"Arts on the East Race" supporting local artists

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Every summer, Downtown South Bend hosts an Arts by the Race event, allowing local artists to showcase and sell their unique artwork to community members.

“My art is to make things that I find on the beach during the winter time in Pensacola beach,” Snow Bird Studio owner Pat Falvey said.

“I do all of this, it’s glass fusions by Kerry, it’s all glass that i cut by hand and put in the knell and fuse it,” Glass Fusions by Kerry Owner Kerry Warlick said.

Around a dozen booths were set up along the East Race Waterway, filled with handmade arts and crafts, ranging from jewelry, custom shoes, knit toys, to paintings.

Along with the arts and crafts, a face paint booth was set up where kids could become their favorite animal or superhero!

“It’s a lovely, lovely venue to be on, right in front of the race and watching the kayakers go down. It’s wonderful to have a place to showcase your art,” Falvey said.

With many community art events being postponed or canceled entirely due to the coronavirus pandemic, local artists were excited to get the opportunity for some business.

“This is the first show that I’ve had this year because everything’s been canceled so I was really glad to be here today. just a chance to you know, even if people are just walking by and looking at things, hopefully they’re grabbing a business card you know and that will be future sales,” Warlick said.

The feelings of excitement also coincided with guests.

“I got set up at 10:30 until noon I suppose and had customers even before I set up,” Flavey said.

People are just very positive about walking by and happy to have something to look at!”

Local artists said that events like this one are essential to keep business flowing, and that they are appreciative of Downtown South Bend’s efforts to make it all possible.

“It’s nice to support Downtown South Bend,” Flavey said. “It’s very encouraging and it’s just nice to participate in a community oriented event.”

Arts on the Race is a continuation of Art Beat, which is one of South Bend’s largest annual events that also celebrates local artists.

Art Beat has been canceled due to COVID-19, but it will be hosted virtually on August 15.