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Art Hop showcases Kalamazoo-area creativity |
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Glass blowing, painting, photography and jewelry are just a few of the visual arts displayed during Art Hop in downtown Kalamazoo the first Friday of each month, offering the community to meet artists, view and purchase their works and experience the hospitality that downtown Kalamazoo has to offer.
![]()  Coordinated by the Kalamazoo Arts Council, Art Hop began in 1996 with six sites Kalamazoo-area sites participating. The monthly event has grown each year and now offers 11 sites curated by the Arts Council. The event is always free and sites are open from 5 to 9 p.m. In most cases, the artwork is for sale and artists are on hand to discuss their work.
“Art Hops have a tremendous following,” said Beth McCann, communications director of the Arts Council. “Expanded Art Hops include exhibits in downtown Kalamazoo and occur four times a year. This event has become a great benefit to the downtown community. People not only get to admire and purchase art, but they can shop downtown, get dinner and drinks and admire the city.”
The June 2009 Art Hop attracted large crowds to watch glass blowing demonstrations given by the West Michigan Glass Society. Linda Kekic, executive director of the WMGS, hosted her own booth with jewelry made from fused glass, copper and silver work.
Kristin Szymusiak and Laurie Szymusiak from Battle Creek also hosted a booth displaying handmade jewelry. Known as, Beadbabes, the mother and daughter-in-law team began making jewelry as a hobby.
“Our jewelry is made from lamp work beads,” said Kristin Szymusiak. “We work the beads with a torch and glass rods. We started out just making for ourselves and friends but the demand grew and we have started doing art and home shows.”
Expanded Art Hops not only offer visual art, but the performing arts as well. Dance, poetry, theater and live music all happen downtown to showcase local talents. The Farrel Ballet Theatre dancers took to the streets the June Hop, performing on the sidewalk alongside the art tents.
 Beginning in fall, Art Hop goes indoors in several locations throughout the Kalamazoo/Portage area, with some venues offering extended exhibits for participating artists. The September 2009 Art Hop featured 14 exhibit sites, including the Black Arts and Culture Center, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, the West Michigan Glass Society and WMU’s Richmond Center.
“Art Hop hosts between 65-75 artists,” said McCann. “Having a site at WMU has drawn a huge crowd of students from WMU, K-College and KVCC.”
Fall semester Art Hops are planned for Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4. Visit the Art Hop Web site at: www.kalamazooarts.com.
Story and photos by Julia Valentine |
