (MFA).

Seasons: 37 years.

Scouting brief: Knabe creates vivid screen print/paint combinations often featuring antiquated statues and paintings written over with flowery phrases in a childlike scrawl. The artist moved his studio from New York City to Indianapolis in the '90s and has been contributing to the local scene while also staying active in far away markets. Recently, he started a series of portraits of famous women, which he will show in his Indianapolis studio as well as in galleries across the U.S.

Fantasy spin: At 60, Knabe might be approaching the end of his career. But there is no denying he is a playmaker; he has sold work to Michael Jordan and Richard Gere, among other celebrities. He also made the highlight reel with work hanging on the White House Christmas tree. Knabe might not be your highest scorer every week, but he is a safe addition to any team.

ANILA QUAYYUM AGHA 

Team: Free agent.

Position: Multimedia.

Age: 51.

College:  National College of Art, Lahore, Pakistan (BFA), University of North Texas (MFA).

Seasons: 12 years.

Scouting brief: Agha's experiences as both a woman and a Pakastani immigrant influence her art. Some of her works are inspired by the alienation and transience that comes from the migrant experience, and she often uses textile processes to challenge the idea that domestic-based creativity can’t be art.

Fantasy spin: Agha is coming off an MVP season in which her installation “Intersections” won two grand prizes last year at the international competition ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Mich. The 6.5-foot cube made from laser-cut wood contains a single light bulb that casts shadows throughout a room when illuminated. Her drawings, paintings and installations can confuse opponents with their impossibly intricate patterns inspired by Islamic art. If you have a top pick in your draft, you can’t go wrong here taking Agha No. 1 overall.

KIPP NORMAND 

Team: Free agent.

Position: Junk artist.

Age: 53.

College: University of Notre Dame.

Seasons: 13.

Scouting brief: Normand makes art out of trash. Literally. Normand is a self-proclaimed “junk artist,” meaning he creates his installations with discarded items. He spruces up his dumpster creations by arranging the materials artfully and tweaking them in various ways.

Fantasy spin: A position switch seems to have paid off for the 53-year-old. His fantasy stock has soared since he moved from historic preservation to junk. A standout performance at the second annual ArtPrize pitch night in June suggests a breakout season in 2016. An especially good pick for a keeper league.

AMY BRIER 

Team: Free agent.

Position: Sculpture.

Age: 56.

College: Boston University (BFA), Indiana University Bloomington (MFA).

Seasons: 29.

Scouting brief: Brier is a sculptor with experience and international training. She founded and is the director of the Indiana Limestone Sculpture Symposium, and her work can be found on Indiana University’s campus and in New York City at the Jewish Museum.

Fantasy spin: The world’s full of artists, but sculptors are a different breed. Brier carves all sorts of figures and shapes out of stone, glass, paper, metal and even sand. Brier has the education and training of a fine artist, but her unique position will give you the edge you need to round out your team without getting too risky.

ARIANNA TORRES

Position: Photographer.

Team: Free agent.

Age: 20.

College: Ball State University.

Seasons: 5.

Scouting brief: A Noblesville photographer, Torres of Arianna Marie Photography may be young, but she already is making a name for herself as a top portrait, lifestyle and wedding photographer in the greater Indianapolis area. Known among locker room teammates as the “story listener,” she aims to let her clients tell their own stories through her work.

Fantasy spin: Torres brings youth and agility to the game. She is in her first year doing photography as a full-time business. A great sleeper pick, she has tremendous upside.

Musical artists

ERIC STARK

Position: Artistic director.

Team: Indianapolis Symphonic Choir.

Age: 50.

College: Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Seasons: 15.

Scouting brief: Experiences conducting the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir combined with a knowledge of the connective power of music put Stark at the top of his game. He has performed across the globe and as the chorus master at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show in Indianapolis.

Fantasy spin: Stark has proven himself to be a natural-born leader, but impresses with his team player abilities. He has collaborated with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Repertory Theatre and handfuls of other music groups. Statistics don't lie, and Stark is considered one of the most efficient field generals in the game. Worthy of a first-round selection.

MARK ORTWEIN

Position: Bassoon/contrabassoon, assistant principal,

Team: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra,

Age: 48,

College: Boston University,

Seasons: 14,

Scouting brief: With 20 years of performance experience under his belt, Ortwein has proven to be a key player at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. When he isn’t playing with the ISO, Ortwein regularly performs at The Jazz Kitchen.

Fantasy Spin: The top flex player on many draft boards, Ortwein is a master of versatility. He plays saxophone, clarinet, flute and bassoon. Versatile, expectedly versed in the symphonic field, but also well adept in the jazz and R&B genres. Ortwein some times gambles for the big play — he dabbles in different music ventures — but championships rarely are won by playing it safe.

SAMUEL ROTHSTEIN

Position: Assistant principal clarinet and bass clarinet

Team: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Age: 28

College: Northwestern University

Seasons: 1

Scouting brief: Grabbing experiences from both festival performances and prior symphony membership with the Richmond Symphony and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Rothstein successfully obtained the title of assistant principal clarinet at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

Fantasy spin: Rothstein brings charisma and theatrics to the game. After touring with Les Miserables for a year, he has learned a lesson in dramatics and can outsmart any opponent with this new bag of tricks. Posting reviews to his website in his spare time, Rothstein can spot the difference between decent clarinet products from exceptional ones a mile away. It’s this combination of skill and perceptiveness that make him a choice middle round pick.

BRETT WISCONS

Position: Singer-songwriter.

Team: Free agent.

Age: 36.

College: Marian University.

Seasons: 8.

Scouting brief: Wiscons knew he wanted a career in music after starting what he admits to have been a “terrible” band in high school. He since has shaped himself into an impressive vocalist and songwriter.

Fantasy spin: A solid flex player. When he is not sharing the stage with artists such as Darius Rucker or the Zac Brown Band, he is writing the latest installment in his detective series “Bear Whitman.” A top quality performer in both the local and national circuits, Wiscons produced his latest body of work, “The Heineken EP,” with Mark Bryan, a founding member of Hootie & the Blowfish. A good bet to lead all players at this position.

ALAINA RENAE

Position: Singer.

Team: Free agent.

Age: 34.

College: Indiana University.

Seasons: 29.

Scouting brief: Renae was just 5 years old when she performed her first paid singing gig. She has spent the past 29 years perfecting her craft, working as a solo artist and as a vocalist for Toy Factory. Renae also serves as the COO of Band Geek Music Group in Indianapolis, which provides development and exposure for local musicians.

Fantasy spin: Charisma characterizes the Gary native’s vocal technique. Her soul-filled croons were a crowd favorite at this year’s Black Expo concert. She won't produce eye-popping fantasy points, but you can trust her in the season ahead. A solid veteran performer.

Performance artists

JANUARIE YORK 

Team: Free agent.

Position:  Spoken word.

Age: 37.

College: Indiana Institute of Technology.

Seasons: 12.

Scouting brief: Indianapolis native York has been writing poetry since high school when the deaths of her stepbrother and friends drove her to pen and paper. In 2004, York spoke her written poems out loud for the first time at an open mic in Indianapolis. She hasn’t stopped publicly sharing her voice since, whether it be through spoken word CDs, poetic stage shows or her blog, “The ‘i’ is NEVER Silent.”

Fantasy spin: York is a veteran whose locker room presence elevates her teammates. Her accessible speaking style is conversational, and she talks about subjects everyone can relate to (love) or ones that prop people up (female empowerment). Look for her to add a new dimension to her game, which could add points to your fantasy roster: She is about to start writing her first novel.

ERYN BOWSER

Team: ComedySportz Indianapolis.

Position: Improviser.

Age: 31.

College: Anderson University.

Seasons: 5.

Scouting brief: Bowser has been improvising since high school. She took a break from the thinking-on-your-feet comedy style in college, but by 2011 she was back at it with ComedySportz Indianapolis. Now, there is rarely a weekend when Bowser isn’t responding to audience suggestions and participating in ridiculous scenarios with the theater.

Fantasy spin: Bowser will not only supply comedic relief to your team; she’ll be able to stay calm in any situation thrown her way. Creative in the field, she can turn one quip into a score. Bowser is a worthy second-round pick. Enjoy the ride.

TIM GRIMM

Team: Indiana Repertory Theatre.

Position: Actor.

Age: 55.

College: Earlham College (BA) University of Michigan (MFA).

Seasons: 33.

Scouting brief: Grimm started as a political science major in college with a minor in — and a talent for — theater. When the Columbus native had to choose between law school and an artsy graduate program, he went with his inner creative. Today, Grimm is a working actor and a touring folk singer.

Fantasy spin: If you’re looking for someone to score points with the locals, Grimm is a prime pick. He’s a true Hoosier despite his experience in the big acting centers of America. He's played for teams in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles, and had breakout seasons with roles in the NBC show “Reasonable Doubts” and in the film “Backdraft.” Grimm is a talented, double-threat, homeboy pick for your team.

BRYAN FONSECA

Position: Producing director and founder.

Team: Phoenix Theatre.

Age: 61.

College: Indiana University Northwest.

Seasons: 40.

Scouting brief: Fonseca has been the face of Indianapolis theater for 33 years. Now, he is working on a project involving culture and the arts in Indianapolis. He finds his strength in producing issue-based theater with productions that draw heavily on current events and explore social problems.

Fantasy spin: You know what you're getting with this pick: dependability. Fonseca has a slew of accolades to his name, including awards from the Indiana State Arts Commission and the $100,000 Transformational Impact Fellowship, to name a few. He is working on founding a solid arts community in the now arts-deprived neighborhood of Near West Indianapolis. Drafting him early will get no argument from us.

KYLE CULMANN

Position: Salsa dancer.

Team: Latin Expressions Dance Co.

Age: 29.

College: University of Indianapolis.

Seasons: 5.

Scouting brief: Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Culmann never expected to become a dancer. But after working the front desk at a local salsa studio, everything changed the summer before heading off to college.

Fantasy spin: Quick on his feet and adaptable, Culmann has experience as a dancer and “coach,” giving him the perspective to see both sides. Culmann has proven himself by putting in the work, and it’s paid off. He was able to quit his day job to work at his studio full-time in 2014. Now, he spends his days teaching salsa, bachata and the chachacha to Indianapolis residents. His skill set is unexpected, making him a good pick at the flex position.

Special teams

GERRIT VERPLANK

Team: Firefly Tattoo Collective.

Position: Tattoo artist.

Age: 39.

College: Herron School of Art and Design, IUPUI.

Seasons: 7.

Scouting brief: Verplank started his creative career in the traditional way: at art school. After graduating, Verplank spent a few years freelancing and working as a bar tender and manager until he learned he was going to be a dad. Verplank took an apprenticeship at Voluta Tattoo in Indy before starting his own business, Firefly Tattoo Collective, with his sister and friend in the early 2010s. He’s known for his portraits, which often are of deceased loved ones. Verplank talks to his clients, learns about their lives and then marks them with a unique tattoo.

Fantasy spin: Verplank is an artist, yes, but as a tattooist, he is more than that.  Although some visual artists work alone in their studios and can work on something as long as they want, Verplank is out there, mingling with the people and getting his work right on the first try. Plus, tattooing is amid a golden era. Verplank will be in demand by those in the know. Snag him early or watch your opponents make the playoffs with flair.

ALLISON FORD

Team: Free agent.

Position: Jeweler.

Age: 38.

College: Indiana University Bloomington

Seasons: 9.

Scouting brief: Ford started creating jewelry early, 11 years old early. She took art classes in college but didn’t continue her art career until her late 20s. Now, Ford makes her wood and metal jewelry combinations full-time for clients upon request, and shows them in galleries.

Fantasy spin: Don't overlook this choice amid a crowded field of similar players. Despite her commercialized medium, Ford still shows her work in galleries. She is in high demand as a woodworking jeweler. A rare talent. She's got game. If you wait until the third round, you will have waited too long.

KATIE ANGEL

Team: Angel Burlesque.

Position: Burlesque dancer.

Age: 36.

College: Butler University.

Seasons: 6.

Scouting brief: Angel started burlesque as a hobby. She attended workshops in San Francisco, watched a bunch of YouTube videos and joined a troupe before she formed one of her own, Angel Burlesque. Now, Angel makes her mark on the burlesque world by performing her own version of the art, nerdlesque, with Klingon and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes. Her routine is a crowd-pleaser during Gen Con, and it has taken her to festivals in New York and Chicago.

Fantasy spin: Strip away the showboating, and this player still demonstrates her talent. She might not be universally popular, but week-in and week-out, she is as ready to perform as any other member of theater. She might be a risky pick, especially in the early rounds, but she certainly can spice up your roster.

KRISTEN NOONAN

Position: Musical theater and circus artist.

Team: Free agent.

Age: 29.

College: Anderson University.

Seasons: 7.

Scouting brief: Noonan’s career began at Anderson University, where she studied music. Her skillset quickly broadened and evolved to include aerial acrobatics, musical theater performances and dance. She just recently wrapped the musical “Hazel” at Chicago’s Drury Lane Theatre, and soon will begin performing as an aerial artist for a cruise line.

Fantasy spin: Noonan’s career is impressive. She has made a name for herself in both Indianapolis and Chicago, as well as appearing on reality television shows “America’s Got Talent” and “The Fake Off.” She uses her high octave range to intimidate opponents, and finishes them off with her unique contortions and rhythmic gymnastics moves. A diverse skill set makes her an obvious choice for any flex position. An obvious top-of-the-draft selection.

DAN CENT

Position: Graffiti artist.

Team: Free agent.

Age: 35.

College: Herron School of Art and Design, IUPUI.

Seasons: 19.

Scouting brief: Dan Thompson, also known as Dan Cent, has beautified the city of Indianapolis in the best way he knows how: through graffiti. Cent creates spray paint murals under the brand FAB Crew. Cent’s taken his work to Art Basel in Miami, the Indy 500 and the Indiana State Museum. An in-demand artist, Cent regularly works on commissioned murals and pieces.

Fantasy Spin: Cent throws out the rule book and breaks down barriers in the art world, all while inspiring people to see street art in a new light. He’s a dark horse, unafraid to challenge or question the norms in art. But don't be surprised if he finishes the season among the special teams points leaders.