On Jan. 18, 2024, the grand reveal of the LangLab Art Gallery in South Bend took place from 2-4 p.m. During this time, visitors were able to walk in at no cost to see the art created by 10 students across the local South Bend area and possibly meet the friendly LangLab cat, Smoke.
LangLab opened in 2010 as a studio for artists and creative minds alike. Recently, LangLab has extended this inclusion to young, artistic minds and encouraged students to apply to the official LangLab Artist Camp. This art camp, hosted by Perrin Fowler, an art teacher at John Adams High School in South Bend, was a two-week program that took place over students’ winter break where 10 students from local schools apply and are selected to come together to create any art they like. Students spent five hours a day for two weeks during their winter break at LangLab and worked at their own pace.
Nothing but positive feedback has come from LangLab Art Camp. One student from John Adams High School, Xiomara Velez, offered to share her personal experience at LangLab: “I experienced a very positive and encouraging environment over at LangLab,” she said. “Everyone there was very friendly and interested in each other’s different artistic abilities and creative minds.”
There were many different mediums and ideas present at the gallery: clay, paint, pastels, pencil, and crayon.
Not only were there paintings, drawings and sculptures, but one participant even took a broken television and painted a colorful portrait on the screen of the TV.
“My favorite part about participating in the artist camp was experimenting with new media. I had time to experiment with spray paint and graffiti art that took my art to another level,” said Velez.
Not only were students able to work at their own pace and create whatever they desired. In addition to this, students were able to put their artwork into a portfolio for future use. “I would definitely attend the camp again if I could, and I encourage any other aspiring artists to take a chance if they can,” Velez said. “It’s such an inspiring opportunity and amazing environment.”
While the artist camp is not confirmed to return as of now, the overall positive response is promising. Participants’ artwork is featured on the artist camp’s Instagram, @artistcamp_langlab.
