17 pieces selected by the City’s Volunteer Art Advisory Committee for the New Art Walk at Cumberland Crossing. Using steel like that manufactured throughout Northwest Indiana, these new pieces are metal sculptures built by Greg and Alex Mendez of Decatur, Indiana. The Exhibit is located at the corner of Cumberland Drive and Vale Park Road.
“This show is almost a retrospective of our work,” said Artist Alex Mendez. “Of the 17 pieces, some represent our earliest work, some are mid-career and 10 were created especially for this show,” he said. The Mendez brothers currently have work on display throughout the country, including Florida, South Dakota, Georgia, Minnesota and Iowa. The pair are also familiar to Valparaiso as they’ve had pieces included in the Art Walk in years past and have had several works purchased for permanent display, including Alex’s abstract guitar located outside the Urschel Pavilion in the Costas Family Plaza and his Three Curves at Central Park Plaza.
Each of the brothers has his own unique style with Greg’s work being largely figurative and inspired by movement, classical Greek influences and fashion, while Alex’s work is primarily abstract, featuring geometric shapes, interesting angles and unique combinations. Both artists create entirely by hand, from concept to completion, including hand painting, with no machine fabrication or powder coating. Pieces can take months to a year to complete. “We want our pieces to radiate a happy feeling. The last thing we want is to give anyone a negative feeling, like sadness, anger or anxiety,” said Greg Mendez.
Valparaiso’s Art Walk was introduced in 2011 as a celebration of public art and has included a revolving free display of outdoor sculptures that can be enjoyed year-round. The display is possible through the generous support of the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, private donors and Urschel Development Corporation.
Current sponsors include 1st Source Bank, Centier Bank, Kyle and Maggie Clifton, Patricia Crise, OnePointe Management, Pines Village Retirement Communities, the Sarkisian Family, Megan and Stu Summers Family, Thorgren Tool & Molding, Inc., and Urschel Giving.
The current Mendez installation will be on display through Spring 2025. Works are available for purchase with more information available at tinyurl.com/PublicArtValpo. The Art Walk has been organized by the City of Valparaiso’s Office of Community Engagement.
Caption: Artists Greg and Alex Mendez with Alex’s work entitled “3.1.” The Mendez brothers have installed 17 new works at Valparaiso’s Art Walk at Cumberland Crossing. The display is possible through the generous support of the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, private donors and Urschel Development Corporation. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/PublicArtValpo.
OTHER LINKS:
Valpo’s Redevelopment Commission, Click here.
Valparaiso Opportunity Zone, click here
Valparaiso Council Members and Map Click here
Here’s the City of Valparaiso’s Facebook Page” Valparaiso NOW “
The City of Valparaiso’s Website
Link to the City’s $7,653,012 Valparaiso’s ARPA Resolution
ValpoCreates Facebook Page AND THEIR email address.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
