Artist talk and mural walk with Alex Ann Allen set for May 17 at Howard Park in South Bend

An artist talk and mural walk featuring local muralist Alex Ann Allen will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Howard Park, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd.

Allen is the organizer of Mural Mania, a weeklong event that for the past three years has brought in muralists from around the nation to South Bend to paint murals on city buildings. The murals are done in public view and people are encouraged to watch the artists apply their craft.

Allen will give a presentation and have a question-and-answer session before she leads people in attendance on a guided tour of nearby murals.

This event is part of the city's Age-Friendly Initiative and is open to the public. The Age-Friendly Initiative is a program through AARP where communities across the country enroll in the AARP program with the belief that local leaders commit to improving the quality of life for the very young, the very old, and everyone in between.

Artist Alex Ann Allen walks toward the sketch of a large flower she is painting Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the South Bend Farmer's Market. A mural is being painted on the northwest wall of the market in celebration of the venue’s 100th anniversary.

South Bend joined the Age-Friendly Initiative in October 2021 and St. Joseph County has been part of the Initiative since January 2020.