Benton Harbor Arts District supports local artists’ expressions

The Benton Harbor Arts District is a hub of art and culture in the Southwestern Michigan area. While the new wave of unique businesses and institutions has heralded a time of economic growth for the area, perhaps more important to the community is the avenue of creative expression and experience they provide.

One such example would be the Ghostlight Theater, a simple stage founded at the heart of the district in 2019. Its mission statement describes it as an “innovative Southwest Michigan playhouse with a diverse, creative, and socially conscious culture, embodied by engaging and passionate performers.” 

Since its humble, community-funded beginnings, the Ghostlight has established itself as an inclusive place of expression for the locale.

“Theater is an opportunity for collaboration with people who would not normally encounter each other. I'm always particularly inspired when I see people from different cultures, educational backgrounds, ages, races and ethnicities, gender identification, and socio-economic status, all working together to create an amazing piece of art,” said founder and executive director Marty Hesse. “Producing great theater requires massive amounts of cooperation, give and take, and negotiations—all of these skills are important inside the theater and in all aspects of life.”

Such avenues can be found across the region, be it the Citadel Dance & Music Center, the ARS Art Gallery, Water Street Glassworks, or a plethora of eclectic and specialized restaurants ranging from the highbrow eatery Houndstooth, to the local favorite Ben’s Soft Pretzels. 

In addition to those institutions, the Benton Harbor Arts Association organizes an array of public events including quarterly Art Hops, featuring an array of art and performance on the street, and Arts in the Park, a biweekly collection of live music, food and art booths held in the district from June to September.

When examining the importance of expression to the individual, it's difficult to understate the importance of community-based outlets for such expression—be the mode musical, theatrical, culinary or otherwise. Regardless of the medium, the Arts District is at the forefront of culture in Southwest Michigan.