St. Joseph Presents Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff

Lake Bluff Park , Downtown St. Joseph
The 50th Annual Krasl Art Fair, presented by Schu's Grill & Bar, is the host of one of the premier art fairs in the country. Music and entertainment will be provided all day long while you browse more than 200 artist vendors. For more information call 269-983-0271 or www.krasl.org.


Dates of event: Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, 2011, 10:00AM to
6:00PM on Saturday, and 10:00AM to 5:00PM on Sunday
St. Joseph, MI - The 50th Anniversary of the Art Fair on the Bluff will open with a “Townie Party” on Friday, July 8. The community is invited to attend. The Art Fair will be Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and July 10, 2011, in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan.
In 1962 a group of local artists met to plan and implement the first art fair. 90 artists and craftsman displayed their art, some hanging their paintings on a clothesline. The purpose of the art fair, which has not changed in 50 years, was to sell art. The Krasl Art Center wants to thank all of those pioneers of the art fair for their vision, perseverance, creative energy, and hard work. Because of their efforts, we have a valued tradition not only in Michigan, but around the country. The Krasl Art Fair is recognized as one of the top art fairs in the country and rated 25th in the nation in Sunshine Artist Magazine and 58th in Art Fair Sourcebook this year.
In celebration of the 50th year:
• We are proud to announce Schu’s Grill & Bar as our title sponsor. They will have a tent on Lake Blvd. serving lunch and dinner Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of art fair weekend complete with live entertainment in the evenings.
• The 50 years of Art on the Bluff exhibition at the Krasl Art Center. This special exhibition features art purchased from the Krasl Art Fair the past 49 years. The exhibition includes panels depicting the five decades of the Art Fair. A quilt created by the Berrien Town and Country Quilt Guild with scenes from St. Joseph is a part of this exhibition. The opening for this exhibition Friday, June 10 from 5:30-7:30PM is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Chemical Bank, the exhibition runs from June 10-July 31, 2011.
• Lecture “Original Art at Any Price” on Thursday, June 30, 7PM by Chicago artist Mimi Dramauer, who is an award winning Krasl Art Fair fiber artist. Mimi is a full time fiber artist whose work has been featured across the nation in galleries and art fairs as well as Crate and Barrel product lines. Join Mimi as she dispels myths about the costs and connoisseurship required for collecting and gives tips on how to start merging art into your home now.
• The Krasl Art Center celebrates the 50th Art Fair on the Bluff starting with the Friday Night Kick-Off Party July 8, 5-10PM. This “townie” party is a thank you to the community for supporting the Art Fair for the past 50 years. Entertainment includes: All God’s Children Choir, Doug’s Kids on Stage, Twin City Players, Johnny Edwards and Marcus Robinson (Motown Review), and the Last Mangoes. “Sneak peek” of art from this year’s artists will be on the Krasl Art Center patio. Tabor Hill Winery will be on site as will local food vendors. Krasl Kids Zone will offer free art activities for children from 5-8PM.
• A 50th Anniversary sculpture “Inside Out” was created by local artist, Matt Kasewurm, using Whirlpool Kitchen Aid parts. The sculpture commemorates Whirlpool’s 100 Anniversary in 2011. This sculpture is located on the Krasl Art Center grounds and will be on display through the end of 2011.
• New this year is the 40 page Visitors Guide featuring an image of each artist’s work, information about the Art Fair, as well as ads from local businesses. The guides will be available in Jun at St. Joe Today and Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council.
• “Us by Numbers” – Mural of the World. Community members are invited to join in to paint this installation during the Art Fair. Created by Doug Arnholter, this mural will be completed during the Art Fair and become a part of the Krasl Art Center collection. The painting station will be located in front of Curious Kid’s Museum on Lake Blvd.
• Smooth Jazz Concert, in partnership with 98.3 The Coast, featuring Richard Elliott on saxophone on Saturday, July 9, 7:30PM at the Shadowland Pavilion, Silver Beach, St. Joe.
• Musical Score debut – Sunday, July 10, 3:30 and 7:30PM, St. Joseph Municipal Band Shell, downtown St. Joe. Plan to attend the commissioned composition by Jerry Laky, “Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff 50th Celebration, Fanfare for Band.”
• Two shuttle busses are available for a $1 donation: One from Renaissance Business Center off M-63 North at Edgewater and the other from Kelly’s Bowl, off Business 94 and Cleveland Ave. Shuttles will run continuously with drop-off and pick-up at the corner of Broad and State Streets, downtown St. Joe. Art Fair volunteers wearing their gold T-shirts ride free.
• 50th Anniversary merchandise is available now in the Krasl Art Center gift shop and will be sold at three locations at the fair.
• Children may explore and create their own shapes, colors and textures at the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff Kids Zone. A donation of $2.00 is requested to help cover the cost of supplies.
• The food court offers a bistro environment set off from the street with umbrella tables and plenty of comfortable chairs. The food court stage features local musicians.
• A great way to receive a free gold Art Fair T-shirt is to volunteer. Call the Krasl Art Center: 983-0271
• We are also looking for individuals and or families to “host” artists for the weekend. All that is required is to give artists a clean, comfortable room. For further information, please call Krasl and ask for Elaine or Sara: 269-983-0271
• Pet Policy: Please leave your pets at home. City ordinance prohibits pets anywhere within the perimeter of the Art Fair for the duration of the weekend.
• Admission to the Art Fair is free of charge. The Krasl Art Center and the Art Fair is barrier free.