Premier Sponsors Supporting Sponsors Contributing Sponsors 40 <strong>•</strong> KRASL ART FAIR <strong>•</strong> 50th Anniversary
FROM THE kRasl aRT FaiR DiRECTOR Welcome to the <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair on the Bluff’s 50th anniversary of “Bringing People and <strong>Art</strong> Together.” Known as the “crown jewel event of southwest Michigan,” this year’s art fair features many special events, including a commemorative sculpture on the <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>Center</strong> grounds, a Friday Night Kickoff Party, an on-site mural installation during the art fair, plus this all-new Visitor’s Guide, which includes a representative photo from each of our participating artists and a color-coded, fold-out map inside the back cover. We strive to be one of the artists’ favorite shows. This year we attracted a record 861 applications to fill the 150 available spaces. The <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair on the Bluff is rated among the nation’s best, ranked # 25 of the Top 200 in Sunshine <strong>Art</strong>ists magazine. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an art collector, art awaits you! Even children can find something, with art priced at $<strong>10</strong> and under (look for the orange flags in participating artists’ booths). I want to thank this wonderful community for supporting the <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair on the Bluff for 50 years. Special thanks to our artists, volunteers, attendees and sponsors who make the art fair successful each year. Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes to this year’s title sponsor, Schu’s Grill & Bar. Sara Shambarger <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair Director FROM THE kRasl aRT CEnTER ExECuTivE DiRECTOR When a dozen individuals conceived of an exhibition of regional artists’ work along Lake Bluff Park in 1962, they couldn’t have anticipated the impact they would have. Since then, the <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair on the Bluff has grown from a one-day fair with 3,000 visitors to a nationally recognized, two-day event with more than 70,000 visitors. Those first artists left a legacy in Southwest Michigan. Our communities continue to benefit from the ideas, inspiration and innovation of a culturally rich community with thriving artists. This year, our 50th anniversary celebration wouldn’t have been possible without a group of dedicated volunteers who began work a year ago to put together this year’s dynamic events. Thank you to my predecessors, Donna Metz and Dar Davis, for supporting the fair’s growth. Also to Dar Davis, Executive Director, 1981-2005, for seeing the potential of the art fair and for recently serving as Chairman of the 50th <strong>Art</strong> Fair Committee. And above all to Sara Shambarger, <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair Director, for being the fair’s visionary for the past 13 years. Her leadership continues to advance this distinguished event. Enjoy the celebration this weekend and the <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>Center</strong> in the months to come. Julia Gourley <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>Center</strong> Executive Director For 50 years you’ve drawn thousands to our shore. Thank you! The fun starts here. swmichigan.org/artfair 269-925-6301 The <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair is, and always will be, a signature reason to visit Southwestern Michigan. SOUTHWE<strong>ST</strong>ERN <strong>MI</strong>CHIGAN TOURI<strong>ST</strong> COUNCIL SM<strong>10</strong>485 <strong>Krasl</strong> <strong>Art</strong> Fair ad.indd 1 5/12/11 9:51 AM 2 <strong>•</strong> KRASL ART FAIR <strong>•</strong> 50th Anniversary July 9 & <strong>10</strong>, <strong>2011</strong> <strong>•</strong> St. Joseph, Michigan <strong>•</strong> 3