63rd Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff Presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services

 The excitement is building as preparations for the 63rd Annual Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services are underway. In February, the highly anticipated Art Fair Jury Day took place, marking a crucial step in the selection process for the Art Fair.

A panel of esteemed artists and collectors, consisting of Kristoff Johnson, Carr Pierce, Grace Kelmer, Sunyoung Seo and Clayton Dusendang, lent their expertise to carefully curate this year's lineup of talented artisans. Each member of the jury brings a wealth of experience and a strong artistic background to the table, ensuring that only the finest artists have been selected to showcase their work at the Art Fair.

"We are thrilled to have such a distinguished panel of jurors for this year's Art Fair," said Tami Fauver, Executive Director and Chief Curator at Krasl Art Center. "Their expertise and passion for the arts have played a pivotal role in shaping the lineup of artists for what promises to be an exceptional event."

Kristoff Johnson Visiting Lecturer, University of Notre Dame   Kristoffer Johnson is visual artist originally from Northwest Arkansas. Johnson is currently the Visiting Lecturer in Photography and Photo Facilities Coordinator at University of Notre Dame. He received a BFA in photography and a BA in journalism from the University of Arkansas and in 2021 he got an MFA in Studio Art from Indiana University. He primarily uses historical and alternative photographic processes in his artistic practice which focuses on impermanence and mortality.

Carr Pierce Artist   Carr Pierce is an artist based in Saint Joseph, Michigan since 2019. She paints large abstract works inspired by landscape and also by pop culture. After graduating with an MFA from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, she taught painting and drawing in colleges and universities. Later she worked in technology as an interaction designer. Her work has been exhibited in Chicago, New York, Minneapolis, Seattle, Kalamazoo, and in Southwest Michigan. Currently, she teaches painting at the Krasl Art Center.

Grace Kelmer Consultant, TRG Arts   Grace Kelmer works for TRG Arts as a consultant for arts and cultural organizations across North America and the UK. She has been a member of Krasl Art Center's Board of Directors since 2018, and has served as Vice President since 2022. Though her formal arts education is as a classical cellist, she enjoys exploring visual art forms through classes and experimentation. Grace lived in St. Joseph from 2014-2024, and is now based in Boston, MA.

Sunyoung Seo Textile Instructor   Sunyoung Seo is an Artist and Designer with a passion for joyful artistic expression. She holds a MFA in Communications Design from Pratt Institute in NYC where she also worked as a professional graphic designer in the fashion, cosmetic packaging, and children’s toy industries. A native of Korea, Sunyoung’s quest for learning and new experiences has led her to live in such amazing cities as New York, London, Yokohama (Japan) and now Chicago. Her interest in hand crafts started through a metalsmithing apprenticeship in Japan which challenged her beyond her 2D design training and fostered her love for creating useable art.

Clayton Dusendang Graphic Designer, LKF Marketing, Kalamazoo, MI   Clayton Dusendang has been with with LKF Marketing since 2023, and in graphic design field since 2015. A Grand Rapids native, his areas of expertise include print and digital design, collateral materials, concept creation, project management, quality control and inspection, and brand management.