The gray drizzle in the forecast did not put a damper on Saturday's colorful art festival put on by Valparaiso Events and Amdur Productions.
Being the third of its kind, Valparaiso Events held the event on Indiana Avenue and Lafayette Street, just south of Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso. Operating in tandem with the Valparaiso farmer’s market, attendees were able to float between both events.
Katie Abel, Valparaiso Events Executive Director, said that the Valparaiso Art Festival aims to highlight the 50 local and national artists in the city.
“There are some [artists] from Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, as well as a handful of artists local to Valparaiso,” Abel said.
Artists in this weekend’s festival decorated their respective booths with personal artwork ranging from vibrant paintings to glossy pottery. Abel noted that this is one of her favorite parts – seeing just how many ways artists can express themselves.
“The different ways of expressing yourself,” she said. “Just walking around the festival, and seeing the different styles of art, different mediums…knowing that someone can look at a piece of art and interpret it and feel something different than the next person.”
With a collection of diverse pieces of work on display, some well-known Region artists got to add to the conversation.
Photographer Maria Overlay has been a Valparaiso resident for 11 years. During her time in Northwest Indiana, Overlay explored the idea of applying for local artisan events, but she was hesitant at first.
“Ever since I started selling my work, I wanted to be a part of markets and fests, but I was really nervous about it,” she said.
When the opportunity arose for Overlay to be a part of her town’s festival, she took the leap.
“I applied to the Valparaiso Art Festival and was so excited that they invited me to be a part of it. I am really excited to be alongside many great artists in the area and showcase what I have to offer,” Overlay said.
Hometown art teacher Jason Gast, also known as Mr. Gast, decided to participate in this year’s event to show off his monochromatic portraits for himself and his students.
“I'm also trying to show my students that you can have an income from your artwork if you want to explore that option,” he said.
Creator Jackie Kalin began her artistic career in 1988 and lived in Valparaiso for 27 years.
“I hope to introduce more people to my art, which is hard to understand from seeing photos,” she said.
With her gallery in Valparaiso, Art Z & Co., Kalin wanted to participate in this year’s event to meet more art lovers downtown.
“It will be great to see the familiar faces of neighbors and friends in this casual setting,” Kalin said.
For Northwest Indiana residents looking to appreciate the art before it’s gone, the Valparaiso Art Festival will continue tomorrow June 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
