About

The KBAC was founded in 2005 by artists and writers with a passion for book arts. Their vision is now a creative public space where artists and book enthusiasts of all kinds gather to collaborate and celebrate books and the many arts that inform them: paper making, printmaking, letterpress, creative writing, and bookbinding.

If you love books—in any form—we have something for you: events and exhibits, classes for all ages and abilities, presentations, guest and resident artists, a book arts store, library, and regular celebrations of the book.

Our support

Grants from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, 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 have supported our establishment and growth. Contributions from members, volunteers, interns, the community and collaborations with other groups support workshops, programs for youth and educational institutions in the Kalamazoo area.

Our people

Jeff Abshear, Director, jeff@kalbookarts.org
Jeff was a Fulbright Research Scholar in Venice, Italy, where he worked at the Accademia di Belle Arti and studied the history of Italian printing, bookbinding, and papermaking. He teaches book arts each summer to children in Sardinia, Italy. He has a Master of Fine Arts from Western Michigan University’s School of Art where he helped establish a letterpress studio as part of his creative program. He has taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts and is adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University. He is a founding member of the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center.

Linda Kekic, Administrative Director, linda@kalbookarts.org
Linda has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from WMU and worked for the State of Michigan, Department of Human Services for 25 years as an administrator and caseworker.  She is a glass artist, jeweler and owner of House Jewelry and former Executive Director of the West Michigan Glass Art Center.

Katie Platte, Studio Coordinator, katie@kalbookarts.org
Katie is a graduate of the Studio Art program at Grand Valley State University. She completed an internship at the Women’s Studio Workshop, an arts organization specializing in printmaking and book arts in Rosendale, New York.

Board of Directors

Amy Ferguson, President
Tom Krol, Vice President
Scott MacCallum, Treasurer
Marianne Swierenga, Secretary
Ros Robbert
Michael Center
Liz Teviotdale
Eve Reid
Elaine Seaman

In Memoriam

Paul Alvin Robbert —  July 2, 1928 – September 22, 2008
Founding member of the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center

Papermaker and Professor of Art; MA in Fine Arts specializing in painting and printmaking, Michigan State University. Paul served on the faculty of Western Michigan University for more than forty years. Following his retirement he remained active in the arts, continuing to produce his own work and was also known as a dedicated mentor and advisor to other artists. As an artist, he was nationally and internationally recognized. His affinity for materials and color eventually led to his exploration of paper as an art form, which he pursued for the past 30 years. As a faculty member at Western Michigan University he established the papermaking curriculum. Paul inspired many young artists with his experimental approach and spirit. The papermaking area at KBAC is dedicated to him containing much equipment he built himself and used in his studio at Park Trades Center.

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