Arts at KNC

Call for Native American Artists

Art Drawn From Nature is a semiannual exhibit featuring local, Southwest Michigan artists. For the first time, this juried exhibition will showcase artwork exclusively by Native American artists, celebrating many forms of art including but not limited to weaving, ceramics, beadwork, sculpture, painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, and mixed media. Artists can submit up to two works of art for consideration.

Select representative(s) from the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, will serve as the guest jurors for this exhibit.

Apply here

Important Dates

Application deadline: Friday, August 9, 2024

Review of artwork submissions: August 9 – August 16

Artist notified of acceptance: Monday, August 19, 2024

If accepted, artwork drop off dates: Monday, August 26 and Tuesday, August 27

Exhibit on view: August 31 – November 17, 2024

Reception: Saturday, September 14, 2-4 pm

Artwork pick up: Monday, November 18 and Tuesday, November 19

Summer Partner Programs!

Art Drawn From Nature:
Kirk Newman Art School at the Kalamazoo Nature Center

As muse and motivation for new art making experiences, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ Kirk Newman Art School and KNC are thrilled to announce an expanded partnership that brings the talented School faculty to the landscapes of the Nature Center. Explore the beauty of the trails, prairie blossoms, trees, animals, and scenery through a range of nature-inspired art courses. Pre-arrival information will be shared with enrollees before each course starts.

Learn more about the classes at KNC below.

Attention, KNC Members: KNC is collaborating with the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts through the Kirk Newman Art School to offer nature-based art classes at a discount for all KNC members. Give us a call at (269) 381-1574 x 0 and we’ll verify your membership is active with us and provide you with the discount code to register with the KIA. Please note, registration for these programs is through the KIA, not KNC.

Register at the KIA

Nature Sketching in Clay with Anna Ill
Tuesdays, July 9 & 16, 5-8 pm (2 weeks)
Fee: $100/KNC & KIA Members, $120/Non-Members
Audience: Adults | Meet: KNC Barn
Wet clay invites impressions and the walking trails at KNC are full of inspiring imagery. Using drawing tools and found objects, we will create compositions from the Nature Center grounds on small ceramic tiles. Each student will have access to several tiles on which to create “clay sketches”. On day one, we will walk the trails, and make several clay sketches. Tiles will be fired and ready for completion with cold finishes on day two. No prior clay experience or special tools are required.

Landscape Photography at KNC with Mary Whalen
Saturday, July 13, 20 & 27, 9-11 am (3 weeks)
Fee: $125/KNC & KIA Members, $145/Non-Members
Audience: Adults | Meet: KNC Visitor Center Members Room/KIA Computer Lab
Join us for a photography class open to all experience levels! Learn to capture the beautiful landscapes, natural light, and ephemeral experiences of the Nature Center. Examine options for both micro and macro compositions utilizing a range of techniques. Please bring water and your own camera, whether a DSLR or iPhone.