Printmaking takes center stage in Chesterton this fall with the inaugural 4th Street Print Fest at Chesterton Art Center. The free community event takes place Saturday, October 3, from 1–4 PM, bringing together printmakers from across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland for an afternoon of art, demonstrations, and hands-on creativity.

Three people stand around a printing press in a brightly lit studio filled with bookshelves.

Visitors can meet regional printmakers, watch live demonstrations of different printmaking techniques, create their own prints, and shop original artwork. The festival is free and open to the public, making it an easy way to experience Chesterton’s local arts scene and discover the work of artists from around the region.

A young girl in a purple unicorn dress pulls a squeegee across a screen-printing frame over pink paper.

“There are so many talented printmakers in Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area,” said Cara Schmitt, CAC Education Director and event organizer. “After attending a number of amazing print fairs in Chicago over the years and making connections with artists, I wanted to bring that same kind of celebration of contemporary printmaking to Northwest Indiana! As the Education Director, I have been working to regularly offer printmaking classes at CAC and hope that an event like the 4th Street Print Fest will help to further establish CAC’s emerging printmaking program housed in our new Vinay and Suman Das Foundation 2D Studio at 116.” 

A man in a red sweater holds up a printed paper showing black and white abstract geometric art in a studio.

The inaugural 4th Street Print Fest is made possible in part through support from Indiana Dunes Tourism. The Indiana Dunes Tourism Grant Program funds community projects, marketing initiatives, and unique events aligning with Indiana Dunes Tourism’s mission. 

See More Printmaking at the 4th Street Print Exhibition

In conjunction with the festival, CAC will be presenting “4th Street Print Exhibition,” a showcase of prints by regional printmakers. This juried group exhibition celebrates the diversity and creativity of contemporary printmaking. “4th Street Print Exhibition” runs from October 2 to November 28, 2026. An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Friday, October 2, from 4–7 PM. All CAC exhibition events are free and open to the public.

A black and white print with a woman's face and "Dreamland" in a banner above her.

The exhibition “4th Street Print Exhibition” can be viewed during normal business hours: Mon–Fri, 11 AM–4 PM and Sat, 10 AM–2 PM. CAC is closed on Sundays. CAC is located at 115 South 4th St., Chesterton, IN.

Printmaking Example Chesterton Art Center

For more information about exhibitions and all CAC programs, visit ChestertonArt.org.