Art This Way

05/27/2026

What a great way to kick off 10 years of public art programming!

We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you to the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne and the Knight Foundation Fund. Without your support, this project would not be possible.

We would also like to thank The Michaels Organization, Downtown Fort Wayne, CertaPro Painters, Howmac, and the Randall Lofts community.

You can find the newest Art This Way mural by Studio Giftig, “RIVER OF KNOWLEDGE,” at 206 Pearl Street in Downtown Fort Wayne.

Photo by Mike Durbin Photography

05/21/2026

A city on the move! New census data shows Fort Wayne is the fastest-growing large city in the Midwest.

According to Americans for the Arts, US cities and towns aspire to be places where people want to live and want to visit. Having a particular community identity, especially in terms of what our towns look like, is becoming even more important in a world where everyplace tends to looks like everyplace else. Places with strong public art expressions break the trend of blandness and sameness, and give communities a stronger sense of place and identity.

That sense of place and identity feeds into a better quality of life. How does Quality of Life affect a community? Higher quality of life in a community helps to attract and retain residents and businesses alike. Improving quality of life—not just business—is the best path to Midwestern rejuvenation; read more Brookings https://www.brookings.edu/articles/improving-quality-of-life-not-just-business-is-the-best-path-to-midwestern-rejuvenation/

“…Our research on smaller communities has found that community amenities such as recreation opportunities, cultural activities, and excellent services (e.g., good schools, transportation options) are likely bigger contributors to healthy local economies than traditional “business-friendly” measures. Smaller places with a higher quality of life experience both higher employment and population growth than similarly situated communities, including those that rank high by traditional economic competitiveness measures.”

05/13/2026

05/07/2026

THROWBACK to all the good times doing the Silent Disco at the Art This Way Art Crawl!

In 2026 we are bringing the disco back; find out more at ArtThisWayFest.com. We will see you there, Fort Wayne.

04/21/2026

Now accepting vendor applications for Fort Wayne Arts Festival on Broadway! This is a fine art fair that will be held along Broadway on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, 2026 during Art This Way Fest.

Artists interested in having a booth should apply through the application provided (link: https://www.artthiswayfest.com/art-fair). This fair is managed by Ten21 Creatives c/o Teri Marquart; please email any questions to: [email protected]

Application Deadline: extended. Email questions to [email protected]

10/02/2025

Fort wayne, thank you for joining us at our ‘music city’ mural dedication!

❤️Thank you to our sponsors:
CITY OF FORT WAYNE’S COMMERCIAL FAÇADE GRANT PROGRAM,
DOWNTOWN FORT WAYNE, AND LUTHERAN HEALTH NETWORK

Thank you to the property owner Brendon Maxwell and the Maxwell Family!

We are also grateful to the Historic Preservation Commission, the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission, Downtown Fort Wayne staff, and The Pearl Arts Center —a special thanks to their students, the student’s parents, and the Pearl Art staff, who navigated around the scaffolding and cones for the last few weeks!

Huge thanks to Los Electro for adding some fire to the celebrations. Thanks to Rachel Von Art for taking photos.

GRATITUDE to the mural artists: Brandon Coley, Natalie Fetzer, Carly Mitchell, Mitchell Egly, and Jon Mendelson!!! You are amazing. Thank you for sharing your talent with our city.

If you missed last night’s event, visit the west elevation of 222 Pearl Street in
Downtown Fort Wayne to see these works of art in person.

10/01/2025

Mural Dedication!

What: Downtown Fort Wayne and Art This Way will celebrate local creatives, dedicate five new murals, and make a special announcement for 2026 programming.

Who: Art This Way Director Alexandra Hall, The Maxwell Family, Artists Brandon Coley, Natalie Fetzer, Carly Mitchell, Mitchell Egly, and Jon Mendelson.

When: Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: 222 Pearl St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802; attendees, please do not park at the Pearl Arts Center

09/30/2025

“The main thing, in my opinion, would be one single voice that has one mission — that is to concentrate and make sure that we’re continuing to develop, protect and advocate for our downtown.”

08/28/2025

08/17/2025

Clean Drains Fort Wayne, a partnership with Fort Wayne City Utilities, is happenihg now!

From August 16 - August 24, you'll see new drain murals being installed in Fort Wayne!

This 2025 'Only Rain in the Drain' mural was painted by Sherry Brown!