Skip the big-name stores and check out some of these unique, local shops throughout Northwest Indiana! You'll find something for everyone on your list from home decor and hand-crafted treasures to self-care and Christmas-related items. …
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Art Blitz for 2023 is set for September 16, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. My teenage daughter, Jules and I both enjoy entertaining our artistic sides every once in a while, though she draws a lot more than I do at this point in my life. So this past September weekend we decided to visit Art Barn School of Art in Valparaiso for their annual Art Blitz - a day full of live art demos and creative activities for all ages. It was the first time I’ve had a chance to visit the school and I’m so glad we went…
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Are you the type of person who checks your horoscope every day? Or do you just find the zodiac signs to be intriguing? Either way, we have the perfect blog for you to match up your sign with the activities you're sure to love along the South Shore of Lake Michigan! Element: Fire The presence of…
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Who doesn’t love strolling around a quaint little market on Saturday morning? Picking up the freshest ingredients for tomorrow’s dinner and moseying through tents filled with artisan foods, flowers, crafts, furniture, you name it. You could easily spend the better part of your morning making your rounds of the many tents and trucks at the Chesterton European Market held in downtown Chesterton…
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Driving down the winding rural roads of northern Valparaiso, the pastoral landscape fell away as tall shady trees took its place guiding me to the charming venue that is the Art Barn School of Art. As my car pulled up the gravel driveway, the trees parted to reveal a beautifully picturesque old English barn, decorated with glowing string lights and blooming flowers that engulfed the surrounding landscape. It was like walking into a dream…
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I’d venture to guess most people have not explored the small town of Rensselaer, Indiana just off of I-65. I was one of those people, until the RenArtWlk. I’m a fan of exploring and of art in general, and I wanted to see what all the buzz was about and I am so happy I did. The new art installations in Rensselaer, also known as the #RenArtWlk, is more than worth the trip to the small town about 45 minutes south of Merrillville, Indiana and under two hours north of Indianapolis…
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“The Crossroads of America,” is Indiana’s official motto, and the old adage is ever apparent through most cross streets in Griffith. In fact, Griffith is called, “The Town that Came to the Tracks,” because the town’s location was specifically chosen because of the number of railroads that crossed through its streets. It’s well known nationwide that Indiana’s railways hum with freighters, tankers and electric commuters moving precious cargo, business folk and travelers alike day and night. More than 180 trains roared through Griffith during the town’s peak periods. But what defines Northwest Indiana? In a sense, we’re a region Built by Steel…
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YES!!!! It was the end of my two-week artist residency atIndiana Dunes National Park and I had found the perfect location for the painting that would be the culmination of my time there. It would be large so as to convey the majesty of the dunes…
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My discovery of Indiana Dunes National Park started with a tour by Ranger Jeff Manuszak who is an artist himself and knows what places to show other artists. He took me to see various beaches, trails, and dunes I might find interesting to paint. Here he is standing on Mount Baldy…
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This year, the first day of summer coincided with my first day of my artist residency at the Indiana Dunes National Park. I woke to this beautiful sight of the crescent moon and Venus. The day was off to a great start! I knew I wanted to paint the colorful prairie grasses I had seen during the tour of the park provided by Ranger Jeff Manuszak the previous day. The Chellberg barn peeking above the field was a "morning painting" with long tree shadows creating drama and the morning sun bringing out the many colors of the grasses…
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