Learn how to navigate Illustrator and create original logos, graphics, page layouts, and simple illustrations. This course is for those with limited or no experience with the program.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Use pens, sponges, pastels, watercolors, and any other items you have to create illustrative paintings of various subjects. For both beginniners and more advanced students.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Box Factory Watercolor Workshop taught by Robin Maxon
“FREE AS THE BREEZE”

Saturday, July 20
10 am to 4 pm
Box Factory for the Arts
Main floor (near stage)

Members $60 // Non-members $70
To register, call or stop by the Box Factory (Monday through Saturday 10-4)
269.983.3688
1101 Broad Street, St. Joseph

Information and Materials can be picked up at the Box Factory front desk when you sign up. Robin can mail you the materials if you prefer. Please make payment to the Box Factory. If you register online, please be sure to stop in to the Box to pick up your class materials.

Workshop Format: Robin will demonstrate a variety of techniques for applying watercolor in a step-by-step process. You will begin by transferring the drawing to watercolor paper, applying masking fluid and creating initial washes, gradually working from general shapes to the more specific, detailed elements of the subject.

Student Level: beginner to experienced.

Class Supplies: Robin will provide everyone with a photo of the image we will be painting, the tracing image (to fit a 16 x 20 watercolor sheet), carbon paper and pens, paper towels, tooth brushes and hair dryers. Other materials needed are listed below:

-Watercolor block or loose sheets of watercolor paper. Loose sheets come in 22” x 30” size and can be cut in half for class. Robin likes to use the cold pressed kind (140# Arches is preferred.) Her paper will measure approximately 16 x 20.
-A board for taping your watercolor sheet to (masonite, or even foamcore board will work)
-Assortment of watercolor paints – please bring high-quality tube watercolor paints (Robin uses Winsor-Newton, Daniel Smith and Holbein) (we can mix all we need from this assortment):
Quinocradone Gold
Yellow Ochre OR Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna
Alizarine Crimson
Ultra Marine Blue OR Cobalt Blue
Neutral Tint OR Paynes Gray
Sap Green
Masking Fluid (drawing gum)
-Small water container. Spray bottle of water is optional.
-Plastic paint pallet. A glass plate can work too.
-Watercolor brushes: large flat brush, medium round brush and smaller brushes
-Old paint brush for applying masking fluid

Lunch: We will break for lunch around noon. There are restaurants close by but feel free to bring your lunch (fridge and microwave available). Coffee, tea and bottled water will be available along with light refreshments in the morning.

Questions: Feel free to contact Robin with any questions about the workshop. She can be reached at 269.982.4050 or robin@maxongraphix.com. For questions about registration, please call Nikki at the Box Factory at 269.983.3688 or email nikki@boxfactoryforthearts.org.

Find Robin’s artwork page at Robin Maxon Watercolors.

Announcing a new series from the Box Factory for the Arts – Summer Sundays at the Box!

An art experience you won’t want to miss! Each event in the series will feature some fabulous musicians, talented artists, vendors and food. Doors will open at 1:00 and live music will be from 4:00-6:00. Stay tuned for full details on each event!

SAVE THE DATES:
July 21 – the Madison, WI duo Avian Aura- Music will share the stage with the Twin City String Band
August 18 – lock in your plans NOW to not miss Sankofa‘s return to the Box!
September 22 – Deep Fried Pickle Project Jug Band will close out our series!

JULY 21:

About the musicians:
AVIAN AURA
Madison, WI locals Gary Flesher, Jr and Joan Herzing began working together in early 2014, when the pair were involved with various lineups, garnering experience in studios, and becoming players in the regional Upper-Midwest music scene. Until then, Joan had been (and still is) active in the long-established powerhouse band, the Blue Olives, while Gary was chipping away at his songwriting skills (and still is).

Avian Aura decidedly took flight (pun) as of late 2017, recording the first EP- At First Glance- in early 2018, and then got to work crafting and delivering a solid live performance, playing a host of venues that specialize in good vibes and positivity, and engaging with a supportive audience both on and off the stage.

Expect to hear a mix of original music with a dose of tasteful covers, an array of Joan’s instrumentation (saxophone, keys, cajon, accordion, etc) and soaring vocals, and Gary working the sound board, as well as contributing on acoustic guitar and vocals. Avian Aura is a fresh presentation to a classic concept, hoping to be present and connected, to express what it means to be human in an otherwise distant existence, and on track to continue producing content, contact and mileage.

Take a closer look at this duo and listen to some of their tunes at www.avianaura.com.

Opening for Avian Aura will be some of our favorite local musicians – Aiden Schnell, Caleb Kibby and Wes Shuck of Twin City String Band. Twin City String Band has modern and traditional bluegrass and folk influences.

About the artists:
Joining us on this day are some of our favorite artists and makers! Amy Story of Plants and Things (find her on Instagram as @rooting_for_you) will be here with her lovely art and succulents, and rumor has it she is bringing yummy baked goods as well! Amy will be offering a “You Plant It” station and will be teaching a bit about potted plants.

Miranda Skibbe of M’s Jemz is bringing her awesome paper art and will be teaching a mini workshop in origami! Miranda’s quilling is something you do not want to miss seeing (or buying)!

Jackie Leeser Baker of Dragons Fly Beads will be here with her beautiful selection of jewelry! Joining Jackie will be her husband David Baker – Painter presenting “A Day at the Beach.” Watch Box Factory artist David Baker put the finishing touches on his plein air watercolor paintings of local beaches. And, pick up a coloring card and create your own masterpiece!

Another one of our favorite artists will be on hand – stop by and see Matthew Kasewurm of Matthew Kasewurm ART! Matt consistently offers new and interesting pieces, from jewelry to paintings, metalwork to wood candle holders and more! We never know exactly what Matt will have with him, but we always know it will be amazing!

Forté Coffee will be serving up beverages at our bar and Scott R. Gane will be offering yummy eats in a throw back to his popular Baja Gringo Taco Truck.

No outside food or beverages at this event.

Admission for our July 21 Summer Sundays at the Box event is “Pay what you want” ($5 suggested minimum / kids under 12 free). All proceeds directly benefit the performers and the Box Factory for the Arts.

Learn about the principles of composition and abstraction as well as how to achieve textural effects. Create several finished works in oil or acrylic.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Get into the Box for our monthly Open Mic Nights! In July we welcome the fabulous Jenna Mammina as our host!

MONDAY, July 22nd
7:00-9:00 pm
Doors will open to the public at 6:30. Jenna will start off the performances at 7:00.
NEW! Email nikki@boxfactoryforthearts.org for your spot in the lineup. (This replaces our in-person sign up sheet from previous months.)
There is no cover charge. Donations are encouraged and help to support our non-profit organization.

The Box Factory for the Arts exists to support and encourage the arts in all forms and expressions and to provide a space for artists of all levels to share their gifts. Open Mic Nights are the perfect opportunity for that! Each month we welcome folks of all ages to take to our stage and share their talent – be it music, comedy, spoken word, dance… you name it! All are welcome to come out and support artists and the arts.

Please keep in mind that the Box Factory for the Arts is a family friendly venue, so we do ask that you keep your performance respectful of all ages.

JENNA MAMMINA
With thousands of miles and performances under her tri-coastal musical gypsy skirt, Jenna Mammina has claimed the San Francisco Bay Area as her home and sanctuary. She has performed with a vast array of legendary talent, such as Bobby McFerrin, June Millington, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, Phish, David Sanborn, Ray Obiedo, Wil Ackerman, Liz Story, Tuck Andress, and Rosemary Clooney. Jenna has graced the stages of esteemed venues like Yoshi’s in Oakland, California, Town Hall in New York, The Green Mill in Chicago, and festivals such as Jazz Aspen, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, Monterey San Francisco, Big Sur and Mount Hood, continuing to delight sold-out crowds throughout the United States and touring over 250 dates a year.

Jenna’s live performances capture her audiences and hold them like butterflies in the palm of her hand. “Jenna could sing a page from the phone book and make it sound like her own private piece of the sky,” writes Grapevine Culture critic Kimberlye Gold.

Learn how to navigate Illustrator and create original logos, graphics, page layouts, and simple illustrations. This course is for those with limited or no experience with the program.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Coastline Children’s Film Festival
THE MAP TO PARADISE
July 25 @ 7:00 PM
Documentary Danielle Ryan/James Sherwood
Australia 2019 95 min Ages 10 & up In English
Free (1$ suggested donation)

THE MAP TO PARADISE is an adventure-filled and spectacularly gorgeous tale about the birth of the global movement to protect the sea. From underwater worlds of ice to glistening coral sanctuaries, discover what it takes to build a movement and to create positive change. Filmed across six continents, the filmmakers have set out to challenge the mainstream narrative of hard-hitting environmental documentaries with a “doom and gloom” message, and replace it with one of hope and courage. Along the way, we meet a prince, a president, a pirate, and also an island chief—among others—who are all playing a role in the quest to save the planet. Mixing colorful character-driven stories and hand-rendered animations, THE MAP TO PARADISE is a rare urgent environmental wake-up call that retains a sense of awe and wonder for the kind of beauty that is still possible.

Box Factory for the Arts proudly presents An Evening with Brian Vander Ark. During this special performance, Brian will share some of the stories behind his songs. We will enjoy two full sets of music in an intimate, listening room setting.

Saturday, July 27th
7:30 pm
Doors will open at 7:00
General Admission $18 advance/$20 at the door
A limited number of reserved tables for 2-4 are available. These tickets are not available through our website and can only be reserved by emailing nikki@boxfactoryforthearts.org.

Brian Vander Ark is the lead singer and songwriter for The Verve Pipe. The band has a reputation for spectacular live performances and enjoys a dedicated following for their textured rock songs distinguished by innovative arrangements and soul-searching lyrics.

Brian has a successful solo career as well, which includes four studio albums. He also released an album of songs written with actor and musician Jeff Daniels in the winter of 2017. Brian is also a speaker, traveling the country throughout the year telling his story to financial institutions, schools, non-profits and more.

In 2007, Brian created the Lawn Chairs and Living Rooms House Concert Series, and has played over 700 shows in the homes of his fans.

This project is funded in part by the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council.

All members of the Berrien Artist Guild are invited to attend our annual membership meeting.

Monday, July 29th
6:00-8:00 pm at the Box Factory for the Arts

Members are asked to bring a dish to pass.

Part of our evening’s agenda will be to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors. Michelle M Rumsa, Carol L. Myers and Linda Cooper join our current board members Judy Sokolowski, John Bougearel, Glen L. Head, Jon Sauer, Kristin Hosbein, Scott R. Gane, Karen Walker and Rose Curtiss Narregan.

Learn about the principles of composition and abstraction as well as how to achieve textural effects. Create several finished works in oil or acrylic.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Learn how to navigate Illustrator and create original logos, graphics, page layouts, and simple illustrations. This course is for those with limited or no experience with the program.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Fun Dumpster puts on an improv show that will have you thinking of things that you thought you’d gotten rid of long ago. The group formed in Kalamazoo in 2018. Their style is funny, smart, and frequently filthy.

THURSDAY, August 1st
7:00 pm / doors open at 6:30
$10 adv / $13 door

Troupe members include Lindsey Adams, Steve Brown, Meredith Frank and Sara Volmering.

We are proud to welcome the Ben Rosenblum Trio in concert on Saturday, August 3rd!
7:00 pm
$12 adv / $15 door

Award-winning jazz pianist, composer and accordionist Ben Rosenblum has been described as “mature beyond his years,” (Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility), and as an “impressive talent” (C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz), who “caresses [the music] with the reverence it merits” (Bob Doerschuk, Downbeat Magazine). Ben is based primarily in New York City, and is a graduate of the Columbia-Juilliard program (in 2016). His original music combines his extensive knowledge of the history of jazz with a free-wheeling, modern melodic sensibility and powerful narrative approach to the piano. His profound passion for jazz, swing and world music genres finds expression in his unique fusion of harmonic and rhythmic elements from a wide array of sources, and gives rise to a signature compositional sound and style at once iconoclastic and deeply rooted in such figures as Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly. Ben’s first priority in his composition and in his playing is always narrative – to tell a compelling story with his music, while reaching the hearts of his audience, connecting on an emotional, an intellectual and a spiritual level.

Read much more about Ben at his website (www.benrosenblummusic.com) and take a listen at www.benrosenblummusic.com/listen.html.

Reviewers of his debut album Instead – released in 2017 with bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Billy Hart – have been impressed by his musicality and his tasteful playing in light of his immense technical skill. Fred Stal of RG Magazine most recently described his experience of listening to Ben’s live CD release performance: “The music keeps you on your feet and not wanting to miss a single moment of magic. … Raindrops from heaven poured down with style and grace from Rosenblum’s piano.”

Since the release of Ben’s debut album, Ben has been touring regularly – both nationally and internationally – celebrating the album and collaborating with artists around the world. Ben’s trio made debuts in Japan and in Canada in 2018. During his two-week tour of Japan, Ben performed in eight different cities, including in Tokyo at Akasaka B-flat, and in Yokohama at Himawari-no-sato Concert Hall with famed koto player Yuko Watanabe. Highlights of his Canada tour included appearances at Upstairs Jazz in Montreal, Maelstrom and Bar Ste-Angele in Quebec City and the Southminster “Doors Open For Music” Concert Series in Ottawa. In the United States, Ben has traveled extensively throughout the Northeast, Midwest and West Coast, with trips planned for the South and Southwest. These domestic tours have featured performances at some of the most well-respected venues in the country, including Kuumbwa Jazz Center (Santa Cruz), Ravinia (Chicago), Cliff Bells (Detroit), An Die Musik (Baltimore), The Bop Stop (Cleveland), Mezzrow (New York City) and many others. As a sideman, Ben has had further opportunities to tour the world. In 2018, he traveled for three weeks through Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and Serbia with Astrid Kuljanic, during which the group performed at multiple festivals, including the Ljeto na Bundeka Festival in Zagreb and the Soboško Poletje Festival in Murska Sobota. He also performed for two nights at the Blue Note in Beijing alongside famed jazz singer Deborah Davis.

Born and raised in New York City, Ben had the opportunity to study with some of the most influential figures in jazz piano, including Frank Kimbrough, Bruce Barth, Ben Waltzer and Roy Assaf. At the early age of sixteen, the originality of his work was already being recognized with numerous awards, including the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award (2010), the Downbeat Student Music Award for Best Original Song (2010) and the Downbeat Student Music Award for Best Arrangement (2011). As a result, even before entering Columbia, Ben was commissioned by the XIBUS World Orchestra to write a piece for performance at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in 2012. Ben has continued to earn numerous distinctions and honors in recent years. In 2015, he was a finalist at the American Jazz Pianist Competition in Melbourne, Florida, and in 2016, at the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2018, he earned further recognition from the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award competition in the form of an honorable mention, and he was featured at the ASCAP Foundation’s 2018 “We Write The Songs” event at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

Learn about the principles of composition and abstraction as well as how to achieve textural effects. Create several finished works in oil or acrylic.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Learn how to navigate Illustrator and create original logos, graphics, page layouts, and simple illustrations. This course is for those with limited or no experience with the program.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Learn about the principles of composition and abstraction as well as how to achieve textural effects. Create several finished works in oil or acrylic.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Learn how to navigate Illustrator and create original logos, graphics, page layouts, and simple illustrations. This course is for those with limited or no experience with the program.

For information and to register, visit the KCAD website.

Thursday, August 15th
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad Street, St. Joseph
Free and open to the public / Donations encouraged and appreciated

Women in Art: Remarkable Rebels and Trailblazers takes a lively look at several nationally and internationally famous women artists whose careers have spanned from the Late Renaissance to the present. The remarkable, inspirational stories of these talented, ambitious, dedicated women have established them as well-respected professionals in the history of art. The ingenious ways that these women artists have circumvented the severe cultural and social obstacles of their time have blazed a trail of opportunity and possibility for future women artists.

Women in Art: Remarkable Rebels and Trailblazers is presented by Susan Teague. Susan’s career as an artist has taken many unexpected, unplanned, delightful turns. Little did Susan know as a teenager in the sixties that she would be flying by the creative seat of her pants the rest of her life being led by faith, humor, sincerity and the love of art.

Susan has chosen to explore a variety of mediums during her 45 years as a professional artist. Ink, collage, acrylic, graphite, watercolor and print offer Susan the liberty to express her thoughts and feelings in different styles and techniques, moving her freely from tight to loose, playful to serious, sensuous to spiritual, colorful to toned greys, from massive to miniature. The Bronson Children’s Hospital murals, an expansive series of murals in excess of 9,000 square feet painted in vibrant colors with acrylic paint, and the 8’x16’ panel of color tissue paper goddesses hanging in the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum in Orlando, Florida are two examples of the artistic flexibility Susan enjoys so much.

Susan’s formal art training includes a B.S. in Fine Art from Western Michigan University; graduate studies in Fine Art at Murray State University; and Art Education from University of Kentucky at Lexington, Ky. Throughout the years Susan embraced the opportunity of studying with internationally recognized artists such as Martha Erlebacher, Jack Beal, and Michael Bergt. These tried and true artists have not only provided their expertise in helping her hone her artistic skills but they have strongly influenced the course of Susan’s artistic life.

Lastly, equal to Susan’s joy of creating art is her love for teaching. Over the past three decades Susan has been teaching and passing on the creative torch to students at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kendall College of Art and Design and in the warm hearth of her home art studio.

Please join us for a guided tour of the Series 5 Art Exhibition on Saturday, August 17th from 12:00-2:00, featuring the artwork of Susan Teague, Erica Roberts, Turtel Onli, Marcy Mitchell and Jennifer Zona (Zona Jennifer).

A Gallery Walk is another opportunity to explore the exhibit and ask questions of the artists. There will be plenty of time to explore on your own, as well as time for touring as a group.

Free and open to the public. Donations appreciated.

The exhibit runs June 7 – July 13. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (and later for special events, listed on our website and Facebook).

Announcing a new series from the Box Factory for the Arts – Summer Sundays at the Box!

An art experience you won’t want to miss! Each event in the series will feature some fabulous musicians, talented artists, vendors and food. Doors will open at 1:00 and live music will be from 4:00-6:00. Stay tuned for full details on each event!

SAVE THE DATES:
June 30 – featuring Jack Adams (aka St. Joe Jack) wsg Emma Hamel
July 21 – the Madison, WI duo Avian Aura- Music will share the stage with a local opener (soon to be announced).
August 18 – lock in your plans NOW to not miss Sankofa‘s return to the Box!
September 22 – Deep Fried Pickle Project Jug Band will close out our series!

AUGUST 18:

A full cash bar will be open during the event featuring beer, wine and a limited cocktail menu. IDs checked at the door.

About the musicians:
Sankofa is an eclectic soul band, whose members are passionate about creating and performing good music! Their motto is, “Reclaiming The Past For A Better Future!”

This high energy ensemble includes:
Beth Haire-Lewis – Lead Singer
Steve Parker – Keyboards/Vocals/Songwriter
Audrey S. Peeples – Drummer/Percussionist/Vocals
Tamika – Trumpet/Vocals
Falconetti Petty – Verse/Vocals
Erick Fisher – saxophone

The lovely and talented Roxanne Shaw will be joining us with her R.A.R.E. Fashions by Roxy! Expect to find some stylish jewelry and clothing items!

More information coming soon about our other artisan vendors as well as food!

Tickets for our August 18 Summer Sundays at the Box event are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Coastline Children’s Film Festival
TITO AND THE BIRDS
August 22 @ 7:00 PM
Animation Gustavo Steinberg, Gabriel Bitar, André Catoto
Brazil 2018 72 min Ages 10 In English
Free 1$ suggested donation

Tito is a shy 10-year-old boy who lives with his mother. Suddenly, an unusual epidemic starts to spread, making people sick whenever they get scared. Tito quickly discovers that the cure is somehow related to his missing father’s research on bird song. He embarks on a journey to save the world from the epidemic with his friends. Tito’s search for the antidote becomes a quest for his missing father and for his own identity. The richly textured and vibrant images of this dazzling animation tell a moving story about the paralyzing power of fear being overcome by empathy and compassion for others.

Announcing a new series from the Box Factory for the Arts – Summer Sundays at the Box!

An art experience you won’t want to miss! Each event in the series will feature some fabulous musicians, talented artists, vendors and food. Doors will open at 1:00 and live music will be from 4:00-6:00. Stay tuned for full details on each event!

SAVE THE DATES:
June 30 – featuring Jack Adams (aka St. Joe Jack) wsg Emma Hamel
July 21 – the Madison, WI duo Avian Aura- Music will share the stage with a local opener (soon to be announced).
August 18 – lock in your plans NOW to not miss Sankofa‘s return to the Box!
September 22 – Deep Fried Pickle Project Jug Band will close out our series!

SEPTEMBER 22:
About the musicians:
From Junk Band to Jug Band music, the Deep Fried Pickles are a delectable musical treat. The Pickle Project has performed at Lollapalooza, TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL, High Sierra, Wakarusa as well as picnics, bars, baptisms, theaters, bathtubs and festivals across North America. They also fought to victory at the 2012 and 2016 Chicago Jug Band Battles.

DANIEL BOONE DANIEL- Vocals, Washtub Bass, Harmonica, Kazoo, Trumpet, Stradivarius Saw…

ALAN SELVIDGE – Vocals, Guitar, Tenor Banjo, Mandolin, & Stumpf Fiddle…

CHARLIE KING- Piggy, Hambolin, Slide Whistle, Jug, Song Sandwich, Diddly Bo…

KATHRYN DIANA – Cigar Box Fiddle, Washboard, Vocals, Kazoo…

The Pickles love building and playing homemade instruments, travelling around the land playing music and teaching youngins and old folks how to build and play simple instruments.

Expect the full experience when the Pickles are in the Box, with details still to come (stay tuned here).

More information coming soon about our other artisan vendors as well as food!

Tickets for our September 22 Summer Sundays at the Box event are: adults $7 in advance or $10 at the door, children ages 3-12 $5, kids under 3 admitted free.

Get into the Box for our monthly Open Mic Nights! In October we welcome the smooth sounds of Erick Fisher, who will be our host for the evening!

SUNDAY, October 13th
7:00-9:00 pm
Doors will open to the public at 6:30. Erick will start off the performances at 7:00.

Email nikki@boxfactoryforthearts.org for your spot in the lineup.

There is no cover charge. Donations are encouraged and help to support our non-profit organization.

The Box Factory for the Arts exists to support and encourage the arts in all forms and expressions and to provide a space for artists of all levels to share their gifts. Open Mic Nights are the perfect opportunity for that! Each month we welcome folks of all ages to take to our stage and share their talent – be it music, comedy, spoken word, dance… you name it! All are welcome to come out and support artists and the arts.

Please keep in mind that the Box Factory for the Arts is a family friendly venue, so we do ask that you keep your performance respectful of all ages.