Lubeznik Arts Festival (LAF), one of Michigan City’s summer highlights, is fast approaching. The 2019 festival will take place on Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the grounds of Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA). Here’s a sneak peak at some of this year’s festival highlights.
Veterans Receive Free Admission!
Thanks to a generous grant by the Michigan City Public Art Committee (MAC), veterans will once again receive free admission to LAF in 2019. Qualifying individuals may either identify themselves at the festival gates or stop by LCA ahead of time to pick up a special veterans ticket.
Admission to LAF is $5.00 per person per day. LCA members, children ages 16 and under and active military personnel may also enter free. Convenient off-site parking and shuttle service will be available at no charge. All proceeds from this event will be used to support LCA programs and exhibitions, helping ensure the center is able to remain free and open to all, seven days a week.
Fine Arts and Crafts
This year’s festival includes more than 75 artists and artisans from the Midwest and beyond. Exhibitors have been selected through a juried application process to represent six different categories: 2-Dimensional Art, Fine Craft, Jewelry, Photography, Sculptural Objects and Wearable Art.
This year’s festival includes more than 75 artists and artisans from the Midwest and beyond. Exhibitors have been selected through a juried application process to represent six different categories: 2-Dimensional Art, Fine Craft, Jewelry, Photography, Sculptural Objects and Wearable Art.
Inside the center, LCA’s NIPSCO Education Studios will host four talented contemporary artists. Shanoor Devarj, Founder and Owner of Devarj Design Agency, is an award-winning artist from La Porte, Indiana, who believes that through unity we will find peace. Shanoor will be exhibiting his series “Celebrate Freedom 911” during the festival.
Artist Ish Muhammad has lived in Indiana for three decades. He calls his style post-graffiti abstract expressionism. Muhammad’s works have been exhibited nationally and internationally in venues such as the Chicago Cultural Center and the Indiana State Museum. He recently completed commissions for Leeds Public House and Franciscan Health in Michigan City.
Sharing an indoor space are husband and wife artists Rick Lange and Suzanne Cohan-Lange, owners of Blink Contemporary Gallery on Franklin Street. Rick is an artist and retired Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts and Art Education at Loyola University. His paintings have appeared in numerous shows in the U.S. and Europe. Suzanne is the Chair Emeritus of the Interdisciplinary Arts Department of Columbia College Chicago, which she founded in 1976. As a sculptor, Suzanne has worked in steel, resin, paper, wood, clay and glass.
Unforgettable Live Entertainment
On Saturday, August 17 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., LAF will welcome Surabhi Ensemble. This Chicago-based world music group has a mission of bringing together people to celebrate diverse global cultures, musical genres, race, religion, and color. The ensemble fuses flamenco music, mellifluous Middle Eastern Maqams, African rhythms with the rich sounds of Indian Classical ragas, embellished with blues and folk melodies.
On Sunday, August 18 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., Kristina Isabelle of Michigan City Moves will bring some long-legged antics to LAF. During this timeframe, stilters will be roaming around and dancing on the festival grounds. This performance will feature young stilters from the Works in Motion Dance Company.
Family-Friendly Fun
At LCA, we believe art is for everyone, especially kids! Take a break from shopping to create with LCA’s education staff in our dedicated family artmaking space. We will be exploring Ozobots, creating comics, building freeform sculptures and more.
Family activities run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and are free with festival admission. Visitors of all ages are also welcome to cool off in LCA’s galleries while exploring The Chicago Imagists: Before and After summer blockbuster exhibition.
Delicious Eats
Festivalgoers can discover some of the region’s tastiest cuisine without leaving LCA’s grounds. Pachamama Street Food from New Buffalo, Michigan serves a rotating menu of Southeast Asian and South American classics. Also on hand will be one of Michigan City’s hometown favorites, Cabo’s Ice Cream & Mexican Food.
2019 LAF sponsors include 1st Source Bank, NIPSCO, McDonald’s of LaPorte County and the Michigan City Public Art Committee. In-kind sponsors include Bulk Equipment Co., Current Electric, Haas & Associates and the City of Michigan City. Media sponsors include 95.1 FM/AM 1420 WIMS, 102.5 FM/AM 1060 WHFB, GreatNews.Life, The News Dispatch, South Shore CVA, The Times Media Company and Visit Michigan City LaPorte.
