Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography

Find Your Center at the Ludington Area Center for Arts

The Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) is the gathering place for community expression through arts and cultural experiences. Since opening in September 2008, LACA has proven to be a valuable asset to the Ludington area.

Throughout the year, the Center hosts exhibitions, performances, and educational programs in music, the visual arts, literature, and more. 

The facility includes a 250-seat performance hall; the venue is handicap accessible with a stair climber lift. With the removal of the fixed pews in early 2019 and replacement with movable chairs, the performance hall space has become a much more versatile venue. The gallery and exhibition space which doubles as a banquet hall are located on the main floor. Art studios and classrooms are found on the lower and upper levels of the facility.

Completed in Fall 2018 is the Art Library on the second floor. Named for Bill & Jane Carpenter and John & Marion Riedl, the library features over 1,000 books of art history, artists, and instructional materials. Books are available for sign-out on an honor system.

The Main Gallery of the Ludington Area Center for the Arts is host to several exhibitions throughout the year. In addition, a second Gallery space is located in the Performance Hall Lobby area and a new exhibit area, The Unframed Gallery, has been developed in the Performance Underground Room 101 on the lower level. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.

In addition to the monthly or bi-monthly exhibits, one-night only PopUp Art Shows are periodically scheduled in the Main Gallery space. The PopUp shows are an “exhibit within an exhibit” and offer artists with a smaller inventory a chance to show off their art.

Current Art Exhibit Schedule

July 18th-August 24th, 2025

  • The Spectrum of Realism

September 12th-October 26th, 2025

  • Double Takes

October 3rd-17th, 2025

  • Exquisite Corpse: Exquisite Corpse is inspired by the fun collaborative game artists have played since the 1920s; artists will be supplied with pieces of paper labeled head, body, or legs to create on. When exhibited the creations will be randomly assembled to create fantastical creatures.

October 3rd-31st, 2025

  • Artists as Catalyst for Social Change: This exhibit includes 2D and 3D visual works from artists from across the nation and beyond to explore the power of art as a catalyst for awareness, dialogue, and activism.

November 4th-December 14th, 2025

  • Snow Snake

LACA also hosts many musical and theatrical performances. For more information, check out our story on Performances in West Michigan!

And for information on Workshops hosted by LACA, visit our Arts & Crafts Classes story!

West Shore Art Fair

The Ludington Area Center for the Arts manages the West Shore Art Fair held in Ludington’s Rotary Park. The fair is held annually on the first full weekend in July. The fair is a juried fine arts and crafts event which means a more stringent criteria is used and only the highest-quality artists are admitted. Juried artists are chosen to display paintings, photography, jewelry, clay, glass, fiber and wood, and many other varieties of fine art. Each year, there are over 100 artists accepted to participate in the show. In addition to the artists, the fair features live musical performances, food stations, and a children’s area where children can purchase art donated by participating artists for just $5.

Ludrock Events at LACA

  • Girls Rock- A spring event is “Live at the LACA: Girls Rock.” The event celebrates women through musical performance and spoken word. Local female musicians, singers, and artists of all ages perform live at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts Performance Hall.
  • Night of Fright- Every year around Halloween, the Ludrock group hosts its annual Night of Fright at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, which is a frighteningly fun fundraising effort for the Center’s Performance Hall. 

History of the Ludington Area Center for the Arts

Organized and incorporated in February 2004, the Ludington Area Arts Council purchased the former United Methodist Church in downtown Ludington in September 2008. The Gothic-style structure built in 1894 has experienced significant upgrades since the Arts Center took possession and further improvements are planned. The renovation plan for the building is an ambitious project, as the Arts Center wants to maintain the historic integrity of the structure.

For more information on LACA:

107 S. Harrison, Ludington, MI 49431

(231) 845-2787

ludingtonartscenter.org

Discover more around Ludington!

Power

The Ludington Pumped Storage Plant and Lakewinds Energy Park are the two main sources of energy that power Ludington! Check them out!

Read More »

What's happening now in Ludington?

Scroll below for more articles about the Ludington area activities and attractions.
 

Experience the Activities and Attractions of Ludington!

Ludington State Park Sand Dunes

Visit the Ludington State Park

One of the most popular state parks in the Midwest offers a vacation within itself. Enjoy beautiful natural resources and endless activities.

Night Life

The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down here in Ludington! Nightlife here includes festivals, cozy restaurants, and local performances.

Hamlin Lake Dunes

Hamlin Lake Sand Dunes

Small destinations within themselves, visitors of Hamlin Lake will go on an adventure to find their perfect dune.

Bicycle Trails

Both beginners and experienced cyclists will enjoy the variety of trails available to explore in Ludington!