2025 South Haven Art Fair Winners!

And the winners are...!

As a reminder our winners are selected each year by a rotating panel of independent judges.

The First Place prize at this year's Art Fair goes to Caleb Barnaby for his stunning one of a kind jewelry.

Huge congratulations to all of the incredible artists recognized at this year's South Haven Art Fair!

1st Place: Caleb Barnaby (Jewelry)

2nd Place: Chelsea Bird (Jewelry)

3rd Place: Gavin Otteson (Painting)

Judge's Choice Awards:

• Brooke Garber (Wood)

• Ruben Medina (Sculpture)

• Emily Pruyn (Photography)

Honorable Mentions:

• Andrew Ozark (Sculpture)

• Susan Fleming (Fiber)

  

  

These artists brought passion, creativity, and serious talent to Stanley Johnston Park. Thank you to all of the artists who joined us this year at the 2025 South Haven Art Fair. Save the date for the 2026 South Haven Art Fair Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 2025

Joan Bonnette: Artist Feature

The South Haven Center for the Arts is, once again, pleased to showcase one of its many outstanding members.  We would like you to meet Joan Bonnette.

Two photos of Joan Bonnette standing next to her painting display

Joan Bonnette grew up in nearby Holland and graduated from Hope College majoring in English, art and philosophy.  She later earned a K-12 teaching degree at Michigan State University. She went on to earn a Master of Arts degree at Eastern Michigan University and a Master of fine Arts (MFA) degree from Western Michigan University. While at WMU, she met two people who are of great importance to her, first as WMU faculty and then as friends: long-time SHCA members Lou and Linda Rizzolo. 

Lou Rizzolo offered his MFA students the opportunity to attend several 14-day workshops abroad.  Not only did Joan earn class credits for these workshops, but also gained wonderful exposure to art in Norway, France and Austria  When the foreign workshops were dropped at WMU, she attended workshops with the Rizzolos at their place in the Glenn area, concentrating on watercolor and mixed media work.

Joan considers herself to be a Michigan Artist, but has exhibited outside the state as well.  She is a self-described “Abstract Imagist”, symbolic images expressed using multi-media, watercolor and collage.  Many of her more recent pieces feature organic materials found along the shores of Lake Michigan.  Among other highlights in her career, she received an Honorable Mention at the International Society of Experimental Artists exhibition in Lowell, MI.  More recently, Joan is rightfully proud of her Endura World Spirals, one called Pisces which has been shown at the SHCA and the Maritime Museum and the Butterflies Spiral that has graced over 35 locations, embodying diversity, tolerance and acceptance.

On a personal note, Joan has two adult children and one grandchild. She takes pleasure from music and her gardening and finds inspiration and energy from diversity in her choice of media.  She has been a contributing artist member of the SHCA since 1998 and has served on the Board as a member and President.  She also served as Volunteer Exhibitions Coordinator.  The Scott Club in South Haven has also benefited from her involvement as a Board member and President.

Her advice to aspiring artists:  Practice and Experiment, choosing materials and themes that tell your story.  Avoid work that is “cute, sentimental, copying others or trite”.

Add-on: The family of the late Bob Battles has made his workshop into a gallery calling it The Blue Star Collective Gallery, opening soon. Joan's work will be represented and an August exhibition dedicated to her work is planned. If you'd like to reach out to Joan  her email address is as follows: joanebon@i2k.com

By Carol Trittschuh

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To become a member of the South Haven Center for the Arts, view our membership page for detailed information.

The 76th Annual Michigan Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibition

The 76th Annual Michigan Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibition Dates: August 12th - September 23rd, 2023 Opening Reception: 5-7pm on Friday, August 11th, 2023

Media Contact: Kerry Hagy, Executive Director (269) 637-1041 info@southhavenarts.org

South Haven, Michigan — Beginning in early August, the South Haven Center for the Arts will be showcasing the 76th annual Michigan Watercolor Society traveling exhibition, featuring award winning pieces created by 30 artists. The exhibition will begin showcasing these paintings, originating throughout the state, with an opening reception from 5-7pm on Friday, August 11th and will continue displaying from August 12th through September 23rd, 2023.

Founded in 1946, the Michigan Watercolor Society is an organization that promotes the medium of watercolor through educational workshops, presentations, and juried shows. Annually, a juried show allows winning artists to showcase their pieces through a traveling exhibition. This is the first time the South Haven Center for the Arts is hosting this exhibition.

The artists featured in this exhibition are Sherry Adams Foster, Linda Allen, Cindy Bender, Mark Bonnette, Kevin Clifford, Jan Filarski, Patricia Flynn, David Giordan, Richard Goff, Janine Helton, Ken Hobson, Laura Whitesides Host, Carole Hunnes-Nielsen, Georgie Jagner, Diann Benoit Jameyfield, Sam Knecht, Carol LaChiusa, Debra LaRocque, Rosemary Lee, Susan Mankowski, Robin Maxon, Catherine McClung, Laura McGuire, Kathleen McNamee, Sandy Meyer, Rocco Pisto, Diane Roach Smith, Lisa Tennant, Suzanne Wirsing, and Carol LaChiusa.

The South Haven Center for the Arts, 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven Michigan, is open to the public to visit for free. The hours for visiting are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 11am - 4pm and 11am - 6pm on Thursdays.

Dragon Bowl: An award winning watercolor piece, created by Sandy Meyer, displaying a table set with glowing fruit, glassware and a gold-tinted dragon bowl.

Persimmon Tree in Spotlight: An award winning watercolor piece, created by Sherry Adams Foster, picturing sunlight’s reflection on colorful autumn leaves.