Our 1- and 2-day workshops offer a taste of something new and a little digging deep, while teaching artists from around the country provide in-depth exploration for the benefit of our instructors, advanced students, and curious learners during Visiting Artist Workshops.
Winter
VISITING ARTIST WORKSHOP WITH JULIA WHITNEY BARNES / Cyanotype: Beyond Blue and White
Julia Whitney Barnes / Multi-Purpose Classroom & Darkroom
Fri to Sun 6/26-6/28
10am-4pm / 3 Days
$270 / Members: $250
In this special three-day cyanotype intensive, students will learn how to create painterly cyanotype-based works. They will start with an intro/refresher on the basics of how to make cyanotype prints by mixing chemistry, coating paper and/or fabric, and developing prints using the sun and UV light. The workshop will then cover how to print using fresh and pressed plants, three-dimensional objects (lace, string, plastic bags, glass jars, jewelry, etc.), paper cutouts, and how to combine media with photographic negatives. Through the process, experimental techniques will also be covered including multicolor wet cyanotype and toning with a variety of materials. Demonstrations will include altering cyanotypes with paints, collage, and multiple exposures. Students will learn how to combine techniques both during the creation of the print and after it has been printed. Previous cyanotype experience is not required, though a background in it is helpful. Visiting artist Julia Whitney Barnes is based in New York’s Hudson Valley and works in a variety of media including cyanotypes, watercolor, oil painting, and ceramic sculpture. She approaches the cyanotype medium as someone painting with light.
This Visiting Artist Workshop is generously supported by the Harold Hope Memorial Fund.
ARASHI SHIBORI SILK SCARF DYEING
Rita Petteys / Studio 4
Sat & Sun 3/14-3/15
12-4pm / Two Days
$130 / Members: $110
This is not your typical tie-dyeing class! Students will learn the shibori pole wrapping technique known as Arashi, the Japanese term for “storm,” to create diagonal stripe designs reminiscent of storm-driven rain or water ripple patterns on a windowpane. Students will have the opportunity to dye two silk scarves with additional scarves available for purchase. Students can bring their own small pieces of fabric to dye. All dyeing materials will be provided.
CHARMING KEEPSAKE
Lauren Tripp and Mary Whalen / Jewelry Studio & Photo Studio
Fri 3/13
10am-3pm / One Day
$110 / Members: $90
Starting with a photograph, we’ll scan, size, print, encase in a miniature copper shadowbox. Making a keepsake of a loved one to wear or give as a gift.
Spring
2026 SPRING VISITING ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS & ARTSTREAM NOMADIC GALLERY
Justin D'Onofrio, Lorna Meaden and Lisa Orr / Auditorium
Thurs & Fri 4/2-4/3
9am-4pm / 2-day
$95 / Members: $75
Since 2001, the Artstream Nomadic Gallery has brought the best of contemporary studio pottery to communities across the country, showcasing a broad range of objects, styles, practices, and makers. Housed in a restored 1967 Airstream, this unique travelling gallery will make a stop at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts for a two-day presentation following a visit to the annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference in Detroit. While at the KIA on April 2-3, the KNAS Ceramics Department is pleased to feature ceramic demonstrations by renowned ceramic artists traveling with the Artstream Nomadic Gallery. Engaging demonstrations by Justin D’Onofrio, Lorna Meaden, and Lisa Orr aim to highlight the technical and aesthetic diversity of the ceramics field. In addition to these presentations, the Artstream Nomadic Gallery will be open for viewing in the Lovell Street parking lot at the KIA. Those interested in attending the ceramic presentations must register by April 1.
Visiting Artist demonstrations are generously supported by the Briarwood Farm Foundation.
ART MARKET PREP
Hank Mattson / Multi-Purpose Classroom
Sun 5/3
12-3pm / 1-day
$65 / Members: $45
The art fair season is here! Prepare with a class that covers art market applications, how to professionally package and present your work, and tips for staying organized. Whether you are just getting started as a festival artist or want to refine your booth, you are sure to gain valuable insights for having a successful art market season. This is a lecture-based class with time for group discussion and questions. If applicable, bring photos of your booth and examples of your artwork to share.
WEAVING SHOELACES
Mary Ann Robertson / Studio 4
Sat & Sun 4/25-4/26
12-3pm / 2-day
$115 / Members: $95
Take a stroll through the museum to visit the Future Now shoe exhibition and then come over to the Kirk Newman Art School to weave your own shoelaces! In this two day workshop you will learn how to set up and weave on an Inkle loom. Inkle looms are small, portable, and perfect for weaving small projects such as straps and shoelaces. At the end of the workshop you’ll have a lovely new set of handwoven laces. All materials are provided.
FABRIC DYEING FOR QUILTING
Rita Petteys / Studio 4
Sat & Sun 4/11-4/12
12-3pm / 2-day
$120 / Members: $100
While the world offers a wide variety of choices in quilting fabric colors and patterns, there are times when you crave a more personal expression. You want to experiment with dyeing a unique color but don’t know where to start, without risking using a large quantity of materials and wasting time and materials. In this class, you will learn to create a personal palette of colors perfect for experimenting with quilting a mini quilt pattern, simple English Paper Piecing, or small, useful item. The fabrics produced will be wash-fast, color-fast, and perfect for creating heirloom quality projects.
INTRODUCTION TO KILN ENAMELING
Meg Tang / Jewelry Studio
Mon 4/13
/ 1-day
$95 / Members: $75
Whether you want to try kiln fired enamels for the first time or just want to brush up on the basics, this two-day workshop is for you! Students will explore kiln fired powder enamels on copper to create colorful pieces of jewelry.
FELTED GEODE SCULPTURES
Emily Wohlscheid / Studio 2
Sat 5/16
12-4pm / 1-day
$105 / Members: $85
Explore wet felting to create a geode soft sculpture! Students will layer wool fibers over a form for the felting process that will result in a densely felted ball. These felted forms will be cut open to reveal the banded “agate” layers within, mimicking a stone geode.
No previous experience is required, all skill levels are welcome.
INTRO TO TORCH FIRED ENAMELING
Deb Flook / Jewelry Studio
Sat 5/2
1-4pm / 1-day
Prerequisite: Intermediate Jewelry or equivalent
$95 / Members: $75
Kilns aren’t the only way to enamel! This introductory workshop will begin with how to set up a torch enameling workstation and what tools are required and will quickly move into how to add enamel to your work.
WATERCOLOR MONOTYPE PRINTMAKING
Charles Coates / Printmaking Studio
Sat 4/4
10am-4pm / 1-day
$125 / Members: $105
Students will create a cohesive series of one-of-a-kind prints by making stencils, drawing, and applying watercolors directly onto vellum plates, then print them onto Japanese and Western papers with the etching press. You'll learn how to build up layers of texture and visual interest by printing multiple plates at once, in addition to blending colors, overlapping stencils, and incorporating collage elements to achieve a range of effects.
INTRO TO EMBROIDERY
Jessica Sundstrom / Multi-Purpose Classroom
Sat 4/25
12-4pm / 1-day
$75 / Members: $55
Learn how to create five types of embroidery stitches in three hours! Students will practice each stitch, learn about embroidery supplies, and also how to hoop their fabric. When the workshop is over, take your stitch sampler with you to continue stitching in the comfort of your cozy home.
COFFEE & ARTIST RESUMES
Ellen VanderMyde / Multi-Purpose Classroom
Sun 4/19
1-4pm / 1-day
$65 / Members: $45
Let’s chat about resumes over coffee! Learn how to format an artist's resume, what information to include, and best practices for maintaining your new resume. Professional practices for art students, emerging artists and makers, and those looking to brush up on their art business skills will be covered. Laptops and/or tablets with Word and Excel capabilities are encouraged. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided!
SOUND BATH: THE FLOW OF CREATIVITY
Kara Markovich / Auditorium
Wed 4/15
6-7:30pm / 1-day
$60 / Members: $40
Immerse yourself in an evening of sound that will take you to a place of peace, stillness, and connection. During the sound immersion various instruments will fill the space such as Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, and gongs. These allow you to move into a state of deep relaxation. Rest, recover, and heal your physical, emotional, and energetic bodies while dislodging creative blocks. Students are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and blanket.
BULLET JOURNALING
Elise Head / Boardroom
Mon 4/20
6-8:30pm / 1-day
$60 / Members: $40
Want to tackle those new year’s resolutions? Get creatively organized while making your very own custom bullet journal! Learn the design fundamentals of bullet journaling, as well as fun and creative ways to organize and plan the rest of 2026. Tackle a stressful task in community by brainstorming weekly layouts, to-do lists, and cute monthly calendar ideas.
SIGN LANGUAGE WORKSHOP
Tanya Timmerman / Studio 2
Sat 5/9
12-2pm / 1-day
$60 / Members: $40
Advance your communication skills and language accessibility through the world of American Sign Language. Come ready to jump start comprehension and production skills in conversational ASL through practice and use of the targeted linguistic structures. U.S. deaf culture and history will also be covered. This class is open to all students, with or without previous experience.