Fall color tours begin to turn into destination attractions as trees and bushes hit their stride with peak colors soon, but the already colorful New Territory Arts Association is putting a fun twist on the fall color touring season with their Fall Harvest Art Hop in the renowned Benton Harbor Arts District this Friday.
Family members of all ages can enjoy that fun twist when they attend the Fall Harvest Art Hop on Friday, October 21st in the Arts District of downtown Benton Harbor. Hosted by The New Territory Arts Association (NTAA), this rain-or-shine event from 5 to 9pm features more than a dozen colorful venues to take in art, music, dance, children’s activities, wine, beer, food and more.
Participating sites in the Fall Harvest Art Hop on Friday include:
- 3 Pillars Music at198 Water Street. This store features one of the area’s best selections of musical instruments, amps, turntables and thousands of classic rock CDs and vinyl LPs, 45s and 78s. All evening it will offer special prices, sips and bites.
- 6 Degrees Resale Store at 205 W. Main Street. They will host their first sidewalk sale and community block party starting at 5pm. Teaming up with their neighbors from Ravitron and Emergency Shelter Services, 6 Degrees will help kick off the United Way of Southwest Michigan campaign. Family activities will include a chili cook-off, bounce house, live music, karaoke, walking tacos and great deals on merchandise (the store will round up all sales to the nearest dollar and donate the extra change to United Way). A suggested donation of $3 at the door will also benefit the campaign.
- ARS Gallery, Arts & Culture Center at 147 Fifth Street. Art Hoppers are invited to a book signing by John Wilson, the renaissance man behind the world-renowned Chicago Art Exposition. Art enthusiasts can also see the gallery’s recently opened “Welcome to Hundoland” art exhibit featuring Brooklyn, N.Y. artist FUDD. The mixed-media work tells the story of a gritty group of Brooklyn teens as they stumble through the misadventures of first loves, heartaches and life’s ever-changing moments.
- Benton Harbor Public Library at 213 E. Wall Street. They will host an opening reception for local abstract artists Ashley Kalin and Sydney Ziemke and offer an opportunity to view their pieces. Visitors are encouraged to support the library’s “Take a Seat” campaign to raise $10,500 needed to replace 100, worn-out, 48-year-old plastic chairs. The evening’s refreshments will be provided by Benton Harbor’s Phoenix Rising and St. Joseph’s Biggby Coffee.
- North Pier Brewing Company at 670 N. Shore Drive. It’s the first time for this new micro-brewery to be on the Art Hop tour. They will pour from their list of hand-crafted beers and Belgian-inspired and yeast-forward ales until 11 p.m.
- OutCenter at 132 Water Street. This community resource center will feature artwork by Kristin Abhalter and Ruby Thorkelson in an exhibition curated by Siobhan Leonard. OutCenter board members and friends will be on hand to talk over snacks and beverages about services and upcoming events.
- Pair Studio at 74 Wall Street. Artists Laura Boyce and Cara Garnett will open their studio to show work in progress.
- Phoenix Rising Café and Coffee Shop at 124 Water Street. This popular lunch destination is extending its hours for Art Hoppers. Over a dinner of fresh-made soups, salads and sandwiches or fresh-brewed coffee, visitors can see the work of three photographers and their interpretations of the inner mysteries of Benton Harbor’s iconic building, Mary’s Fireproof Hotel.
- The Citadel Dance Center at 91 Hinkley Street. All ages will enjoy stopping in to watch dancers rehearse their upcoming performance of “The Steamed Nutcracker” from 5 to 8pm.
- The Citadel Music Center at 204 Water Street. Visitors can tour the studios, hear live performances by students, and enjoy small bites and sips.
- The Collective Yoga Studio at 226 Territorial Road. This site will feature the artwork of Gustavo Lamas. He describes his work at GOOSEarte Urban Mixed Media. The studio will offer guests complimentary fall treats as well as hot cider, juice, smoothies and coffee for sale in their café. Visitors at 7pm and 8pm can also watch live aerial yoga demonstrations.
- The Livery at 190 Fifth Street. They will serve hand-forged micro-brews and locally sourced foods until 11pm. Music enthusiasts are encouraged to come early to hear Georgian Brooks Williams, one of America’s “Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists,” perform his blues, country and touch of Americana at 9pm. Doors open at 8:30pm; tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
- The Oak Room at The Citadel, 91 Hinkley Street. This public and private event site will celebrate its fifth anniversary by showcasing posters and photos from the historic building’s recent happenings and past.
- The Sweet Bar by Mason Jar at 138 Water Street. This is a popular treat destination for the entire family. In addition to enjoying its artisan gelato and sorbetto, visitors can view functional ceramics and wearable knitted fiber by Jordan Adams, painted peg dolls plus mini-bird paintings by Lucy Alexander (age 11) and Olive Alexander (age 8) who will donate 20% of their mini-bird painting sales to Saugatuck Coastal Dune Alliance; mixed media jewelry by Lynne Clayton; and autumn still life oil paintings by Scott Elliott.
- Wall Street Studio at 76 W. Wall Street. This site also will display paintings by Scott Elliott.
- Water Street Glassworks at 140 Water St. They will host their Annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch and Fall in Love with Glass Exhibit featuring local artists’ seasonal inspirations. Visitors will enjoy picking a one-of-a-kind blown-glass pumpkin or glass art to start or add to their fall décor collections. Each piece is made on site and sales help support Water Street Glassworks. Throughout the evening, students from the Fired Up! program will demonstrate their talents.
Other Art Hop stops include Artists at 210 Water Street.; Dwellers Coworking at 140 Fifth Street.; Murphee’s Boutique at 82 W. Main Street.; The Inn at Harbor Shores at 800 Whitwam Drive in St. Joseph; Third Coast Paddling at 241 E. Main Street.; Thayer Inc. at 225 Fifth Street.; The Hawk’s Nest at 165 E. Main Street. and Top Hat Collectibles at 220 Water Street.
For updates on the Fall Harvest Art Hop or information about upcoming events, contact: info@newterritoryarts.org or follow New Territory Arts Association on Facebook.
The New Territory Arts Association is a 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to the revitalization of Benton Harbor through the arts. Founded in 1998, it has been responsible for many Benton Harbor Arts District events and arts-related community programming.
