Folks at the Sycamore Creek Church thought it was about time to bring more art to South Lansing.
The church, 1919 S. Pennsylvania Ave., held its first South Lansing Art Festival on Oct. 6 with about 10 artist booths.
“As a church, we attract a lot of local artists,” said Jeremy Kratky, who has been the worship arts director at the Sycamore Creek Church for more than 15 years.
Mandy Mann who participated in the festival. She has spent the last five years living in South Lansing and worked at Painting with a Twist, a painting studio that taught people how to paint as an instructor. The business closed recently, and Mann said she is trying to turn painting into her full-time job.
Mann said she was excited to hear of the opportunity to show her art to the South Lansing community. The church provided her and all the artists free booths and an opportunity to connect with other local artists.
Jacob Lothamer
Mandy Mann’s favorite photo she loves the peace that the her bubba brings her after a long day of work“I feel way less pressure when it feels like my peers,” said Mann.
Drawing has come naturally to Mann, she said. She gains her inspiration from everyday phrases and converts the phrase into art.
Liz Kruger has been running Bakes By Beth out of her kitchen for six months. She also was at the festival.
“It’s an awesome experience. I came to promote my new fall baked goods and support my fellow artists,” said Kruger.
Bakes By Beth comes out with new baked goods for each holiday, and Kruger said the art festival was the perfect timing for her to introduce these items.
“I’m very close with lots of other artists here. They all live busy lives so this was a great time to see them and support each other,” said Kruger.
“The artists here all trying to make a community.”
Kratky said: “We believe our church can help create a community for artists and the people in South Lansing.”