Parties Galore at the Krasl!

Well, were you among the 200 or so people who crowded into the Krasl for the opening reception last Friday? If not, you really missed a great party! Tabor Hill wine, Panera sandwiches and cookies. Gosh!

Well, you will have another chance. On February 15th, Friday, 5:30-7:30 pm, we will have a reception to celebrate the opening of the Quilt Show. Rooted in Tradition: Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum will run from Feb 10-Apr 6. Free admission. You have no excuse now. Same great food, same great wine.

There is an art talk and workshop that goes with this exhibit on March 1. See our web site for details, or call us at 269-983-0271. Both will be presented by fabric artist Ellen Anne Eddy.

If you are busy on February 15, I understand. But you will have to make it up to me by coming to our 5th annual winter fundraiser, Tablescapes: South of the Border on February 23 from 6:30-9:30 pm. This event will feature some of the best area decorators and artists, displaying and selling their work, and you will get to participate in the silent auction of artwork.

A dozen or more tables will be decorated with miniature landscapes. Guests will receive a complimentary glass of Sangria at the door, and hors d’oeuvres and sweets will be provided by the area’s premiere restaurateurs and caterers. Don't let this one get by. $50 members/$60 non-members. See you there!

Member Show Up!

I hope to see you all at the opening reception for the member show this Friday, Feb 18 from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Michigan.

The curator, Bill Tourtillotte, finished the hanging yesterday, and the labels are up. He and co-juror Jackie Welsh choose 100 out of the 200 submitted, and the show looks great. They will speak at 5:45 pm about how the work was chosen. It really is a very pleasing mixture of ceramics, jewelry, photography, oil painting, watercolor, collage, and other mediums. I am really happy with the outcome! Many of the Krasl faculty have work in the show including Jon Hook, Vicki Cook, and Brooks Bouwkamp. Do come and see their outstanding work. The show will run from January 18 through February 3.

I really want to see this become an annual show, and will work toward that. This first year, we will award first, second, and third place awards, and I promise to push for good cash awards next year! Next year we hope to spread the word about this show to Indiana and Illinois, as well as the rest of Michigan well ahead of time.

The Krasl Art Center is located just 35 minutes from Niles, Michigan, and probably about 45 minutes from South Bend, Indiana. And it is certainly worth the trip up to Lake Michigan no matter what time of year. The sights are spectacular. You can find directions on our site at www.krasl.org.

The Holidays: Are they Really Over?

It is hard to believe that the holidays are almost over. If you celebrate for a few more days yet before you take down the tree, then I hope being back to work doesn't cramp your style!

Exciting things are happening at the Krasl Art Center. The 'Toon exhibit is being taken down and crated and we are preparing to receive work for the Krasl Members' Show underwritten by our own Krasl member Carolyn Dorgelo. Thanks, Carolyn! Between Jan 6-11, we will be greeting members, filling out forms, and readying the pieces for jurying.

The opening reception is Friday, January 18 at 5:30 pm. At 5:45 pm there will be a short Art Talk by Jacqueline Welsh & William Tourtillotte, co-jurors and curators of the show. You won't want to miss this discussion of the artwork included in the KAC member exhibition. Free and open to the public, as usual. It will be a nice break from the cold weather and snow we've had in St. Joseph to get together for a little wine and cheese (Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Panera Bread, and music provided by Dorothy Trachte.) and some good music on a Friday night.

Hope to see you there!

Kathee