Krasl Art Center

FAMILY DINNER & FOOD for THOUGHT EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING
2022-09-03 - 2022-11-13
Learn more about the work on view during special tours, artist talks, and virtual events. Some events require advance registration. To register, click the links below.

LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: COFFEE WITH THE CURATOR (HYBRID)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 12 PM
FREE in person and on Facebook Live

FAMILY DINNER: AN AFTERNOON OF ART
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 12:30 – 3 PM
FREE and open to the public

LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
THURSDAYS, SEPT. 15 – OCT. 6, 12 PM
FREE on Facebook Live

LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
2022-10-06 12:00 - 12:30 (America/Detroit)
THURSDAYS, 12 PM
FREE on Facebook Live
SEPTEMBER 15 – TBA
SEPTEMBER 22 – TBA
SEPTEMBER 29 – Jaylen C. Lanier
OCTOBER 6 – TBA
In summer 2021, the Southwest Michigan Local Food Council asked artists Jaylen C. Lanier, Ashley Tenter, Angela Valha, and Kimberly Wood to respond creatively to personal food experiences of visitors at local farmers markets. The resulting paintings are featured in a mini-exhibition, FOOD for THOUGHT, in The Lounge at KAC. Hear from each of the artists about their experiences, processes, and final artworks during Live at Lunchtime.
Live at Lunchtime is a weekly series over the lunch hour on Facebook Live during which artists and art workers share more about their work at KAC and in the community. Join us every Thursday at noon to hear something new.
Artwork: Angela Valha. Gather, 2021. Acrylic.

In The Lab: Albert LaVergne Exhibition Programs
2022-10-08 - 2023-01-29
Learn more about the work on view during special tours, artist talks, and virtual events. Some events require advance registration. To register, click the links below.
Hours and event details are subject to change. KAC references state health guidelines to make adjustments for the safety of our visitors. Find the most up-to-date hours, admission information, and safety policies under the Visit tab.

LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: ANDREW KLINE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 12 PM
FREE on Facebook Live

Live at Lunchtime is a virtual opportunity for artists and art workers to share more about their work at KAC and in the community. Watch for new videos monthly.
[Image description: Artist Albert LaVergne walks toward one of his large metal sculptures outside of his artist studio. The sculpture is made of metal rebar folded and welded together into a grid-like pattern forming an organic cylinder shape.]

October Family Day - Pumpkin Painting
2022-10-08 11:00 - 12:30
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

11 am - 12:30 pm
FREE & Open to All Ages

It’s time to get into the fall spirit! This Family Day we will be painting pie pumpkins to celebrate this autumnal season. This event will be outdoors, so dress according to the weather and also dress for mess!
Come back in the evening for our Flick-or-Treat event with the Coastline Children’s Film Festival (Final details and films TBA)

LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: ANDREW KLINE
2022-10-13 12:00 - 12:30
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 12 PM
FREE on Facebook Live

KAC chats with Andrew Kline, former student of Lab Artist Albert LaVergne, about what it was like to learn under LaVergne, how the artist impacted his own career, and LaVergne’s lasting legacy in Southwest Michigan.
Live at Lunchtime is a virtual opportunity for artists and art workers to share more about their work at KAC and in the community. Watch for new videos monthly.

OPEN LAB: ARTIST TALK WITH ANDREW KLINE
2022-10-27 18:00 - 19:00
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 6 – 7 PM
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Michigan-based artist Andrew Kline shares more about the life and work of his professor and mentor, Albert LaVergne, during this informal artist talk in The Lab at KAC.
Open Lab is a free in-person opportunity for the creative and curious to learn more about the art in The Lab, ask questions, and exchange ideas.

Sculpture by Albert LaVergne is on view in The Lab as well as outdoors at KAC through January 29.

2022 Fall Art Market
2022-11-05 10:00 - 15:00
Saturday, November 5 | 10 am – 3 pm
Kick off your holiday shopping at KAC during the Fall Art Market Clay Studio Fundraiser.
Find a new favorite handmade ceramic bowl created by KAC’s Clay Artist Guild, pick up a gift certificate to local restaurants, find unique gifts from participating local artists, and shop fall-themed glass from Water Street Glassworks in KAC’s Studios on Saturday, November 5, from 10 am – 3 pm. The 2022 Art Markets are sponsored by Sturgis Bank and AEP.
Learn more here!

November Family Day: Harvest Cornucopias
2022-11-12 11:00 - 12:30
Saturday, November 12, 2022
11 am - 12:30 pm
FREE & Open to All Ages

Create a miniature harvest-inspired world inside a mixed-media cornucopia to celebrate the end of the harvest season before snow flies for this Family Day at KAC.

COMMUNITY ⇄ MEMBERS: ANNUAL MEETING & EVENING OF ART
2022-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 6 - 8 PM
FREE and open to the public

The 2022 Community ⇄ Members’ Show opens with the annual meeting of the membership and a special lecture (open to all) by community leaders Emanuel & Sharon Brown, founders of the AFrican AMErican History & Literature Gallery. After the lecture, they’ll choose one exhibiting artist to receive the new Members’ Award. Celebrate the exhibition throughout the evening with music, cash bar, and lite bites.

6 PM: Annual Meeting of the Membership
6:15 PM: Guest Lecture by Emanuel & Sharon Brown
6:45 PM: Presentation of the Members’ Award
7:00 PM: Music and Mingling

ABOUT GUEST PRESENTERS EMANUEL & SHARON BROWN:
Emanuel (Mack) and Sharon Brown have been sharing their collection of African American literature, art, and historical objects with the community for over 10 years, but in 2018 they gave the collection an official home in the AFrican AMErican History and Literature Gallery at 725 Broadway in Benton Harbor. Their commitment to art and culture as both a catalyst for change and community unifier has led to multiple arts-based projects in both Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.

ABOUT THE MEMBERS’ AWARD
New this year, the Members’ Award is a special juried prize awarded to one outstanding Member Artist selected by our community presenters. The winner will receive resources to benefit their art career up to $500 value. All participating artists who are also Krasl Art Center members at the time of the exhibition are eligible to participate.

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
Krasl Art Center’s annual meeting is free and open to the public. The brief convening of KAC’s membership is also an opportunity to hear from arts and culture leaders about topics related to the organization’s mission. New board officers are announced and plans for the year ahead are shared that further the organization’s mission.

COMMUNITY ⇄ MEMBERS SHOW: EXHIBITION PROGRAMS
2022-11-19 - 2023-01-08
Learn more about the work on view during special tours, artist talks, and virtual events. Some events require advance registration. To register, click the links below.

COMMUNITY ⇄ MEMBERS:
ANNUAL MEETING & EVENING OF ART
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 6 – 8 PM
FREE and open to the public

PIZZA WITH THE ARTISTS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 6 PM
Pre-Registered Event; $10 per person
FREE to exhibiting artists

LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: MEMBERS’ AWARD WINNER
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 12 PM
FREE on Facebook Live

PIZZA WITH THE ARTISTS
2022-12-01 18:00 - 19:00
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 6 PM
Pre-Registered Event; $10 per person
FREE to exhibiting artists

For one time only, two time-honored KAC events are colliding with a pizza party. Coffee with the Curator and Soapbox Talks will be held in tandem to celebrate the new Community ⇄ Members’ Show. Enjoy a curator-facilitated tour with round-robin presentations from participating artists. After the tour, we’ll continue artist Q&A with pizza in the lobby. All exhibiting artists are invited to present, and all visitors are encouraged to attend. Advance registration is required. Click here to register.

Image: Deputy Director and Curator Tami Fauver leads a tour in KAC’s Galleries.

Hot Cocoa during Light up the Bluff
2022-12-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
Stop by on Friday, December 2nd, from 6‐8 pm as we celebrate the annual Light up the Bluff!
The Lighting Ceremony starts at 6:30 pm, but 1st Source Bank employees will be outside KAC with free Forté hot cocoa and coffee before and after the festivities.
Our lobby, shop, and restrooms will also be open to the public.

LIVE AT LUNCHTIME: MEMBERS’ AWARD WINNER
2022-12-08 12:00 - 12:30
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 12 PM
FREE on Facebook Live

On November 18, community leaders Emanuel and Sharon Brown are selecting one KAC Member Artist from the 2022 Community ⇄ Members’ Show to receive a new award for their work. The winner receives resources to benefit their art career and joins KAC for Live at Lunchtime to share more about their approach to art and community.
Live at Lunchtime is a virtual opportunity for artists and art workers to share more about their work at KAC and in the community. Watch for new videos each month.
Image: Artist Grace Kelmer during a Live at Lunchtime conversation for the 2020 Members’ Show.

December Family Day: Ski Slope Racing
2022-12-10 11:00 - 12:30 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
Saturday, December 10, 2022
11 am - 12:30 pm
FREE & Open to All Ages

Create your own snowboarder out of popsicle sticks, paper, and mixed media to race down the giant icy ski slope from the 2nd floor to the KAC lobby! Toboggans, skis and sliding penguins are also eligible for racing.

JANUARY FAMILY NIGHT AT THE BENTON HARBOR PUBLIC LIBRARY - MINI LANDSCAPES
2023-01-11 17:00 - 18:30 | Benton Harbor Public Library
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11
5 – 6:30 pm
KAC is excited to continue partnering with the Benton Harbor Public Library to present free and fun art activities for families.
Channel your inner Bob Ross and join us to be inspired by your favorite environment and paint miniature landscapes on canvas.

JANUARY FAMILY DAY: STAR SUNCATCHERS
2023-01-14 11:00 - 12:30 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
11 am – 12:30 pm
FREE & open to the public

KAC is excited to bring you another year of free and fun art activities for families at the Krasl Art Center.
Learn how to fold colorful, translucent papers into a star suncatcher! Display them in a window to capture the winter light and bring a little brightness into your home!

Registration Deadline: Winter ‘23 Classes
2023-01-16 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
Krasl Art Center has art classes to keep you inspired throughout the coldest months of the year. Winter 2023 classes and workshops begin on January 23 and run through mid-March (mid-April for youth classes)
Sign up early before all spots are filled! krasl.org/education
Offering youth classes for students ages 5 – 12, and teen/adult classes and workshops for students ages 13 – 113, you’re sure to find something wonderful.
Some featured classes include:

ART SAMPLER

5-7 YRS, INSTRUCTOR: KEITH STEVENS
TUITION: $275/$235 MEMBERS

SCULPTURE SAMPLER: METALWORKING, CLAY, & PAPER MACHE

8-12 YRS, INSTRUCTOR: SHERRIE STYX
TUITION: $275/$235 MEMBERS

INTRODUCCIÓN A LA CERÁMICA PARA HABLANTES DE ESPAÑOL (INTRODUCTION TO CERAMICS FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS)

13 + YRS, INSTRUCTOR: PAOLA GRACIDA
TUITION: $170/$150 MEMBERS, CLAY: $30 PER BAG

GO BIG OR GO HOME: LARGE-SCALE PAINTING

13-18 YRS, INSTRUCTOR: JESSICA HIGHTOWER
TUITION: $275/$235 MEMBERS

MOVIE MAGIC: CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

13 – 22 YRS, INSTRUCTOR: CODY WALLACE
TUITION: $275/$235 MEMBERS

DAYTIME CHARCOAL DRAWING

13+ YRS, INSTRUCTOR: DAVID BAKER
TUITION: $200/$180 MEMBERS, MATERIALS FEE: $15

COLORED PENCIL LANDSCAPES

13+ YRS, INSTRUCTOR: MIRANDA HEWARD
TUITION: $200/$180 MEMBERS, MATERIALS FEE: $35

Programs are held in one of seven indoor studios designed for drawing, painting, photography, video, sculpture, and jewelry-making.

EXHIBITION PREVIEW RECEPTION: THE WORLD AFTER US
2023-01-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 6 – 8 PM
FREE and open to the public
The first look at The World After Us in KAC’s galleries begins with an artist talk and walkabout by Nathaniel Stern. Meet the artist, tour the show with him, and learn more about the concept and process behind his work. Music, cash bar, and lite bites provided after the talk.

6 PM: Artist Talk with Nathaniel Stern in the Galleries
6:30 PM: Music & Mingling

Artwork: Installation detail photo of The World After Us.

In The Galleries: The World After Us
2023-01-28 - 2023-04-09
“What will digital media be, and do, after us? Can we plan and act toward new and different futures?” The World After Us is a solo exhibition by Nathaniel Stern that begins with questions like these. The resulting installations, sculptures, prints, and photographs use e-waste and plant life to explore the questions, and their possible answers, through a process of both scientific and artistic experimentation.
Explore the exhibition through upcoming programs:

EXHIBITION PREVIEW RECEPTION: THE WORLD AFTER US
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 6 – 8 PM
FREE and open to the public

WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST NATHANIEL STERN
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 10 AM – 12 PM
Pre-registered Event; free

ARTISTS IN DIALOGUE: NATHANIEL STERN & SASHA STILES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 10 AM – 12 PM
Pre-registered Event; free

WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST NATHANIEL STERN
2023-01-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 10 AM – 12 PM
Pre-registered Event; free
Reconsider the life cycle of objects while using e-waste as planters. Artist Nathaniel Stern “roots trees in laptops, grows molds and fungi in and around tablets, injects watches, phones, and cameras with spores and microscopic life – then lets each flower, flourish, incubate, and spread.” Inspired by Stern’s exhibition, and led by the artist himself, participants will dissect old electronics to repurpose them as containers for houseplants. Materials included. Participants are welcome to bring their own e-waste but are not guaranteed it will be used for the project.
Artwork: Artist Nathaniel Stern is pictured with The Wall After Us (2020 and ongoing.)

February Family Night - Freedom
2023-02-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Benton Harbor Public Library
Wednesday, February 8, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Free & Open to All Ages at the Benton Harbor Public Library
Enslaved people of African descent used secret messages encoded into songs and sewn into quilts to safely traverse the Underground Railroad Network. Learn about the history of the designs used in these quilt squares by freedom seekers. We will make squares like Crossroads, Shoofly, and North Star by utilizing paper cutting and collage techniques.

FEBRUARY FAMILY DAY: TECHNO AESTHETIC FUTURES: UPCYCLED/DISCARDED LIVING SCULPTURES
2023-02-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
Saturday, February 11, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
FREE & Open to All Ages
Inspired by the works of Nathaniel Stern, we will combine scientific experimentation with artistic exploration by taking what would otherwise be considered unnecessary waste, and turning it into living sculptures.

Join us every second Saturday from 11 am – 12:30 pm for free and fun art activities for families at Krasl Art Center.

OPEN LAB WITH ARTIST SASHA STILES
2023-02-17 18:00 - 20:00
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 6 - 8 PM
FREE and open to the public

The first look at the new installation in The Lab begins with an artist talk, live poetry reading, and book signing with Sasha Stiles.
Open Lab is a free in-person opportunity for the creative and curious to learn more about the art on view, ask questions, and exchange ideas. Copies of Stiles’s Technelegy will be available onsite for purchase.
Images:
Header: Headshot of Sasha Stiles, provided by the artist.
First Image: Sasha Stiles. Cursive Binary: motherboard begets brainchild, 2020. Digital print, ink on paper.

IN THE LAB: SASHA STILES
2023-02-18 - 2023-04-16
Sasha Stiles is a poet, artist, and AI (Artificial Intelligence) researcher. Her traditional verse, collaborative AI poetry, and artwork based in binary code consider a post-human reality at the intersection of art and science. For Stiles, technology and language are closely intertwined. She considers poetry a “data storage system” that helps us express and remember ideas.
There are opportunities to engage with the artist while on-view:
OPEN LAB WITH ARTIST SASHA STILES
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 6 – 8 PM
FREE and open to the public

ARTISTS IN DIALOGUE: NATHANIEL STERN & SASHA STILES
FEBRUARY 18, 10 AM – 12 PM
Pre-registered Event; free
Image: Cursive Binary (detail) by Sasha Stiles.

ARTISTS IN DIALOGUE: NATHANIEL STERN & SASHA STILES
2023-02-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 10 AM - 12 PM

Pre-registered Event; free
Artists Nathaniel Stern and Sasha Stiles both consider a posthuman world as part of their artistic process. From fossilized e-waste to AI collaborations, cell phone planters to artworks based in binary code, their explorations are critical yet optimistic, imaginative and forward-thinking while still being connected to past and present technologies.
Join them in an in-depth dialogue about why they work the way they do, the intersections between their art, and upcoming collaborations. Stern will be offering a free “air drop” of one of his NFTs related to his concurrent exhibition, The World After Us, for anyone who comes to this event and has (or signs up for) a Tezos crypto wallet (the artist recommends Kukai, but any one will do).
Photo: Artists Sasha Stiles (left) and Nathaniel Stern (right) with fellow artist Sarah Ridgley (middle) at Art Basel Miami, December 2022.

Coastline Children's Film Festival - Kid Flicks Two
2023-03-04 14:30 - 15:45 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
KID FLICKS TWO (Runtime: 68 min.)
Deep and daring films for ages 8-13
In English or with English subtitles
Kid Flicks Two is full of journeys big and small, from a young artist’s river-bound trek to school and a passerby’s neighborhood stroll to the search for a loving home and or the path to understanding between friends.
Still from
FRANK & EMMET
United States, Live Action,
Carlos F. Puertolas, 2021, 12 min.
In English
Frank and Emmet are two life-long friends and show business partners who, after weeks of drifting apart, sit together to address head-on the one thing they’ve never talked about: one of them is a puppet.

CCFF March 3-12
10 days of films all for free, courtesy of a sports betting texas charity.
Popcorn too!
Presented in partnership with the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

RESCHEDULED - Opening Night Costume Party - Coastline Children's Film Festival
2023-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
RESCHEDULE DOF RMONDAY, MARCH 6
6 – 8 pm
FREE & open to the public

Calling all party animals! The film festival kicks off FRIDAY MARCH 3 with an OPENING NIGHT COSTUME PARTY at the Krasl Art Center. Come as your favorite animated character and you could win a prize for the most creative costume. Festivities begin at 6:00 pm with popcorn, cupcakes and a music program featuring the First Grade Choir from South Elementary School (Watervliet) led by the amazing BRANDON MATTSON. KID FLICKS One, a selection of animated and live action shorts from the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), begins at 7:00 pm. Be ready to dance and partake in serious cupcake consumption.
Presented in partnership with the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

BATTERY DADDY
South Korea, Animation,
Jeon Seung-bae, 2021, 6 min.
In Korean with English subtitles
Everyone relies on attentive Battery Dad to keep things well-powered and smoothly-run, but when a field trip’s downpour hits, will he still have the power to keep his cool and save the day?

March Family Night at the Benton Harbor Public Library - Women's History Month
2023-03-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Benton Harbor Public Library
Wednesday, March 8, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Free & Open to All Ages at the Benton Harbor Public Library
Come explore mixed media collage art as we cut, paste, glue and paint! Our project is inspired by the book Tar Beach, written by the American painter, children’s book author, mixed media quilter, performance artist and activist, Faith Ringgold.

March Family Day: CCFF Mixed Media & Imagination
2023-03-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
Saturday, March 11, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
FREE & Open to All Ages
Inspired by the short film Star Bound by director Richard O’Connor (featured in Kid Flix One on view at KAC during the Opening Night Costume Party, rescheduled for Monday, March 6) Let’s explore outer space and imagine what would our ideal planet would look like.

CCFF FILM SCREENING - ALFONS JITTERBIT-Class Trip Chaos
2023-03-11 14:30 - 16:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
CCFF March 3-12
10 days of films and events for kids and their families, all for free.
Popcorn and water too!
Alfons Jitterbacke – Class Trip Chaos 2022 Germany subtitles 90 min 10+
In a last-minute dash across town, Alfons just barely manages to catch the bus for his class trip to the Baltic Sea. In his luggage: lots of adventures, funny pranks and … disaster – his mother’s clothes?! Alfons can’t believe he accidentally mixed up the suitcases, just when he was planning on showing his new classmate Leonie how cool he is. In a desperate bid to impress her – and to the astonishment of his best friends Benni and Emilia – Alfons comes up with a bright idea: he will run for class president. Unfortunately, his arch-enemy Nico immediately realizes that Alfons is only doing it to impress Leonie and challenges him to a stupid bet. So, the fun continues and Alfons’ fate as an eternal jinx takes its usual course! To make matters worse, his teacher Herr Flickendorf is just waiting for something to go wrong so he can pounce and send Alfons home. Flying macaroni with tomato sauce, exciting nights around the campfire and a dangerous climbing tour turn the class trip into one that Alfons and his friends will never forget.
