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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260625T190000
DTSTAMP:20260317T161029Z
CREATED:20260317T144908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T161029Z
UID:10001277-1782410400-1782414000@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Artful Evening: Botanical Art of Julia Whitney Barnes
DESCRIPTION:During this Artful Evening talk\, artist Julia Whitney Barnes will speak about her Planting Utopia series\, featured in the Hancock Shaker Museum\, the Shaker Heritage Society\, and the Albany International Airport. Barnes will also address her larger body of research and her permanent artwork The Botanist’s Mural. On view in Vassar College’s newly-built Vassar Institute\, the mural is based on the herbarium that dates back to the founding of the college in 1861. \nBorn in Newbury\, VT\, Julia Whitney Barnes spent two decades in Brooklyn and New York City before moving to the Hudson Valley in 2015. She received a BFA from Parsons School of Design and an MFA from Hunter College. Whitney Barnes works in a variety of media\, including cyanotypes\, watercolor\, combined media works on paper\, oil paintings\, glass\, ceramic sculptures\, murals\, site-specific installations\, and limited-edition prints. She has exhibited widely in the United States and internationally. \nWhitney Barnes will offer a three-day workshop in the Kirk Newman Art School on June 26-28\, entitled Cyanotype: Beyond Blue and White. This workshop is generously supported by the Harold Hope Memorial Fund.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/artful-evening-botanical-art-of-julia-whitney-barnes/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Artful Evening
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Artful-Evening-Botanical-Art.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T200000
DTSTAMP:20260317T161045Z
CREATED:20260317T144652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T161045Z
UID:10001276-1781805600-1781812800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Summer Jams
DESCRIPTION:Summer Jams returns to the KIA as a lively open mic night celebrating music\, poetry\, and creative expression. This event brings artists and community members together to share their voices in a welcoming and creative space. Performers of all backgrounds are invited to take the stage\, whether you’re a musician\, poet\, spoken word artist\, or simply someone with something to share. Not looking to perform? Come enjoy the performances\, discover local talent\, and connect with the community. \nSummer Jams takes place during Free Thursday\, so admission to the galleries is free all evening. Guests are encouraged to explore the exhibitions\, enjoy the museum atmosphere\, and then gather for a night of live performances and creative energy. Each Summer Jams evening will feature a unique theme\, with more details and performer opportunities announced soon. Whether you’re stepping up to the mic or just coming to vibe\, Summer Jams is a celebration of art\, creativity\, and community at the KIA.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/summer-jams-3/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Summer-Jams.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260618T140000
DTSTAMP:20260407T184250Z
CREATED:20260317T144455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T184250Z
UID:10001275-1781780400-1781791200@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Juneteenth Commemoration
DESCRIPTION:Join the KIA as we remember Juneteenth\, which is a holiday that commemorates the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Participate in various activities\, including viewing artworks by African American artists\, drop-in low-mess art activities\, and more.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/juneteenth-commemoration/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Juneteenth-Commemoration.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260617T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260617T150000
DTSTAMP:20260317T144351Z
CREATED:20260317T144351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T144351Z
UID:10001274-1781704800-1781708400@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Book Discussion: Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner by Natalie Dysktra
DESCRIPTION:Author Natalie Dykstra recounts the story of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s extraordinary life in this moving and illuminating biography. A Boston socialite\, Gardner lived a life full of passion but one which was also marked by grief. Dykstra delivers compelling insight into Gardner’s friendships\, world travels\, and her keen eye for collecting treasures all of which shaped the creation of the Stewart Gardner Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/book-discussion-chasing-beauty-the-life-of-isabella-stewart-gardner-by-natalie-dysktra/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Discussions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Book-Discussion-Chasing-Beauty.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260612T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260612T114500
DTSTAMP:20260317T144209Z
CREATED:20260317T144209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T144209Z
UID:10001273-1781262000-1781264700@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Wonder Walk: Figures and Faces
DESCRIPTION:In June\, bring your little ones for a stroll through the permanent collection. Through close looking and simple gallery activities we’ll search for figures and faces in the artwork.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/wonder-walk-figures-and-faces/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Wonder Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wonder-Walk-Figures-and-Faces.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260611T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260611T180000
DTSTAMP:20260317T144024Z
CREATED:20260317T144024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T144024Z
UID:10001272-1781199000-1781200800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Gallery Gathering: Manierre Dawson's Mother and Child and Henry Ossawa Tanner's The Visitation
DESCRIPTION:During this Gallery Gathering\, we will take a closer look at Manierre Dawson’s Mother and Child and Henry Ossawa Tanner’s The Visitation. While both early 20th century paintings depict religious scenes\, the artists approached their subject matter in distinctly different ways. Dawson\, credited with being America’s first abstract artist\, employs Cubist techniques\, while Dawson\, considered the first African American artist to attain international acclaim\, blends Realism and Impressionism.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/gallery-gathering-manierre-dawsons-mother-and-child-and-henry-ossawa-tanners-the-visitation/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery Gathering
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Gallery-Gathering-Manierre-Dawson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260606T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260606T140000
DTSTAMP:20260317T144058Z
CREATED:20260317T143825Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T144058Z
UID:10001271-1780743600-1780754400@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Library Activity: Gelli Plate Printing: Sneakers
DESCRIPTION:Stop in to the KIA during Arts Fair for a hands on art activity! We will provide the supplies to create your own Gelli Plate printed sneaker. Experiment with colorways inspired by objects featured in Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks!  \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/library-activity-gelli-plate-printing-sneakers/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Future Now,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Library-Activity-Gelli-Plate.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260527T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260527T130000
DTSTAMP:20260526T185535Z
CREATED:20260317T143633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T185535Z
UID:10001270-1779883200-1779886800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:ArtBreak: Curating At The End Of The World: An Apocalyptic Manifesto
DESCRIPTION:What does it mean to curate as we live through apocalyptic times? Join our 2026 West Michigan Area Show juror\, Dr. Xuxa Rodríguez\, as she shares about her curatorial practice and explores what making exhibitions and writing about art means as the stakes of our collective global livelihoods grow higher. Dr. Rodríguez will offer reflections and proposals for working and living through difficult times to find meaning and hope even in the darkest of days.\nXuxa Rodríguez\, Ph.D.\, is a curator\, scholar\, and writer\, originally from Miami\, FL. Her expertise ranges across modern and contemporary Latinx and Latin American Art\, African diasporic art\, feminist and queer art\, transnational artists\, and time-based media\, with strengths in performance and video. Now based in Durham\, NC\, she is the Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Curator of Contemporary Art at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. \nOur ArtBreak program will be on hiatus in June and July. Join us in August when ArtBreaks resume!
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/artbreak-curating-at-the-end-of-the-world-an-apocalyptic-manifesto/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:ArtBreak
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ArtBreak-Curating.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260521T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260521T193000
DTSTAMP:20260317T143456Z
CREATED:20260317T143456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T143456Z
UID:10001269-1779386400-1779391800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Best of the 48-Hour Film Festival
DESCRIPTION:Each year\, a growing number of talented Kalamazoo filmmakers\, both amateur and professional\, take on the challenge of participating in the Kazoo 48-Hour Film Festival. Assigned a genre\, prop\, character quirk\, location\, and line of dialogue to use within a short film\, participants have just 48 hours to bring their visions to life.  \nThe winning films for 2026\, selected in multiple categories\, were announced during a public screening at the GQT Kalamazoo 10 Theater on April 23.  \nDuring this celebratory event at the KIA\, watch the winning films and hear from the filmmakers themselves about their experiences and personal highlights from the festival!
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/best-of-the-48-hour-film-festival/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Films
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Best-of-the-48-Hour-Film-Festival.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260520T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260520T150000
DTSTAMP:20260317T143151Z
CREATED:20251219T143206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T143151Z
UID:10001250-1779285600-1779289200@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Book Discussion: Sneaker Marauders: Poems by Ran Walker and Van G. Garrett
DESCRIPTION:This short collaboration celebrates sneaker culture through poetry. Consisting of two parts\, part one is a micro saga-in verse about a quest to find sneakers but yields an even great discovery beyond shoes. Part two is a collection of prose poems\, a kind of mixtape\, which explores many aspects of sneaker culture from overarching artistic reflections to personal ties to footwear. Themes in this book will tie into Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks. \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/book-discussion-sneaker-marauders-poems-by-ran-walker-and-van-g-garrett/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Discussions,Future Now
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Book-Discussion-Sneaker-Marauders.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260516T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260516T140000
DTSTAMP:20260317T151821Z
CREATED:20251219T142819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T151821Z
UID:10001249-1778929200-1778940000@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Library Activity: Mini Origami Shoes
DESCRIPTION:Inspired by the innovation and history of sneakers\, we will provide origami paper to fold your own mini shoe! A variety of styles and difficulty levels will be provided. Check out the exhibition Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks for inspiration and then drop by the library to try your hand at this detailed paper project. \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/library-activity-mini-origami-shoes/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Future Now,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Library-Activity-Mini-Origami-Shoes.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260514T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260514T190000
DTSTAMP:20260403T163439Z
CREATED:20260317T142459Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T163439Z
UID:10001266-1778781600-1778785200@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Artful Evening: Future Now
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special Artful Evening with Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto! Semmelhack is the curator of Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks. During this program\, she will talk about why shoes matter and about how designers today are revolutionizing what we will put on our feet tomorrow. If you’ve enjoyed Future Now\, don’t miss this opportunity to meet the curator behind the exhibition! \nSemmelhack’s work focuses on the intersections of fashion\, culture\, and economics\, with a particular interest in the history of footwear. She is widely quoted in the media from the New York Times to Vogue\, and since starting at the Bata Shoe Museum in 2000\, she has curated over thirty exhibitions and written fourteen books and catalogues and over thirty chapters and articles. Her most recent exhibitions and publications related to sneakers include Art/Wear: Sneakers x Artists (2024)\, Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks (Rizzoli:2022)\, Collab: Sneakers x Culture (Rizzoli: 2019)\, and Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture (Rizzoli: 2015). \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/artful-evening-future-now-2/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Artful Evening,Future Now
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Artful-Evening-Future-Now.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260509T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260509T120000
DTSTAMP:20260317T142140Z
CREATED:20260317T142140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T142140Z
UID:10001265-1778322600-1778328000@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Art Detectives: We're All Works of Art by Mark Sperring
DESCRIPTION:In May\, Art Detectives will be on the case\, searching for how artists show people in their artwork. We’ll read a book about different artistic styles\, hunt for faces and figures in the permanent collection\, and finish by creating our own portrait masterpiece to take home. Arty will be on vacation in June\, July\, and August. Please join us again in September when Arty has returned.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/art-detectives-were-all-works-of-art-by-mark-sperring/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Art Detectives,Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Art-Detectives-Were-All-Works-of-Art.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260507T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260507T190000
DTSTAMP:20260317T142022Z
CREATED:20260317T142022Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T142022Z
UID:10001264-1778176800-1778180400@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Dress Code: Edward Hopper\, Urban Solitude\, and the Clothing of Modern Life
DESCRIPTION:Explore the artwork of Edward Hopper in this lecture by Dr. James Denison\, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and Kalamazoo College. Denison’s presentation will consider the use of fashion in Edward Hopper’s paintings of urban American life\, interpreting his simplified representations of clothes as a strategy crucial to the sense of isolation and emotional restraint often associated with his work. Hopper’s paintings of the 1920’s\, ’30s\, and ’40s only represent a limited portion of the fashion landscape of the era\, a potent choice given the widely held notion that his pictures thematize the psychological experience of modern life. \nA native of the DC area and a graduate of Bowdoin College\, James completed his PhD in art history at the University of Michigan\, where he wrote a thesis on the connections between the Stieglitz Circle and racism in the interwar U.S. In 2023 he joined Kalamazoo College and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts as a postdoctoral fellow.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/dress-code-edward-hopper-urban-solitude-and-the-clothing-of-modern-life/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dress-Code-Edward-Hopper.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260507T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260507T180000
DTSTAMP:20260407T183824Z
CREATED:20260317T141809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T183824Z
UID:10001263-1778175000-1778176800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Gallery Gathering: From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia
DESCRIPTION:Immerse yourself in shades of blue as we explore selected works from the exhibition From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia\, on view in the Joy Light Gallery through July 12. Together we will learn more about the cultural significance and wide-reaching influence of the color blue in the art of East Asia.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/gallery-gathering-from-cobalt-to-indigo-the-power-of-blue-in-east-asia/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery Gathering
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Gallery-Gathering-From-Cobalt-to-Indigo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260501T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260501T113000
DTSTAMP:20260317T141834Z
CREATED:20260317T141616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T141834Z
UID:10001262-1777633200-1777635000@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Wonder Walks: Looking at Landscapes
DESCRIPTION:Spring is creeping closer\, and we’re ready to get outside. Until it warms up\, join us for a stroll through the permanent collection to enjoy some sunny landscapes and think ahead to brighter days. We’ll discover how artists represent the natural world and have fun with a few gallery activities along the way.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/wonder-walks-looking-at-landscapes/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Wonder Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wonder-Walks-Looking-at-Landscapes.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T130000
DTSTAMP:20251219T185845Z
CREATED:20251219T142331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T185845Z
UID:10001247-1776859200-1776862800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:ArtBreak: Steps through Time: A Retrospective of Shoes
DESCRIPTION:As we celebrate the future of shoes\, it can be fascinating to look back to see where we have already been. During this ArtBreak talk\, fashion historian and professor Iris Carney Cooper will offer an overview of notable and special shoe designs throughout time\, discussing history\, significance\, function\, and design. \nCooper is a fashion historian\, currently teaching at Western Michigan University and managing the Historic Garment Collection. She received her BA in Fashion Design and Merchandising from Dominican University in River Forest\, IL\, and her Graduate Certificate in History from WMU.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/artbreak-steps-through-time-a-retrospective-of-shoes/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:ArtBreak,Future Now
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Iris-Carney-Cooper.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T193000
DTSTAMP:20260408T133057Z
CREATED:20251219T142144Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T133057Z
UID:10001246-1776362400-1776367800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Artful Evening: Artist's Talk with Wilson W. Smith III
DESCRIPTION:Meet a living legend in the world of shoe design! During this Artful Evening\, Wilson W. Smith III will speak about his prolific career in the athletic footwear industry. The first Black designer for Nike\, Smith has created shoes for Michael Jordan\, Andre Agassi\, Serena Williams\, and many more. After a 41-year career with the company\, Smith retired as the Manager of Design Education with Nike’s Blue-Ribbon Studio in 2025. His work has been recognized with a number of prestigious awards\, including Nike’s inaugural Design Achievement Award in 2019. In 2024\, Detroit’s Pensole Lewis College\, the nation’s only design-focused HBCU\, dedicated the Wilson W. Smith III Footwear Design Studio. Join us to learn more about the passion and artistry that have driven Smith’s remarkable career and his life’s work in design and education. \nFollowing his talk\, Smith will be joined by Dr. D’Wayne Edwards for a discussion and Q&A. With a prominent career in the footwear design industry spanning more than 32 years\, Dr. Edwards has worked with L.A. Gear\, Nike\, and Jordan. He is the founder of Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design\, the preeminent footwear design school in the world\, and has taught and lectured at premier schools\, including ArtCenter\, Parsons\, MIT\, and Harvard. \nThis Artful Evening is made possible by generous support from:\n \n \n \nRichmond Institute for Design + Innovation
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/artful-evening-artists-talk-with-wilson-w-smith-iii/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Artful Evening,Free,Future Now
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Wilson-Smith.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T150000
DTSTAMP:20260226T200929Z
CREATED:20251219T142014Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T200929Z
UID:10001245-1776261600-1776265200@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Book Discussion: Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser
DESCRIPTION:When ten year old Mona experiences a sudden\, brief loss of sight\, her grandfather Henry decides to give her a gallery of artworks to visit in her mind as she faces potential permanent blindness. Through fifty-two weekly trips to museums in Paris\, Mona receives an emotional art history education. Art lessons become tied to life lessons on love\, fear\, and beauty. Their relationship strengthens as Henry gives Mona more than a deep appreciation of art.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/book-discussion-monas-eyes-by-thomas-schlesser/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Discussions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Monas-Eyes.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T133000
DTSTAMP:20260310T183014Z
CREATED:20251219T141851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T183014Z
UID:10001244-1776254400-1776259800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Museum Explorers: Homeschool Family Program at the KIA and Kalamazoo Valley Museum
DESCRIPTION:Homeschool families are invited to learn\, create\, and explore at the KIA and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum (KVM). This collaborative event offers interactive activities designed to promote interdisciplinary learning\, creativity\, and an appreciation for art\, history\, and science. This event highlights the Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks exhibit. Bring your creativity and wear your favorite shoes! This event is included with the cost of KIA admission. View admission prices at kiarts.org/connect-visit/plan-your-visit. \nWednesday\, April 15\, 2026  \n\n10 to 11:30am Kalamazoo Valley Museum\nNoon to 1:30pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\n\n \nRegister Here\n \nKIA Schedule\nDrop-in Art Projects\, All Ages\, from Noon-1:15: \n\nMy Shoes\, My Story\nPaper Shoe Sculpture\nShoe Charm Shrinky Dinks\n\nGuided Tours of Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks Exhibit\, All Ages: \n\n12:15pm \n12:45pm\n\nStorytime in Meader Fine Arts Library\, Ages 3-6: \n\n12:30pm – What Kind of Shoes Does a Hippopotamus Choose? by Kat Maconie\n\nCheck out a Gallery Go Bag from Meader Fine Arts Library to learn more about all of the art at the KIA! \n  \nKVM Schedule  \nDrop-In Activities\, All Ages\, from 10 to 11:30am  \nGuided Learning Opportunities from 10-11:30 a.m: \n\nEarly Learning Table\, Ages 3-6\nSTEM Project\, All Ages\nInnovation Lab\, All Ages\n\nPlanetarium Show\, All Ages: \n\n10:15-10:45am\n11:00-11:30am\n\nLunch space available at KVM 11:30am-noon.\nQuiet sensory space available at KVM 10am-noon \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/museum-explorers-homeschool-family-program-at-the-kalamazoo-institute-of-arts-and-kalamazoo-valley-museum-2/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Future Now
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Homeschoolers.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260411T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260411T120000
DTSTAMP:20260407T183707Z
CREATED:20251219T141659Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T183707Z
UID:10001251-1775903400-1775908800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Art Detectives: Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
DESCRIPTION:Get ready to explore the color blue with Art Detectives this April! We’ll read a book that shows how artists discovered and used blue throughout history. Then we’ll explore the exhibition From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia to see how East Asian artists use blue in their creations. After our gallery adventure\, we’ll make our own brilliant blue artwork to take home.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/art-detectives-blue-a-history-of-the-color-as-deep-as-the-sea-and-as-wide-as-the-sky-by-nana-ekua-brew-hammond/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Art Detectives,Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Blue.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T200000
DTSTAMP:20260331T175152Z
CREATED:20251219T141515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T175152Z
UID:10001243-1775757600-1775764800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:The Great KIA Book Swap
DESCRIPTION:The Great KIA Book Swap returns! Bring up to 10 gently-used books to the KIA to trade for new-to-you titles! \nMusic and refreshments will be provided. Enter a raffle for great prizes from our sponsors! Receive one raffle ticket per book\, with a limit of 10 tickets per person. You must be present at the time of the drawing to win raffle prizes. \nPlease no textbooks\, encyclopedias\, magazines\, or used activity books. Books should be in good physical condition—no moldy\, torn\, or damaged books. Keep in mind that this is a book swap\, so bring books in the condition that you would want to receive. \nDrop your books off early to receive extra raffle tickets and skip the check-in line! Bring them to the KIA between 12:00-3:00pm on Wednesday\, April 8\, for five extra raffle tickets. \nMany thanks to our sponsors and community partners: Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library\, Kazoo Books\, and this is a bookstore & Bookbug.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/book-swap/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Free,Future Now,Library,Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Book-Swap-2025.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T130000
DTSTAMP:20260422T202804Z
CREATED:20251219T141326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T202804Z
UID:10001242-1775649600-1775653200@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:ArtBreak: Virtual Artist's Talk with Nick La Marca
DESCRIPTION:During this virtual ArtBreak\, learn more about Nick La Marca\, the multimedia artist whose Sole Lines installation is on view in the KIA lobby. La Marca is an artist and documentarian working across photography and installation. Born and raised in the Bronx\, his practice is deeply informed by the city’s cultural vibrancy and diversity. La Marca’s work engages art and design as forms of social practice\, using creativity as a bridge between personal narrative\, community histories\, and broader societal issues. At the core of his projects is a commitment to recognition and research–illuminating local or “micro” concerns and situating them within larger cultural or economic frameworks. His installations and photographic works often serve as platforms for dialogue\, highlighting how lived experiences intersect with questions of value\, identity\, and community. Through this approach\, La Marca positions art as both a document and an agent of change\, underscoring its ability to connect creativity with social responsibility.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/artbreak-virtual-artists-talk-with-nick-la-marca/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:ArtBreak,Future Now
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nick-La-Marca.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260403T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260403T113000
DTSTAMP:20251219T141153Z
CREATED:20251219T141153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T141153Z
UID:10001241-1775214000-1775215800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Wonder Walk: Into the Indigo!
DESCRIPTION:This April\, we’re taking a blue adventure through From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia! From prints to pottery\, we’ll find out how artists from East Asia create beautiful blues and use them in their amazing artworks.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/wonder-walk-into-the-indigo/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Wonder Walks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Kosei.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T193000
DTSTAMP:20251219T165408Z
CREATED:20251219T141006Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T165408Z
UID:10001240-1775152800-1775158200@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Explore and Create Night: Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks
DESCRIPTION:Put on your favorite pair of shoes and join us for a special night celebrating the artistry of footwear. Join us for a Gallery Gathering in Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks at 5:30 before we kick off Explore and Create Night at 6pm. Continue to explore the exhibition and then create your own shoe-inspired artworks while enjoying some sweet treats. Come explore how design\, craft\, and imagination come together—one step at a time. This evening is appropriate for all ages. \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/explore-and-create-night-future-now-virtual-sneakers-to-cutting-edge-kicks/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Future Now,Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nike_Nike-Mag.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T180000
DTSTAMP:20251219T165415Z
CREATED:20251219T140744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T165415Z
UID:10001239-1775151000-1775152800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Gallery Gathering: Future Now for Families
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a family-friendly exploration of some of the shoes featured in Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks! All ages are welcome to join in the conversation as we observe shoe designs of the past\, present\, and future. \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/gallery-gathering-future-now-for-families/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Free,Future Now,Gallery Gathering
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EKTO.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T130000
DTSTAMP:20251219T140502Z
CREATED:20251219T140502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T140502Z
UID:10001238-1774440000-1774443600@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:ArtBreak: The Art and Life of Hughie Lee-Smith
DESCRIPTION:Hughie Lee-Smith was a 20th century African American painter and art instructor. Growing up in the Midwest\, he created a prolific collection of paintings that predominantly featured figures in urban and rural settings. Lee-Smith’s often enigmatic works explored themes of isolation\, expectation\, and loneliness. Regrettably\, he was not as well recognized as many of his contemporaries. During this ArtBreak talk\, learn more about this remarkable artist with KIA docent Dr. Sam Grossman\, then visit our lower level galleries to view Lee-Smith’s The Spectators. \nDr. Sam Grossman is a long-time docent of the KIA. He also is a frequent instructor with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute\, teaching a variety of topics. Sam is a retired pediatrician; prior to medical school\, he was an associate professor of theatre arts.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/artbreak-the-art-and-life-of-hughie-lee-smith/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:ArtBreak
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Hughie-Lee-Smith.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260321T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260321T150000
DTSTAMP:20251219T165423Z
CREATED:20251219T140257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T165423Z
UID:10001237-1774090800-1774105200@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Library Activity: Shoe Bookmarks
DESCRIPTION:Mark your reading place in style using a shoe bookmark! We will provide all of the materials to make a bookmark to take home. Take inspiration from the exhibition on view Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks\, shoes in literature\, or be your own creative designer! The librarian will have some templates on hand to help you get started. \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/library-activity-shoe-bookmarks/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Future Now,Library
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Shoe-bookmarks.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T150000
DTSTAMP:20251219T135701Z
CREATED:20251219T135701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T135701Z
UID:10001235-1773842400-1773846000@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Book Discussion: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
DESCRIPTION:Alabama\, 1973. When nurse Civil Townsend begins work at the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic\, her goal is to care for her African American community. Among her patients are two poor\, young Black girls\, Erica and India. Civil learns that a terrible medical procedure has been inflicted on the girls without their consent and reports the crime. This historical fiction novel is inspired by true events and is the Kalamazoo Public Library Reading Together selection.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/book-discussion-take-my-hand-by-dolen-perkins-valdez/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book Discussions
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Take-my-Hand.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260314T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260314T140000
DTSTAMP:20260206T153446Z
CREATED:20251219T135533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T153446Z
UID:10001234-1773486000-1773496800@www.kiarts.org
SUMMARY:Community Day: Cool Kicks
DESCRIPTION:Step into a day all about shoes! Wear your favorite pair for fun photo ops. Discover incredible footwear in Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks and then get creative with shoe inspired art projects. \nHave shoes that need some flair? Bring them along and stop by the auditorium between 12:30 and 1:30pm to decorate\, bedazzle\, or totally reinvent them! Supplies will be provided. \nFuture Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum\, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack\, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
URL:https://www.kiarts.org/event/community-day-cool-kicks/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Institute of Arts\, 314 S Park St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
CATEGORIES:Family,Future Now,Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.kiarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mr.Bailey_Octopus-Shoe.webp
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR