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We Are a Community!

December 20, 2023

Like most non-profits, the KBAC is an organization with a passion; we exist for the sheer love of book and paper arts. Our studios are structured around traditional bookbinding, papermaking, and printing, and our gallery features artists exploring these creative disciplines. Our Poets in Print series provides a platform for poets through readings and limited-edition books and broadsides, all printed and bound in-house.

At this time of year, we are mindful of the community of partners who support our vision in a multitude of ways and help keep us going strong. The KBAC operates with a small but committed part-time staff and interns from WMU and Kalamazoo College, some of whom graduated to become regular KBAC instructors. Our budget relies on income generated from workshops and sales, government, community, and foundation grants, and donations from folks like you. 

To all who supported the KBAC this past year by teaching or taking workshops, booking private events, commissioning projects, making purchases online or at our store, sending financial and supply donations, volunteering, attending our gallery events, supporting our Poets in Print program, and talking about us in the community, we offer a heartfelt "Thank You!" We are also thankful for our many partnerships with local schools, libraries, community groups, and park districts! 

Since starting my new role with the KBAC in June, I have witnessed school groups enter our unique studio space and experience the joy of creating things with their own hands. Where else can they turn the handle of a press to print letters on a page or put their hands into vats of squishy paper pulp? The dried results of colorful sheets of paper are magical: "I made this!"

Kids can see and experience things that are often taken for granted, learning about the historical innovations, materials, and processes of book arts. After a recent workshop by visiting artist Erica Rasmussen with elementary school students, several kids said they wanted to work at the KBAC when they grew up! They were thrilled to participate in our Make-a-Book-From-Scratch program. Often young adults say to us they remember their experience at the KBAC when they were younger, and sometimes they still have the books they made. Books are timeless!

Please consider helping us reach our $15,000 year-end fundraising goal. With your support, we will continue to offer engaging creative programming for adults and youth in 2024. We hope to see you at an upcoming workshop or event.

Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season! 

Cathy, Katie, and Jeff

Fish Skins, Coveralls, and Tomatoes

For many years the KBAC has partnered with the Western Michigan University’s Visiting Scholars and Artists Program to cohost artists. This month, we welcomed Minneapolis/St. Paul-based book and paper artist Erica Spitzer Rasmussen and are presenting her exhibition Books Abound in the KBAC gallery and the Zheng Legacy Collections Center.

Sharon and Katie in Venice!

Venice as I Imagined

This year I was lucky to join the KBAC’s Book Arts in Venice trip. As the Studio Manager at the KBAC I’ve heard about this trip for years from Jeff Abshear, KBAC Director and trip leader, as well as from interns and friends. I have become familiar with people’s names and seen pictures of the studios they visit, and now it was my chance to see them in person.

NEA STUDIO ARTIST RESIDENCIES

WE LOVE SHARING OUR SPACES WITH OTHER ARTISTS AND WATCHING WHAT TAKES SHAPE!

At their best, Studio Artist Residencies stimulate new creative processes and ideas for participating artists. They allow time and space to explore or expand on projects or ideas, often in facilities that artists would not otherwise have access to. The KBAC studios are a rich resource for local artists, providing the equipment and workspace for handmade papermaking processes, letterpress and other press-printing, and bookbinding!

 A GOODBYE AND A WELCOME

Almost ten years ago, I went from an occasional instructor for the KBAC to taking on the responsibilities of Administrative Director. It truly was the best decision I’ve ever made in my work life. I’m happy to have made a real contribution to the organization and to those we serve. It’s a grand feeling!  

 And now I’m riding that feeling into the sunset. Letting Jeff and Katie know that I would retire in mid-2023 was really hard, but other things pull at me. So, it’s time. I’ll remain as an instructor at the KBAC and add some interests back into my life that have been put on hold or not explored fully.

East Meets West:  A Unique and Wonderful Visit

May 22, 2023

Last week something very special happened at the KBAC. The esteemed mokuhanga artist from Japan, Yoskisuke Funasaka, traveled to Kalamazoo to exhibit with his long-time student and friend Mary Brodbeck, a well-known and very talented local woodblock artist.

WE LOVE MAKING BOOKS!

This past year we were proud to receive a Grants for Arts Project Award from the National Endowment of the Arts. This grant allowed us to host visiting artists in the studio, present exhibitions and poetry readings, and work on new broadsides and two special limited-edition books: Afterlife, by W. Todd Kaneko with linocuts by John McKaig, and The Ghosts, by Kia Penso with images by Caroline Allen.