From Thursday, September 17 to Saturday, September 19, Art Barn School of Art invites the public to immerse themselves in a weekend of artistic exploration, meaningful connection with our community partners, and the great outdoors during its Art Blitz Weekend. The festival is located at 695 N 400 E, Valparaiso, IN, with FREE parking.
This 10th year, Art Barn has expanded the single-day festival into three distinct offerings. Whether you're an arts professional looking to connect with colleagues, an adult seeking a creative night out, or a family craving hands-on art experiences, Art Blitz Weekend delivers three different experiences for one creative community. Throughout the weekend, visitors will enjoy hands-on art activities, artist demonstrations, an engaging exhibit, and live music from local musicians. Some events are free while others are ticketed, with activity tickets available to purchase. Parking will be free the whole weekend.
Arts Networking: Thursday, Sept. 17, 5-6:30 PM | FREE
Network with the regional arts community! Meet Art Barn board members, local artists, regional art leaders, and supporters of the arts during this reception. Explore Art Barn's exhibition, connect with fellow creatives, and help shape the region's artistic future over lite bites.
Art Blitz Uncorked: Friday, Sept. 18, 6-9 PM, 21+ | TICKETED*
Adults-only art night! Join us for live music, hands-on art-making (paint-a-pot, card-making, and jewelry-wrapping), a food truck, and a beer & wine service. Whether you're an artist or just art-curious, this is your chance to create, connect, and celebrate in a relaxed social atmosphere. 21+ only. A discount is applied to general admission tickets purchased in advance.
$35 - General Admission
$65 - VIP Admission
10th Annual Art Blitz: Saturday, Sept. 19, 11-4 PM, All Ages | FREE*
Bring the whole family for an afternoon where art is not just something you look at, it’s something you can make, touch, and experience! Enjoy fan-favorite activities such as paint-a-pot, face painting, and an ink-on-vellum art station. Additionally, enjoy a free scavenger hunt, "unicorn sightings," a magician, and a pollinator garden. Decorate a vase and fill it with vibrant fresh-cut sunflowers, then stop to watch live artist demonstrations in a variety of mediums, including watercolor and wheel throwing.
Hands-On Creation at Art Blitz:
- Decoupage Vase Decorating
- Lego Free Build Station
- Ink on Vellum
- Printmaking
- Paint-a-Pot
- Card Making Party
*activity tickets available at the gate.
Art Blitz serves as one of Art Barn’s largest annual events, with all proceeds from ticketed activities directly supporting educational programs. This event is an opportunity to showcase the quality of programming Art Barn offers, as well as its commitment to community engagement.
Special thanks to this year's Art Blitz Sponsors: Art on Air with PBS Michiana/WNIT, WIMS 95.1FM/AM1420/106.7FM and WHFB 102.5FM/AM1060 radio, Town Planner, South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority, NiSource Charitable Foundation, Porter Bank, Strack & Van Til, Mechanical Concepts, Family Express, and Costco.
Learn more and purchase tickets here; www.artbarnschool.org/art-blitz-weekend
ABOUT:
Art Barn offers a diverse range of programs, including adult & youth classes, community workshops, and guest artist workshops, fostering creativity, diversity, and connection. Art Barn hosts an annual Juried Art Exhibition in June that recognizes the creation of original quality 2-D works of art, as well as ceramics. The exhibition, with a 32-year history, attracts 400+ entries from aspiring and established artists from the region and nation. The mission of the Art Barn School of Art is to inspire creativity across generations by providing an inclusive, nature-based space where artists of all skill levels can explore, experiment and grow through the arts.