Peru Visual Art Festival

The Peru Visual Art Festival is a vibrant one-day event focused on visual arts, held annually in Historic Downtown Square, Peru, Indiana, within Miami County. The next festival is scheduled for May 10, 2025. The event celebrates local artists, craftsmen, and the community’s rich artistic heritage through a variety of immersive activities and performances.

The festival’s atmosphere is creative and community-oriented, featuring a blend of visual art displays, live demonstrations, and performances that bring the downtown area to life with a festive and inspiring vibe. Attendees can experience the stories behind unique handmade products and paintings, reflecting both local talent and broader artistic influences.

Key activities at the festival include:

• Live plein air art competition, which showcases artists creating works outdoors in real-time.
• Youth plein air workshops where young artists can learn and participate hands-on.
• Three art competitions with opportunities to vote, such as a people’s choice photo competition.
• Three live performances, featuring music and other artistic presentations.
• Opportunities to browse and purchase unique artwork and crafts from local vendors and exhibitors.

The festival typically runs throughout the day, with scheduled intervals for the competitions, workshops, and performances all taking place in the central downtown area, making it an accessible and walkable experience for visitors.

Historically, the Peru Visual Art Festival has been held since 2022 and is part of the broader Miami County Artisan Gallery’s efforts to promote education, creativity, and community engagement through art. Peru, Indiana, is known as the art matrix of North Central Indiana, with this festival serving as a key cultural highlight.

The event is handicapped accessible, charges admission, and focuses on creating a welcoming environment for art lovers and families alike. It combines artistic vision, community spirit, and entertainment, providing something for artists, participants, and visitors to enjoy and be inspired by throughout the day.

For those interested in participating beyond attending, the festival invites artists and craftspeople to exhibit, teach workshops, vend, or sponsor, helping foster growth and community involvement in the arts scene.

In summary:

• Location: Historic Downtown Square, Peru, Indiana
• Date: May 10, 2025
• Activities: Live plein air art competition, youth workshop, 3 art competitions, 3 live performances, art sales, and demonstrations
• Atmosphere: Creative, community-focused, lively and family-friendly
• History: Founded in 2022 as a celebration of local artistic talent and heritage in Miami County

This festival provides a rich cultural experience highlighting Peru’s identity as an artistic community, blending education, commerce, and celebration of the visual arts.