74th Annual KIA Arts Fair to Showcase over 120 Artists in Bronson Park

KALAMAZOO—April 1, 2025

Kick off summer with the 74th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair on Friday, June 6, 3–8pm, and Saturday, June 7, 9am–5pm, in beautiful Bronson Park, located on the corner of Park and South Streets in downtown Kalamazoo.

The KIA Arts Fair is the second longest running juried arts fair in the United States. Featuring fine artisans from Michigan and across the country showcasing original, hand crafted, artwork representing 12 artistic mediums. Along with the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind works of art, visitors will find delicious food truck fare, kids and family activities, and artist demonstrations from the Kirk Newman Art School. On Saturday, June 7, at 10am, the “Best in Category” winners will be announced, with winners in each category receiving a $375 cash prize.

Live music on the Bronson Park Stage, presented by the KIA and Sounds of the Zoo, runs throughout the weekend as well. Featuring Jess Ivey (Saturday at 2:00pm), and The Skeletones (Saturday at 3:30pm) with more acts to come.

The Arts Fair is free and open to everyone, and the KIA will welcome visitors with free admission on Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7. Step into the dazzling, otherworldly creations of JooYoung Choi in An Infinite Constellation of Love, where sci-fi, fantasy, and social justice themes intertwine in a vibrant universe of color and storytelling. Then, immerse yourself in the cutting-edge digital artistry of internationally acclaimed artist Leo Villareal with Leo Villareal: Interstellar, opening to the public on Saturday, June 7. This mesmerizing exhibition fuses art, technology, and light, transporting audiences into a realm where space and imagination collide.

Special thanks to the KIA Arts Fair Presenting Sponsor, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Free admission to the museum is made possible by Access for All.

The KIA is proud to be a part of JumpstART Summer weekend featuring KIA Arts Fair, Art on the Mall, the Do-Dah Parade, Kalamazoo Pride and Concerts in the Park. For the full event lineup, visit the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair webpage, https://kiarts.org/arts-fair.

Join us in Bronson Park for an unforgettable celebration of creativity, community, and the power of the arts.

About the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Since 1924, the KIA has offered its visitors the opportunity to enjoy and create art. The KIA’s permanent collection holds more than 4,600 objects across a wide spectrum of media, and the museum  presents 10-15 exhibitions annually in its ten galleries. In addition to its exhibition spaces, the museum houses the KIA Gallery Shop, which sells pieces by international artisans and local and regional artists, a multi-media auditorium, a publicly accessible library, an interactive children’s gallery, and the Kirk Newman Art School (KNAS). KNAS has nurtured the creative passions of tens of thousands of students around the region, state, and beyond, annually welcoming more than 3,400 enrollments. Students of all ages engage with our talented and committed faculty as a part of an exciting fine arts curriculum that includes ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, drawing/painting, printmaking, fiber, photography, glass fusing and enrichment program.

Expanded offerings, collaborations, and outreach will celebrate 100 years of excellence in the arts and bring the KIA’s unparalleled resources to a wider audience than ever before. These special initiatives will give back to the community in appreciation for 100 years of growth, and deepen the ability of all Kalamazooans to find joy, learn from one another, and grow. Through close listening and renewed creativity, the anniversary will illuminate the pathway for the Institute’s next 100 years. For more information, visit kiarts.org.