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Lubeznik Center for the Arts partners with Mural Mania in LaPorte. South Bend Tribune July 6, 2026, 4:46 a.m. ET * Four large-scale murals will be painted in downtown LaPorte during a festival from July 8-12. * The "Paint the Town: La Porte 2026" event will feature four nationally recognized artists. * Guided tours and community events are scheduled to allow the public to meet the artists. LAPORTE - Four large-scale murals are coming to downtown LaPorte in July, bringing a burst of color and creativity to the city's summer season. The inaugural "Paint the Town: La Porte 2026" mural festival is scheduled for July 8-12 and will feature four nationally recognized artists transforming three buildings in just five days, according to a press release. The festival is co-managed by the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and South Bend artist Alex Ann Allen of Mural Mania, who has staged four Mural Mania festivals in South Bend, most recently in 2025. It is supported by the Health Foundation of LaPorte, the LaPorte Urban Enterprise Association and the city. Artists from across the country to participate. The artists, representing California, Texas and Virginia, will bring their unique styles to LaPorte, creating murals that are expected to enhance the city's vibrant atmosphere. "This is the first mural festival organized by Lubeznik Center, and I'm confident it will be a great success thanks to our strong partnerships with Alex Ann Allen, the City of La Porte, LPUEA, and HFL," Janet Bloch, executive director of LCA, said in the release. "When you have terrific partners, it's hard to fail. We are also incredibly grateful to the building owners for their generosity." Guided tours and community events planned. Two guided tours are planned during the festival. The first, led by curator Alex Ann Allen, will take place at noon CT July 10 and will offer visitors a look into each artist's creative process. Participants are encouraged to grab lunch at the Three Guys and a Hog food truck, which will be stationed at Monroe and Lincolnway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT. The second tour, organized by the LaPorte County Library, will focus on the historic significance of the mural sites. It will begin at 4:30 p.m. CT July 12 at The Firehouse, 910 State St., a new event space donated for the occasion by Dudley Beyler. Beyler is also providing appetizers and music to enhance the festivities. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and organizers. A cash bar and Paint the Town t-shirts will be available. City leaders celebrate public art initiative. LaPorte Mayor Tom Dermody expressed his support for the project, highlighting the impact of public art on the community. "Public art adds beauty, sparks conversation, and helps define the identity of a place. We are thankful to the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and Alex Ann Allen for their vision and dedication to La Porte, and for creating art that will bring people together and add to the vibrancy of our city," Dermody said in the release. As communities throughout Indiana look to the arts to help build their economies, these partnerships offer artists and residents financial benefits, according to the release. This story was created by Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of information gathering, review, editing and publishing. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical conduct. Deal of the Day Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. More Local Stories

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