MAY 6, 2021, ST. JOSEPH, MICH. - Explore nature and the arts at Krasl Art Center (KAC)! Multiple studios are ready to welcome students back in-person to art camps and classes after a year-long hiatus. Become part of southwest Michigan’s artmaking community with an introductory outdoor class, or learn skills during indoor studio classes. Summer education programs run at reduced capacity June through August and include:
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12, week-long, morning youth camps (ages 5 -7 & 8 - 12)
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6, 8-week youth classes (ages 5 - 12)
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11, multi-week teen/adult classes (ages 13+)
Experienced clay artists are also invited to apply for KAC’s Clay Artist Guild. Visit krasl.org for class information and to register before June 14 and explore the arts this summer!
In March 2020, KAC moved from in-person classes to an online platform for most educational programs. This summer, KAC offers indoor studio classes (4-students max) and new outdoor classes (6-students max), all created with safety in mind.
The new outdoor studio is part of KAC’s East Garden, dedicated in memory of Lupe Hopp. The site is dedicated to interactive sculpture. This year, KAC combined the creativity and interaction of East Garden artist installations with the pragmatic need for an outdoor summer studio. Prismatic Hope, by local artist Andy Sawyer, is the colorful result. This installation is sponsored by Horizon Bank and the Daniel F. Hopp Family.
Sawyer’s design includes six student and one instructor work stations - all colorfully delineated, spaced, and shielded to allow for safe artmaking. It includes a series of six connected and waterproof sail awnings, each a different color (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet). Beneath each awning is a student workspace with a convertible workbench painted to match the sail. Each individual workspace is shielded from neighboring workspaces by a white sail with a clear strip down the middle. Instructors will teach from the center of the structure under a large, white awning.
All students will be required to wear face masks while on site. There will be no classes July 5 - 9.
YOUTH CAMPS
Taught in KAC’s studios and from Prismatic Hope, KAC offers 12 youth camps this summer. All camps run Monday - Friday and cost $160 ($150 for KAC Members). Camps are designed for students ages 5 - 7 and 8 - 12. Several camps are listed below, See the full list and register at krasl.org/education/youth/camps/
YC.57.A: SUNNY SURREALISM (OUTDOORS)
5 – 7 YRS, JUNE 21-25 (M-F), 9:15 AM-12:15 PM
Taking inspiration from Rene Magritte and other Surrealist artists, campers will create dream-like drawings and paintings that boggle the mind! Artist Dani Davis will introduce the history of Surrealism and lead art projects that embrace the mysteries of the subconscious.
YC.812.A: MONUMENTAL CARTOONS (INDOORS)
8-12 YRS, JUNE 21-25 (M-F), 9 AM-12 PM
Taking inspiration from Lizabeth Rossof’s inflatable sculpture, 5 XI’AN AMERICANWARRIORS, on view in KAC Galleries during BLOW UP II, campers will transform cartoon characters into large-scale, monumental sculptures! Instructor Keith Stevens will help students bring cartoons off the page and into the real world using cardboard, paint, and mixed media.
YC.57.E: ART THAT FLIES (OUTDOORS)
5-7 YRS, JULY 26-30 (M-F), 9:15 AM-12:15 PM
Design, build, and decorate your own kites, flying saucers and zipline sculptures with instructor Keith Stevens! Art mixes with science as campers find creative ways to use wind and gravity to their advantage.
YOUTH CLASSES
For students (and guardians) searching for longer summertime artmaking programs, KAC offers five, 8-week classes and one single-day workshop for students age 5 - 12. Browse more classes and register at krasl.org/education/youth/classes/.
Y.812.A2: POP GOES THE CARD! (OUTDOORS)
8-12 YRS, (1) FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1-3 PM
TUITION: $35 ($25 FOR KAC MEMBERS)
Kick off the summer by designing and creating your very own pop-Up Greeting Card! Artist Jeff Heaton will teach folding techniques that transform colorful cardstock and assorted papers into art the bursts forward! Make your card as a gift for someone you love or to enjoy for yourself!
Y.57.B: DRAWING & PAINTING ANIMALS (OUTDOORS)
5-7 YRS, (8) THURSDAYS, 1:15 – 3:15 PM
JUNE 24-AUGUST 19 (NO CLASS JULY 8)
TUITION: $185 ($175 FOR KAC MEMBERS)
What’s your favorite animal? Whether it’s a cuddly Koala or a scaly snake, artist and illustrator Amy Story will help you give it personality using texture, color, and line. Campers will experiment with different drawing and painting media and techniques.
TEEN/ADULT CLASSES
Students age 13+ are invited for artmaking classes, too! Whether you are an established artist looking for a new skill, or interested in forming a new hobby, KAC offers classes for students at multiple skill levels and at varying lengths, including one class for teens age 13 - 18. See them all and register at krasl.org/education/adult/classes/.
SPECIAL CLASS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SARETT NATURE CENTER:
A.D.1: NATURE JOURNALING 101 AT SARETT NATURE CENTER (OUTDOORS)
16+ YRS, (4) WEDNESDAYS, 6-8 PM. JUNE 2, 9, 23, 30 (NO CLASS JUNE 16)
*REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 26*
TUITION: $80 ($70 FOR KAC MEMBERS)
*REGISTER BY CALLING SARETT NATURE CENTER (269) 927-4832
**THIS CLASS MEETS AT SARETT NATURE CENTER, 2300 N BENTON CENTER RD, BENTON HARBOR
Observe and record the natural world as you take a walk with Krasl Teaching Artist David Baker and a Sarett Nature Center Naturalist! Working in graphite and watercolor, students will learn to render natural forms and textures and gain knowledge of our local landscape.
ON-SITE CLASSES
A.P.3: INTRODUCTION TO OIL PAINTING (OUTDOORS)
(8) THURSDAYS, 6:15-8:45 PM. JUNE 24-AUGUST 19 (NO CLASS JULY 8)
TUITION: $185 ($175 FOR KAC MEMBERS)
Structured to accommodate beginning and intermediate oil painters, this class explores oil painting techniques associated with historical art movements. Artist Lea Bult will provide group demonstrations and individual instruction on topics including underpainting, layering, still life and landscape techniques.
Y.1318.A: TEEN PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT (INDOORS)
13-18 YRS, (8) TUESDAYS, 1:30-3:30 PM
JUNE 23-AUGUST 24 (NO CLASS JULY 6 & JULY 20)
TUITION: $160 ($150 FOR KAC MEMBERS)
Artist Lea Bult will work with young artists on an individual basis to express their ideas and develop technical drawing and painting skills. Students will give each other constructive feedback as they develop distinctive styles and complete works to add to their high school portfolios.
A.C.3 (A.B. & C): FLOWER POT RAKU FIRING (OUTDOORS*, MAX 5 STUDENTS PER SESSION)
SATURDAY, JULY 17
TUITION: $35 ($25 FOR KAC MEMBERS). PRE-MADE FLOWER POTS: $5 EACH
- SHIFT A: 10 AM-12 PM (5 STUDENTS MAX)
- SHIFT B: 12-2 PM (5 STUDENTS MAX)
- SHIFT C: 2-4 PM (5 STUDENTS MAX)
Artist Jon Hook will teach beginning students how to glaze pre-made flower pots (up to 3 per student) and assist with the exciting process of raku firing! This process includes loading the kiln, increasing the temperature slowly to melt the glaze, removing pots from the kiln and placing them in metal cans with wood shavings and dried leaves to create amazing colors and textures. Students will leave with 1-3 finished flower pots and a great collaborative experience!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Krasl Art Center strives to make high-quality art experiences accessible to all members of the community. Student Scholarships are critical to fulfilling KAC’s mission, to "Inspire meaningful change and strengthen community through the visual arts."
With increased support from individual donors, KAC is thrilled to announce that up to $3,500 in scholarship funds are now available for youth and adult students. Scholarships may be applied to tuition, material fees, and transportation for all KAC youth camps, youth classes, and adult classes. Priority is given to students whose families have the greatest financial need.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY:
- Anonymous Donor Advised Fund ($1,500 for Benton Harbor youth students)
- Dorothy and Paul Cayo in memory of Sarah E. Cayo ($1,000 for youth experiencing medical stress)
- Krasl Art Center (up to $1,000 for transportation and tuition)
APPLY FOR A STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP:
Scholarship applications may be completed online at krasl.org/education/scholarships/ or in-person Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday 11 AM - 5 PM at 707 Lake Blvd. St. Joseph, MI 49085.
CLAY ARTIST GUILD
Experienced ceramic artists are encouraged to apply for membership to KAC’s Clay Artist Guild. Guild Program provides experienced ceramicists with independent access to the KAC ceramics studio. Members are invited to participate in a number of KAC events and programs throughout the year. KAC believes the cooperative interaction of people in the studio is a rich source of artistic development carried out in a mutually supportive environment, and is able to offer multiple options for guild membership this year.
Curbside Guild Membership
$25/month
Curbside Guild Membership includes cone 04 bisque and cone 6 glaze firings. Members may drop off/pick up art to be fired on Mondays, 11 AM - 1 PM and 4 - 6 PM.
In-Studio Membership
$50/month
In-Studio Guild Membership includes cone 04 bisque and cone 6 glaze firings, house-made glazes, and independent use of the ceramic and glazing studios during open hours. Wheels, slab-roller, and other hand tools are available.
Open Studio Hours:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 11 AM - 5 PM
Scheduling:
In-Studio Guild members must reserve a space and time at least 24 hours prior to working in the studio. A maximum of 8 (6 in main studio/2 in glazing) guild members may work in the studios at the same time.
