For more than 55 years fans of the art world have congregated in ever increasingly popular vantage point high on the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan for one of America’s most popular art fairs and this year marks the 56th edition of that venerable affair.
The 56th annual Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff will be held at Lake Bluff Park in downtown St. Joseph on Saturday, July 8th from 10:00am to 6:00pm and again on Sunday, July 9th from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Artists from all across the United States will join together to bring fine art and fine crafts for sale to the public at this nationally ranked art fair.
Think about the incredible popularity of this major event in our midst. Nearly 1,000 artists apply for the opportunity to be selected to participate as one of 200 booths at the event. This year artists representing nineteen media categories and unique, distinctive styles will be participating.
The Krasl Kid’s Zone will be open Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and again on Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm for children to create make-and-take artwork, in a true hands-on opportunity. Donations are appreciated. The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff also features the Children’s Art Purchase Program for young people interested in starting their own art collection. Some of the artists have select art for sale at a cost of $10 and less for children age 14 and under to purchase. Be sure to stop by the Emerging Artist and Fired up tents, where students from grades 9 – through – college feature their work and demonstrate how they create all day long.
Back by popular demand again this year is the Beer and Wine Garden located on the Krasl Art Center grounds. Locally produced craft beer and wine will be served. An exciting addition to the garden is “Lotus” the collaboration brew created especially for the Krasl Art Fair. Corrie Wolosin is Krasl Art Fair Director. She tells us, “Simon at the Livery has been very supportive and was interested in creating a signature brew.” As a result, she adds, “We named the brew Lotus after the hippo sculpture in the yard at the Krasl Art Center.” The Lotus brew will be available for purchase during the art fair and during the entire month of July, with $1 per pour going to support the Krasl Art Center. Food carts will be located both on the art center grounds and down the street in the concession area.
Parking for visitors is available at both Kelley’s Bowl at 2705 Cleveland Avenue and Edgewater Business Center located at 511 Renaissance Drive. Shuttle buses will run continuously to drop off and pick up guests at the north end of the bluff at the corner of Lake Boulevard and Ship Street. The shuttle runs Saturday from 9:30am to 7pm, and Sunday from 9:30am to 6pm. A $1 per person donation is requested.
New this year is the Krasl Art Fair app designed by Far Ahead Apps of Benton Harbor. The app will include information about all of the participating artists and where they are located on the bluff, art fair sponsor information and local things to do and see around town. Parking and shuttle information can also be found on the app. Also new is a major recycling initiative in collaboration with the city of St Joseph, the art fair is providing recycling bins throughout the fair.
Posters and art fair t-shirts using designs from participating artist Stephen Palmer are available for purchase.Breeze Ettl, Director of Marketing for the Krasl says, “We were looking for a beachy theme to highlight our exhibition entitled Beach Season currently on view at the Krasl Art Center.” She notes, “Stephen’s work is really fun and whimsical. We think people will love it.”
The Krasl Art Center invites the community to 2 parties in 1; the Friday Night Block party and Beach Season Exhibition Opening are happening together for one great big good time. The festivities begin on July 7th from 5-10pm on the art center grounds. Entertainment is provided by Jenna Mammina and Rolf Sturm. Local beer, wine and food will be available, and the Friday Night Block party is sponsored by Kruggel Lawton CPAs.
In collaboration with the Krasl Art Fair, 98.3 The Coast radio offers up their annual Smooth Jazz at Sunset on Saturday night below the bluff at the Shadowland Pavilion on Silver Beach. Tickets for this great event are available online by clicking this link: http://www.SmoothJazzatSunset.com.
While no pets are allowed on the art fair grounds, Mutterly Love offers dog sitting for those who forgot to leave their pet at home. For additional information go to krasl.org or download the Krasl Art Fair app.
The Krasl Art Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, and is located in downtown St. Joseph overlooking Lake Michigan. The center has three public galleries, five studios, a library/lecture room, a black and white wet darkroom, a gift shop, and a permanent collection of 42 works of sculpture. Through its mission to bring people and art together, the Krasl offers thoughtful exhibitions, engaging classes and camps, community events such as Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff and the Artisan Market, outreach opportunities, and cultural exploration. The Krasl Art Center is funded in part by the Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Krasl galleries are open Monday-Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 10-4; Thursday from 10-9; and Sunday 1-4. Admission to the galleries is free of change. For more information, please contact the Krasl Art Center at 269.983.0271, or visit www.krasl.org.
