Lake County, Indiana is generally considered an industrial area and has only been known for its steel industry. However, Lake County is very multifaceted and each town or city has cultural treasures, activities and interesting sights for people to explore and discover. It is our intention at LakeNET, to try to bring these other facets of our community to light and make them accessible to those interested in taking a look at the information we gather for Internet use. We hope you enjoy what we have discovered.
We would like to thank all the individuals and organizations for helping us with our visual and public arts project.
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"Public sculpture responds to the dynamics of a community, or of those in it, who have a use for sculpture. It is this aspect of use, of utility, that gives public sculpture its vital and lively place in the public mind."
- Richard Hunt, Sculptor (Taken from the Richard Hunt: artist's statement webpage.)
*** Visit
NWICreative.org
for local art exhibits
and art related information.
***
Visual Art in Crown Point, Indiana
Crown Point is the county seat for Lake County and boasts an
incredible Historic Courthouse. Crown Point is also known for it’s yearly Cobe Cup Race, Corn Roast, and Marriage Mill where couples stand at the courthouse steps to marry or to restate their marital vows. Famous couples like Ronald Regan and Rudolph Valentino have married there over the years.
Dyer offers a small town atmosphere infused with all the comforts and conveniences of a major metropolitan area. It has been recognized as one of the fastest growing towns in the state and just celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010.
East Chicago has a few hidden gems of local art available for viewing at its local main library and Pastrick branch Carnegie library including paintings by local dunes artist John Templeton, whose daughter Jean was a long time patron and friend of the library.
One thing Gary is full of is Culture and History and displays them proudly through works of art throughout the various parts of the city. Founded in 1906 by Elbert H. Gary, an attorney for US Steel, Gary is writing its next chapter in history.
Historically, Gary is an industrial city built around a booming steel industry.
Hammond in recent years has experienced a resurgence of sorts in public art and sculpture with the renewal of its Downtown area which was once a major retail and entertainment center for Lake County and Calumet City. Public murals and sculptures have become a mainstream item adding interest and character to the area.
Just 21 miles from Chicago and minutes from Lake Michigan shores, Highland, Indiana is perfectly situated to take advantage of the area's cultural and recreational offerings from concerts by Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, plays and festivals in Main Square Park, to the stunning vistas of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The town's 20 parks totaling 198 acres are unrivaled in the region. The Lincoln Community Center offers year-round programs for schoolchildren to senior citizens and houses a 36,000 square foot fieldhouse and a historical society.
Although Hobart is one of the oldest towns in Lake County, it is still vibrant and growing. It is known for Deep River where in 1845 a saw and grist mill were built. The mill pond formed by the dam became Lake George which is now surrounded by a river walk which is enjoyed by many Hobart residents. Hobart is home to one of Indiana's largest indoor shopping malls: Westfield Shoppingtown Southlake.
Lowell hosts the oldest Labor Day parade in Indiana. Buckley Homestead, east of Lowell, hosts a number of events, including a World War II reenactment with authentic weapons, artillery, and tanks.
Merrillville is a small town growing in big ways. A downtown renovation plan is in the works and one new sculpture can be seen at the center of this town project. Merrillville is known for it’s shopping malls and Star Plaza Theatre and Radisson Hotel where major entertainers have performed including the likes of Tom Jones, The Temptations, Gallagher and more.
To propagate local public art, the town of Munster gives a tax abatement to businesses in return for placing local public art in front of their businesses. Most have been in the form of whimsical outdoor metal sculptures. Culturally minded Munster has several other sculputers that have graced the town over the years including the well known landmark located at the corner of Columbia Avenue and Ridge Road called “Worker’s Sculpture” which was dedicated in 1976.
Several Indian trails plus U.S. Highways 41 and 30, modern trails of a motorized society, make Schererville the "Crossroads of the Nation." Schererville was also ranked as the 71st nicest place to live in the nation according to the CNNMoney's 2007 standings.
Located 24 miles
southeast of Chicago, St. John is
filled with quiet neighborhoods,
quality schools and churches. St.
John is a well planned community
with extensive bicycle and
pedestrian trails which wind through
lovely subdivisions. St. John was
ranked 48th out of 100 in
CNN/Money's 2009 list of
America’s Best Small Towns.
Whiting has added a few new sculptures to its downtown area that represent the oil industry that has been prominent in the town for years starting as Standard Oil, which is now BP.
Charming and
full of character, Valparaiso is
a family focused, volunteer
oriented and pedestrian friendly
community, offering hometown
amenities, a variety of
recreational activities; over 15
lush parks with playgrounds,
lakes, and picnic pavilions; a
historic downtown featuring
street-side cafes, antique and
specialty shops, a seasonal
farmer's market and outdoor
concerts, theatres, and museums.
