Art in Focus

May 26, 2025 no art in focus

Tale of Two Hannells

June 9, 2025 LECTURE & DISCUSSION

Join us for a visiting curators talk featuring representatives from the Chesterton Art Center, Art Barn, and others as they discuss their ongoing Vin & Hazell Hanell Exhibits. This featured exhibition explores what it means to be an artist by mapping the artistic journeys of Vin & Hazel Hannell from Chicago to Furnessville and beyond. The Hannells had prolific, passionate, and generous careers that established them as emblematic regional artists of the mid-twentieth century.

Kristina Knowski

June 23, 2025 Artist lecture 

Join us for visiting artists talk with Northwest Indiana Artist Kristina Knowski. Kristina’s work has been featured all across the Midwest and beyond. With a specialization in watercolor paintings of birds, many of Kristina’s works focus on an element of conservation. Learn more about her recently completed commission for a new South Shore Line poster.

Sky Ladder

July 14, 2025 DOCUMENTARY & GALLERY WALK 

Trace the rise of contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang from childhood in Mao’s China to global art world superstar, and join his quest in realizing his lifelong obsession, “Sky Ladder.” Known for his spectacular pyrotechnic displays, he creates his most ambitious project yet in this breathtaking documentary.

Art in Focus is an exploration of the arts through film, lecture and thoughtful dialogue for adult learners of all ages who are interested in the arts and its impact on the world. Founded in 1996 by Rita M. Ray, South Shore Arts continues this series annually with a variety of topics and guest speakers. Several lectures will coincide with upcoming Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra concerts and South Shore Arts exhibits. An important aspect of the program is the thoughtful dialogue between the program facilitator, the guest speakers and the attendees to broaden views of the arts and individuals in our world. Our goal parallels that of the U.S. Department of Education, “Learning Never Ends.” Art in Focus is open to the public and, thanks to generous support from Community Healthcare System, it is always free.

2nd & 4th Monday EVERY Month

10–11:30am
The Center for Visual & Performing Arts