As part of our community collaboration around the Sourced from the ‘Zoo exhibition, the KIA is hosting several Thursday evening events centered around selected exhibition themes. On April 10, join us for a free book swap in celebration of the themes of literature and sustainability! Bring your gently-used books to the KIA for this special swap…
During this ArtBreak, we again venture beyond the campus of the KIA to visit community partners in the Sourced from the ‘Zoo exhibition! This time, we will be visiting the Black Arts and Cultural Center and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo for gallery walkthroughs! Come explore the Sourced from the ‘Zoo submissions on display…
One of the themes from Sourced from the ‘Zoo explores self-care and well-being. This event invites you to drop in and sample different activities at your own pace to find lasting habits that can contribute to a healthier, more balanced life. With activities led by several Kirk Newman Art School instructors, you’ll have opportunities to…
In celebration of the Sourced from the 'Zoo exhibition, we are turning the spotlight onto you! All are welcome to stop by the Meader Fine Arts Library on Saturday, April 19th from 11am-3pm to make a miniature masterpiece. Use a 3 x 3 canvas and acrylic paints to create a tiny work of art to…
During this Gallery Gathering, hear from community members whose pieces are included in our Sourced from the ‘Zoo exhibition. With a focus on artworks and objects relating to self-care and wellbeing, we will explore the galleries together and hear the stories behind several of these pieces. Gallery stools will be available. After the gathering, stick…
Join us for a restorative, thought-provoking workshop led by Alessandra Santos Pye and Kama Tai Mitchell. This session offers mindfulness practices, creative expression, movement, and group discussions to help you reflect, recharge, and connect. Explore self-care techniques while honoring individual stories and experiences. Whether you're new to wellness or an enthusiast, this workshop will foster…
During this ArtBreak, artist and educator Tom Rice will discuss the evolution of his large-scale drawings and installations that address the global climate crisis. The increasing size and frequency of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods are symptoms of a seismic transition from a relatively stable climate to a new normal. The denial of these signs…
Stop by the Fine Arts Library to celebrate World Collage Day. Create a collage with Errin Ironside from Collage Crew Kzoo. Inspired by the Sourced from the 'Zoo exhibition, participants can create a personal collage aligned with the themes of the show. Pieces will be showcased in our library window for a month following the…
During this immersive Artful Evening event, Rev. Millard Southern will speak about the power of visual art and music to create and sustain communities, bringing diverse voices and perspectives together in harmony with one another. Following his short talk, the Bill Cessna Trio will perform live in our galleries, with Bill Cessna on keyboard, Joe…
In February 1943, Mies van der Rohe published his “Museum for a Small City” in Architectural Forum. Architectural historians have long been fascinated with the concept drawings, but often refer to the plans as never having been realized. And yet, archival evidence suggests that Mies’ “Museum for a Small City” was indeed realized in 1961,…
by Elisa Gabbert Every life is a unique experience but what commonalities unite us? How can our personal stories be relatable? Books, music, art—we may view these differently, yet we relate to common themes. Gabbert considers how these perceptions influence our understanding in regard to artforms. These 16 essays look at who we are when…
Join us for an evening of laughter, learning, and local pride! This interactive event is inspired by the KIA’s Sourced from the ’Zoo exhibition, which celebrates the people, places, and stories that make Kalamazoo unique. We’re teaming up with Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, one of Kalamazoo’s most beloved performance groups, to deliver an entertaining and high-energy…