Art in Focus is an exploration of the arts through film, lecture and thoughtful dialogue. Art in Focus is 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.
Upcoming Events
Art in Focus takes place the 2nd & 4th Monday of each Month
10 –11:30am at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts
Loving Vincent
April 8, 2024
Join us for a screening of the Academy Award nominated film, “Loving Vincent.” A man visits the last hometown of Vincent Van Gogh, to deliver his final letter. Taking place in 1890 France, the man investigates what might have taken place in the last days of the painter life. “Loving Vincent” was the world’s first fully painted film, composed of over 65,000 individually painted frames in the manner of Vincent Van Gogh. FILM SCREENING & CONVERSATION
Pinocchio: A Story of Art & God
April 22, 2024
For one hundred years, a legend spread across the planet without ever experiencing periods of oblivion. A fairytale so deeply interwoven within the fabric of our lives that it has become hard to imagine a time in which Pinocchio did not exist. Join lecturer, Brandon Johnson, as we try to get at the root of what has led to the enduring legacy of Carlo Collodi’s “Pinocchio.” LECTURE & DISCUSSION
The Teaching Artists of South Shore Arts
May 13, 2024
South Shore Arts offers quality arts instruction to students of all ages. The people who are responsible for teaching classes at South Shore Arts are not only wonderful instructors, but they are also working artists. Please join us for the opportunity to meet two of our teaching artists and to see example of the art they make when they are in their studios. GUEST LECTURE & CONVERSATION
Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable
May 27, 2024
Join us for a viewing of the award-winning film/documentary “Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable.” A journey through disbelief, accompanying the great discovery of a mysterious artifact located off the coast of the Africa. As more and more pieces of artwork are recovered from the supposed wreck of a 1st century Greek ship, Damien Hirst and the crew recount the moments when various discoveries are made, and the myths and legends surrounding the find. DOCUMENTARY & DISCUSSION
Calumet Industrial Landscape: Matthew Kaplan Artist Talk
June 10, 2024
Join exhibiting artist, Matthew Kaplan, for an artist talk on both his career as a photographer and his current exhibit in the Atrium gallery. ARTIST TALK & GALLERY TOUR
Shifting Sands
June 24, 2024
Join us for a viewing of the award-winning PBS documentary “Shifting Sands: On the Path to Sustainability.” “Shifting Sands” tells the story of how one region, where rare plants grow in the shadows of smokestacks, sparked a movement for a national park: a movement which eventually led to game-changing environmental policies with worldwide impact and unique partnerships on the path to a more sustainable world. DOCUMENTARY & DISCUSSION
Past Events
Artist Walk through with Kerri mommer
Kerri Mommer is debuting her new body of work “Trees, Land, Sky” in her first solo exhibit with South Shore Arts. Kerri is a multi-talented artist from the Midwest having had multiple shows throughout large swaths of Indiana, Iowa, and Chicago. Kerri’s work has been displayed in numerous group and juried shows over the years, including The South Shore Arts Annual Salon Show. Kerri is active in the regional art community having worked with the Diversified Art Visionaries, the South Lake Artists Co-op, and Artist in Residence-Hammond. Kerri works primarily in water-based media such as watercolor and acrylic paint.
Join artist, Kerri Mommer, in the Atrium Gallery as she gives a tour of her exhibit and talks about her artistic practice.
Nature Lovers Tour with the Curators
10am in the South Shore Arts Gallery
The Art in Focus lecture series will resume and be held in-person on Monday, June 27, at 10am in the Bachman gallery at South Shore Arts, with a guided tour of the newest exhibit, ‘Nature Lovers.’ Art in Focus is a free event for adult learners of all ages who are interested in the arts and its impact on our world, past, present, and future. Gallery curators Linda Dorman and Tom Torluemke will guide the tour, highlight featured artwork, and will lead a discussion aimed to illuminate the artist’s experience and message about climate change.
Learn more about the Nature Lover’s exhibit HERE.