Lubeznik Center for the Arts

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.

08/26/2026

🍎 Save your seat for art classes at LCA, starting in September!

Think outside the box on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1-3 PM CT and blend reflection with creation to create a personalized keepsake box.

Build your foundation in art beginning Wednesdays, Sept. 16–Nov. 4, from 4–7 PM. Work from still lifes, photos and your imagination while learning new and fundamental drawing and acrylic painting techniques.

Young artists, explore watercolor painting on Tuesdays, Sept. 15–Oct. 20, 4-6 PM, and character design on Thursdays, Sept. 17–Oct. 22, 4-5:30 PM.

👉 View all of our classes and register at LubeznikCenter.org/Learning, or call 874.4900. LCA members receive 10% off classes, and scholarships are available for all ages.

08/24/2026

Join us for art and music at LCA's free First Friday event, Sept. 4, 5-8 PM (Central)!

Enjoy lite bites, cash bar, art exhibits and a unique musical performance by Joe Rauen, an artist and musician who makes working musical instruments from household items.

In addition to the "Kindred Spirits: Margaret Wharton and Betsy Odom" exhibition, Laura Kittle and Glen Kelly will have their work on display in our NIPSCO Art Education Studios.

Laura Kittle is a visual artist working in both abstract and impressionistic realism styles. Her vibrant use of color and expressive compositions are often inspired by nature and the ever-changing moods of Lake Michigan. "Thoughtful Impressions" reflects Kittle's ongoing exploration of abstract structure and the dynamic interplay between line, field and expressive mark-making. The exhibit showcases her dedication to clean lines and vibrant color, while fully embracing the expansive possibilities found within abstraction.

"I invite viewers to linger with these paintings as one might study a map. The rhythms and directional flows woven throughout the work reveal themselves more fully with time, rewarding a slower, more intentional look." — Laura Kittle.

Learn more about LCA at LubeznikCenter.org, or call 219.874.4900.

08/23/2026

Featured Artist:

"Floyd Land"
Sept. 4-Oct. 12, 2026
Opening Reception: Sept. 11, 3-5 PM CT

Working from his eclectic studio in Lakeside, Michigan, Floyd Gompf transforms discarded materials into imaginative works that celebrate craftsmanship, history and reinvention. Drawing inspiration from a lifelong fascination with material and form, Gompf creates work that balances folk art traditions with contemporary sculpture. He is particularly drawn to weathered, painted and distressed wood — materials that carry the marks of time and the stories of previous lives. These surfaces become integral to the finished work, preserving memory while inviting new interpretations.

Gompf began collecting materials from Chicago alleyways, architectural salvage shops and flea markets, experimenting with furniture informed by his background in ceramics and sculpture. His practice has since expanded across multiple disciplines yet remains rooted in the same philosophy: that beauty and meaning can emerge from what others overlook.

Visit LCA free, six days a week, (closed Tuesdays). Open 10 AM-5 PM Mon., Wed-Fri., and 11 AM-4 PM (Central) Sat. & Sun. Call 219.874.4900 for more information, or visit LubeznikCenter.org.

08/22/2026

Friday, Sept. 25, 5-7 PM CT: "Femmes at Full Volume"
Join us for a conversation with acclaimed music photographer Bobby Talamine (), interviewed by Michigan City's own Ric Federighi () of 95.1 FM/AM 1420 WIMS

With more than 40 years of concert photography experience, Talamine will discuss his career and his newly published book, "Femmes at Full Volume," celebrating women and female-presenting artists who have shaped the music industry. https://trellispress.com/offshoot/femmes/

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

08/21/2026

Getting ready for September First Friday! Dale Cooper stopped by to help artist Kelly with the installation, armed with her adorable paisley hammer. 🔨💕

Don’t miss all the fun at LCA’s free September First Friday on Friday, Sept. 4, from 5–8 PM CT! Enjoy lite bites, a unique musical performance by Joe Rauen and new art exhibits by Glen Kelly and Cooke Kittle.

Glen Kelly considers himself an “outsider artist.” Self-taught, Kelly specializes in abstract and contemporary acrylic paintings using a straw — no brush! This technique, called blown art, enables the artist to create multiple layers of paint, resulting in fluid and unique patterns.

Laura Kittle’s exhibit, "Thoughtful Impressions," reflects her ongoing exploration of abstract structure and the dynamic interplay of line, field, and expressive mark-making. It showcases her dedication to clean lines and vibrant color while fully embracing the expansive possibilities of abstraction.

Visit LubeznikCenter.org for more information, or call 219.874.4900.