Goshen Arts and Events hosted the annual Arts on the Millrace this weekend on 

Saturday. 

Upon arrival at Powerhouse Park, live music led the way to the trail of artist booths. 

Event coordinator and Goshen College alum Adriene Nesbitt founded the event in 2014 as a “way to get artists excited about living in Goshen.”

Nesbitt works as the Director of Events at Eyedart Creative Studio located in Goshen. 

Last year, the event was held solely online due to COVID-19. 

Nesbitt expressed excitement about the return to normalcy: “We were happy to be back in person; art sells a lot better when the customer can see it in person.”

“Events like these help show the community what we have here and how special it is,” Nesbitt said. “It also gives working artists a chance to broaden their client base and continue to make a living doing what they love.”

Goshen College’s presence was palpable on the windy Saturday. 

Sculptor and potter Sunday Mahaja, a 2014 Goshen College graduate, was accompanied by a variety of his recognizable sculptures. 

Originally from Nigeria, Mahaja now resides in Goshen and is a paraprofessional at Goshen Community Schools.

Mahaja has experienced the passion and strength of GC’s art program firsthand. He recognizes that good professors make GC unique.

“Not only do the professors study art,” said Mahaja, “Most importantly, they are practicing artists … Goshen College shows up pretty much every day in every piece that I make.”

His most recent project, The Proposal, is a pair of giraffes that stand almost eight feet tall and are made from metal punchouts.

You can see Mahaja’s giraffes next at the ArtPrize show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from Sept. 16 – Oct. 3. 

Potter Trevor Daughtery, a 2011 GC graduate, also set up shop at the show. After working for a news publication for a decade, Daughtery recently decided to pursue his long-time passion for art full time. 

For Daughtery, Goshen College and the local art community are directly connected: “There are just so many people who have stayed here.”

Daughtery realizes the effect his liberal arts education has had on him. 

Concerning the value of environmental consciousness, Daughtery said, “A lot of the things about ceramics are not good for the environment … so being aware and thinking of how I can offset that [is important].” 

Additionally, Daughtery mentioned the balanced education GC serves its students: “Not being pigeonholed into one department, having to take science courses, and math, and particularly writing has served me well in my professional life.”  

Daughtery is hosting and participating in the Michiana Pottery Tour, which will take place Sept. 25-26.