glo From the executive editor

WELCOME AUGUST!

A few weeks ago, my husband and I took our oldest daughter to Art in the Park, an annual two-day art fair in downtown Fort Wayne. This event has been one of my favorites since I moved to the area in 2002. It has grown so much since then. It used to be contained to two rows of tents on one block of Main Street. Now it has taken over Friemann Square, and there is so much local talent on display.

My daughter has loved creating art since she could hold a crayon, but I wasn’t sure if she’d like looking at others’ art. As we moved from tent to tent, she was captivated, inspired, and absolutely giddy. Her eyes lit up as she entered each new space. She asked so many questions about process, and for a girl who can be painfully shy around strangers, she engaged with almost every artist along the way.

Perhaps the most amazing part of the day was the way in which all the artists took the time to talk to her, ask her about her art, and carefully explain how they created their masterpieces. Every artist she interacted with encouraged her to keep creating art, do what makes her happy, and find inspiration in all the beauty around her. I kept fighting back tears because my daughter was able to have these conversations and witness people doing what they love. She wanted to purchase so many beautiful pieces. We walked away with several that we let her pick out, including a giraffe sculpture bigger than her (pictured).

I love many aspects of my job, but top of the list is the opportunity to showcase local talent on our covers. It is what draws people to our magazine. I am so grateful to all the artists in our region who make our community so vibrant. One day, maybe one of my daughter’s paintings will grace the cover. In the meantime, if you are an artist, I hope YOU will submit a piece for consideration. The local art scene has grown tremendously over the years, and I am so glad we get to play a small role in promoting the incredible talent here.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue. We created it just for you. Reach out with story ideas anytime.