If you were to study photos of Downtown Fort Wayne from a decade ago and then walk the streets today, you’d find a stark (and colorful) difference. Over the past decade, Art This Way (under the helm of Alex Hall), has breathed new life into our city one blank wall, alley corner, and overlooked facade at a time.
Under Hall’s leadership, Art This Way has turned Downtown into a sprawling immersive art exhibit—giving local and global artists a public platform using buildings as canvas. And in the process of doing so, she’s created a running conversation about who we are as a city, the creative talent we harbor, and a newfound sense of pride in our increasingly dynamic Downtown community.
It's only fitting that Art This Way celebrates 10 years of revitalization through public art with its biggest community gathering yet. Art This Way Fest arrives October 2 and 3, closing Broadway from Jefferson Boulevard to Swinney Avenue for two days of new murals, live music, a fine art fair, dancing, buskers, food trucks, and more. All ages, all abilities, no ticket required.
We chatted with Alex to learn what to expect with this new festival, what a decade of public art has built, and the woman whose memory kickstarted all of it.
Molly: So the first question is actually a two-parter. I understand you're celebrating 10 years of Art This Way programming with a new two-day festival called Art This Way Fest. And while this might be an inaugural event, Art This Way is certainly not new to hosting events.
You've spent the past decade hosting art crawls, artist receptions, and so many of my personal favorite community gatherings.
For folks who have been to an Art This Way event before, how is this going to be different? And for newcomers, what can they expect?
Alex: The event is free, and it is bigger than our typical art crawls! We have a huge stage, with regional and local acts performing. We’ve also been intentional about adding features that celebrate other forms of art: from fine art to hip hop dancing!
Newcomers can expect to find something for everyone. Whether it’s buskers, ceramics, or jazz—whatever you like, we’ve got you covered.
Molly: What are you most excited about with this new festival?
Alex: We are closing the entire Broadway corridor, from Swinney to Jefferson Boulevard. With Broadway closed, I think people will be able to appreciate how walkable it is to traverse the short distance from Jefferson to Electric Works.
We also want to highlight the existing group of galleries and small businesses along this cultural corridor. I hope that through Art This Way Fest, we expose the public to this amazing gallery scene on Broadway.
Molly: What a perfect segue to my next question! There are so many cool Downtown locations. How did you decide on Broadway?
Alex: In 2025 Downtown Fort Wayne redistricted, and with that growth, we absorbed the Broadway corridor. Over the next decade, we'll be working to increase the connectivity from Downtown to Electric Works, and this event serves as a catalyst for more investment and infrastructure within this zone.
Molly: So my understanding that this is all free and open to everyone—including all ages and all abilities. How are you able to make this all happen?
Alex: We are able to provide a free event to our community thanks to generous sponsors, like Downtown Fort Wayne, WindSwell Foundation, Outfront Media, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, and Lutheran Health Network and other community-minded advocates. We are so grateful to these organizations who understand our mission and help us enrich Downtown Fort Wayne through their investment in arts and culture.
Molly: Even though this is all being offered to the community for free, there are ways the community can help support it. Can you talk a little bit about that?
Alex: Yes! If anyone in the community is excited about what we do to make our city more enriching, we encourage those supporters to donate through our Amplify Art campaign.
Molly: Let's talk a bit about Art This Way—the program. 10 years is a huge milestone, and it's definitely made its mark on Downtown Fort Wayne (literally). Looking at photos of the city a decade ago, it's really progressed into a more colorful, lively version of itself—and much of that is thanks to all the public art you've helped enable. Can you reflect on the last ten years and some of your proudest Art This Way projects?
Alex: Arts, culture, and experience are competitive advantages for a city. Experiences increasingly drive foot traffic, consumer spending, and place identity. Downtowns with strong cultural assets are better positioned than those without. We know the formula works. It is the growing collection of works that keep placing us on the map. Each work we add strengthens our city.
In reflecting on 10 years, I’m most excited about the foundation we’ve built; there is a future generation who will only know of Fort Wayne as a cool place, full of murals, sculptures, and exciting things to do—a different perspective than the one I had as a kid while growing up here.
Molly: Definitely! What a great legacy to build. Speaking of legacy, I had the good fortune of knowing the late Christy Landrigan, who I understand was a major inspiration behind Art This Way. Can you tell me about her connection to Art This Way, and how her memory shaped what this became?
Alex: It was donations made in her honor that provided the initial funding for this program. Her memory is the spark that launched Art This Way. I’d like to think that she would be happy and surprised to see the downtown we’ve created.
Molly: I remember her being such an advocate for art and walkable community. Art This Way is such a lovely tribute to that. I think she’d be in awe. Is there anything else you want readers to know?
Alex: Arts and culture in every community faces challenges from federal defunding, industry consolidation, rising costs, and the financial fragility of independent venues. A local cultural ecosystem is not self-sustaining. It requires investment, supportive policy, affordable spaces, and active local stewardship.
The best way for us to keep moving forward is for community members to choose to volunteer at, invest in, and attend events like Art This Way Fest. No matter how you show your support, we would be grateful to see you on October 2nd and 3rd at the event.
Celebrate ten years of Art This Way at Art This Way Fest on October 2 and 3! Learn about the music lineup, schedule, and more at ArtThisWayFest.com
