Art has the incredible capability to evoke a wide spectrum of emotions.

Art can make a person laugh or cry, smile or frown in deep thought. Artists create works to make people feel–and to make their mark on a world that can often feel beyond control. Eleventh grade art student Savannah Tully creates art because “it’s a way to get messages across other than speaking, like a visual representation.” After thinking for a moment, she adds, “It’s also a good way of expressing yourself.”

However, the great thing about art is that there is no right or wrong. There are no rules to follow and there are no limits to what an artist can bring to life with his or her pieces. Art is creativity for the sake of creativity, and anyone can participate in the joy of making.

Elkhart High School is taking that message to heart with their newly opened Art Depot, located at the Freshman Division on Blazer Blvd. Tully, who helped paint the Art Depot in its early stages, says, “I like it! I think it gets kids involved more. I like the plan they have for it.”

That plan includes a wide range of creative opportunities being offered there for people of all ages and skill levels. Upcoming events at the Art Depot include painting sessions, mixed media classes, and hands-on, large-scale painting. Each event is $10 per person.

Elkhart students will lead a painting session on Monday, Oct. 4, at 6:00 p.m. This is a great event for beginning and inexperienced artists–and would be fun for the whole family! For intermediate creators, local artist Dana Wyatt will hold a mixed media class on Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Anyone looking for a fun, hands-on experience can attend the Splat Cave event on Oct.8 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. This experience will involve splashing neon paints to create a work of art. 

If looking at art sounds more appealing than making it, then the Elkhart ArtWalk is the way to go. The homepage of elkhartartwalk.com states this: “[The] ArtWalk is a seasonal public event series that brings a diverse crowd to Downtown Elkhart—the cultural and historical center of the city—to showcase Elkhart’s deep and energetic pool of creative talent.” From 5:00-8:00 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month beginning in May and ending in October, downtown Elkhart turns into a hotspot for all things creative.

Resident artists have a chance to showcase and sell their work. And, local musicians play live in- and outside of participating businesses on Main Street and Lexington Avenue. This celebration of the arts is free for everyone. The next and last ArtWalk event of the year will be Oct. 13, and the theme will be a youth focus.

Don’t miss out on these great opportunities to connect with art! As writer Jerzy Kosiński said, “The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke.”