Portraits and spectacularly decorated shoes created by clients of Michigan City’s Social and Learning Institute will be featured in an exhibition at Lubeznik Center for the Arts’ NIPSCO Art Education Studio from June 3–June 26.
The product of weekly art classes, taught by local artist Debra Sawyer at Lubeznik Center for the Arts, the mixed media works are both expressive and exuberant.
The painted shoe project was inspired by a piece of art Sawyer had seen online. She brought the idea to her students who agreed that it would be a fun project. Shoes were then collected via donations from friends and family. The resulting sculptural works reflect the personality of the individual artist. Each is titled, and some include a line of poetry.
The framed portraits are the culmination of a weeks-long project that began with the artists choosing a partner. They then interviewed each other, gaining insight that was later interpreted in the portraits. Sawyer provided each student with a photographic likeness of their subject which was ultimately transferred and embellished.
The Social and Learning Institute provides day learning programs for developmentally disabled or disadvantaged individuals that include learning activities as well as opportunities for personal and social development. Through a grant from the Duneland Health Council, SLI clients participate in twice-weekly art classes at Lubeznik Center—resulting in inspiring works of art.
All of the artwork from the exhibition will be offered for sale, with prices starting at $75. Proceeds will benefit the Social and Learning Institute for the Disadvantaged as well as Lubeznik Center for the Arts’ outreach and education programs, like the one that produced this exhibition.
In Their Shoes, Artwork by the Social and Learning Institute for the Disadvantaged will be on exhibit in Lubeznik Center’s NIPSCO Art Education Studio through June 26. For information on classes, exhibits and upcoming events visit www.lubeznikcenter.org.
The Lubeznik Center is located at 101 W. 2nd St., at the lakefront in Michigan City, IN. Gallery Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Galleries are closed on Mondays. For more information please visit www.lubeznikcenter.org or call 219-874-4900. All times are based on Chicago time.