Hull-House Artists In Chicago and Beyond Exhibition
2025-08-02 08:00 - 2025-09-28 17:00 (America/Detroit)
You may have noticed a sign for the Jane Addams Research Center next to the deep red exterior of a two-storey building along Main Street in St. Joseph. This quiet organization was founded by scholars Michael R. Hill and his late life-partner Mary Jo Deegan. Its focus on the historic sociologist, settlement leader, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jane Addams and her influential network of male and female colleagues has taken many forms, including an expansive collection of artworks resulting from the expertise, training, and inspiration of the art school at the Hull-House social settlement in Chicago (Hull commemorates the name of the home’s original owner).
The Hull-House Art School, established by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, with Enella Benedict as its first director, provided classes and studio space for youngsters and adults alike from 1893 onward to the 1960s. It was an important, but underappreciated, cultural phenomenon in Chicago. In this exhibition, artworks range from functional to fine art and include commemorative medallions, artist-illustrated books and calendars, novels, jewelry, metalwork, fabrics, ceramics, prints, maps, drawings, and paintings. These works — from the late eighteenth to the mid-twentieth century — represent the deep impact contributed by a community art center and highlight the affiliated artists who made them. While some are little known, several artists in the exhibition are prominent in Chicago collections (including the Art Institute of Chicago) and are found in museums, homes, and other repositories throughout the United States.
Michael R. Hill has curated the exhibit and is preparing an exhibition catalog. Dr. Hill has served as a docent at the Krasl Art Center and is an astute interdisciplinary scholar who is ever learning and engaging with the arts of Chicago and Southwest Michigan.

Coffee with the Curator
2025-08-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd, St. Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
Grab a coffee at Krasl and come learn all about the new exhibition on view, Hull-House Artists in Chicago and Beyond. Chief Curator Tami Fauver will discuss the pieces and dive deeper into the installation from 12-1pm.

FAMILY DAY at Krasl Art Center | Pet Portraits!
2025-08-09 11:00 - 12:30
Saturday, August 9th, 11 am – 12:30 pm
Free & Open to All Ages
Join Miss Jessica on Saturday, June 14th from 11 – 12:30pm at the Krasl Art Center
Create a pet portrait inspired by your beloved cat (or doggies too)! All ages welcome—drop in and have fun!
On the second Saturday of every month, Krasl Art Center has free artmaking activities for the whole family!

Projects have included DIY Bubble Wands, Rock Painting, Ski Slope Racing, and much more! See what we have planned this month at krasl.org/events/featured-events/

Come down to 707 Lake Boulevard from 11 am – 12:30 pm and create something special.
