2026 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff Award Winners
2026 KRASL ART FAIR ON THE BLUFF AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The 2026 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, proudly presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services, commenced on Saturday with 172 artists showcasing their talents in Lake Bluff Park.
Each year, an onsite jury of arts experts evaluates every artist booth based on the same criteria used in the pre-fair jury. The onsite scores determine the Category Award Winners. There are 11 categories, 13 total awards, with each recipient receiving an invitation to the 2027 fair and a $200 cash award. Additionally, the Krasl Art Center’s Board of Directors selects an artist for the prestigious Krasl Art Center Board Choice Award. This year continues the tradition of the Spirit of Olga Award, honoring Krasl Art Center’s benefactress Olga Krasl. This award celebrates artistic merit, personal character, poise, community spirit, and a love of travel - traits that epitomize Mrs. Krasl.
The award ceremony was held on Krasl's Art Fair on the Bluff on their Arts MainStage on Sunday at 9 AM. The winning artists will also be announced throughout the event on Facebook, Instagram, and online at krasl.org.
The Krasl Art Fair is thrilled to announce this year’s winners in each of the 11 categories, as well as the recipients of the Board Choice and Spirit of Olga Awards:
The Best of Clay category award, presented by Bricks & Minifigs, goes to:
Scott Martin | 13 | Schoolcraft, MI
The Best of Drawing/Printmaking category award, presented by Coulter Family Dentistry, goes to:
Rachel Mentzer | 5 | Lorain, MI
The Best of Fibers category award, presented by LaPorte Construction Co., goes to:
Laura Gutzwiller | 107 | Valparaiso, IN
The Best of Mixed Media - 2D/3D category award, presented by DLZ, goes to:
Michelle McDowell Smith | 156 | Roanoke, VA
The Best of Glass category award, presented by Anne Odden, goes to
Robert Langestee | 43 | Crete, IL
The Best of Jewelry category award, presented by Jane Addams Research Center & Poet’s Corner goes to:
Joyce Slate| 93 | Hugo, MN
The Best of Metal category award, presented by IBID Industries, Inc., goes to:
Jay Kim | 136 | Alpharetta, GA
The Best of Painting category award, presented by Helene Hellman, goes to:
Lidia Wylandowska | 164 | Crete, IL
The Best of Photography category award, presented by Twin City Camera Club, goes to:
Donald Pennington | 137 | Ypsilanti, MI
The Best of Wood category award, presented by Pearson Construction Company, Inc., goes to:
Luke McGowan | 137 | Indianapolis, IN
The Spirit of Olga Award, Anonymously presented, goes to:
Joyce Slate| 93 | Hugo, MN
The Board of Directors’ Choice Award, goes to
Eric Mort | Glass | 117 | Austin, TX
2026 Winner of the Krasl Handcrafted Can Label Design
Mari Barros
ART FAIR SPONSORS
The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is made possible by the generous support of sponsors dedicated to inspiring meaningful change and strengthening the community through visual arts. The 2026 Art Fair is presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services.
Other sponsors include our Premier Sponsors: City of St Joseph, Corewell Health, Landscape Forms, LKF, MailMax, 98.3 The Coast, Pepsi, Signature Toyota Watermark Brewing Company. Our Supporting Sponsors: Starks Family Funeral Homes and Visit Southwest Michigan. Our Contributing Sponsors: Benton Michiana Spirit News, Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning, Clark Logic, Cressy & Everett, Crystal Springs Florist, Domaine Berrien Cellars, Michael’s, Ravitron, and Schu’s Grill & Bar
For more information on 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services, visit: https://www.1stsource.com/personal/wealth-management/
ABOUT KRASL ART CENTER:
Krasl Art Center provides southwest Michigan residents and visitors the opportunity to experience contemporary art exhibitions, new artist projects, and creative events, as well as art classes, camps, guest artist workshops, and community-wide programs. The center opened in 1980. Indoors, it houses galleries, art-making studios, and a gift shop. Outdoors it celebrates public art through sculpture placements on its campus and throughout the community. Krasl Art Center's mission is to inspire meaningful change and strengthen community through the visual arts. To learn more, visit krasl.org.
ABOUT KRASL ART FAIR ON THE BLUFF:
The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is the flagship fundraiser for Krasl Art Center. The event welcomes artists to scenic Lake Bluff Park to exhibit and sell their artwork the second weekend of July every year. Artists are juried into the event, creating one of the region's largest high-end outdoor art experiences. The 2025-2026 events are presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services. To learn more, visit krasl.org/art-fair/event-information.
