Sand+Steel Art Fest Celebrates Creativity in Valparaiso

Woodworking and Creativity in Valparaiso

Wes Thorn, a wood artist from Portage, demonstrated his craft at the inaugural Sand+Steel Art Fest in Valparaiso. During his demonstration, Thorn used 120 grit sandpaper to prepare wooden pieces he planned to paint and assemble. He described his work as cheaper than therapy, humorously noting the challenge of avoiding injuries while enjoying whiskey.

Melissa Dombrowski and her son Wyatt participated in creating pocket sketchbooks, an activity sponsored by the Art Barn at the festival held at Central Park Plaza.

The Art of Puzzle-Style Paintings

Thorn is a welder and fabricator by trade but self-taught in carpentry. He displayed large paintings, explaining that each takes days to sand. For the festival, Thorn accelerated his process to create smaller pieces. His puzzle-style artworks involve cutting, sanding, painting, and gluing pieces into frames. Sometimes he employs a random color lottery by assigning numbers to pieces and colors.

Festival Highlights

“Sometimes when it’s a complex painting, it’s better to leave it to the universe.” — Wes Thorn

Festival attendees like Dinah Pethes and Gayle Sandquist explored the Valparaiso Creative District, experiencing works from over 50 local artists across various fine art disciplines.

Inspiration from the Art Institute of Chicago

Thorn’s visit to the Art Institute of Chicago introduced him to Piet Mondrian’s geometric paintings, inspiring his own work. Despite initial struggles, he improved his paintings over time.

Jackson Pollock influenced Thorn’s abstract painting approach. Thorn, when in the mood, tries techniques like dripping paint.

Collaborative Art Creation

Beth Vottero invited festival attendees to contribute to her paintings, emphasizing that anyone can add a touch without fear of ruining the artwork. As a Purdue University Northwest professor, Vottero values experiences both as a researcher and artist.

Vottero started painting two years ago, driven by the desire to try new experiences.

Art and Nostalgia

Leah Romano McMeen offers renditions of local scenery for those who cherish memories. Inspired by Northwest Indiana’s ecology, her art captivates customers with a sense of nostalgia for places like Michigan City’s coal tower and picturesque trees.

Crafting Birds from Creative Materials

Deb Weiss, a retired art teacher from Gary, crafts bird sculptures with found materials. Using road maps and costume jewelry in her creations, Weiss finds both artistic satisfaction and practical solutions.

Her inventive creations capture hearts and are sought after at the festival.

Sand-Based Activities Engage Children

Jennifer Hernandez-McDuell led sand-based activities for the Porter County Children’s Museum, emphasizing sand’s role in developing motor skills. Activities included sandboxes, kinetic sand, and colored sand art.

Evalina Moreno and Marin Arizzi from the Art Barn facilitated the pocket sketchbook project, sparking creativity in young participants through crafting.

Family Fun and Community Involvement

Families, including the Slepikas from Chesterton, enjoyed water play alongside other activities designed to engage children creatively.

Ray Beliveau appreciated his child’s enthusiasm for crafting, while Catrina De Rivera expressed satisfaction at her children’s enjoyment without causing chaos at home.