Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) and the Lindsey O’Brien Kesling (LOK) Wishing Tree Foundation will host the 11th annual LOK Young Artist Expo (YAE) showcase on Friday, June 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central at LCA as part of their free First Friday programming.
 
This year’s exhibition is a showcase of 35 talented youths, ages 7 through 17 in a wide range of media, including sculpture, textile arts, painting and drawing. This year's artists hail from three states: Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The artwork was chosen through individual portfolio review the students completed with LCA’s education director. The LOK YAE will be on view in LCA’s NIPSCO Art Education Studios from June 7 through July 12, with much of the young artists’ artwork for sale.


In addition to the exhibition, the evening’s presentation will begin at 6 p.m. with, Second City of Chicago graduate and actor, Timmy Barron returning for another year as emcee entertaining the crowd with his comedy. The program also includes performances by South Shore Dance Alliance out of Merrillville, Ind., a longtime partner of the LOK Wishing Tree Foundation. "Now in its eleventh year, the expo has consistently delivered an impressive array of visual art from young artists and mesmerizing, high-energy dance performances from the South Shore Dance Alliance." said Dot Kesling, co-founder of LOK Wishing Tree Foundation.


Renaldo Maurice, co-artistic director of South Shore Dance Alliance, will offer a special performance and words of inspiration in appreciation of the place and program that gave him his start. In his youth, he was a scholarship student at the Ailey School, Ballet Chicago, as well as Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. He has been honored with the key to the city of his hometown of Gary, Ind., choreographed and performed with Grammy nominated artist Jazzmen Horn, received the 2022 Willie Ninja Supreme Award and is the star of HBO Max's Lengendary. A Gary native with big dreams, Renaldo Maurice has since had an impressive career.


Attendees will also be able to view the LCA's other galleries and enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Now until June 15, “Stitched, Woven and Hooked” will be on display. This exhibition showcases extraordinary work by an intersectional group of artists who employ a broad range of materials and techniques including traditional quilt making, basket weaving, and embroidery, to new digital techniques and other contemporary material play. All LCA’s galleries are open to the public six days per week, free of charge.
 
The LOK YAE is made possible by an ongoing collaboration between LCA and the LOK Wishing Tree Foundation. LOK is a “living legacy to Lindsey O’Brien Kesling.” It has a dual mission: carbon monoxide education and supporting young people in achieving their highest potential, unleashing their talents and acting upon their dreams through a wide variety of creative and performing arts opportunities. LCA works to ensure everyone in our community, including young people, receives equal access to outstanding cultural experiences.