Whether you’re an art lover or someone who just loves a fun day out, the Lubeznik Arts Festival is perfect for you. Strolling through the tents of arts and craft vendors, you get a good glimpse at the amount of creativity in this Region. From oil paintings to photography, to pottery and more, the Lubeznik Arts Festival has something for everyone to enjoy.
“We really try to mix a bit of traditional arts and crafts--sculpture, stained glass, wearable art and jewelry--and, increasingly, we're getting more contemporary artists interested in the festival, as well,” said Janet Bloch, Executive Director at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts.
Browse through hand-crafted jewelry, metal-works, and various other intricacies while you enjoy the sounds of the live music happening both days of the festival. This year’s featured musical guests will me the Surabhi Ensemble, a Chicago-based world music group on Saturday, and Kristina Isabelle of Michigan City Moves with stilt dancers on Sunday.
Over 80 artists are exhibiting their handiwork! Many of the artists return year after year, finding the community of art appreciators that Lubeznik has helped to create to be warm and welcoming to their art. Ezra Siegel, a painter, has been coming to the festival for about eight years. He appreciates the Lubeznik Center and all that they do for the art community.
“I come here to support the art center. I think it’s wonderful and has a good effect on the community, and I do whatever I can to support it,” Siegel said.
Siegel won "Best of Show" for his work at this year's festival.
The Lubeznik Arts Festival attracts people from all over the Region. It is an excellent place for families who are looking to instill a love of art in their children. There are plenty of family activities taking place throughout both days that let kids have a hands-on experience with art.
“We saw the event on Facebook and saw that they have a lot of family activities. Lydia (7) really wanted to do the Ozobots. It’s really nice they have one available to play with, because they’re pretty expensive!” said Michigan City resident Jen Birchfield. “They have a lot of fun activities like that, where you learn about science and art at the same time. Later, they’re doing sculpture and weaving with the kids, which we’ll look into. We decided to spend a Saturday at the festival, having some fun.”
Seeing the families and patrons enjoying the festival is something the organizers especially enjoy. The event has been hosted on the Lubeznik Center for the Arts' property for the last four years and is an excellent way to introduce the attendees of the festival to the center and their programs.
“To connect [attendees] with the programs and showings we offer is a two-for-one--you've got the experience of the art festival, and you get to visit the museum, see the exhibitions, and learn about our programs. The artists and patrons really enjoy it here!” said Bloch.
The Lubeznik Arts Festival is a fun event for all and one you will not want to miss. It will be running Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18. The gates open at 10 a.m. and the day’s activities end at 5 p.m.. The cost to enter is $5; LCA members, children 16 and under, active military personnel with ID, and veterans will receive free entrance. The entrance fee is used to fund the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and continue their excellent programs in the community.
“Any funds that are raised go back into our community and programming, but we try to keep it very accessible to everyone. That's part of our mission to make sure that great art experiences are accessible to everybody in the Region,” said Bloch.
For more information on the festival and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, visit their website: http://www.lubeznikcenter.org/Special_Events/art_fest.html
