Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

ArtBreak Film Screening: Between the Folds
2025-12-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S Park St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008, United States
Created by Vanessa Gould, the award-winning documentary Between the Folds follows the stories of ten artists and scientists whose work applies the art of origami in unexpected ways. The film examines both traditional and unconventional approaches to origami art, then explores the work of mathematicians, scientists, and educators who use origami as a tool for research and pedagogy. Illuminating the close connections between art and science, the film celebrates the vast worlds of knowledge and creative expression that can be unlocked starting with a deceptively simple square of paper. Between the Folds was produced by Green Fuse Films and PBS Independent Lens. It has a run time of 56 minutes.

Art Detectives: The Typefaces by Scott Lambert
2025-12-13 10:30 - 12:00
In December, Art Detectives will search for hidden faces in the negative spaces of letters in a charming book by graphic designer Scott Lambert. We’ll then tour Taekyeom Lee: Designed, Printed & Fired. Using unusual materials and digital tools like 3D printers, Taekyeom creates letters, graphics, and objects that invite visitors to explore design through touch, sight, and play. We’ll finish by making our own typography-inspired artwork.

Gallery Gathering: Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper
2025-12-11 17:30 - 18:00
The Washi Transformed exhibition includes an exciting variety of works in paper by contemporary Japanese artists, ranging from delicate two-dimensional pieces to dramatic installations. During this Gallery Gathering, we’ll take a closer look at a selection of artworks from this breathtaking exhibition.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC
Image credit: Yoshio Ikezaki, The Earth Breathes Mind Landscape 06, 2008, Handmade mulberry paper with charcoal powder, Image courtesy of Kylin Gallery, © Yoshio Ikezaki.

Wonder Walk: Technology and Art
2025-12-05 11:00 - 11:45
Come along for a guided stroll of Taekyeom Lee: Designed, Printed & Fired Discover how the artist uses unusual materials and digital tools such as 3D printers to create letters, graphics, and objects that invite visitors to engage with design through touch, sight, and play.

Teacher Appreciation Night
2025-11-21 16:00 - 18:00
Join us for a special night dedicated to teachers! This is a free event for educators of all grade levels and subject areas. Enjoy food and drinks and learn about KIA resources for you and your students. Explore Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper and then get creative with drop-in art making activities. Gift bags are available for the first 30 attendees.
Registration is strongly encouraged.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Gallery Shop Meet & Greet
2025-11-20 16:00 - 19:00
Join us for a special Meet & Greet with the Gallery Shop team and a few local artists featured in the shop. This event is an opportunity to explore a wide variety of unique, handcrafted gifts, including jewelry, ceramics, and more. Each piece reflects the creativity of our community, making the Gallery Shop an inspiring place to discover treasures that carry both meaning and artistry.
As a thank-you for supporting local artists, guests will enjoy exclusive discounts available only during the event. Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful gift or looking to add something special to your own collection, these offers make it the perfect time to shop local and support creativity. Please note: additional discounts may not apply to consignment or clearance items.
Beyond shopping, this gathering highlights the spirit of connection and community. Engage with the Gallery Shop team, meet a few of the artists represented in the store, and learn more about the stories behind the works on display. Mark your calendar and join us for an evening of discovery, savings, and celebration at the KIA Gallery Shop.

Book Discussion: Felon: Poems by Reginald Dwayne Betts
2025-11-19 14:00 - 15:00
Reginald Dwayne Betts tackles the complexities of life after incarceration through powerful poetry. Navigating themes of redemption, fatherhood, and identity, his poems offer a deeply personal reflection on justice, hope, and the long road to healing. This collection informs Betts’s solo show Felon: An American Washi Tale in which Betts collaborated with artist Kyoko Ibe on sets made of “prison paper” sourced from clothes of incarcerated men. Discussion will tie into the themes and pieces presented in Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper. Please note that the author will not be in attendance for this event.
For more information about this event and the suite of programs with Reginald Dwayne Betts, please visit kiarts.org/betts.

Sake Tasting
2025-11-15 15:00 - 16:30
Escape the November chill and warm up with a sampling of Japanese sake! During this special event, Keiko Nakajima and Jingran Wang will offer a brief presentation on the history and cultural significance of sake in Japan, followed by a guided tasting of a variety of sakes. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided, and ticket price includes gallery admission. Arrive early or stay after to explore Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper before our galleries close at 5 pm. Seating is limited, and preregistration is required. Guests must be 21 or over and must present ID upon arrival.
Did you know that Michigan has a sister state 6526 miles away in Japan? Desiring to establish lasting friendly relations, the formal Sister State Agreement between the State of Michigan and Japan’s Shiga Prefecture was signed in 1968. Both Michigan and Shiga have benefited culturally, economically, and educationally from this program.
Keiko Nakajima is the current visiting official from Shiga Prefecture. One of her goals is to help foster the sister-state relationship between Michigan and Shiga, and part of her mission is to introduce delicious local sake, tea, and traditional pottery from Shiga. Jingran Wang is the former president of the Michigan-Shiga Sister-State Board, and he also serves as the secretary of the Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures auxiliary at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Cost: $50 for KIA members, $55 for non-members
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Artful Evening: The Ways that Paper Leads to Freedom
2025-11-13 18:00 - 19:00
During this talk, Reginald Dwayne Betts will explore Felon: An American Washi Tale, a solo show that confronts the weight and legitimacy of the word “felon” through poetry, visual art, and performance. Drawing from his own story—sent to prison at 16, discovering poetry behind bars—Betts will offer an immersive meditation on incarceration, identity, and the power of art to reshape the narrative of who we are and who we might become.
Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet, lawyer, and the Founder and CEO of Freedom Reads, an initiative to radically transform access to literature in prisons. The author of a memoir and five collections of poetry, Betts is a MacArthur Fellow and has been awarded fellowships from Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute of Advanced Study, the National Endowment for the Arts, Emerson Collective, and the Guggenheim Foundation. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School. Betts founded Freedom Reads in 2020 with a grant from the Mellon Foundation. To date, the organization has opened more than 500 Freedom Libraries in 50 adult and youth prisons across 13 states. These libraries provide a locus where conversation and community can begin inside and outside of prison walls, supporting the efforts of incarcerated individuals to imagine new possibilities for their lives.
This program is made possible through the generous support of our community partners: Western Michigan University, the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College, the Department of English at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, the Kalamazoo Public Library, the Kalamazoo Defender, and the Kalamazoo Bar Association.
For more information about this event and the suite of programs with Reginald Dwayne Betts, please visit kiarts.org/betts.

ArtBreak: A Gift to the City She Loved: Genevieve Gilmore's Bequest
2025-11-12 12:00 - 13:00
In February 1959, the front page of the Kalamazoo Gazette announced, “The city is to have a new art center,” with costs of construction paid by Mr. and Mrs. Donald S. Gilmore. In addition to their extraordinary philanthropy, the Gilmores were KIA board members, art collectors, and skilled artists. Mrs. Gilmore’s bequest to the KIA following her death in 1990 was 66 masterpieces from her personal collection, including works by Degas, Renoir, Rembrandt, Cassatt, and Matisse. During this ArtBreak, Dr. Jim Carter will explore the life of Genevieve Upjohn Gilmore and her final gift to the city she loved.
Jim Carter is a retired physician who had a clinical practice of Internal Medicine in Kalamazoo for 36 years. He received his M.D. from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and his Internal Medicine training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He has been involved with the KIA for over four decades as a photography student, board member, board president, and docent. As docent, he has led numerous tours for KIA visitors and presented a number of talks on a wide range of topics. His major area of interest is the intersection of art with medicine. Most recently, he wrote a comprehensive history of KIA for its centennial celebration.

Washi Collage with Collage Crew Kzoo
2025-11-08 11:00 - 15:00
Come to the library and express yourself through collage with a sampling of washi paper, a traditional Japanese handmade paper. Some washi paper and tape will be provided to incorporate into your pieces. Be inspired by the exhibition on view, Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper. All supplies will be provided.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Washi Community Day
2025-11-08 11:00 - 14:00
Join us for a paper-inspired Community Day! Explore Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper. Washi, traditional Japanese paper, is the main medium of this exhibition, which features two-dimensional works, sculptures, and installations by nine Japanese artists. After viewing the exhibition, get creative with members from the WMU Soga Japan Center who will guide you through origami folding and Japanese calligraphy. You can also join the Collage Crew Kzoo in the library for a collage-making session.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Art Detectives: A Life Made by Hand: The Story of Ruth Asawa by Andrea D'Aquino
2025-11-08 10:30 - 12:00
Participants will learn about Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa. We’ll explore Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper, featuring two-dimensional works, sculptures, and installations in paper by nine Japanese artists. Michiko Yoshimoto from the WMU Soga Japan Center will join us to guide an origami activity.
After, stay for Community Day to experiment with Japanese calligraphy and make more origami creations. You can also join the Collage Crew Kzoo in the library for a collage-making session.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Art Hop: Washi Collage Making & Instrument Petting Zoo
2025-11-07 17:00 - 20:00
Join us for November Art Hop at the KIA with all galleries open for viewing, washi collage making with Collage Crew Kzoo, an Instrument Petting Zoo with Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association (GLAMA), along with light bites and beverages.
In the lobby you’ll find various acoustic instruments available to play and learn about with GLAMA. Musicians will be on site to walk you through the basics of each instrument. Come and try something new and jam at the KIA!
In the library you can express yourself through collage with a sampling of washi paper, a traditional Japanese handmade paper. Some washi paper and tape will be provided to incorporate into your pieces. Be inspired by the exhibition on view, Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper. All supplies will be provided.
Ballet Arts Ensemble will also be joining the fun to share information about the upcoming production of The Nutcracker and the KIA is proud to be participating in the Art Hop’s collaboration with Ministry with Community for a cold weather clothing drive. The clothing drive is requesting new cold weather items including: underwear, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, thermal shirts, coats, and pants.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Wonder Walk: Made of Paper
2025-11-07 11:00 - 11:45
Join us for a guided walk through Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper, with interactive activities along the way. This exhibition features two-dimensional works, sculptures, and installations. Discover the remarkable ways nine Japanese artists transform paper into art.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Gallery Gathering: Kirk Newman Art School Faculty Review
2025-11-06 17:30 - 18:30
The biennial Kirk Newman Art School Faculty Review features new works by Kirk Newman Art School faculty members who work and teach in a wide variety of artistic media. During this extended Gallery Gathering, explore the exhibition with a few of the talented artist-educators whose work is included in the show.
Program facilitators will include Brent Harris (Head of 3D Media), Gretchen Huggett (Head of Fiber), and Deborah Mattson (Head of 2D Media).

Gallery Shop Artist Feature
2025-10-30 18:00 - 20:00
As part of our Free Thursdays initiative, the KIA is proud to feature Deborah Ann Percy and Arnold Johnston in our Gallery Shop Artist Feature on Thursday, October 30, from 6–8pm.
Percy and Johnston are writers, performers, and translators whose creative talents span a variety of forms. Their work reflects a deep appreciation for language, story, and artistic expression. Guests will have the chance to meet the artists, view a selection of their pieces, and learn more about their creative journey.
This drop-in event invites the community to connect with local talent and discover the diverse range of artists represented in the KIA’s Gallery Shop. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick visit or looking to engage in conversation, we welcome you to join us for an inspiring evening.

Sunday Drop-in Conversation
2025-10-26 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-10-19 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-10-12 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-10-05 13:30 - 14:30
Drop in on Sundays between 1:30 – 2:30pm and have conversations with docents who can provide information and answer questions about the artwork in the KIA’s collection. Find the docents on the lower level of the museum’s galleries.

UNFRAMED: Soirée
2025-10-25 18:00 - 22:00
Join us at the KIA on October 25th for a spectacular evening as we honor Joy and Tim Light and raise vital funds for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
The event has sold out, but you can still support the event by making a donation in honor of Joy & Tim Light.

College Night at the KIA
2025-10-23 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for College Night at the KIA, an after-hours event designed for college students. Enjoy free food, a live DJ, interactive games, and chances to win prizes while exploring the museum in a fun and engaging way. This is a unique opportunity to experience the KIA through art, music, and connection. Admission is completely free, all you need is your college ID.

Washi Tape Bookmarks
2025-10-18 11:00 - 15:00
In celebration of Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper, visit the library to make your own bookmark using colorful washi tape and book pages. All supplies will be provided.
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper was organized by Meher McArthur and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC

Artful Evening: Joy Light Lecture in East Asian Art: East Asian Birding in the Galleries
2025-10-16 18:00 - 19:00
Chinese, Korean, and Japanese artists have been painting pictures of birds for more than 1000 years. With an estimated 50 billion birds flying around us all the time, this comes as little surprise. Birders, who partake in one of the globe’s fastest-growing, multi-generational pastimes, know our feathered friends offer endless variety and incredible beauty. During this Joy Light Lecture in East Asian Art, Dr. Robert Mintz will guide our exploration of East Asian “bird and flower painting” through the joy of “artistic bird-watching.”
Kalamazoo Art League is delighted to sponsor this year’s Joy Light Lecture in East Asian Art and will provide a reception before the presentation, starting at 5:30 pm.
Dr. Mintz is the Chief Curatorial Director of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. A specialist in 18th-century Japanese painting, he oversees the art research and exhibitions program and guides the growth, preservation, and presentation of the museum’s Asian and Asian American art collections.

Book Discussion: The Lantern of Lost Memories
2025-10-15 14:00 - 15:00
by Sanaka Hiiragi
About the Book: The Lantern of Lost Memories tells the story of Mr. Hirasaki’s magical photo studio, a gateway to the afterlife where the departed revisit their memories through a “spinning lantern.” Guests—including a kind yakuza, a devoted teacher, and a young girl—relive their past and choose one cherished moment to photograph. This emotional story celebrates memory, love, and beauty. Discussion will relate themes in the book with the exhibition Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper.

Art Detectives: A Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner
2025-10-11 10:30 - 12:00
This October, Art Detectives will explore the wonders of fall! We’ll read a charming story about some hesitant leaves who aren’t quite ready to change colors and let go. Then, we’ll search the galleries for autumn-themed art and create our own leaf-inspired creation.

The Art of the Brush: Family Night with Chinese Ink Painting
2025-10-09 18:00 - 20:00
Discover the beauty and expression of Chinese ink painting! Start the evening by exploring Ink Rhapsody: The Art of the Lingnan Masters in Hong Kong and get inspired by the dynamic brushwork. Then bring your ideas to life with a fun, hands-on art activity. Ink painting will be offered for ages 8 and older. This workshop is open to the first 20 participants and runs from 6:30 to 8 pm. A drop-in hand fan activity will be available for all ages to enjoy from 6 to 8pm.

Wonder Walk: Artful Autumn
2025-10-03 11:00 - 11:45
Join us for a colorful autumn adventure through the galleries! We’ll explore artworks that capture the magic of fall. Along the way, we’ll look for warm colors, interesting textures, and hidden surprises that celebrate the beauty of the season. Bring your imagination and get ready to see autumn through the eyes of artists!

Gallery Gathering: Richard Mayhew’s Mohawk Hills
2025-10-02 17:30 - 18:00
Calling all art lovers and poets! Join us for our next Gallery Gathering as we discuss Richard Mayhew’s Mohawk Hills with Jessica Sundstrom, Learning and Outreach Manager for the Art Museum at Grand Valley State University. Guests will be invited to delve into Mayhew’s striking painting via ekphrastic and blackout poetry. Using rich colors to capture the emotional and often spiritual imprints of the places they depict, Mayhew’s highly expressive “mindscapes” challenge many of the conventions of American landscape art. This free program will take place on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 5:30-6 p.m.
