KALAMAZOO—March 2, 2026
Thinking of taking a class at the KIA? Want to make, take, and experience a range of creative projects all in the same night? Join us on Friday, March 6, from 6 to 9pm for Hands On, a fun, fast-paced art making evening welcoming friends and families to make art and take it home all in one night!
Enjoy mini art lessons, creative activities, and hands-on projects in the KNAS art studios including welding a metal garden piece, 15-minute wheel throwing lessons in clay, handprinting linoleum block greeting cards, painting with light photographic portraits, and creating metal earrings. More than 15 different projects will be available, including several inspired by the Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks exhibition currently on view at the KIA.
“Hands On is one of the most exciting events we offer in the Kirk Newman Art School. Not only is it a great evening for friends and families to enjoy a range of art making activities, but it also showcases the capabilities of our 12 well-equipped art studios and the talents of our teaching faculty. We are always delighted to see the many creative projects attendees proudly take home that night. We hope the event sparks joy and further interest in personal creativity.” – Leslie Donaldson, Director of the Kirk Newman Art School.
Admission to the KIA and some projects are free while other projects require nominal tickets to cover the costs of materials. Tickets for projects can be purchased at the door. Several free activities will also be available beginning at 5pm. Ticketed activities in the School’s studios open at 6pm. Projects range from $2-$30. Registration is not required. Hands On at the KIA is great for all ages!
Hands On activities include:
- Indigo dyed shoelaces, tote bags, and bandanas
- Cameraless photographs on postcard paper
- Painting with light photographic portraits in our digital lab
- Welded metal garden stakes and Air Jordan-inspired metal art
- Glaze a raku fired ceramic vessel
- Handpaint a ceramic floral or shoe-inspired tile
- Metal keychains, magnets, and jewelry wrap rings
- 15 minute wheel throwing mini lesson in clay
- 15 minute mini 5” x 7” abstract painting on canvas
- 15 minute drawing lesson in your own mini sketchbook
- Printmaking on fabric tea towels
- Handprinted linoleum block greeting cards
- Children’s Shrinky Dink shoe keychains and shoe charms
- Bullet journaling demos and take-home worksheets
- Printmaking and fiber demos
Extended Hours on Free Thursdays
Enjoy free general 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.
Free Thursdays removes barriers and opens doors to inspiration, learning, and connection, whether someone is a lifelong art enthusiast or just wants to explore and reflect.
About the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Since 1924, the KIA has offered its visitors the opportunity to enjoy and create art. The KIA’s permanent collection holds more than 4,600 objects across a wide spectrum of media, and the museum presents 10-15 exhibitions annually in its ten galleries. In addition to its exhibition spaces, the museum houses the KIA Gallery Shop, which sells pieces by international artisans and local and regional artists, a multi-media auditorium, a publicly accessible library, an interactive children’s gallery, and the Kirk Newman Art School (KNAS). KNAS has nurtured the creative passions of tens of thousands of students around the region, state, and beyond, annually welcoming more than 3,400 enrollments. Students of all ages engage with our talented and committed faculty as a part of an exciting fine arts curriculum that includes ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, drawing/painting, printmaking, fiber, photography, glass fusing and enrichment program.
Expanded offerings, collaborations, and outreach will celebrate 100 years of excellence in the arts and bring the KIA’s unparalleled resources to a wider audience than ever before. These special initiatives will give back to the community in appreciation for 100 years of growth, and deepen the ability of all Kalamazooans to find joy, learn from one another, and grow. Through close listening and renewed creativity, the anniversary will illuminate the pathway for the Institute’s next 100 years. For more information, visit www.kiarts.org.