Center for New Media at Kalamazoo Valley

Thank you to all of our Alumni artists who entered work into the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show and a huge congratulations to this year's winners! Every one of you contributed artwork that made this year's show one to remember.

These pieces and more will be on display until July 30th. The details of this year's body of work are best appreciated in person- so come see them while you can! The Arcus gallery will be open Monday - Thursday from noon - 2 p.m. We hope to see you soon.

----------------------------------

-BEST OF SHOW-
Title: Longing for a New Home
Medium: Chinese Painting Ink Pigment on Rice Paper
Artist: Xiaoying Li

-DIRECTOR'S CHOICE-
Title: Luminous Vigil
Medium: Gouache
Artist: Dori Smith

-FIRST PLACE-
Title: Apple Pie
Medium: Pen and Ink
Artist: Enzo Barrett

-SECOND PLACE-
Title: Ancient Guardians: Ziz, Leviathan, Behemoth
Medium: Needlework
Artist: Julie Harpootlian

-THIRD PLACE-
Title: Still Standing the Test of Time
Medium: Watercolor
Artist: Ana Hedberg

-HONORABLE MENTION-
Title: Candelabra Aloe #2
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Alex Menzor

Join us Friday night for the grand opening reception and awards ceremony for Kalamazoo Valley's 15th Annual Alumni Art Show! 🎨 🤩

📅 Friday, June 5th, 2026
🕰 5:30-8 PM
🏅Awards Ceremony at 6:30 PM
📍 Arcus Gallery & Center for New Media | 100 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI

This annual event celebrates artwork created by Kalamazoo Valley's talented alumni. Cash prizes will be awarded during the awards ceremony for Best of Show, Director's Choice, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Places, and Honorable Mention. You do not want to miss this exciting exhibit!

🎨 STUDENT CELEBRATION SHOWCASE ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Jordan Vanas-Peterson

"I'm Jordan Vanas-Peterson, an interdisciplinary artist based in Kalamazoo, MI. I have studied art since a young age, taking many classes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and some at Ferris State University.

My Illustrations depict small moments in nature and unconventional viewpoints of still lifes with subject matter that can raise difficult but necessary questions, such as in the painting Girlhood: what does it mean to protect yourself growing up as a girl?

I mainly work with oil paint, watercolor and colored pencil.

If you want to see more of my work visit https://jordanvanaspeterso.wixsite.com/battlebstudio "

There are only 2 days left to view the artwork on display from the Student Celebration Exhibit! Stop in between noon-2pm to see these pieces and so much more 👀🎨

The deadline for the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show is fast approaching 📣 Don't miss out on your chance to share your work with the Kalamazoo community and for the chance to win up to $2,000 in prizes!

Entries are due by May 23rd. Learn more and enter your work today at https://forms.gle/ieA86uRag4p6hZRu6

🎨 STUDENT CELEBRATION SHOWCASE ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Emma Krajewski

"I've loved drawing for as long as I can remember, it's always been an element in my life. What started as something I did for fun has developed into something that has refined me and continues to grow me in my skills and who I'm becoming.

I'm currently studying art at Kalamazoo Valley Community College while continuing to develop my own style and voice. I now take commissions and enjoy creating pieces that can bring joy to others who are interested in my work.

I live in Kalamazoo, where I live at home along with four of my five siblings, and life is usually fruitful and kept interesting in the Krajewski household. When I'm not working on art, I like to stay active, l enjoy exercising and running, which gives me something to ground and inspire me. I also have a pet bunny named Haru, who is responsible for half the damage in our home, yet still gets by thanks to his cuteness."

Come see Krajewski's work, including her award winning piece "Ocean Floor Sleeper", at KVCC's Student Celebration Showcase, on display now until May 21st!

🎨 STUDENT CELEBRATION SHOWCASE ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Liddie Basch

"Hi I’m Liddie. I grew up in Kalamazoo and have always been inspired by the creative community around me. Sometimes I struggle to translate what I see in my head to the physical world. There is a distance between my mind and my hand. Studying at KVCC, exploring new mediums and techniques, has shortened that distance. “Art” can feel incredibly overwhelming at times. My art is imbued with the emotions I experience while creating it. A piece's completion reminds me that if I want, I can let those emotions go. What did I feel while drawing Marbles? “AhHh-- stresssss-- this was due a month ago--why is glass so complicated?!”

Indecision, to me, represents the internal debate I have when deciding to engage with vice. The little devil on my shoulder whispers, and even though his suggestions spell trouble, he's awfully convincing. This piece allowed me to reflect on past decisions and how I could set better boundaries for my future self."

Come see the award winning piece "Marbles" along with "Indecision" at the Student Celebration Showcase- on display until May 21st!

🎨 STUDENT CELEBRATION SHOWCASE ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Ryan Burt

"HELLO! My name is Ryan Burt, and I’m a Digital Artist/Animator who’s pursuing a career in Game Development. I’ve always had this creative urge since I was little. It started with toys, and now I draw to tell my stories. What really hooked me into the art and game world was Hollow Knight. It was the first actual game I ever beat. From there, other inspirations like Undertale, Adventure Time, Mob Psycho 100, and so many other stories funneled into my brain like creative soup, making me the artist I am today. But I don’t intend to stop learning, exploring, and growing. It’s a big world out there, and I want more soup!"

Come see Burt's work, including his award winning piece "Burnt Mallows", at KVCC's Student Celebration Showcase, on display now! Arcus Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, noon-2 p.m.

🎨 STUDENT CELEBRATION SHOWCASE ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Stephanie Godsil

"Stephanie Godsil is a multidisciplinary artist and studio art major at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Drawing from an extensive background in fine arts, she applies a painterly sensibility across various media, transforming technical disciplines into tactile, expressive works. While her current exhibition features high contrast 35mm gelatin silver prints, her practice is rooted in a broader fine art perspective that prioritizes composition and atmosphere. By hand processing her film in the darkroom, Stephanie bridges classical art principles with analog chemistry. The resulting imagery emphasizes a methodical, hands on approach and composed depth, reflecting just one facet of her diverse, process driven identity."

Come see Godsil's work and so much more at KVCC's 2026 Student Celebration Showcase, on display now! Arcus Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, noon-2 p.m.