Downtown South Bend Art Beat 2009

Art Beat is a free, downtown South Bend stroll along the streets and sidewalks featuring the work of local visual, performing, and culinary artists. The event showcases South Bend and the surrounding community’s artists and creates awareness of the role that downtown organizations and businesses play in the artisans’ promotion and success.

A group of like-minded individuals came together in 2003 with a common idea — to showcase the work of local visual, performing, and culinary artists in the heart of South Bend. Art Beat was born and has over the past several years become a downtown South Bend signature art and cultural event.

The 2009 Commemorative Print Contest was won by Naoko Fujimoto. She is a Japanese poet and fine artist living in South Bend. The artwork titled, Wedding Treasure Hunting at Art Beat, is a colorful pastel pencil and mixed material piece reflecting Fujimoto’s Japanese upbringing and culture. The piece expresses the desire of a bride who realizes her wedding is the day after Art Beat! She is always a last minute person and is still missing many items needed for the wedding.

The bride’s artistic friends, who make fabulous customized dresses, hats, accessories, party favors, stained glass candle holders and other beautiful things, are showcasing their works at Art Beat. This work of art gleefully depicts the bride rushing around Art Beat to collect what she needs for her wedding day