KALAMAZOO—February 22, 2025
JooYoung Choi, photo by Lawrence Knox
This winter, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) invites visitors to step into a vibrant and otherworldly universe where love knows no bounds. An Infinite Constellation of Love, opening February 22 in the Joy Light Gallery of Asian Art, showcases the stunning multimedia works of JooYoung Choi, an artist whose storytelling transforms video, sculpture, painting, and installation into a kaleidoscopic realm of connection and resilience.
Through bold colors and whimsical, larger-than-life characters, Choi builds a universe where love extends beyond the traditional family tree. Her work reimagines family as a vast constellation—woven together not by blood, but by the bonds of care, support, and acceptance. Visitors will find themselves immersed in a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative that explores identity, belonging, and healing.
An Artist’s Journey: From Personal Discovery to Global Impact
Born in South Korea and adopted to the United States as a child, Choi’s life journey influences her artistic practice. Through An Infinite Constellation of Love, she shares a hopeful vision that embraces the power of love in all its forms, even in the face of trauma and loss. Her work has been exhibited in major institutions across the country, and now Kalamazoo audiences will have the chance to experience her extraordinary storytelling.
Special Events: Meet the Artist and Join the Movement
Choi’s art invites observation and encourages participation. The KIA will host two special events with the artist, offering a rare opportunity to engage with her and contribute to a growing global installation.
March 20: Artist Lecture – Exploring the Power of Visual Art and World-Building
6–7pm | Free Admission
Join Choi as she shares insights into her studio practice and creative process. Her work explores themes of identity, resilience, transformation, transracial adoption, birth family reunion, immigration, and systemic oppression. Through painting, installation, animation, video art, puppet-making, and sculpture, she brings complex stories to life in dynamic and thought-provoking ways. Presented as part of the KIA’s Joy Light Lecture Series, this event is free to the public thanks to generous support from Art Bridges.
March 22: Garden of Courage and Love Workshop
1–3pm | $15 adults / $10 youth (ages 9-17) | Limited to 20 participants
Choi invites visitors to create flowers representing people who have shown them unconditional love. Participants will craft four flowers to keep and one to contribute to the Garden of Courage and Love, a growing installation featured in exhibitions across the country.
A Community Celebration of Art and Connection
An Infinite Constellation of Love is more than an exhibition—it’s an invitation to see love, family, and human connection in a new light. The KIA is honored to host JooYoung Choi’s work and welcomes the community to take part in this powerful, immersive experience.
RSVP today at kiarts.org/events to secure your spot for these special programs.
This exhibition and its related programming are made possible by the generosity of Joy and Tim Light, whose dedication to bringing the arts and culture of Asia to Kalamazoo continues to inspire. Additional support is provided by the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program and the Efroymson Family Fund, ensuring free admission and extended hours every Thursday evening.
For more information on An Infinite Constellation of Love and other upcoming exhibitions, visit kiarts.org.
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.