Kalamazoo Then & Now is a community‑centered art activation built around two mixed‑media wood‑panel paintings: one depicting Kalamazoo as it appeared roughly 75 years ago (“Then”) and one showing the same location in the present day (“Now”).

The “Then” panel is informed by archival photographs of downtown Kalamazoo, featuring recognizable buildings and everyday passersby. The “Now” panel will be created from direct observation of the same vantage point, reflecting the city’s contemporary identity and atmosphere.

As part of the project, I will host a public engagement activity where residents can share memories, impressions, or hopes for Kalamazoo on small paper tags. These contributions will be displayed alongside the finished diptych, forming a collective portrait of the city across time.

The wood panel used for the “Then” concept study was donated by The Heritage Company, a local architectural salvage shop. Its weathered surface inspired the project’s focus on Kalamazoo’s layered history, reinvention, and the stories embedded in its built environment.