Watch

Grassroots Art Festival Brings Community Together

Creator:
Published:
January 8, 2024
September 7, 2020
Watch how "(Y)ART?" was started and how it exhibits yard art created by local individuals.

Lauren Steinhofer turned to painting as a way to heal from loss. But it turned into a calling for something even greater — an opportunity to provide inspiration to others in her community. From the ground up, she organized and executed a successful grassroots art festival last summer that she plans to hold every year.

"To hear someone saying something that they're inspired by me, if something like this inspires them to keep going then, then I did good in my book," she shares.

Video Transcript

Meet Lauren Steinhofer: festival creator

August 2019, pre-pandemic: South Bend, Indiana

(Lauren grabs supplies, paints outside)

Lauren Steinhofer: I started painting right after my Mom died when I was 18. The first painting I ever did, it was called “Think With Your Heart and not With Your Head.” I don't know. After she died, I wasn't able — like my family doesn't talk about emotions like that.

I was just trying. That was me literally, the first time I knew that I needed to start processing my emotions. I wanted to do something for everyone else and create that experience. And I don't have a lot of money, so it wasn't even like a thing, I just wanted to do it. So I just did it.

Lauren founded a yearly grassroots art festival called “(Y)ART?”

At a thing like (Y)ART?, whatever you're making, you can put it in there, and it is art because you made it.

(Y)ART? is an art and music festival with no age or experience restrictions.

But I'm not doing it by myself. I'm not. I'm getting a lot of help. My Dad's paying for the porta-potty for my birthday. 

(Lauren and others setting up for festival) I got the extension cord, sketchbook, flat board, miter saw, screws, paneling, orange spray paint, that regular saw, extra 2x4s, drill, house paint. Got to grab that. Weird triangles. Yeah, so if I build a corner, as long as it feels like it, it doesn't have to be exactly it. You know? I feel like that's the thing.

Producer: Where does the name “(Y)ART?” come from?

Lauren: It's just raising the question, why art? Coincidentally, it also is in a yard. So like “yard art.”

(Lauren lifts wooden television frame) This is where I got the idea to build the TV stage. It’s just a play on perspective. But you can build your own TV, and then show your Mom, "Hey, look, I'm on TV." I think there's more to that, but I can't really put it to words right now.

Speaker on stage: Checking the mic. Check, check, check.

Lauren: Okay. I'm getting nervous because it's 2:20, and Anderson's not here yet. I'm running out of space for artists, and I can't remember if anyone else is coming, and...yeah.

(People walk around (Y)ART? festival)

I’m amazed. I am amazed. I didn't know that it was going to be this impactful.

Man 1: This is amazing.

Man 2: Good turnout.

Man 3: I knew it was gonna be tight, but like — it's tight.

(band playing on stage)

Lauren: To hear someone saying something that they're inspired by me, if something like this inspires them to keep going then, then I did good in my book. So that's how I feel.

Lauren cancelled “(Y)ART?” 2020 due to the pandemic. She says it will be “bigger and sicker” in 2021.

Band member speaking on stage: Enjoy the rest of the night, and much love to Lauren for having us. Peace out, (Y)ART?.

(band playing on stage)

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
January 8, 2024
September 7, 2020
On a related note...
Youth Running Club Gives Girls Confidence | Little Ways: Mentor

Youth Running Club Gives Girls Confidence | Little Ways: Mentor

Grotto

The Art of Flow and How to Harness It

The Art of Flow and How to Harness It

Mariah Cressy

Learning to Forgive Myself for Not Being On Track

Learning to Forgive Myself for Not Being On Track

Alexandria Wellman

Artist Uses Work to Spark Healing Conversations

Artist Uses Work to Spark Healing Conversations

Grotto

"Lost One"

"Lost One"

Lesley Clinton

Heart of Mary Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Heart of Mary Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

"The Attendants"

"The Attendants"

Barbara Lisette

"Living Water"

"Living Water"

Judith Sornberger

Eve Kelly & Coty Miller Perform 'Joy to the World' | #SeekChristmas

Eve Kelly & Coty Miller Perform 'Joy to the World' | #SeekChristmas

Grotto

“The Stories My Kitchen Table Could Tell”

“The Stories My Kitchen Table Could Tell”

Erin Ramsey-Tooher

Jesus' Favorite Podcast EP 7: Fighting For A Cause With Alexia Dukes

Jesus' Favorite Podcast EP 7: Fighting For A Cause With Alexia Dukes

Grotto, Ebony Moxey, Javi Zubizarreta

6 Signs You Might Be an Introverted Extrovert

6 Signs You Might Be an Introverted Extrovert

Patricia Valderrama

Lifting Up Black Stories: 3 Neighbors Transforming their Communities

Lifting Up Black Stories: 3 Neighbors Transforming their Communities

Grotto

Revealing the Crisis of Homelessness in Oakland

Revealing the Crisis of Homelessness in Oakland

Grotto

Percussionist Makes Music Using Nature's Instruments

Percussionist Makes Music Using Nature's Instruments

Grotto

Walking with the Homeless in Denver | Little Ways: Engage

Walking with the Homeless in Denver | Little Ways: Engage

Grotto

Cafe Offers Healing For Recovering Women

Cafe Offers Healing For Recovering Women

Grotto

Wonder and Awe in the Study of Cosmology

Wonder and Awe in the Study of Cosmology

Grotto

Hope in Darkness — an Interview with JD Kim

Hope in Darkness — an Interview with JD Kim

Grotto

‘Sweet Tooth’ Gives Us the Fullness of Human Freedom and Love

‘Sweet Tooth’ Gives Us the Fullness of Human Freedom and Love

Grant Hartley

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.