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23 reasons why downtown Elkhart is the art capital of Michiana

Mr. Elk Goes To The Lerner is one of the many elk statues you'll see in downtown Elkhart. (File Photo/Federated Media)

Art is everywhere along the Gateway Mile in downtown Elkhart. Plan your next art excursion at GatewayMile.com.

By: The Gateway Mile

There is an abundance of art in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan, but nowhere is it more abundant than in downtown Elkhart. Heck, “art” is in the city’s name!

Here are 23 reasons why downtown Elkhart is the art capital of Michiana.

1. There are five museums in downtown Elkhart

You can find the Midwest Museum of American Art, National New York Central Railroad Museum, the Ruthmere Museum, the Havilah Beardsley House and the Time Was Museum all within a short walk from each other.

The MMAA especially gives downtown some art credibility. The reknowned art museum is home to more than 6,000 pieces of 19th and 20th Century American Art, including a large collection of Norman Rockwell signed lithographs. It also hosts the Elkhart Juried Regional, the most competitive arts competition in northern Indiana.

2. Monthly Elkhart ArtWalk events

This monthly event celebrates all forms of art along the Gateway Mile. Each event features live music and art galleries at multiple local businesses along Main Street. Sometimes the art events are interactive. It happens the second Wednesday of every month, so don’t miss the next one.

3. The famous Elkhart Jazz Festival

For the last 30 years, jazz musicians from around the world have converged in Elkhart over the summer to perform at the Elkhart Jazz Festival. This event has included jazz legends like Ramsey Lewis and Wynton Marsalis as well as contemporary artists like Ben Folds and Davina and the Vagabonds.

4. The Lerner Theatre is a hub for visual arts

This theater in the center of downtown Elkhart is a work of art itself — not to mention the many events and performances it hosts. Tickets are always on sale for the next performance, including  live music, plays, musicals, black and white films accompanied by the theater’s 1924 Kimball organ and a whole lot more.

5. Premier Arts gives actors a space to thrive

Premier Arts is the resident theater company at The Lerner. They hold auditions for performances at the Lerner and give their actors opportunities to grow as people and as artists all year long.

6. Local artists are featured at the Downtown Soul Art & Music Series

This series features music and visual art from talented people of all ages, walks of life and backgrounds at monthly events in the spring, summer and early fall.

7. You could learn to play 11 instruments at the Elkhart School of Music

The next generation of musicians gets a world-class education on Main Street at the Elkhart School of Music. Students of all ages can take lessons in voice, guitar, cuatro, mandolin, piano, drums, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, violin, viola or ukelele at the school.

8. Arts on Main is about all styles of art

This “arts hub” is directed by Steve Gruber, who also hosts ArtWalk. The venue features artists from around the region at its seasonal art shows. Occasionally artists will use the downtown space to work on new paintings. The gallery also hosts live music during ArtWalk and other events as well as the monthly poetry reading WordPlay Open Mic Night.

9. Visual arts are on display at n.wirt design and gallery

Nancy Wirt is a residential and commercial interior designer. The top half of her building on Main Street is home to her interior design studio, while the bottom half serves as an art gallery where she showcases local artists. The gallery hosts solo shows for artists and as well as opening receptions for new collections.

10. Art is everywhere at The Electric Brew in Elkhart

You could make the argument that coffee is a work of art itself or that it’s necessary for art. Beyond that, The Electric Brew in Elkhart displays art and jewelry made by local artists and all of it is for sale. The locally-owned coffee shop also hosts live music and art events throughout the year.

11. The local artist community is strong

Downtown Elkhart has a strong community of local artists who create all sorts of work. Jake Webster is a painter, sculptor and poet whose work is in galleries across the world, but he chooses downtown Elkhart as his home and studio. Dorothy Jean Carter is a sculptor and painter who makes upcycled furniture, home decor and wearable art for her business, Junk to Jazz. Alyse Chinnock is a writer and artist who helps produce ArtWalk. These are just a few of the artists who make up the vibrant arts scene in Elkhart.

12. There are three dance schools within a mile of each other

People who have a passion for the performing arts can take dance lessons at any (or all) of the three dancing studios located in downtown Elkhart. That’s Dancing, The TuTu School and Robin’s School of Dance each offer classes in a variety of styles and for a range of ages.

13. Nature’s art becomes a masterpiece at Matzke Florist

Flowers are nature’s art, and the people at Matzke Florist take those pieces of art and create gorgeous displays. Whether it’s for a wedding, a holiday, a special event or just because it’s Thursday, there is always beautiful art being created at downtown Elkhart’s florist shop.

14. Wellfield Botanic Gardens is 36 acres of art

This space on the north end of the Gateway Mile is a gorgeous piece of art. Each garden features flowers, plants and sculptures carefully designed for a specific purpose and look.

15. Find art at small shops and boutiques

There are several small, artistic in downtown Elkhart where art is everywhere both for viewing and for sale. Dwellings, The Black Crow on Main, Ditto Quality Resale, Christian Hub and b on the River offer beautiful home furnishings, clothes, jewelry and pieces of art.

16. Makeup is a personal art at Bethza Professional Makeup Studio

Bethza Seminario creates art out of people’s faces at her professional makeup studio in downtown Elkhart. She does professional makeup for special events, including weddings, and can even create special effect makeup for Halloween costumes. Her mom, Maria Regalado, provides face, skin and eyelash services too.

17. The food in downtown Elkhart is a work of art

There are more than two dozen locally-owned restaurants in downtown Elkhart, each serving up creative local foods. There are few chain restaurants in the area, making it easy for each local restaurant to stand out for its own menu and creative offerings. The dishes served are truly works of art.

18. Enjoy the art of the written word at The Book Worm

Downtown Elkhart has its own locally-owned bookstore along the Gateway Mile. Peruse the shelves for brand new and used items, whether you’re looking for the latest best-seller or an old classic.

19. Enjoy art and nature on the Elkhart RiverWalk

In addition to being a great place to get some exercise along the river, the Elkhart RiverWalk is home to several sculptures and plants to enjoy.

20. Who doesn’t love live music?

The live music scene rocks in downtown Elkhart at restaurants like New Paradigm Brewing Company, Five Star Dive Bar and McCarthy’s on the Riverwalk as well as at private venues like Our Place on Main, The Lerner and Arts on Main. At least one live band performs almost every weekend downtown, including local and national acts.

21. Hopman Jewelers is where art sparkles

Jewelry is absolutely art, especially the jewelry at Hopman Jewelers. Stop in to look at beautiful, modern pieces as well as antique and estate jewelry.

22. There are elk and heart statues everywhere

The Elk on Parade statues were a fundraiser for Child and Parent Services of Elkhart, and now many of the painted elk are beautiful additions to downtown Elkhart. A few years later, the cardiac wing at Elkhart General Hospital created the Have a Heart fundraiser for the hospital’s heart health programs. Now you can barely go a block in downtown Elkhart without seeing several beautiful elk and heart statues.

23. Gateway Mile Auto Fest and Elkhart Bike Night… ’nuff said

Sure, motorcycles and classic cars are vehicles… and they are also beautiful pieces of art. From the design of the cars to the craftsmanship needed to put them together and the paint and design, there are artists involved in every part of a vehicle. These annual summertime events draw thousands to downtown Elkhart to look at some beautiful pieces of art, enjoy food and watch live music.

What’s your favorite kind of art — paintings, plays, music, poetry, food, or something else? Find it all and more on The Gateway Mile. Visit GatewayMile.com for a calendar of events!

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1 comment

South Bend has art! August 29, 2017 at 10:39 am

South Bend has art! If you fly over in a plane you can see the roundabouts. These are Mayor butti’s artworks. More art on display are all the orange cones that you can see everywhere you drive. Especially down town. All the new road paint for parking and bicycle lanes are very pretty as well. Yellow, Green, white paints. So pretty. Never any bicycles in them and idiots still drive in them as if they are a driving lane but that is another story…South Bend even has performance art all over town. All you need to do is pull up to just about any busy intersection to see a live performer begging for money. They even hold up custom art work they have created to beg for your money! More live performances daily are the homeless laying around under the viaducts near Four Winds Field. So beautiful!! South Bend has art!

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