Black Refractions coming to Kalamazoo

Sept. 14 to Dec. 8, 2019 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 435 West South Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

For the first time in its history, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) is temporarilyremoving its permanent collection to make way for Black Refractions, a travelingexhibit that showcases 100 years of creative history and achievements by artistsof African descent. Kalamazoo was chosen as one of only six exhibition venuesin the county — and the only in the Midwest.

Black Refractions comprises more than 90 works by 77 artists and will fill allof the main floor KIA galleries. The KIA will also present two accompanyingexhibitions, Resilience: Black Artists as Agents of Change and Where We Stand:Black Artists in Southwest Michigan to highlight local artists of African decent.

The exhibitions will offer a unified narrative about the development of Blackartists in the 20th and 21st centuries with the understanding that there is nosingle narrative among Black artists or their art.

Kalamazoo Community Foundation proudly supports creating equitable spacesin our community to show appreciation for and learn more about artists ofAfrican decent. For more information, visit kiarts.org.