1. KIA West Michigan Show
Sean R. Montera
Are you an art student looking to show off your prize pieces? Are you a starving artist looking to sell your favorite paintings? Well here’s your
chance! The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts will host a show of local and regional artists, to be exhibited March 24 - May 6.
Susan VanArendonk, curator of the KIA, encourages any artist or student to enter. “It gives people in the community a chance to see what’s
going on (with local art).”
Anyone over the age of 18 and residing in Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Eaton, Ionia, Kalamazoo , Kent , Muskegon , Ottawa ,
St. Joseph or Van Buren counties are eligible to join the competition. An entry fee of $15 per artwork must be hand delivered, along with up to two
pieces of artwork, to the KIA’s Lovell street entrance between Saturday Feb. 17 and Sunday Feb. 25.
“We’ve had over 600 entries in the past,” she said. “It varies.”
The top five entries will receive prize money between $200 and $1,000, in addition to six other named awards. Announcements of the winners
will take place during a special reception for artists and their families Friday, March 23.
All submitted artwork must have been completed within the past two years. Artists are limited in size, but not the medium of their work. Any
two-dimensional works, such as paintings, can not exceed 8 feet, while three-dimensional pieces, such as sculptures, can not exceed 4 feet by 8 feet. All
works are eligible to be sold through the KIA Gallery Shop, though the artist can opt not to sell.
The West Michigan Art show one of several annual events that give artists and students a chance to show their artwork. “We accept a variety of
artwork,” VanArendonk said. “From jewelry to handmade paper… sculptures and print photography.”
This year’s guest Juror will be Louis Marinaro, professor of art at the University of Michigan school of Art and Design. A sculptor for thirty
years, and a teacher for twenty-six, he feels it’s important for artists to display their work.
“It means something if your accepted,” he said. “Professional artists make that distinction. Generally that gets developed as you select the
artwork.”
Marinaro has judged several competitions, from the Toledo Museum to a regional art show in Shiawassee. He feels participating in shows like
this one is terrific community service. Qualities such as ascetics and technique are the first things he looks for when judging, even before looking at the
artist’s name. Before the competition, Marinaro will also be leading a lecture at the KIA on Monday, Feb. 26.
“(Artists) want to be accepted,” said Marinaro. “They want recognition, and they want distinction, it’s why you do it.”