MISSION, VISION, & HISTORY

MISSION

Inspire meaningful change and strengthen community through the visual arts.

VISION

“Make life more worthwhile.” – Olga Krasl

HISTORY

How it All Started

In 1962, a handful of local artists held a clothesline art exhibition along Lake Bluff Park in St. Joseph, Michigan. Those artists went on to form the St. Joseph Art Association which, in 1979, through the beneficence of George & Olga Krasl, built Krasl Art Center as we know it today. 

KAC Today

Krasl Art Center provides southwest Michigan residents and visitors the opportunity to experience high-quality art exhibitions, installations, and events as well as art classes, camps, guest artist workshops, and outreach opportunities. Located in a 17,500-square-foot building, the center has public galleries, art-making studios, a black-and-white wet darkroom, a gift shop, and a permanent collection of 41+ sculptures.

The former clothesline art exhibition has now become the nationally ranked Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, a juried fine art/fine craft fair featuring 170 artists from U.S. and international locations. 

View KAC’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.

KAC is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, Washington D.C.

Learn about KAC’s nonprofit status through Guidestar.