Celebrate creativity at Plymouth's 10th Annual ARTS in the Street festival

The Heartland Art Center will host the 10th annual ARTS in the Street Festival, a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, in downtown Plymouth on Saturday.

The events runs from 10 a.m. -  to 5 p.m. Spanning three city blocks on Michigan Street, this free event will feature over 100 artist and artisan vendors, as well as interactive art-making booths, live music and dance, food and beverage trucks, and more.

Visitors can explore and purchase a diverse array of artwork, from acrylic, watercolor, and oil paintings to leather goods, glass, printmaking, pottery, photography, woodwork, jewelry, macramé, mixed media, and more. Artisan creators will offer unique vintage and upcycled creations, handmade soaps, oils, candles, textiles, and more, with many demonstrating their creative processes or offering custom creations at the festival. The festival is designed to provide an immersive and interactive experience for attendees of all ages.

For the first time in the festival’s history, attendees can participate in recording the ARTS in the Street theme song, written by local artist and musician Maggie Kubley, at the “Recording Studio” experience inside the Heartland Art Center.

The festival atmosphere will be further enlivened by street performances from Copper the Living Statue and street musician, Norman Basile.

Children will be delighted by professional face painters by the Arty People and Twist & Smile balloon artist.

Anna Kietzman, Director of the ARTS in the Street Festival and President of the Heartland Art Center states, “I continue to be in awe of the response by both artists and the public to this growing festival. To think that 10 years ago we started out on the sidewalks with a couple of artists' booths and buskers to an expansive three-block festival, including over 100 talented creators from across the region and attracting thousands of visitors is really exciting.  It’s so beneficial for the arts community and the local community alike, and it's evident that the art experience brings people together - we need that now more than ever.”

The festival will feature numerous free art activities, including rock painting, a giant weaving loom, button-making, a collaborative origami project, a vinyl mural, and a chalk contest, and much more. The chalk contest offers a $50 cash prize for the top artwork, judging by professional 3D chalk artist John Buggs, who will also create a masterpiece during the event. For those looking for something a bit different, henna tattoos and caricatures will be available as paid experiences.

Live music and dance performances will take place on the hour from local and regional acts. Dance performances by Expressions Dance Studio and Core Dance Centre will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m., followed by musical acts including This Homemade Conspiracy at noon, City Sun, Jackalope, and Marty Miles. Inside the Heartland Art Center, the weekly Saturday Sounds at the Center will feature piano performances by students of local music teacher Alex Jeffers, providing a showcase for young, local talent from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Food lovers will find offerings from food trucks and local restaurants, including tacos, elote, smash burgers, BBQ, cotton candy, and cold beverages. A beer and wine tent will cater to attendees aged 21 and over.

Art enthusiasts will not want to miss the exhibitions inside the Heartland Art Center, which will feature a rich display of local and regional art created by their very own member artists, along with the featured artworks of the Northern Indiana Pastel Society. The REES Theater will also be showing "Arts & Artisans," a series of mini documentaries highlighting local creators, free of charge.

All ages are welcome and admission is free thanks to several generous sponsors: MC Arts & Culture Council, Visit Marshall County, Growing Kids Learning Center, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Edward Jones, Hoosier Tire, Greg & Susan Payne, Bowen Printing, Bin There Dump That, First Federal Savings, Zentis, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., A.K. Industries, U.S. Granules Corporation, Tri Kappa, Eleanor & Randy Danielson, Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1st Source Bank, Mr. Storage, City of Plymouth, Plymouth Parks Dept, Oliver Ford Lincoln, Fernbaugh's, Vanadco Signs, Ameri-Can Engineering, Culligan Soft Water Service, WTCA Giant fm.  

The Heartland Art Center’s mission is to support area artists and to bring and teach the arts to our community. Our not-for-profit art center gives area artists a venue to show and sell their artwork. Activities are made possible, in part, by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and The Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and The National Endowment for the Arts. Visit www.heartlandgallery.com and find them on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information, call 574-936-9515 or visit 214 N. Michigan Street in downtown Plymouth.