MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is hosting its free First Friday on December 5 from 5-8 p.m. (Central).

All are welcome to enjoy an evening of holiday songs, spectacular art, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. The Holiday Artisan Market will also be open for shopping unique handmade items. LCA members receive 10% off their purchases.

The Krueger Middle School's Advanced Chorus, directed by Shirley Allen, will perform at 6 p.m. This select ensemble is made up of talented seventh and eighth grade students who were chosen through a formal application and vocal audition. They will present a medley of classic holiday songs.

On display in LCA's NIPSCO Art Education Studios will be exhibits by Area Artist Association member Laurel Izard alongside artists from Paladin and The Social & Learning Institute.

Laurel Izard's Stick A Pin In It is an interactive exhibition of quilts and poppets. Poppets have a long history in European cultures and these small figures have been thought to have magical agency for good or bad. These poppets are labeled with such names as hate, misogyny and corruption. The intention of this collection of poppets is to allow viewers an opportunity to literally take a stab at some of the upsetting things they face on a daily basis. Izard's exhibit will be on display through December 30.

2025: A Year in Retrospect features a variety of work created by artists from Paladin and The Social & Learning Institute. Since 2008, LCA has provided free weekly art classes to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting social and motor skill development while nurturing individual expression. This exhibition, supported by the Duneland Health Council, celebrates their creativity and will be on display through December 31.

Activist, author  and licensed councelor, Amanda Bates Barnes, will also be on site signing copies of her new book, Steps to Finding Balance In A State of Confusion. This practical guide presents five actionable steps to help you regain balance and inner peace, even when clarity seems distant. Rather than rushing to find immediate answers, this book focuses on cultivating a sense of inner stability that allows you to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

LCA's free First Friday cultural programs take place on the first Friday of each month. The annual schedule includes everything from exhibition openings to live music and dance performances. All events are free and provide complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

For more information, contact Jessie Sexton, LCA's marketing manager, at (219) 874-4900 or jsexton@lubeznikcenter.org.