For centuries, artists have been seen as poor and lower class, exemplified by tropes like the “starving artist.” However, there is one time a year when this stereotype doesn’t apply to the artists in town: the holidays.
Every year, artists around Southwest Michigan gather together to sell their artwork at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to raise money for the institute.
My KIA ceramics teacher gave me the chance to enter my work, and I thought it would be a good opportunity, so I signed up. I was sent a form from one of the organizers and filled out an application, ordering numerous labels for the pieces I wanted to sell.
I was able to choose what pieces I entered, and what prices I’d put them at, which ranged from $7 to $40. The prices are at the artists’ discretion, so some artists price their work higher, in the hundreds. With the earnings, 40% goes to the KIA and 60% to the designated artists.
This show has proven very successful not only in raising money for the KIA but also in building connections between different artists in the community.
I met many different types of artists, such as painters, illustrators, sculptors and jewelers, as well as my fellow ceramicists. It was truly magical to see artists of such varying media helping with their designated jobs, all having their conversations with each other.
One of the people I met happened to be a Loy Norrix alumnus, Myron Sykes, who is currently working as KIA campus safety. Sykes enjoys the atmosphere at the KIA, appreciating the work the coordinators put into making the building almost unrecognizable, with the various tables set up across the lobby and shelves in the studios.
“I’ve taken a couple classes here now,” said Sykes. “It’s actually inspired me to be with my artistic skills.”
Sykes has been working and taking classes at the KIA for just over a year and values the community of artists at the institute.
“I like the fact that I get to bond with people who like art, especially the newcomers, and then some of the older people who’ve been working here and who come here for classes,” Sykes said. “So far, I can say they have shown me a lot and I actually enjoy it.”
Similarly, one of the coordinators for the sale, Courtney Nelson, is incredibly proud of her work to make this event happen.
“My experience with it is a really joyful one,” said Nelson. “I have a connection with all the artists in it, and I deeply care about giving them the opportunity to sell their work and put it on display.”
Nelson has been participating in the holiday sale since 2016 and has been planning it since 2020
“There’s a little stress related to event planning,” Nelson said. “However, I’ve been doing it for a while, so I know the flow. Once the sale gets here, it’s the fun part. You’re socializing and the fun and just the event of it all.”
Every aspect of the event was impressive, from the intentional organization of the art to the music playing all made for a truly memorable year for the KIA sale.
“Every year I enjoy this event more,” Nelson said. “I’m so proud of this year’s sale, we really put our all into it, and I think it paid off. It makes me so excited for next year’s sale.”
