NEW APPROACH TO A NEW YEAR
January 5, 2021
On New Year’s Day I sat at the kitchen table, coffee in hand, looking out at the squirrels and doves breakfasting at the feeder in the backyard. Maxwell, our Golden, nudged my knee to be let out— “ARF, ARF, ARF!”—he raced to the feeder, dispersing all beings, the morning’s quiet instantly disturbed. Satisfied with his work, Max meanders back, pawing at the door to be let inside where he promptly curls up for a snooze.
KBAC Board President Ali Hansen with Maxwell
We’ve come to this new year with our collective peace disturbed. We’ve scattered out of harm’s way to the safety of our homes, our public persona hidden behind handmade masks and hand sanitizer. We’re uneasy yet continue to hold out hope for normal. The Kalamazoo Book Arts Center faced challenges last year, as everyone did. But, with your help, we made it work.
We experienced a very scaled-down version of our usual. We had a summer high school intern, groups of Parks and Rec kids socially distanced while making books, and three interns working in-house this fall. The gallery and shop depended more than ever on online sales. Our creativity took root in new ways.
For example, I summoned the courage to teach our first online workshop in June. And then, another. And another. We were surprised that it took three of us to execute an online class, but after checking-in with new board member, Tami Miller, curator at the Krasl Art Center, she concurred that their education department experienced the same. And recently, several of us attended an online webinar produced by The Smithsonian, “Teaching the Visual Arts Online.” Surely the Smithsonian held the golden key to this process, but they confirmed our findings, it takes three: a techie, a teacher, and a home base guardian for success. In short, it takes a village to share our love and knowledge of the book arts to others.
Studio Manager Katie Platte preparing for an online bookbinding class
But I’ll get to the point of my morning musings. This online stuff? —it’s exciting! We have suddenly opened our borders; no longer confined to our hometown. Online teaching gives us a national, dare I project, an international audience! Check our website to find new online classes posted for this winter. And the cherry on top? Two teams of KBAC instructors will be teaching workshops this spring for the Smithsonian Institute!
We’ve trapezed into new ways of thinking, new ways of connecting, new ways—that I think—may be here to stay. Happy New Year, everyone!
Ali Hansen
President, KBAC Board of Directors
Gallery Hours
Monday - Friday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
or by appointment
The KBAC is committed to inclusion of all members of the community regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, age, or ability.
Thank You!
KBAC’s educational and artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of these organizations, other private funders, and people like you.
