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Krasl Art Center is pleased to announce a $50,000 gift to launch an annual campaign supporting the Richard Hunt Studio Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan. KAC board member Paul Fletcher and his partner Nancy Hourigan generously gave the gift to raise awareness of the need and embolden others to give. It is directed towards opening the Studio to the public. The total 2026 campaign is $250,000 with all proceeds supporting operations of the Richard Hunt Studio Center.
Paul Fletcher is an Officer on the KAC Board of Directors. He is a retired Civil Engineer and project manager. Over the past several months, Fletcher has worked closely with KAC Executive Director Tami Fauver in gauging the needs of the facility. “The more we talked, the more I could see the vision,” he states.
In 2023, American sculptor Richard Hunt gifted the Studio to Krasl Art Center. In 2025, KAC gained operations of the site. Fletcher has been providing hands-on assistance since that time, making minor repairs, doing walk-throughs with inspectors, and attaining bids for building improvements. His desire to see the space activated has grown.
“The building is gorgeous. It has been in hibernation and now is the time to bring it to life. It needs to be woken up.” He also states, “The list [from the building inspections] is not that long. It is pretty straightforward.” Improvements will largely address safety and accessibility.
The Vision
Based on a year-long community feedback project, the legacy of Richard Hunt, and the importance of the arts to self expression and skill building, the vision is to open the Richard Hunt Studio Center in Benton Harbor first for community programming and exhibitions. A second phase, longer-term vision exists to offer welding and woodworking courses as pathways to the arts and trades, as well as artist studios and event space.
To date, the Krasl Art Center has replaced the roof of the building, is finalizing the site’s non-profit status, and has begun programming in the community through the Fashion as Sculpture program hosted at Benton Harbor High School. It is anticipated that the Richard Hunt Studio Center will re-open to the public in the summer of 2026, with additional expansions occurring in the next 2-3 years. Richard Hunt Studio Center in Benton Harbor is a project of Krasl Art Center.
To learn more about the Richard Hunt Studio Center or ways to give, contact Monica Garvey, Development Manager: monica@krasl.org, or Tami Fauver, Executive Director: tami@krasl.org or visit https://krasl.org/donate/.
For more information about exhibitions, programs, and upcoming events, visit krasl.org.
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