South Bend Museum of Art

10/22/2026

𝑴𝒊𝒙𝒆𝒅 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂: 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕! opens tomorrow in the Warner Gallery.

Part of the Robert C. Shields American Series, the exhibition draws from SBMA’s permanent collection to show work by more than 90 regional and nationally recognized artists who experiment with materials and processes, from collage and photomontage to assemblage.

Join us for the First Friday Reception on Friday, November 6, from 5 to 8 pm.

On view October 23, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
https://southbendart.org/robert-c-shields-american-series-mixed-media-artists-experiment/

Pictured: Phyllis Bramson, Foolish Reasons to Be Happy (for DT), 2018.

First Friday Reception | November 6, 5–8 pm “A pair of socks is no less suitable to make a painting with than wood, nails, turpentine, oil, and fabric.” –Robert Rauschenberg, 1959 Mixed Media presents an expanded view of SBMA’s permanent collection, highlighting works by over 90 regionally...

10/20/2026

Every piece in these photos was made by Lisa Slomka. This Late Fall, you can learn from her.

Discovering Clay is six weeks of hands-on handbuilding projects with Lisa in our ceramics studio. It’s built for beginners and anyone who’s wondered what it’s like to work with clay.

■ Monday nights, 6 to 9 pm
■ Six weeks, starting November 2
■ Ages 15+, clay included
■ $152 members / $190 non-members

Not a clay person? Late Fall classes start November 2 across all of our studios: ceramics, painting, drawing, darkroom photography, weaving and jewelry, plus Saturday classes for kids and teens. Most need no experience, and members save 20%.

Registration for all Late Fall classes closes November 8.

Register: https://www.ultracamp.com/info/upcomingSessions.aspx?idCamp=1217&campCode=174

Browse the full catalog:https://southbendart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/SBMA_LateFall2026_ClassCatalog_v1.pdf

10/19/2026

Calling young artists in grades 7 to 12.

Submissions are open for the 2027 Scholastic Art Awards. SBMA is the regional affiliate for Northwest Indiana and Lower Southwest Michigan, serving 19 counties.

Students ages 13 to 18 can earn Honorable Mention, Silver Key, Gold Key and the American Vision Award, and the regional exhibition hangs at SBMA February 5 to April 11, 2027.

Submission deadline: December 13.

Teachers and parents, please pass this along. Details at https://southbendart.org/scholastic-art-awards-2026/

10/15/2026

Bring a leaf. Bring your keys. Bring a plastic dinosaur.

In Intro to Experimental Darkroom, you’ll set objects right on photo paper and expose them to light to make photograms. You’ll build your own pinhole camera and paint with darkroom chemistry to make chemigrams.

You don’t need any darkroom or photography experience.

Taught by Hannah Toepp. Tuesdays, 6 to 9 pm, Late Fall session (Nov 2 to Dec 13).
$156 members / $195 non-members. Claim your seat at https://www.ultracamp.com/info/upcomingSessions.aspx?idCamp=1217&campCode=174

10/14/2026

The South Bend Museum of Art is pleased to share that Kolton Sizer has been promoted to Deputy Director of Mission & Operations.

Kolton joined the museum as Curator of Education & Public Programming. Under his leadership, the education department has expanded to include year-round studio classes for adults and children, summer camps, and public programs serving the wider community.

In his new position, Kolton will oversee the museum’s daily operations and institutional planning. He will work alongside Executive Director Lisa M. Shaffer and staff across all departments to coordinate priorities, strengthen internal systems, and support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships. He will also lead efforts in staff development and facilities planning as the museum prepares for its upcoming facility transition.

We congratulate Kolton on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to his continued leadership.

10/13/2026

Teaching, patience, and joy. This past weekend’s Stained Glass Suncatcher workshop with Nancy Jackson had all three.

A paper pattern, a stack of textured glass, a soldering iron, and four hours. By the end of the afternoon, everyone was holding something they made up to the light.

That’s what a class here is too: good teaching, time to get it right, and something to show for it. Late fall enrollment is open in every studio. Grab your seat early.

https://www.ultracamp.com/info/upcomingSessions.aspx?idCamp=1217&campCode=174

10/12/2026

Join us for the next Art League Luncheon on Tuesday, October 20, at The History Museum. Guest speaker Kristie Erickson will present on Copshaholm's art and architecture.

Registration closes Tuesday, October 14. Reserve your seat at https://lnkd.in/gEGSdHpU

The Art League works with the South Bend Museum of Art to deepen appreciation of the visual arts in our community.

10/08/2026

Late fall classes are open for registration.

Six weeks, November 2 through December 13. Ceramics, painting and drawing, darkroom photography, jewelry and metals, weaving, printmaking, and classes for kids and teens.

New this session: Intro to Experimental Darkroom Photography with Hannah Toepp. Pinhole cameras, photograms, and chemigrams. No camera required.

Also on the schedule:

• Intro to Potter's Wheel, Level 1 and Level 2, Sundays with Deborah Gardner
• Wheel Throwing Intensive Continued with Suzanne Hill
• Youth Ceramics: Handbuilding, ages 7 to 14, Saturdays
• Open studio passes for ceramics, metals, darkroom, printmaking, 2D, and weaving

Most classes meet once a week for three hours. Beginners welcome in every studio.

10/06/2026

Please join us in congratulating Morgan Watters on her new role as SBMA's Education & Ceramics Coordinator!

Morgan will split her time between two departments.

In the ceramics studio, she's our ceramics tech. She keeps the studios clean, mixes the glazes, loads and unloads the kilns, and fires every piece made in our studio. If you've taken a ceramics class here, your work has passed through her hands.

In the Education department, she'll lead some of our public programs and work with our Curator of Education on class enrollments and studio programs.

Congratulations, Morgan. We're glad to have you in this role.

10/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for First Friday.

Making something takes patience, and standing in front of what someone else made asks for the same thing. A gallery is one of the few places left where strangers slow down in the same room, look at the same thing, and talk to each other about it.

That's what Friday night was.

Come take a look at what's on view:
St. Joe Valley Watercolor Society, through October 25
Building Compassion from St. Margaret's House through November 11