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Krasl Art Center Working to Get OK For an Artist’s Booth Only Version of Bluff Fair in 2021

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It may look different and be under considerably tighter crowd controls than in the past, but if the current planning strategy plays out, there just might be a Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff this coming summer, but it would feature only artists with no ancillary activities as in the past.

While there are a lot of considerations to be made, approvals to achieve, and many moving parts to the planned restructuring of the event, the team at the Krasl Art Center is hopeful that they will at least have something back this summer after having to forego the event completely in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Today, the Krasl distributed an e-mail to Friends of the both the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff and the Krasl Art Center itself, detailing what has been proposed. Here is that dispatch received this morning:

Dear Friends of Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff & Krasl Art Center,

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The first Art Fair, in 1962, featured local artists who shared their artwork on clotheslines strung tree-to-tree in Lake Bluff Park. The event, and in truth Krasl Art Center, began from this community. 

As we look to summer 2021 KAC keeps the health of the community at the center of planning. In January we pulled together a Task Force composed of community members from diverse fields (tourism, economic development, corporations, first responder, media; art fair patrons and artists; and KAC’s staff, and board) to consider a 2021 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. The Task Force identified a set of criteria which must be met and made the recommendation to plan for a 2021 Art Fair.

This decision requires review and approval of modified event plans from the following:

  • Health Department – reviewed and responded positively 2/7/21
  • Board of Directors – unanimous approval 2/9/21
  • City of St. Joseph approval – scheduled for City Commission Meeting on 2/22/21, 6 pm. Meeting link provided below.

If approved, the 2021 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff will only feature artists booths. The plan offers numerous measures to ensure the safety of all including increasing cleaning with disinfectant, enforcing mask-wearing, and decreasing crowd size (typically estimated at 50,000) to allow for physical distancing.

Notable event changes to reduce and monitor attendance includes but is not limited to:

  • Gating the artist booths within Lake Bluff Park to monitor attendance – required by state Executive Orders (access to Silver Beach from Broad Street will remain open)
  • Encouraging advance, timed admission tickets; with limited walk-up admission
  • A fee-based admission to the Art Fair within Lake Bluff Park

KAC deeply appreciates community support of the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff. As a thank you, we commit to providing opportunities for discounted and complimentary admission for our local community. Details are pending; sign up to receive Art Fair updates at http://krasl.org/art-fair/event-information. Any proceeds from the 2021 Art Fair will defray 2021 Art Fair expenses, support planning a 2022 event, and will support Krasl Art Center’s gallery exhibitions- offered free of charge year round. 

The Art Fair, held in a City of St. Joseph park, requires approval from the City Commission. Krasl Art Center will respect the decision of the City Commission. Either way, you may look forward to the return of the Summer Art Markets on the Green and the continuation of other programs to advance the mission, Inspire Meaningful Change and Strengthen Community through the Visual Arts.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Share your feedback with Julia. To set up a time to chat, email her at artfair@krasl.org.
  • Attend the virtual City Commission Meeting on 2/22/21, 6 pm. Meeting link details below
  • Get involved as a volunteer or sponsor to help mount a safe 2021 Art Fair, or support alternative KAC activities such as the Summer Art Markets on the Green. Email volunteer@krasl.org.

Virtual City Commission Meeting details

Monday, February 22, 6 pm

Please click this URL to join:

https://zoom.us/s/97045986242?pwd=MUpBUVhBTzI2NnZwWjd5MVcvbFBBUT09

Webinar ID: 970 4598 6242

Passcode: 4908549085