Creative Connections | Visit Southwest Michigan
Creative Connections hero image showing a member organization.

Creative Connections

some places are naturally inspiring — especially Southwest Michigan

The beauty and vibrancy of Lake Michigan, the serenity of our countryside and the rich stories of our past inspire us. Now, you can connect with the artists, actors, musicians and dreamers who call this area home.

earn prizes by taking the Creative Connections Challenge from May 1 to April 30

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how to play

the game

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creative connections

destinations

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upcoming

events

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creative connections

faqs

how to take the

Creative Connections challenge

1

download
the app

Download the Visit Southwest Michigan app from the App Store or Google Play.

2

collect
stamps

Once you download the app, start the Creative Connections Challenge. At each Creative Connections stop, check in by opening the app and scanning the unique QR code. The more check-in codes you acquire from May 1 to April 30, the more rewards you can earn. (You must be 18 years or older to play.)

3

complete
levels

Level 1: Scan 3 different check-in codes.
Level 2: Scan 3 more different check-in codes.
Hotel Level: Stay in one of our hotels after completing Level 1 or 2. Submit the hotel receipt through the app. The name on the receipt must match the name on the Creative Connections Challenge form.
Grand Prize Drawing: Complete ALL the levels, including the hotel level, then submit the app. You will automatically enter the Grand Prize drawing.

4

earn
prizes

To redeem your prizes, use the app to submit your Creative Connections check-in levels by April 30, 2026.

Wait to submit the challenge until you've completed all the levels you plan to achieve. Once you submit, you can't continue collecting more check-in codes.

prizes you can earn

$15 gift card to a Creative Connections destination of your choice.

level 1

$15 gift card to a Creative Connections destination of your choice

$30 gift card to a Creative Connections destination of your choice.

level 2

$30 gift certificate to a Creative Connections destination of your choice

$75 Love Local SWMI Gift Card (redeemable at participating St. Joe Today member locations)

hotel prize

$75 Love Local SWMI gift card (redeemable at participating St. Joseph Today member locations)

Creative Connections

destinations

ARS Gallery, Arts and Culture Center

ARS Gallery, Arts and Culture Center



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Bee Crafty

Bee Crafty



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Berrien County Historical Association

Berrien County Historical Association



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Box Factory for the Arts

Box Factory for the Arts



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Brush + Bloom DIY Studio

Brush + Bloom DIY Studio



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Chartreuse

Chartreuse



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Citadel Dance & Music Center

Citadel Dance & Music Center



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CPR Dance: Inhale Movement

CPR Dance: Inhale Movement



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Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve

Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve



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Filkins Vineyards

Filkins Vineyards



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Fusion Gallery and Studio

Fusion Gallery and Studio



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Golden Muse Winery

Golden Muse Winery



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Inn at Harbor Shores

Inn at Harbor Shores



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JLN Studio

JLN Studio



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Krasl Art Center

Krasl Art Center



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Monday Musical Club, Inc.

Monday Musical Club, Inc.



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Morton House Museum

Morton House Museum



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Niles History Center

Niles History Center



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North Berrien Historical Museum

North Berrien Historical Museum



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Owen Sisters & Co.

Owen Sisters & Co.



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Rebecca's Ceramics

Rebecca's Ceramics



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Silver Beach Carousel

Silver Beach Carousel



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Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra

Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra



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The Acorn

The Acorn



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The Culinary Cottage

The Culinary Cottage



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The GhostLight Theatre

The GhostLight Theatre



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The Sandpiper Fashion, Fiber, & Gifts /Hoof-To-Hanger Fiber Mill

The Sandpiper Fashion, Fiber, & Gifts /Hoof-To-Hanger Fiber Mill



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Twin City Players

Twin City Players



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Water Street Glassworks

Water Street Glassworks



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creative connections

events

summer
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707 Lake Blvd
St Joseph

2025 KAC Summer Art Markets

10:00am - 5:00pm
Sat, May 31 - Sat, Aug 30

Kids Summer Art Camp 2025
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2642 W John. Beers Rd
Stevensville

Kids Summer Art Camp at JLN Studio

10:00am - 12:00pm
Mon, Jul 07 - Thu, Jul 24

Kids Summer Art Camp 2025
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2642 W John. Beers Rd
Stevensville

Kids Summer Art Camp at JLN Studio

10:00am - 12:00pm
Mon, Jul 14 - Thu, Jul 31

Dirty 12
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107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band at The Acorn

8:00pm - 11:00pm
Fri, Jul 18

BF
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1101 Broad Street
St. Joseph

Opening Reception for New Exhibit at the Box Factory for the Arts

5:30pm - 7:00pm
Fri, Jul 18

Texaco
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205 Territorial Road
Benton Harbor

Beer & Art Walking Tour

5:30pm - 7:00pm
Fri, Jul 18

Chapin Mansion
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Niles History Center - 508 E. Main Street
Niles

Chapin Mansion Tours

1:00pm - 2:00pm
Fri, Jul 18 - Sat, Jul 19

Summer Art
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Arts Park
Benton Harbor

Children's Art Fair

10:00am - 2:00pm
Sat, Jul 19

summer
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707 Lake Blvd
St Joseph

2025 KAC Summer Art Markets

10:00am - 5:00pm
Sat, Jul 19 - Sat, Oct 18

Paint & Sip
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6991 Ryno Rd
Coloma

Paint & Sip Saturdays at Filkins Vineyards

11:30am - 1:30pm
Sat, Jul 19

Ron Short
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6991 Ryno Rd
Coloma

Elvis, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond Impersonator & La Chula Food Truck LIVE at Filkins Vineyards

3:00pm - 6:00pm
Sat, Jul 19

25 SSC
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107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks

2025 Acorn Singer-Songwriter Competition Finals

7:00pm - 10:00pm
Sat, Jul 19

Jack
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107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks

Jack Whittle Trio: Midwest Made at The Acorn

3:00pm - 6:00pm
Sun, Jul 20

Hat Painting Class
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2642 W John Beers
Stevensville

Hat Painting Workshop

3:00pm - 6:00pm
Sun, Jul 20

Art&Mindfulness_Fernwood
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13988 Range Line Road
Niles

Summer Camp: Art and Mindfulness in Nature

9:30am - 4:30pm
Tue, Jul 22 - Fri, Jul 25

Morton House today
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501 Territorial
Benton Harbor

From Immigrant to First President of Benton Harbor: The Life and Times of Samuel McGuigan

7:00pm - 8:30pm
Wed, Jul 23

Out of the Box Open Mic Night
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1101 Broad Street
St. Joseph

Out of the Box Open Mic Night

6:30pm - 9:00pm
Wed, Jul 23

Flyer for the 2025 Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Summer Lecture Series
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620 E. Main Street
Niles

Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Summer Lecture Series

7:00pm - 8:00pm
Wed, Jul 23

Forest Tree Art Class
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2642 W John Beers Rd
Stevensville

Forest Painting Class

6:00pm - 8:00pm
Thu, Jul 24

S&R
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107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks

An intimate evening with Shovels & Rope at The Acorn

8:00pm - 11:00pm
Thu, Jul 24

Thursdays Dockside Summer Social
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800 Whitwam Drive
Saint Joseph

Dockside Summer Social

5:30pm - 7:30pm
Thu, Jul 24

Cheese 101
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6991 Ryno Rd
Coloma

Cheese 101 Class hosted by Culture Cheese Shop & Filkins Vineyards

6:30pm - 8:30pm
Fri, Jul 25

Chapin Mansion
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Niles History Center - 508 E. Main Street
Niles

Chapin Mansion Tours

1:00pm - 2:00pm
Fri, Jul 25 - Sat, Jul 26

SHN
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107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks

Second Hand News: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac at The Acorn

8:00pm - 11:00pm
Fri, Jul 25

creative connections

faqs

What dates does the Creative Connections Challenge run this year?

From May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026

Where can I enter the Creative Connections Challenge?

Download the Visit Southwest Michigan app from the App Store or Google Play.

I forgot to get a check-in code when I visited a destination. Can I still count it?

Yes. Hold on to your receipt or proof of visit from the destination and contact the Tourist Council to receive credit for your visit.

I've only finished the first level. Can I still get my prize?

Yes. While we encourage you to complete all levels and explore the creative destinations in Southwest Michigan, you don't have to complete every level. If you only finished the first level, submit it using the app.

How do I earn the hotel prize?

Stay in any hotel listed here. The name on the hotel receipt must match the name on the app. Submit a photo of the hotel receipt through the app by April 30, 2026.

What prizes can I earn?

Depending on which levels you complete, you can earn the following: a $15 or $30 gift card to a Creative Connections destination of your choice, a $75 Love Local SWMI gift card, and our Grand Prize, a one-night, all-inclusive hotel package for two people.

How do I receive my prizes?

To redeem your prizes, use the app to submit your Creative Connections Challenge and a photo of your hotel receipt by April 30, 2026. Once we validate your prize levels, you can pick up your prizes at the Southwest Michigan Travel Information Center (see address below) or call the Tourist Council at 269-925-6301 to make other arrangements for your prizes to be mailed.

I prefer to use a printed Creative Connections Challenge sheet, do you offer one?

Yes, you can download a printable copy or pick up a printed Creative Connections Challenge sheet from: Southwest Michigan Travel Information Center


Whenever you visit a participating destination, ask an employee to stamp your printed sheet. Each destination has a unique stamp. The more stamps you collect, the more prizes you can earn. (Duplicate stamps are not allowed.)

To earn your hotel prize, request a printed receipt to include as proof of your stay and submit it with your completed form. The name on the receipt must match the name on the printed sheet.

To receive your earned prizes, mail or drop off the stamped sheet and original hotel receipt to the Southwest Michigan Travel Information Center address written above. We must receive your Creative Connections Challenge Sheet to validate it by April 30, 2026. This offer is good while prize supplies last.

If you still have questions about Creative Connections Challenge, Please reach out.

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