The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is this weekend in downtown St. Joseph, and 172 artists are preparing to head to town for the event.
One of the artists coming to town is Michelle Stroud, of Evanston, Illinois. This will be her first time selling her work at the fair, and she tells us she was attracted to the Krasl event because it’s run by real people.
“What I mean by that is that it’s not a business that does 300 fairs across the country, or even 20 fairs in a particular region, but that it’s a fair that’s run by an arts organization or a community organization where the people that are organizing and running the fair are really invested,” Stroud said.
Stroud says such organizers are concerned about the community and the artists they’re hosting. She tells us she opted out of applying for another large art fair taking place at the same time so she could come to St. Joseph.
Stroud finds the prospect of taking part in the event to be “absolutely exciting.”
“The reputation for this show is really, really high. You know, artists, we talk to each other, and every single person I’ve ever spoken to that’s participated in this show has absolutely loved their experience.”
Stroud works in ceramics and says her work is mostly vessels — things like vases that come in unique shapes and sizes. She tells fair goers to stop by any tent they like and to chat up the artists. She knows some people are reluctant to do that because they don’t want to feel pressured to buy anything, but Stroud says most artists are just happy to have a chance to share their work with the world.
The Krasl Art Fair will be Saturday and Sunday, featuring art in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, glass, and more.
Remember the shuttle is back this year, making runs all day from the St. Joseph High School parking lot to the downtown.
