FAQ’s – KRASL ART FAIR

2023 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff Frequently Asked Questions

 

When is the 2023 Art Fair?
Saturday, July 8 from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, July 9 from 10 am to 5 pm.

When is the 2023 Block Party?
Friday, July 7 from 5 to 10 pm.

  • Guests ages 13+: $5
  • Under 12: FREE; registration required.
  • Krasl members receive complimentary tickets to the Block Party as thanks for their continued support.

 

What is admission?

  • General Admission, Guests ages 13+: $5 
  • Free Admission: Guests 12 and Under; ticket required please register at kraslartcenter.ticketspice.com/23-kaf-tickets  
  • Note: free admission wristbands available upon request. 
  • Collectors’ Experience packages start at $130 ($65 for existing KAC members). The packages come with an all-weekend access pass plus special benefits. Limited availability.

In 2020, for the first time, we canceled the event. In 2021, we re-opened the fair. At that time we gated and charged admission for the first time. We learned that a gated event improved traffic flow for guests and the community. Admission to the fair supports access to the arts year-round – supporting exhibitions, programs, and scholarships. The fair has always supported this work and we are thankful for its consistency throughout its long history, with admissions still supporting this legacy.

Can I bring my pet to any of the events?
No. For the safety of all guests and artwork, pets are prohibited in Lake Bluff Park and at the Block Party. Service animals are always welcome.

How many artists are there?
172 from across the nation. They apply to the event from October – January and are juried into the event in February.

Is Krasl Art Center open during the art fair?
Yes. Krasl Art Center will remain free and open to the public during Art Fair weekend, and have additional artists, artmaking, and partners on the grounds.

Can I take photos at the art fair?
While photography is permitted, artists do have the right to request no photographs be taken of their artwork without expressed consent. All media will wear a badge while attending the event.

Will there be a shuttle?
The 2023 Krasl Art Fair will not offer shuttles. You can see a map of parking options in the city here.

Will there be food trucks?
Yes. In addition to the St. Joe Farmers Market on Broad Street, Lost Coast Shaved Ice, Don Chepe Taqueria, Pig Out on the Fly, Bens Pretzels, Nola Roux, Woodstock Grill, and Crazy Good Crepes are on Elm Street and at Krasl.

When does Lake Boulevard close/open again?
Lake Boulevard closed Friday, July 7 at 6 am and will re-open on Sunday, July 9 at 9 pm.

When was the first art fair?
The annual event predates Krasl Art Center. 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. It was immediately popular – attracting 3 – 5,000 attendees the first year. It expanded to include artists from lacrosse the nation, most of who make their living doing art fairs year-round. They come with elaborate tent displays and take credit card payments. Yet, at the heart, they are still creative, skilled individuals handcrafting an artwork for the public.