PechaKucha St. Joseph/Benton Harbor

04/09/2026

03/16/2026

Special thanks to all who made the March 12th PechaKucha volume 35 event a success! Shout out to DG Media Company for these excellent images from the evening. Hats off to the Box Factory for once again hosting the event!

Mark your calendar for volume 36 on May 21 at 7:00 PM at Shadowland Ballroom in St. Joseph. More details to follow closer to the event!

03/12/2026

Rounding out our line up of speakers is Sandy Haga. Don't miss hearing her story at tonight's PechaKucha. Tickets will be available at the door. The event is taking place at the Box Factory for the Arts.

Sandy Haga is a creative soul working in mediums ranging from found objects and forgotten treasures to community and collaboration. In her world, nothing and no one is ever a throwaway—she believes everything has purpose waiting to be rediscovered. Affectionately named “The Queen of Junk” by the Herald Palladium during her time operating Transformations Art Barn, in South Haven. Sandy has a gift for seeing possibility where others see scraps. Old, discarded pieces, parts, and well-loved “junk” are thoughtfully transformed into something new. Some creations are practical and useful; others are purely artistic expressions—but all are works of art!

03/12/2026

Taking the stage this evening is Kelly Mathews. Don't miss PechaKucha Volume 35 taking place this evening at the Box Factory for the Arts starting at 7:00 PM. Tickets will be available at the door.

Kelly Mathews is an artist from St Joseph, MI. Her history with addiction, rehab, recovery and bipolar disorder lends her a unique perspective on the world around her. Primarily using encaustic and photography, her work deals with social and political issues and erases the stigma of mental illness. She is currently the Artist in Residence for the Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation. Her solo exhibition, “Being Bipolar in a Polarized World” has toured many Universities and Art Centers in the Midwest. She has been a panelist for the International Society for Bipolar Disorder Conference, a featured speaker for the Stiles- Nicholson Brain Institute, is a partner in McLean Hospital’s Deconstructing Stigma program, and is now a part of the Neuro Art Blueprint’s Resource Center.

03/11/2026

Joining the line up of speakers on Thursday evening is Dez Durden.

Dez Durden is a behavioral therapist, published author, mental health advocate, and Queen. As the founder of When Roses Bloom, she has transformed her personal experiences of pain and loss into a platform that empowers others to heal, grow, and embrace their worth. A Benton Harbor Native and the reigning Ms. Michigan Petite 2025, Dez combines her passion for mental wellness with storytelling, inspiring audiences through authenticity, resilience, and purpose.

Get your tickets in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981337613137?aff=oddtdtcreator or at the door.

03/11/2026

Meet Finn Dunigan. He has been an ISA Certified Arborist for 17 years and has worked in nature all his life. His passion is tree preservation and urban forest equity. Finn recently moved to SW Michigan from the Grand Rapids area and started a small tree company called Tree Dimension which focuses on tree health and care over removals. He finds great comfort and peace hiking and climbing among trees and believes that a healthy urban forest can bring amazing benefits to the entire community.

Hear Finn's story on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm at the Box Factory. Get your tickets in advance by visiting here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981337613137?aff=oddtdtcreator or at the door.

03/11/2026

Gracing the PechaKucha stage for a second time is James Gunter. Come hear James' story on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 pm at the Box Factory. Get your tickets in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981337613137?aff=oddtdtcreator or at the door on Thursday evening.

James Gunter is a devoted father, fiancé, fatherhood advocate, trained doula, and the driving force behind Present Pillars. Born and raised in Benton Harbor, Michigan, James has always valued the importance of family and community. His journey into fatherhood transformed his life and inspired him to dedicate himself to supporting and empowering fathers on their own journeys.

James is a proud father of two and deeply values the role fathers play in the well-being of their families. Drawing from his own experiences, he became a passionate advocate for fatherhood, working to break down stereotypes and encourage fathers to be actively involved in their children’s lives.

James co-founded Present Pillars, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting fathers and families through resources, education, and community. As Executive Director, he leads initiatives that help fathers navigate barriers while building stronger relationships with their children and families.

03/10/2026

Don't miss what promises to be a great evening of story telling! The event is taking place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Box Factory for the Arts on Broad Street in St. Joseph. Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981337613137?aff=oddtdtcreator

This is Tom Gamble one of the speakers taking the stage on Thursday evening.

Thomas Gamble is Director of Development and Athletic Director at River of Life School in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He specializes in donor development and interpersonal leadership, driving community engagement and program growth.
Thomas holds a B.A. from Bethel University and an M.B.A. from Indiana Wesleyan University. Outside work he enjoys walking and reading non-fiction.

03/10/2026

Meet another of the speakers taking the stage on Thursday evening!

Dawn Violet Todd is a human. They advocate for curiosity and compassion as tools to redirect the world's chaos. Dawn has spent 24 years of life wearing many different hats, sweaters, and walking miles in several shoes. They are currently a writer and producer of their own works online, and they practice art in both metal and photography. Right now, they spend their working time at Krasl Art Center as Guest Services Coordinator.

Don't miss what promises to be a great evening of story telling! The event is taking place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Box Factory for the Arts on Broad Street in St. Joseph. Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981337613137?aff=oddtdtcreator