Summer workshops begin in July.
Check the “Classes” page for details and get enrolled now. Don't forget that KBAC members receive a 10% discount on classes...and other benefits. See the “Members” page for details.
We'll send you announcements of new courses and special events. Send us your address and we’ll send you the course flyers by snail mail (on recycled paper) or email (on recycled electrons), whichever you prefer.
News and Events
“It Came from the SWAMP”
exhibition of prints
Old and new members of SWAMP, South Western Area Michigan Printers, present an exhibition of prints in the KBAC Gallery. More details are on our events page.
“Poets in Print” at the KBAC
KBAC continues the “Poets in Print” series with a reading on July 18 featuring Nancy Eimers and Bill Olsen. Two broadsides featuring works by each poet will be created by KBAC artists Jeff Abshear and Katie Platte. Another reading is scheduled for September 16 with poets Wayne Miller, John Gallaher and Michael Robins. For more details see our events page.
The readings take place in the KBAC studios in Suite 103A of the Park Trades Center at 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave in downtown Kalamazoo. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information visit our events page.
The next “Poets in Print” events will be held during July and September. Sign up on our mailing list to receive notices of upcoming events. Each reading will feature readings and printed works of the poets created by KBAC artists printed in our studio and signed by the poets.
Entries consumed at Fourth Annual Edible Book Festival
The 4th Annual Edible Book Festival was held during Art Hop on Friday, April 3. “Books” made of food were viewed and tasted. Our judge, Joe Reish, Dean of University Libraries at Western Michigan University, awarded Missy Sander a certificate for a free KBAC workshop for her entry, An Éclair for Owen Meany. For a look at this year’s entries go to the Edible Book page.
Kalamazoo Book Arts Center
The Kalamazoo Book Arts Center is growing and growing! Exhibitions of KBAC artists are taking place in our studios and other locations in Southwest Michigan. See our EVENTS page for more details.
Earlier this year KBAC received donations of equipment from Western Michigan University’s Frostic School of Art and Waldo Library, including letterpresses, movable type, etching and lithography presses, and papermaking and book binding equipment. This year we also were awarded grants from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. We have a new 2880 sq. ft. studio on the ground floor of the Park Trades Center. Our goal is to become a regional center for Book Arts, Printmaking, Papermaking, and Creative Writing.
Our current season of workshops are shown on our “Classes” page. If you would like to receive a printed copy you can access one there. If you'd like to be on our mailing list please send your mailing and/or email address to info@kalbookarts.org.
Joe Reish, Dean of University Libraries at Western Michigan University, was the juror at this year's Kalamazoo Book Arts Center Edible Book Festival. See the entries and award winner on our Edible Book page.
KBAC Memberships
The KBAC offers special benefits if you enroll as members. Your support advances our mission of establishing a creative center for the Book Arts here in west Michigan. In return you can receive discounts on workshops, access to KBAC studio facilities, invitations to participate special events and opportunities to share creative experience and skills with other KBAC members. Learn more on our members page (click here).
Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers! If you are interested we can use your help! We need workers, organizers, assistants, and volunteers of all kinds. If you can lend a hand, or donate to support our mission, please send us an email message or call (269) 373-4938. As a nonprofit organization, all donations to the KBAC are tax deductible.
Mission Statement
The KBAC is a nonprofit organization founded by a group of artists and writers who have joined together to create a workshop and learning center to further book design and its related arts. We offer classes in book printing and binding, printmaking, hand papermaking, and creative writing. Our mission is to become an educational resource for the community, offer programs for people who enjoy reading and making books, and provide a working studio where visual artists, printers, paper makers, bookbinders, and writers can collaborate on creative projects.
