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Northwest editioN reachiNg seNiors iN illiaNa: cook, lake & Porter couNties
January 2026
Vol. 29, No. 10
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
FINISHED MURAL — A hummingbird takes center stage of a mural located at Central Park Plaza, designed and painted by local artist Felix “Flex” Maldonado in 2024. Photo provided by the Valparaiso Creative Center.
MURAL WORK — Artist Felix “Flex” Maldonado works on a mural in downtown Valparaiso during Mural Week 2024. Photo provided by Valparaiso Creates Center.
Valparaiso Creative Council reflects on productive year
and prepares for an exciting 2026 By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer The Valparaiso Creative Council has come a long way in a short time and there are plans to further expand in the new year. From mural additions to a speakeasy fundraiser to summer youth camps to highlighting local artists, the VCC has checked off a lot of boxes, but the biggest of 2025 was the opening of the Valpo Creates Center. When 2025 began, Valparaiso Creative Council existed as a nonprofit organization that had monthly board meetings, organized events, initiated mural projects and facilitated exhibits for local art to be
displayed but the organization did not have a physical space to work out of. This past spring VCC moved into an existing building in downtown Valparaiso and transformed it into a space to connect artists with the community. “Transforming this location into an updated and multi-use space for creators took widespread effort between the VCC team, volunteers, donors, building owner/management and generous vendors. It was an ideal location for downtown access, visibility and it aligned with the city’s Creative District vision along Indiana Avenue,” said Executive Director, Jessica Corral. “A lot of previous tenants have housed this space
and it holds historical ties to a ‘maker’s row’ along that city block. After months of renovations, we unveiled the first ever home for the VCC.” The building offers four separate sections in different sizes that are available for rental by artists to offer classes among its uses. “So far, it has been utilized by consistent dance classes, pop-up craft classes such as sewing, knitting, painting, works in progress, meetings, conferences, DJ classes, kids’ birthday parties and group celebrations and more,” said Corral. “It is outfitted to accommodate all ranges of needs and even boasts smart TVs, Google Glass, iPads and podcast equipment.” In 2025, VCC also added four
more murals in Valparaiso (for a total of 10) and also hosted a Mural Walk where the community could engage by witnessing artists doing live painting during the event. “Going back in time to the swinging ‘20s with our Sip and Social Speakeasy was a unique experience where patrons were able to interact with live art in various forms from physical exhibits to live music and dance performances to engaging with in-character actors and magicians,” said Corral. “It was also fun this summer to engage local youth through our second annual Valpo Creates Camp wherein we partnered with three locations this year - the Continued on page 4
������������� ������������������ Happy New Year From Us To You! ������������� ������������������ ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������� �������������������������������� �������������������������������� Porter County Office:
Lake County Office:
506 Evans Avenue County 1st Office: Lake Plum County Office: 409 Porter E. Lincolnway, Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana222 46383 57 Franklin Street, Suite 203 409 E. Lincolnway, 1st Floor Plum Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Phone: (219) 548-0980Phone: (219) 548-0980 Schererville, Indiana 46375 Schererville, Indiana 46375 , LLC Phone: (219) 548-0980 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: 227-4884 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: (219)(219) 227-4884 *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney the National Elder Law Foundation *Certified as an Elder Lawby Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
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