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By Nancy Albright


The South Haven Art Fair officially became part of South Haven’s landscape in 1957 under the auspices of the South Haven Art League, which was formed in 1951 under the American Association of University Women. The league’s mission was for “individuals to go into the field and create an interest in, and foster growth of art in the community.” Learn more about the evolution of the South Haven Art League to the South Haven Center for the Arts in a future post.

Art Fair began in 1957 with local artists pinning their paintings and drawings to clotheslines strung throughout Oakland Park—later renamed Stanley Johnston Park. The “Clothesline Art Show” often coincided with Blueberry Festival. Art Fair and Blueberry Festival now take place on different weekends—the fair claiming the Fourth of July.

South Haven Art League President Mrs. Charles Long and her daughter Nancy hang pictures by pin and clothesline for the Annual Clothesline Art Show, Sunday, July 6, 1969 in Oakland Park. —Photo: Alice Flood



Thirty-four artists exhibited in the 1968 fair, eighty-nine in 1971, and well over one hundred in 1974. In 1974, artists from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and even Florida treated visitors to acrylics, oils, pastels, watercolors, photography, textiles, jewelry, leather, and pottery. The ’74 fair also boasted batik, tole painting (decorative folk art painted on metal objects like utensils and coffee pots, and wooden objects like chairs, hope chests, toy boxes, and jewelry boxes); candle pyrography (the decoration of candles with burn marks applied using a heated object); and tropical butterfly arrangements encased in plastic cubes.

July 7, 1974: The caption reads, “ART SHOW—Hundreds of people toured the annual South Haven Art Fair in Stanley Johnston Park yesterday both to view the many artist exhibits and to try and beat the sweltering heat in the cool, shaded park. Here, one of the artists paints miniature artwork on small pieces of wood while some people watch her work.”

Photo: Tom Renner


Those of you who wandered through the 2018 art fair may recall the sweltering heat of that weekend as well. Thank goodness the Big Lake is only a block away.






In 1976, 115 artists exhibited their work to a crowd of over 10,000 people who attended “Celebration ’76”, which also featured Blueberry Festival. Music teacher Michael Listiak conducted the South Haven Community Orchestra in recognition of the Centennial, artist Dana Ziebarth sketched portraits of visitors, and artists sat under umbrellas to stay out of the sun.





Art Fair in 1976, drawing thousands of visitors.



Taking a break from marking the park for 130 artist booths. Sharon Bailey (right) chaired the art fair in 1982. Bailey is pictured with Ann French (left) and South Haven painter Steve French,.


Steve French chaired the fair in 1981. There were over 200 artists at the fair that year.

South Haven Art Fair was in the top 100 best art fairs in the country in 2016 and 2017 as rated by Sunshine Artist Magazine, and deservedly so. What was once a one-day affair turned into two, and has evolved into a juried fair of more than 100 fine artists each year, some coming from as far away as California. The fair brings thousands of local residents and summer visitors to the event to see painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, wearable art, functional art, repurposed art; incorporating everything from copper to glass to gold-leaf to bamboo brought from Asia by the artist.


Art Fair artist applications will be available on the SHCA website in November 2020.


Past Art Fair registration card for broom maker Jeff Mohr of Lawton, Mich. Date unknown.


Updated: Jun 6, 2023


Thank you to all the artists joining us at the South Haven Art Fair on July 1 and July 2

at Stanley Johnston Park.


Clay

Kelly Lyons andJohn Lucassian Lucky Bunny Arts

Kathy Veverka Spring Flower Pottery

Robin Nidelcheff Studio https://RobinNidelcheffStudio.com

Christine Zinn Zinn Fire Pottery

Christinia Green Creative Clay Creations https://christiniacreations.com

Sheila Koeman Sheila Koeman Pottery

Emily Horst Woodland Clay

Kate Lake Misty Morning Craft shttps://www.mistymorningcrafts.com

Jane Mejia-Borja JMB Ceramics LLC http://www.instagram.com/jmbceramics/

Jeffrey Saylor Good Fortune Pottery

Carisa Passalacqua


Digital Art

Jesse Kunerth Dose Creative https://www.dosecamera.com


Drawing

Miranda Heward

Haylee M. Shoop HMdesignStudios https://www.hmdesignstudios.com

Joe Michalski Spacesuit Self LLC https://www.spacesuitself.com/


Fiber Judith Brook Moondance Fiber Art

Melissa BrackenThe Happy Groundhog Studio https://www.TheHappyGroundhogStudio.com

Shirleigh Vinson Shirleigh's Marbled Art https://getmarbled.com

Jennifer Akese-Burney Akese Stylelines https://akesestylelines.com/

Amelia Volwiler-Stanley https://ameliavolwilerstanley.com

Sawai Namewicha CUT OUT DESIGNS http://cutoutshirts.com

Kathleen Zien

Emily Fitzgerald Emily Fitzgerald Designs

Debbie Van Gorp All Tied Up Boutique https://www.alltiedupboutique.com


Glass

Kathleen Standard Tree of Life https://treeoflifestainedglassstudio.com

Carolyn and Leonard Wilson The Glass Haus https://www.theglasshaus.com

Kathryn Woodruff All About Glass Art


Jewelry

Diane Wright Diane Wright Designs https://www.dianewrightjewelry.etsy.com

Debra Flook Birch and Blooms

Bernadette Szajna All For The Better Designs

Leah and Nita Brown The Larimar Girls

Luis Perez Zerep LLC http://zerepdesigns.com/

Christina King Ziegler Ziegler Designs LLC

April Seybold Seybol Designs https://www.seyboldesigns.com

Susan Larsen Susan Larsen Design www.susanlarsenjewelry.com

Jacqueline Baker Dragons Fly

Matt Breunig Jewelry by Matt Breunig

Lena Walsh Lena Oh Studio https://www.lenaohstudio.com

Angela Welti BJ Creations

Jenn Gietzen Tumble and Twine https://www.tumbleandtwine.com

Greg and BJ Jordan Jordan Fine Art Jewelry https://facebook.com/jordanfineartjewelry

Melissa Woods Funky Jewelry www.MelissaMarieWoods.com

Sally Phillips

Paul Albritton Albritton Gallery

Maria Aguayo Beneath The Dirt Designs

Renee Batt RB2 designs


Mixed Media

Alexa Karabin Alexa K. https://www.Alexak.com

Tia Riva Geniene Inspirational Art https://www.genienetoo.etsy.com

Carol Bramblett Reel It Up

Ruth Jellema Fabrications ruthdavidfabrications.com

Armando Pedroso Blue Vieira Art Studio Inc. http://armandopedroso.com

Donna Vogtmann D Vogtmann art www.donnavogtmann.com


Painting

Susan Anderson Susan Anderson Paintings http://susanandersonartist.com/

Megan Litts Maude Studios https://www.maudestudios.com

Marshelia Williams The Son's Creations thesonscreations.com

C Lang Coleman C Coleman Art https://www.ccolemanart.com

Gerard Lewandowski

Lorraine Orner Paintings by Lorraine Orner https://Daywilldawn.com

Katrina Jones

Jesse Link Link Creative https://www.jesselink.com

Taylor May

Sarah Johnson Sarah M Johnson Art https://www.sarahmjohnsonart.com/

Anita Brett

Anna Barnhart The Art of Anna Barnhart https://www.annabarnhart.com

Rebecca Butler Watercolors by R Butler

Kenya Ferrand-Ott Naughty Dog studio

Carl Carter Carl Carter Arts https://CarlCarterArts.com

Robin Reva Meadowland at 204

Heidi Walsh Inkprint Studio http://www.inkprintstudio.com

Elisabeth Sullivan www.elisabethsullivan.com

Theresa Clark

Emily Winkel


Photography

Rita Anthony Rita Anthony Photography https://www.ritaanthony.photography

Kenyatta Ray Salt of Dearth www.kenyattasaltofdearth.com

William Christiansen Wm Christiansen Photography https://wmchristiansenphotography.com

James Richmond Richmond Photography LLC https://www.richmondphotography.com

Shelly Lawler SHELLY LAWLER https://www.shellylawler.com/

Donald Bomeli

Kenneth Keifer Kenneth Keifer Photography www.kennethkeifer.com

Doug Markusic

Nels Johnson Nels Johnson https://Nelsjohnsonphotographer.com

Brian Doyle Brian Doyle Photo https://www.briandoylephoto.com

Bradford Pollack Bradford Pollack Photography https://www.bradfordpollack.com

Amanda Gray-Swain and Andrew James Sprouted Designs http://www.SproutedDesigns.com


Sculpture

Michael Kutch Barn Bridge Hill Salvage Art https://www.barnbridgehill.com

Timothy Emmons Recycled Nature Recycled-nature.com

Jonathan Rose Hands On Fire https://hwww.handsonfire.com

Birdie McBride Lake Superior Drift Co Http://www.LakeSuperiorDriftCo.com

Casey Bell

Sean Klinksiek SK Custom Stone Carving www.skcustomstonecarving.com

Robert Barkley Michigan Made Metal

Suphattra Pollack Joy's Clay Flowers http://joyclay.com


Wood

Marilyn and Mark Poffenberger Mark and Mare Handcrafted Creations https://markandmare.com

Julie Bowen JB Reclaimed Design

Byron Kelly

Larry Gildea Larry Gildea LLC https://woodnwoodenshop.com

John Singleton JC's Custom Woodworking LLC

Simon and Joy Tarasiewicz Toy Tree


Family and Art Activities!

Joseph Goddard Hands Unlimited handsunlimited.com

Noor Memon Magic Walk Art LLC Henna Painting

Christopher LaPort Caricature Drawing




South Haven Center for the Arts' staff, Noelle Ringer, Sarah Rydecki, Sophie Burton and Kerry Hagy, will be exhibiting their work in the Pocket Gallery through 29, 2023. Please see a sample of the exhibition below with photos by Trenton Trim, read staff artists statements, and learn more about the pocket gallery at the Center.

Kerry Hagy’s Artist Statement


Always an arts administrator, never an artist. Maybe I like it that way. In fact, I usually am making things, even if not bringing work to completion. So perhaps, always an artist, even if I am spending an inordinate amount of time with budgets and writing. I so appreciate this opportunity to show work beside the talented other perpetual-artists-of-the-Center: Noelle, Sarah and Sophie. The fact that we, the artists want to play, explore, discover, understand and do is part of what brings this Center for the Arts to life!

These works are sketches that explore color, composition, and light. This series emerged because yellow compelled me to study and play with it. I collaged found materials and a variety of paint, marker, pen and office supplies. The drawings are made ever sweeter to me because of the help I got from friends including Carol Myers’ assortment of interesting pens and markers to experiment with, the Heaton’s vinyl sign scraps, and Katrina Jones’ careful matting and framing.


Noelle Ringer’s Artist Statement


My work is deeply inspired by our Lake Michigan shoreline. Everything is hand thrown on the potter’s wheel and no two pieces are alike, giving individuality to each piece. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics from Western Michigan University in 2016 and I have been working in clay since 2013. In 2019, I joined the South Haven Center for the Arts staff as the Exhibition Coordinator and have enjoyed connecting to the community through the arts for the past 4 years.


Simple lines and textural elements of my work are inspired by spontaneous and flowing movements that happen organically in nature. The edge of the tide flowing along the shore, or the intricate grooves and patterns of a rock ignite discovery within my work. Studying color, texture, line, and form has opened new avenues to create for me using clay, paper, and paint. My work is ever changing as I navigate new experiences and stages of life.


Sarah Rydecki’s Artist Statement


When I was a newly hired South Haven Public Schools art teacher in 1994, I first walked through the doors of the South Haven Center for the Arts. I have been involved on and off ever since and am currently working as the Education Coordinator. Here, I feel inspired as an artist and very grateful as an art educator to be able to continue my love for sharing the joy of art with others.


As a collector of found objects, art supplies, and words, I find joy in playfully bringing parts together in ways that express ideas inspired by connectedness, nature, memories, and stories. I believe that the act of play and creating is a thread that connects us; past to present and person to person. So, five months ago when I discovered needle felting with wool, that idea of the fibers as threads opened a new door to combining bits of my collections. I look forward to exploring more possibilities as I continue to work with this medium.


‘My Wish…’ is inspired by a piece of my life and from some song lyrics and the images they evoke in my mind.


‘Tumbled and Settled’ comes from the wonder I feel for those things that get beaten and battered by waves and end up being shaped, smoothed, and made uniquely more beautiful.


In ‘Merge’ I fuse natural and human-made objects to express the idea of balance between the two in our world.


Sophie Burton’s Artist Statement


I am Sophie Burton.


I started working at the South Haven Center for the Arts in November 2021, as Arts Coordinator. I’ve worked a lot of jobs consistently since senior year of high school. Working at the Center has been the most nurturing workplace I’ve worked in, and I’m happy to exhibit my art alongside my wonderful coworkers.


I am an artist, a creative soul. Animation, digital art, traditional art, oils and acrylics, watercolors and pencils, micron pens and markers, I could go all day listing the art formats and mediums that inspire me to create, but it’s a never-ending list, one that will continue to grow with me as I continue to experience life. I hope to keep my innate curiosity forever, to be just as passionate about learning new ways to create as I am today, as I was as a child. I do not know where life will lead me, I do not know what profession is right for me; but, I know I am an artist and always will be, that will never change.


About the Pocket Gallery at the South Haven Center for the Arts

The Pocket Gallery season is typically from May until October feature artists of the South Haven Center for the Arts, and occassionally we will have a display in April along with the student exhibitions - this year staff are looking forward to sharing their work with our members and friends! We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 and 2025 pocket gallery season.

Registration form here. The pocket gallery is a volunteer coordinated program- and we are grateful to Katrina Jones, pocket gallery curator for all of her work and for installing this staff exhibition so beautifully (and thank you to Doug Jones too!)


Coming in 2023 in the Pocket Gallery:


May: Sara Youngman May 5 - May 27 Opening Reception Thursday, May 4, 4-6pm


June: Ron Richardson June 2 – July 1 Opening Reception Thursday, June 1, 4-6pm


July: David Baker July 7 – July 29 Opening Reception Thursday, July 6, 4-6pm


August: Sheryl and Steven Drenth August 4 – September 2 Opening Reception Thursday, August 3, 4-6pm


September: Carol Jeffers September 8 – September 29 Opening Reception Thursday, September 7, 4-6pm


October: Dorris Akers October 6 – October 28 Opening Reception Thursday, October 5, 4-6pm


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