Kalamazoo invites Art Hoppers downtown

Downtown retailers and area artists come together March 4 for the first of four annual extended Art Hops.

It’s a chance to see the latest in what local artists are creating as downtown retailers open their doors to exhibit paintings, photography, jewelry, glass works and more.

There are 51 locations on this hop, primarily in the central business district, although Western Michigan University’s Richmond Center for Visual Arts will host a group show and a selection of studios will be open in the Parks Trade Center, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., a 140,000-square-foot building that houses 95 studios and accommodates more than 60 artists and artisans.

Art Hop happens the first Friday in each month at about 15 to 20 sites and is sponsored by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. More sites are added during the expanded hops, which are coordinated with Downtown Kalamazoo Inc.
 
Entertainment has been known to pop up spontaneously, but on the schedule for this event is original acoustic music by Red Tail Ring at Terrapin, 237 S. Kalamazoo Mall, and 12-string guitarist Neil Jacobs at the Kalamazoo Public Library, 315 S. Rose St.

A horse drawn trolley ride will be available to take visitors to locations throughout Central City, running continuously from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo