Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City was designed as a place to bring art, creativity, people and cultural experiences together under one roof. Local residents Jack and Shirley Lubeznik, art enthusiasts and philanthropists, donated the current building in 2003 for the center. Since that time, their mission to grow the arts in the community has spread well past the four walls of the building, reaching out and into the schools and local churches. Education Director Nelsy Marcano is in charge of programming both on-site and off-site.
“I started with Lubeznik about two years ago,” Marcano said. “As education director, I oversee all the educational programming at the center as well as the outreach that occurs off-site with our community partners. This includes after-school programs, summer camps, neighborhood pop-ups, family events, our teen arts council, and all classes held at the center for children and adults. I create the curriculum, art projects and schedules for many of these programs. Lubeznik also hosts thousands of students for learning tours year-round. I organize gallery tours with our docents, as well as curate the community gallery spaces.”
Marcano's love for the arts started when she spent five years in a classroom as an art teacher, where she taught students from pre-K through high school.
“I have a passion for art education and the positive impact it has on our youth,” she said. “I carry this mission in my work as education director at Lubeznik where I can create opportunities to reach our community with these experiences. It is every educator’s hope to reach students outside of the classroom, and I am able to do that at Lubeznik.”
Bilingual programming at Lubeznik offers docent tours and family events for Spanish speakers.
“This programming creates a new way for us to connect with our Hispanic community,” Marcano said. “As a Latina, I am very proud to have this format available to visitors. We began this program more recently, so I am excited to see what new opportunities we can create for local families as we move forward.”
According to Marcano, Lubeznik will be home to some very exciting shows and events this summer.
“Our annual LOK Young Artists Expo will display a variety of artworks by young artists from Indiana, Michigan and Illinois,” she said. “It will be on exhibit between June 2 and July 10.”
Family Day is scheduled from 1-3 p.m. (CST) on Saturday, June 10 based on the current exhibit, “Citizen.” Everyone is welcome to Lubeznik for an art scavenger hunt, refreshments and a printmaking workshop.
“We also have our annual Lubeznik Art Festival on August 19 and 20 with artists, local food vendors, indoor exhibitions, family activities and a live mural competition,” Marcano said.
Learning programs at the art center include classes, camps and outreach events out in the schools and with various partners in the community. The most popular with both children and adults are the in-house art classes.
“I give credit to our wonderful teaching artists who, over the years, have built relationships with their students and continually challenge themselves to create an engaging and meaningful experience for our participants,” Marcano said. “We regularly hold painting, mixed media, drawing, writing and photography classes at Lubeznik, and I can honestly say that they are all amazing. I am particularly excited for our upcoming summer session because the student summer camps fill our studio classrooms with art and laughter all day long!”
Outside the center beginning in 2019, Lubeznik initiated a series of neighborhood events in collaboration with various community partners throughout Michigan City. These 'pop-up' events bring folks together for snacks, conversation and relaxed creative art making.
“Our pop-ups events are usually hosted off-site by one of our partner organizations,” Marcano said. “We bring art into the community by creating an art project together while socializing and sharing snacks. Usually themed around a holiday or specific theme, it is always a fun time and a great way to get to know our community. Also, our executive director Janet Bloch has formed wonderful friendships with church leaders in Michigan City that have led to regular visits through these pop-up events.”
Lubeznik Center for the Arts is located at 101 W. 2nd Street in Michigan City. It is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Admission is free. To find out more about Lubeznik Center for the Arts' upcoming schedule of events, visit online at lubeznikcenter.org/events.
