The Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph Michigan celebrates gift from sculptor Richard Hunt

ST. JOSEPH, Mich - The Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph Michigan celebrated the gift of sculptor Richard Hunt’s Benton Harbor studio. 

Richard Hunt, a famous African American abstract sculptor, has had a relationship with the Krasl center since 1995 when he opened the studio in Benton Harbor

Hunt has contributed to the Benton Harbor arts district since 1995. 

Tami Fauver, the executive director and chief curator of the Krasl Art Center, feels incredibly honored to have a donation like this from such a renowned artist. 

“He has given his studio in Benton harbor to the Krasl with the hopes that we will continue it as an art space in our community and we have the next two years to plan and prepare for that as he consolidates his operations back to Chicago,” said Fauver.

Hunt has over 160 artworks in public and Tami explains one of his most famous pieces to me, titled “and you, seas”, located in St. Joseph which the Krasl center has a small replica of.

“This is a model that we have, and we have this so people can touch it and they sort of can look around the model see the forms of it was cast by Richard's studio for us for educational purposes,” said Fauver.

Hunt is excited about the continued partnership between his studio and the Krasl Art center going forward. 

"I have seen the Krasl become bigger and better as a place, more this more that and I would assume that there would be this continued outreach and so having more space to do more is a good idea,” said Hunt.

The Krasl Art Center said this transfer is to honor the legacy of Richard Hunt and a way to strengthen both the communities of St. Joe and Benton Harbor through visual arts.