Center for New Media at Kalamazoo Valley

Alumni Art Show Artist Highlight: Xiaoying Li

"Xiaoying Li is a Chinese painter, bird photographer, and nature enthusiast. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Southwest University in China, specializing in traditional Chinese painting. She further expanded her artistic skills by studying intermediate photography at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Li’s work has been exhibited in regional and national exhibitions in China. In 2014, she received First Place in the Painting category at the Kalamazoo Art Fair.

In recent years, she has devoted significant time to avian photography, developing a profound spiritual connection with birds, and created a series of works with themes of birds and nature. Her paintings are distinguished by their elegance, lyrical beauty, and poetic sensibility, blending careful observation with subtle imaginative elements. Through her art, Li seeks to express truth, goodness, and beauty, inviting viewers into a serene, contemplative experience."

Come see Li's work, including her award winning piece "Longing for a New Home", and even more stunning pieces of art at the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show, on display now until July 30th.

Alumni Art Show Artist Highlight: Alex Menzor

"Alex Menzor is a deaf, q***r multidisciplinary artist and illustrator based in Kalamazoo, MI. They obtained their Associates in Applied Sciences for Illustration from KVCC in 2021 and completed an intensive nine month painting residency through the Kirk Newman Art School at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art in 2022. Seeking to examine a life in “flux”, Alex’s work uses botanical, kaleidoscopic and often meditative imagery to convey themes of change, growth, adaptability, and connection. Their paintings explore the idea that while healing is not linear and can take us in many directions, at its core there is a shared experience. Even in isolation there is connection. "

Website: https://www.alexmenzor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apmenzor.studio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apmenzor.studio

Come see Menzor's work, including their award winning piece "Candelabra Aloe #2", and even more stunning pieces of art at the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show, on display now until July 30th.

ALUMNI ART SHOW ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: Dori Smith

"I am a watercolor and gouache artist drawn to the quiet beauty and character of the natural world. Plants, wildlife, and the interplay of light and color are constant sources of inspiration in my work. I spend time observing and photographing my subjects, then translate those moments into paintings that balance realism with emotion and storytelling. Creating art allows me to slow down and connect more deeply with nature, and I hope my paintings encourage others to do the same—to pause, look closely, and find wonder and magic in the world around them."

Come see Smith's work, including her award winning piece "Luminous Vigil", and even more stunning pieces of art at the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show, on display now until July 30th.

Alumni Art Show Artist Highlight: Julie Harpootlian
Ancient Guardians: Ziz, Leviathan, Behemoth

"The Idea. I found the name of the third beast of the bible from my internet wanderings.

The Ziz: heavenly herald. Leviathan: chaos. Behemoth: fierce.

It is amazing to me that before Singer in 1851 and the first commercial sewing machine, needlework was a privilege for young ladies to learn. That kept them from kitchen and skulduggery labors. Fine needlework goes back through the ages.

Now as a hobbyist we have a myriad of affordable fabrics and threads available. Many men also participate in creative needlework."

Come see Harpootlian's award winning piece "Ancient Guardians: Ziz, Leviathan, Behemoth", and even more stunning pieces of art at the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show, on display now until July 30th.

Alumni Art Show Artist Highlight: Enzo Barrett

"I go by Enzo Barrett and I was born and raised in Kalamazoo with my eleven siblings. Our parents homeschooled us, and we were privileged to participate in many creative activities. As a child, drawing always helped me to process life. After my associates degree from KVCC, I moved to Grand Rapids in 2017 and was learning to make rugs until the 2020 lockdown. I spent some time in the GVSU painting program afterwards before I landed a tattoo apprenticeship about a couple years ago. While I do take inspiration from visual artists like Colonel Tony Moore or Dana Schultz, I mostly draw inspiration from life and my own personal experiences. More recently, I have been arranging them into large format drawings I’ve been calling my Visual Memoir. I just started as a Junior Tattoo Artist this past April, and plan to continue to work on my visual memoir as I progress in my tattoo skills. "

Come see Barrett's work, including his award winning piece "Apple Pie", and even more stunning pieces of art at the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show, on display now until July 30th.

Alumni Art Show Artist Highlight: Ana Hedberg

"I graduated from KVCC and received my Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design from Western Michigan University (magna cm laude, Presidential Scholar). I became a watercolor artist, because I enjoy how unpredictable watercolor can be, how forgiving and yet, very challenging it is. I also enjoy nature and wildlife, whether observing it or absorbed in it. Painting nature in watercolor brings both fluidity and randomness together in a rewarding and gratifying way."

Come see Hedberg's work, including her award winning piece "Still Standing the Test of Time", at the 15th Annual Alumni Art Show, on display now until July 30th.

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!