Lubeznik Center for the Arts

09/05/2026

What a night! Thank you to everyone who joined us for September First Friday at LCA!

We enjoyed an evening filled with art, music, hors d’oeuvres and an unforgettable performance by , who turns everyday household objects into one-of-a-kind musical instruments. From watering cans and shovels to toys and kitchenware, Joe showed us that music can be found in the most unexpected places.

Guests also had the chance to explore our current exhibitions, including the work of local artists Kelly and Kittle in the NIPSCO Art Education Studios, which will remain on display through September.

A special thank you to Horizon Bank for generously sponsoring LCA’s free First Friday events and to everyone who helped make the evening so much fun!

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

Don’t miss Joe Rauen and all of his curious musical creations tonight at Lubeznik Center for the Arts from 5-8 PM (Central).

Admission is free!

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

Don't miss this Friday at LCA!

Join us Sept. 4 from 5–8 PM CT for an evening of music and art featuring a unique performance by artist and musician Joe Rauen, who transforms everyday objects like watering cans, shovels, toys and even the kitchen sink into working musical instruments.

Also explore the work of local artists Laura Kittle and Glen Kelly in the NIPSCO Art Education Studios. Kittle’s Thoughtful Impressions explores vibrant color, abstract structure and expressive mark-making inspired by nature and Lake Michigan. Kelly creates fluid abstract paintings using a straw instead of a brush.

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and art throughout LCA. Admission is free!

LCA’s free First Friday events are generously sponsored by Horizon Bank. Learn more about LCA's events at LubeznikCenter.org, or call 219.874.4900.

08/31/2026

👀Looking for a creative class this fall? We have art classes for all ages and skill levels!

🖌️ Exploring Watercolor | Ages 10–17
Tuesdays, Sept. 15–Oct. 20 | 4–6 PM
Discover fun watercolor techniques and visual effects with Guendolen Mark. All materials provided!
$95 | $85 LCA Members

✏️ Character Design | Ages 8–16
Thursdays, Sept. 17–Oct. 22 | 4–5:30 PM
Design unique characters through sketching and concept art with Mary Mansfield.
$95 | $85 LCA Members

🎨 Building Foundations of Art | Ages 18+
Wednesdays, Sept. 16–Nov. 4 | 4–7 PM
Explore acrylic painting, color and foundational techniques with Sharron Ott.
$145 | $131 LCA Members

✂️ Mixed Media Mornings | Ages 18+
Thursdays, Sept. 17–Oct. 22 | 9–11 AM
Experiment with clay, wire, fabric, found objects and more with Elizabeth Standerski.
$145 | $131 LCA Members

LCA members receive 10% off and scholarships are available for all ages. Register today at https://lubeznikcenter.org/learning, or call 219.874.4900.

08/29/2026

On display in LCA's lobby, Sept. 11–Oct. 12: "Floyd Land" by Gompf.

This exhibition brings together a vibrant collection of furniture, sculpture, ceramics, and works on paper, revealing Gompf's playful imagination and inventive approach to making. Rich with humor, color, and unexpected combinations of materials, his work invites viewers to see the extraordinary possibilities hidden within the everyday and to appreciate the stories embedded in reclaimed objects.

Join us for the opening reception on Friday, Sept. 11 from 3-5 PM CT.

More information at LubeznikCenter.org.

08/28/2026

Get creative at LCA's Creation Station!

Inspired by Betsy Odom’s intricate leather tooling in "Kindred Spirits: Margaret Wharton and Betsy Odom," our latest Creation Station invites artists of all ages to create their own embossed designs on foil plates!

All materials are provided, so just bring your creativity. Once you’ve finished your masterpiece, you can:

🎨 Hang it on our community sharing wall for others to enjoy
🔄 Trade it in the outside
🏠 Take it home to keep!

Come make something, share something or swap something with your fellow art lovers. There’s no wrong way to create! LCA's Creation Station is generously supported by the Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation (MCCEC).

"Kindred Spirits" is on view through Oct. 25. Visit LCA for free six days a week, closed Tuesdays. Call 219.874.4900 or visit LubeznikCenter.org for more information.

08/27/2026

Visit LCA free, six days a week (closed Tuesdays) and explore the work👞 of Margaret Wharton and in "Kindred Spirits."

Betsy Odom employs labor-intensive practices, a practice Odom has termed “Butchcraft." This includes leather tooling, woodworking and hand carving, techniques often coded as masculine, redirecting them toward le***an identity with affection and humor. Her sculptures, at first glance, appear functional but are deliberately “off.” Deflated sports gear becomes lovingly useless, while athletic wear transforms into rigid forms made of wood, leather or cork. Humor operates structurally rather than decoratively, allowing Odom to deploy camp as both strategy and critique. Careful attention to craftsmanship is devotional rather than ironic, underscoring the intelligence of skilled labor while resisting hierarchies between fine art and craft.

"Birk," 2026
Leather, chip board, cork, fur, studs

"Doc," 2010
Tooled leather, wood, rubber

"Hockey Skate," 2026
Graphite, acrylic, rubber, canvas, leather, dye, grommets, lace, fur

"Red Clog," 2026
Tooled leather, shearling, wood, cork, graphite, nails

"Kindred Spirits: Margaret Wharton and Betsy Odom" was curated by . Special thank you to Blydan Built, Indiana Arts Commission, NiSource Charitable Foundation, NIPSCO and South Shore Arts.

Learn more at LubeznikCenter.org/Exhibitions, or call 219.874.4900.

08/26/2026

Join us for September First Friday at LCA: Sept. 4, 5-8 PM CT!

Shovels, suitcases, plumbing and old toys become musical instruments in Joe Rauen's hands. He'll perform at Lubeznik Center in Michigan City.