August 18, 2022. ST. JOSEPH, MICH — Krasl Art Center (KAC) welcomes two new exhibitions this September. 'Family Dinner: The Deep Connection of American Lived Experience' opens in the Main Gallery and 'FOOD for THOUGHT' in The Lounge on September 3, with an Afternoon of Art reception on Saturday, September 10. Both exhibitions are free and open to the public September 3 – November 13 and have multiple opportunities for the community to engage with the artwork on view.
'Family Dinner: The Deep Connection of American Lived Experience' illustrates the impact and history of domestic life in the United States with intimacy and immediacy.
The physical center and conceptual starting point for the exhibition is Justin Rothshank's 'The People's Dinnerware.' The installation of ceramic place settings commemorates each president of the United States in addition to critical and often under-represented figures from each presidential era. Similarly, Melissa Blount’s textile abecedarium (or ABC book), 'Black Girl Magic,' highlight historical and contemporary women little known or absolutely unknown in American culinary history.
Other explorations of the dinner table, domestic life, and current events by Tajh Rust and Katie Butler complete the exhibition.
In KAC’s Lounge, 'FOOD for THOUGHT' celebrates community while asking us to think critically about our relationship with food.
During the summer of 2021, the Southwest Michigan Local Food Council asked four artists to respond creatively to the personal food experiences of visitors at local farmers' markets. Attendees defined and expressed themselves through their experiences with food, and the artists incorporated the responses into a painting representing that community. The final art installation is a visual representation of the community voice through the lenses and imaginations of local artists.
The exhibitions open with an Afternoon of Art on Saturday, September 10 from 11 am – 3 pm:
11 am – 12:30 pm: FAMILY DAY
Glaze ceramic dinner plates inspired by the exhibition during this drop-in artmaking.
12:30 – 1:30 pm: EXHIBITION RECEPTION
Enjoy an all-ages storytime and white glove tour in the galleries and lite bites by Bistro on the Boulevard.
1:30 – 3 pm: PANEL DISCUSSION
Hear from 'Family Dinner' artist Melissa Blount and 'FOOD for THOUGHT' organizer Jennifer Tomshack.
Thank you 2022 KAC Exhibition Sponsors: Huntington Bank, Starks Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 98.3 The Coast, RW LaPine, Tyler Automotive, Silver Beach Pizza, Kruggel Lawton CPAs, Boulevard Inn & Bistro, and Art FX Signs.
ALL EXHIBITION PROGRAMS
LIVE AT LUNCHTIME:
BEHIND THE SCENES INSTALLING FAMILY DINNER
Thursday, September 1, 12 pm
FREE on Facebook Live
LIVE AT LUNCHTIME:
COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR
Thursday, September 8, 12 pm
FREE in person and on Facebook Live
FAMILY DINNER: AN AFTERNOON OF ART
Saturday, September 10, 11 am - 3 pm
FREE and open to the public
LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: JAYLEN LANIER
Thursday September 29, 12 pm
FREE on Facebook Live
