Statement Pieces: Fashioning the Self & Society juxtaposes works from the KIA’s collection with contemporary fashion from the Barrett Barrera Projects collection to examine how self-presentation and identity have been shaped and reimagined over the last 200 years. Fashion and portraiture address more than appearance—they can present ideas, status, and even offer visibility. They can…
During this ArtBreak, Iris Carney Cooper will discuss concepts of art, history, and fashion that allow designers to manipulate the human form for storytelling purposes. How does clothing define a person? What elements are used in garment construction to tell a larger story? This glimpse into the craft will show how to spot clues in…
Join us for College Night at the KIA! This free event for all college students which includes games, food, music, raffles, and interactive activities. Just bring your College ID & connect with students from WMU, K College, KVCC, and more! Come explore the museum, and enjoy a night of fun, creativity, and networking.
Join us for an evening of creativity, connection, and inspiration! Educators of all grade levels and subject areas are invited to enjoy a free night at the KIA. Explore museum resources for your students, engage in fun gallery activities, create art, and enjoy food and drinks while connecting with colleagues. The gallery shop will be…
Get ready for some glitz and glamour! In November, Art Detectives will read a book about a stylish vampire and his passion for fashion before exploring Statement Pieces: Fashioning the Self & Society. We'll discover amazing outfits created by famous designers alongside artworks from the KIA's permanent collection. We'll also create a fashion inspired art…
Following a chance encounter at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Daphne Fuller rekindles a tender relationship with her estranged stepfather Eddie Trott. Though many years have passed, their early and profound connection drives the desire to reconnect at this stage in their lives. Intertwined with the story of a horse named Whistler, Daphne and Eddie…
For over a thousand years, vessels for the preparation and consumption of whisked, powdered tea have ranked among the world's most highly prized ceramics. With roots in China, these objects took on new meanings in Japan through chadō, the Way of Tea, shaped significantly by the Zen Buddhist idea that mundane actions can become paths…
Books, art, and animals come together! We will be giving new life to discarded books to create adorable animals using a series of simple folds on book pages.
Enjoy free admission and extended hours until 8pm on Thursdays, thanks to generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program and the Efroymson Family Fund.
Get ready for some fashion fun! In November, our youngest art lovers can explore Statement Pieces: Fashioning the Self & Society. Come and see how works from the permanent collection have been paired with outfits by world famous designers. This relaxed gallery experience is designed especially for young children and their caregivers. Statement Pieces is…
The 53rd annual Holiday Art Sale at the KIA will feature artworks from 160+ faculty and students of the Kirk Newman Art School. • Thursday, December 3, 4–8pm: Members’ Night • Friday, December 4, 4–8pm: Open to the Public • Saturday, December 5, 9am–3pm: Open to the Public This unique, three-day shopping experience will help…
Venture offsite with us as we visit our neighbors at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre! While the Statement Pieces exhibition encourages us to consider the relationship between fashion and self-expression, this program will explore the ways in which clothing is used to establish vital aspects of dramatic characters onstage. Resident Costume Designer Elaine Kauffman will offer…