February is Cold but the Krasl is Warm!

Our current exhibit, Identity and the American Landscape: The Photography of Wing Young Huie, which runs until March 29, is an amazing display of the fabric of the American landscape according to celebrated photographer Wing Young Huie. Often printed on paper that makes his subjects larger than life, his work reveals often overlooked or invisible individuals. Whether held together by class, race, health or social concerns, Mr. Huie’s beautiful, thoughtful, and at times humorous portraits provide a space in which the human drama may be played out and the minor actor is allowed center stage. Though some are in color, if you love black and white photography, you should not miss this.

The opening for this exhibit was attended by at least 150 individuals, and the public discussion on race and culture the night before was attended by 85 people. It was a great turnout, considering that we had at least 980 people turn out on the same night (Thursday) for the Krasl annual elementary school art show held at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph--just a few short blocks away. It just proves that people love culture and art even in the most unpleasant of weather.

Our next exhibit which opens Friday, April 3, will be Fragments and Memories: Selected Works by Bill Davis and Christopher Pekoc. Come and explore the concept of palimpsests and deconstruction. We will also be welcoming the Bridgman Chamber of Commerce to the Krasl that evening. And watch our web site for related events for adults and children.

Everything is hopping in St. Joseph--and it's not even summer yet!

See you on April 3rd!

Kathee

Prints by Women and Urban Garden

Opening on Friday, November 28 (5:30-7:30 pm) are Prints by Women, and Urban Garden. Prints by Women showcases 100 years of printmaking by American and European women from the Georgia Museum of Art. Featured are lithographs, etchings, drypoints, woodcuts, linocuts, silkscreen prints, and stencil prints made by the likes of Mary Cassatt, Käthe Kollwitz, Berthe Morisot, Mary Nimmo Moran, and others who we consider to be among the best of women artists of the past. I was giving a short talk about prints before the show was hung, and suddenly was so taken by seeing these prints so close up, I could barely finish the sentence! If you like drawings, the lithographs and some of the etchings will delight you, as they reproduce exactly the drawn image.

Urban Garden, a collection of sculptural works by Michigan artist and educator Albert Young, is a fabulous exhibit of metal and glass sculptures. Some pieces are fabricated, others are made using found objects, but all are striking. Young will give a brief talk at 5:45 pm at the KAC.

A Kid’s Art Workshop will be offered during the reception on Friday, November 28, from 5:30–7:00 pm, where children will explore printmaking techniques in the studio while you enjoy the reception. This workshop is free for members and $10 per family for non-members.

Immediately following the reception, at 8:00 pm, Young will give a (free) demonstration at the Water Street Glassworks in Benton Harbor. Water Street Glassworks is a non-profit dedicated to teaching glass blowing, and is a fabulous place to visit. You can make your way through their gallery and shop to the catwalk where you can watch the glass artists work!

And don't miss the special art talk: On Thursday, December 4, from 6:00−8:00 pm, the KAC will present an Art Talk: Mary Cassatt, a Feminist? Join KAC curator, Tami Gadbois, for a discussion on how Cassatt’s lovingly rendered images of mother and child speak to or against feminism. Printmakers Anne Vandermolen and Kathee Kiesselbach (me!) will demonstrate basic printmaking techniques. This talk is free for members; $5 for non-members.

See you there!

HollyMarket Nov 8-13; Preview Party Nov 7, 5:30-7:30 pm

HollyMarket is gearing up and everyone here is getting excited to see the work of 103 participating artists. We have many artists returning, and some new added. Everything from ceramics, gorgeous jewelry, hand-tooled leather purses and bags, paintings, baskets, wearable art, painted furniture, and more will be ready for you to purchase during HollyMarket. And if you want to get a sneak peek, just come to the preview party the evening of Nov 7, where, for $15, you will enjoy wine, hors d'oeuvres, music, and first dibs on purchasing the artwork. A half-dozen or so artists have been invited to come to the preview to talk to guests about their work.



The fabulous exhibit Text as Art will come down on Nov 3 to make room for HollyMarket, so be sure to stop by before it closes. The next exhibit opens Nov 27.



Soup'sOn, the luncheon that runs during HollyMarket, will be in operation from Nov 10-13 during the lunch hours of 11:30-1:30 pm, and is sponsored by Harbor Shores this year. Come by and shop, buy a bowl of soup and some bread, and relax at the Krasl for a little while as you watch people come and go.



It's gonna be fun! If you'd like to volunteer to help, and we do need more volunteers, call Danielle at 983-0271. Bring a friend!



See you there!

New Krasl Art Center Logo

The opening reception and unveiling last Friday night was great fun. The whole place was packed. Two lucky attendees won new Krasl mugs with the great black and red logo on the front. The giftshop also has new Krasl items: a fabulous journal with foil-stamped logo on the front in black and red foil (very snazzy!), and a sketch pad that also has the new logo embossed on the black front cover. Come by and pick them up for Christmas gifts! You could have all your shopping done by Thanksgiving!

Don't forget our HollyMarket juried fine art and fine craft show and sale to be held from November 8-13 at the Krasl. If you want to come to the preview party the Friday before, show up at 5:30 pm on November 7 and for $15 you will have wine, hors d'oeuvres, music, and first dibs on purchasing the artwork and crafts you see displayed that evening. During the weekdays of HollyMarket, you can purchase homemade soups, breads, or other goodies to eat on site at Soup'sOn--a luncheon offered only at HollyMarket. See you there!

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe we are sliding into fall already. Especially since I have only been on the beach four times this summer. [note: New Years resolution #1]

Lots of news to share: This Friday, September 12 from 5:30-7:30 pm, we are hosting the opening of our new Text as Art Exhibit. This show features artists who do fine art and use text in their work. Some notable names are Harry Borgman, Scott Covert, Ed Fella, Craig Mitchell Smith, René Ricard, Jenny Holzer, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschenberg, Glenn Ligon, Fab 5 Freddy, and Barbara Kruger. Some are local, some are New York artists. Guest curator Craig Smith will give a little talk at 5:45 pm.

BIG NEWS OF THE SEASON: The Krasl will unveil its new logo at this show! Right after the talk by Craig Smith, artist Harry Borgman will unveil the logo he has designed for the Krasl. You will really enjoy this exhibit. Come by and have a little wine, a little to eat...have a little fun. We'd love to see you.

Drop in for the Family Art Party on Sunday, September 14, from 2:00-4:00 pm.
It's free for members ($10 per family for non-members). Designed to go with the new exhibit, you can enjoy a word-find through the galleries. Create original artwork using text and mixed media.

There will be a Family Concert (piano recital and performance) at the Krasl on Sunday, September 21, from 2:00-5:00 pm by The Children’s Academy. That should be fun.

On Sunday, September 28, from 2:00-3:00 pm, stop by the Upton Arboretum in St. Joe for If Art Could Dance. Join the Citadel Dancers and the Junior Citadel Dancers as they bring sculpture to life! The newly installed sculptures at the Arboretum inspired choreographer Elizabeth Andrews to create an imaginative outdoor sculpture/dance performance for all ages. Meet at the sculpture Sandcastles: What Dreams Are Made Of, in the Upton Arboretum at the north end of State Street. The roaming performance will begin at 2:00 pm and lead you through the Arboretum.

On Monday, September 29, FALL CLASSES BEGIN! Go to the Krasl web site at www.krasl.org to download the class list. It is spectacular! I'm taking the Beach Glass class...

So you can see we are even busy in September. After all those special summer events (Art Fair on the Bluff, Concours on the Bluff), you'd think we'd be too exhausted!

So, see you on Friday!!

Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff--Three Days and Counting!

This is my first Art Fair here in St. Joseph. It is amazing how much energy is floating around. In the office, they said to me, "Welcome to your first Art Fair!" The whole town is excited. The restaurants, hotels, shops, galleries, and all the Krasl members and volunteers are psyched. Everyone is wearing Krasl Art Fair t-shirts, hats, carrying bags, etc.

I was a judge for the art fair this year, and will be an on-site judge Saturday, July 12 as well. I am looking forward to going around with my assistant to meet each and every artist. I hope I can get to everyone in the 8.5 hours allotted. I want all the artists to feel appreciated, and I want to see their work! I'm wearing my best walking shoes for sure.

I hope to see you there--with 70,000 of our closest friends :o)

Krasl Art Center Summer Art Camps!!

It's summer in St. Joseph, and you know what that means: walking the beach, picnics, lunch under the umbrellas at area cafes, fishing on the pier, walking out to the lighthouse, looking for shells and beach glass. Sigh. It is really here, and I am taking full advantage of it. And so is the Krasl Art Center.

Our famous Krasl Summer Art Camps begin on Monday, July 14, so get your kids registered. This year, the theme is Art Olympiad. We will have some great classes, a chance to learn a little about Chinese culture before the real Olympic games begin, and a chance for you to leave your kids to have a little safe fun while you get the girls and head for the beach! Ah, I remember when my kids were little, it was such fun to grab those few hours of fun. If you work, extended care camps are available at limited times.

Mini camp for ages 4-6; Full Day Camp for ages 6-12, and teen summer studio for ages 12+ is offered. They will participate in such things as ceramics, drawing, sculpture, painting, drama, experimental art-making and at the same time get a global perspective on the arts. Call 269-983-0271 for information! Go to the web site at www.krasl.org to download the whole summer class brochure. Click on Summer Art Classes on the front page.