Lubeznik Center for the Arts is hosting a ribbon cutting Aug. 22, to celebrate a new mural on the HotSpot Cafe in La Porte.
Created by artist Cheri Lee Charlton, the mural was made possible by grants from the Health Foundation of La Porte, the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association and the City of La Porte. Michigan City-based Lubeznik Center for the Arts facilitated the project.
The ribbon cutting festivities will begin with remarks by Nicole Guenin, LCA development manager, and Eric DeWald, HFL president. Mike Riehle, La Porte Urban Enterprise Association president, will offer remarks. The artist and Charity Hlavsa, building owner, will also speak.
The ribbon cutting celebration will start at noon Aug. 22. It will take place at the HotSpot Cafe, 602 Lincolnway in La Porte.
Attendees can meet the muralist, who is donating signed prints of the mural to the first 50 guests. Local businesses are offering gift-card giveaways and mural-themed merchandise. Light refreshments will be provided by local restaurants. The mural naming contest winner will be announced. The deadline to submit suggested mural titles is Aug. 20.
“I’m grateful for the La Porte community,” said Janet Bloch, LCA executive director, in a press release. “They really come together to embrace the arts! So many local businesses pitched in to complete this work of art and add excitement.”
“There’s been a push in the last several months to bring more art to the heart of our downtown, and we have Janet and her team to thank for that,” Tom Dermody, La Porte mayor, said. “Lubeznik Center for the Arts has played a pivotal role in bringing more culture to our city, and this mural is a perfect example of what can happen when the community embraces such efforts.”
