As the holiday season approaches, downtown St. Joseph is set to host a vibrant showcase of regional creativity: the Krasl Art Center (KAC) invites art-lovers and makers alike to its 2025 Community ⇄ Members’ Show, running from November 22 through January 11. This annual event brings together the artistic expressions of both KAC members and any resident of Berrien County—no prior exhibition history required.
The 2025 edition of the Community ⇄ Members’ Show is designed to celebrate the creative pulse of our community—from hobby artists and retirees to families, teens and seasoned makers. The invitation is broad: the announcement calls on “any resident of Berrien County or member of Krasl Art Center” to submit one piece of work created in the past year.
The show opens with a free Public Preview Party on Friday, November 21, from 6-8 p.m., followed by the main exhibition from Saturday, November 22 at 11:00 a.m. through Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Michigan+1
A fitting closing event, “Pizza with the Artists”, wraps up the exhibition on Sunday, January 11, from 4-6 p.m., offering a community celebration of the creators themselves.
Why It Matters
In a region rich with creative talent but often overshadowed by larger metro areas, the KAC’s Community ⇄ Members’ Show provides a rare full-gallery opportunity for local voices. There’s no theme, no gate-keeper requiring you to be a “professional”—just an open, welcoming statement: “Consider yourself an artist, or something entirely else.”
For community members, this means:
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Seeing your friends, neighbors, or family members’ work side-by-side in a professional gallery setting.
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Bringing in visitors over the holiday season who might not usually think to visit an art center—friends from out-of-town, holiday guests or colleagues.
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Discovering the full spectrum of creative output in our area—from teens’ first works to more seasoned artists’ new directions.
For the Krasl Art Center, the show underlines its mission of being a creative hub for everyone in the region, not just established artists. The “⇄” in the title underscores that two-way connection: community ↔ members.
What to Look For
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Eclectic media: Expect a broad range of materials and styles—paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography, small sculpture, maybe even video or installation pieces (within size limits).
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Local voices: Because the call is open to all residents, you’ll likely encounter emerging makers with fresh takes, alongside longtime creators.
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Holiday-season timing: Opening just ahead of the holidays gives the exhibition a festive overlay—visitors might pair a gallery stop with a stroll by the lake, a downtown dinner, or a weekend outing.
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Engagement & awards: While it’s an open show, KAC has incentives: current KAC member-artists who bring a non-member to exhibit receive membership renewals, and all participants are eligible for a People’s Choice Award.
Event Details
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Location: Krasl Art Center, 707 Lake Blvd., St. Joseph
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Preview Party: November 21, 6-8 p.m. Free and open to the public.
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Exhibition Hours: November 22 to January 11. Check KAC’s website for regular gallery hours and any holiday-adjustments. www.krasl.org
