Blue Coast Artists’ LLC Fact Sheet 2012

MISSION: the Blue Coast Artists LLC is a juried group of working studio artists joined together for the purpose of creating, educating and enhancing public appreciation of hand made craft and fine art, and to preserve the culture and heritage of the region.

HISTORY: Celebrating our 23rd season in 2012! The group was founded in 1989 and the Blue Coast Artists name was coined in the early 1990’s. The Blue Coast Artists was the first group in the region to promote culture and heritage through a defined tour.  This self-guided tour guide offers a behind-the-scenes look into the studios of working artists.  In 2006, the group expanded its cooperative to include additional cultural and heritage significant businesses, as well as the juried Member studios.  The group’s artistic, cultural and economic influence on the region is widely known, and the term “Blue Coast” is now used to describe the lakeshore region from South Haven to Saugatuck.   In 2012, the Blue Coast Artists have partnered with the Lakeshore Harvest Country farm tour to create a combined brochure, making it easier for visitors to enjoy all this region has to offer

LOCATION & BOUNDARIES:  All participants must be located in Allegan County between South Haven and Saugatuck, MI., along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Baseline Rd. is the South boundary, the railroad tracks at approximately 56^th St. is the East boundary, up to Wiley Rd. on the North and Lake Michigan as the boundary to the West.

MEMBERS: The Blue Coast Artists’ 2012 Membership includes eight working studio artists. These Members include:   Mark Williams - Blue Star Pottery, Christine Russell Bruno-Town Hall Studio, Dawn Soltysiak – Khnemu Studio LLC , Lee McKee –Lake Effect Pottery, Anke Richert-Korioth, The Frontdoor Studio & Gallery and Suzi Lattner Zwissler – Lattner Studio, Michele Clark-Brazilian Shack, Jeff Blandford-Volmod Studio

BUSINESSS ASSOCIATES:  In 2011 there were 10 invited cultural & heritage businesses, plus 9 Lakeshore Harvest Country farms.  These businesses include agri-tourism farms, wineries, art galleries and culturally based restaurants. The invited businesses are must be locally owned and promote one or all of the following:  locally grown, visual or performing arts, antique, ethnic or non-profit.  Together, we make this region an even greater cultural and heritage destination.

ACTIVITIES:  In addition to the regular Blue Coast Artist Member studio hours, the group hosts the annual Fall Tour of Studios

In 2012 the member studios will celebrate the 23rd Annual Fall Tour of Studios on Oct.6th & 7th. The event will offer complimentary refreshments and live art-making demonstrations at each studio.  The Fall Tour of Studios was conceived as an educational tool to give customers an opportunity to see how a work of art is made, and to further the visitor’s understanding of the artists’ commitment to creating this work.  Over the years, this event has grown to attract 2,000 or more visitors over a two day period.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Application for Blue Coast Artist Membership is a group jury process that consists of a slide/resume/artist’ statement review, a site visit and a group interview session. Applicant Member studios must also meet the following requirements 1.) Be located within the Blue Coast Artist geographic region 2) Agree to the financial commitment divided among the group for advertising, printing, graphic design, web site and postage expenses 3.) Be open mandatory group business hours of: Saturday only 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. starting the first weekend in May through the weekend in October closest to October 15^th.   4) Participate in the annual Fall Tour of Studios.  Application for Blue Coast Artist business associates is by a written invitation from the Blue Coast Artist Members.

The off-season allows time for Members time to create art, teach, write, and promote their businesses and the group.  The public may call individual studios for an appointment during this time.