Reflection on 2023

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Krasl Community -

2023 has been a robust and exciting year full of outstanding opportunities and experiences. I would like to take a minute to pause, reflect, and give thanks.

EXHIBITIONS

Krasl’s 2023 exhibitions began with artists Nathaniel Stern and Sasha Stiles exploring the future. Andy Sweet’s photographs captured a unique moment in American Jewish culture. Elizabeth Catlett took our breath away all summer long with iconic images of blackness. Artists Marat Pransky, Theda Sandiford and Mariana Norena pushed on topics and themes through exquisite artistry and conceptual practices.  This fall, Joe Baughman’s stop-motion animations paried with their sets delighted us. Today, the Community ⇄ Members’ Show highlights just how creative we are as a community. 

ART INSTALLATIONS

Outdoors, Joy Bradley’s sculpture, Symbiosis, literally drew people into its wings and artist Sam Kirk’s installation continues to celebrate the full rainbow of human existence.

STUDIO CLASSROOMS

Beyond experiencing art in the galleries, hundreds of students of all ages and abilities made art in Krasl’s studio classrooms this year. We literally made room by clearing the spaces and hosting a mighty yard sale, the Mish Mash Market, in May. This fall we celebrated classroom renovations as well as new artworks created by adult students at the Fall Finale. Presently, as the holidays are upon us, we are preparing for our winter break students to make projects in the studios again. 

ART FAIR

The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff attracted almost 23,000 visitors to explore the works of 175 artists from across the nation. This massive event supports the livelihoods of artists making one-of-a-kind artworks, and ensures that our community has year-round admission-free access to the arts in Krasl Art Center’s galleries.

FALL EVENT

This fall, Krasl celebrated ‘Gnomevember’ with a newly imagined fall event that was welcoming, whimsical, and raised funds  to support the programming of Krasl Art Center. 

COMMUNITY

Beyond our doors, Krasl continues to be a proud partner of the Unified Civic Monuments Project. This grassroots effort envisioned by the African American History and Literature Gallery has successfully brought multiple arts and culture organizations in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph together in the name of unity. 

Krasl is also proud of the art therapy services it offers through its Art Angels program. This program provides therapeutic arts experiences for medical patients at the Marie Yeager Cancer Center, Corewell Health Lakeland Pediatrics, Pine Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, as well as at monthly Art Play Workshops in partnership with Berrien County Cancer Service.

RICHARD HUNT

This summer we announced the generous gift by world-renowned artist Richard Hunt of his Benton Harbor Studio. This week, we grieved with you upon his passing. It was Hunt’s desire that the studio be an active, arts-based resource to Benton Harbor. Krasl Art Center is taking on this charge, as well as honoring the legacy and history of Hunt individually, and to this community.

PAST TO PRESENT

Krasl Art Center exists due to the beneficence of George Krasl and the love his wife Olga had of art. As we look ahead, we also look behind, ever grateful for their vision to create a center that would “make life  more worthwhile.”  Thank you to them, and thank you to you, for being a wonderful part of this creative community. Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead. We look forward to spending it with you!

Tami Fauver

Executive Director

Krasl Art Center