Spring Into Art

What does an old fire station, an urban farm, art, llamas, and a cookout have in common? They all came together at the Spring into Art Block Party at Johnnie Mae Farm (JMF) on April 25, creating an afternoon filled with creativity, connection, and community spirit.  An afternoon that proved community can grow just about anywhere, including a repurposed firehouse on Fort Wayne's east side.

Johnnie Mae Farm (JMF) has been a joint effort between Purdue Extension and the City of Fort Wayne since 2018. Situated in the Renaissance Pointe neighborhood, the urban farm addresses a real and persistent need: the area is a food desert. This is further compounded with a low median household income. With almost half of the residents being under 18, investing in this neighborhood is also an investment in the future. For this reason, JMF's mission goes beyond fresh produce, to community health as a whole. Its programming is built around the idea that healthy communities depend on healthy relationships, and that social connection is just as essential to well-being as good food.

That's where art comes in. Creative activity has a quiet way of lowering barriers. When your hands are busy painting or planting, it's easier to start a conversation with a stranger. The Spring into Art Block Party leaned into that dynamic by offering creative activities for all ages. The event gave guests a chance to interact with local organizations, explore new resources, and connect with one another in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Art made the event approachable and engaging, while also encouraging conversation, curiosity, and participation.

Throughout the afternoon, participants were invited to leave their mark in a variety of ways. Picnic tables draped in butcher paper were covered with conversation prompts and drawing challenges — and they filled up fast. A community mural invited everyone to color in a square of the old firehouse, turning individual effort into something shared. Kids planted seeds and decorated flower pots, made prints with fruits and vegetables alongside the Fort Wayne Art Museum, and tried their hand at bubble painting. The Fort Wayne library brought a 3D printer and custom DIY puzzles. The parks department set up yard games. And perhaps most memorable were the VIP guests — llamas — sparking curiosity, laughter, and no small amount of artistic inspiration, especially when they wore hats.

Guests could add their name to a flower on a poster that read, “community grows here with you!” documenting over 100 guests. Further guest input revealed that attendees included local neighbors as well as families visiting from out of town, and even out of state. What brought in this diverse crowd? Attendees reported it was a mix of direct mailers, free food, and hands-on activities.

Events like Spring into Art offer more than a fun afternoon; they help create space for social connection, which is increasingly recognized as essential to community well-being. Social isolation and loneliness is a genuine public health concern, affecting people of all ages. The antidote is often simpler than it seems: time together, something to do with your hands, and good food nearby. Making neighborhood events like this one the perfect solution.

The event also gave JMF an opportunity to introduce more people to its mission and upcoming programming. Guests learned more about the farm, its community role, and the many ways residents can stay involved. We hope to see some of the neighbors who attended the block party return for the farm market this summer, continuing the momentum of connection and participation.

In the end, the Spring into Art Block Party was about much more than art. It was about creating a place where neighbors could gather, share space, and feel part of something larger than themselves. For neighbors who might not otherwise cross paths, a shared creative experience builds the kind of familiarity that makes a neighborhood feel like a community. By combining creativity, food, agriculture, and fun, the event helped strengthen community ties and introduced more people to the resources and opportunities available at Johnnie Mae Farm.

Community grows at Johnnie Mae Farm. It turns out, it just needed a little art to get started.

*The Spring into Art Block Party was supported by a 2026 Community Vitality Mini-Grant made possible by the Downing Endowment for Community Vitality.