Jerico Art Hop is Here!
Jeri the Jerico Cat inspecting ceramics inside Kalamazoo Kiln Room
May News at Jerico
As 2026 continues to unfold, our community of residents keeps growing! We’ve welcomed many new creatives to Jerico this past year, and we’re excited to spotlight both new and longtime residents in our upcoming monthly newsletters.
Check out this feature on Weavers Unlimited—or even better, visit us at Art Hop on May 1st to meet many of our residents in person! Can’t make it? We have plenty of upcoming events on the calendar for you to explore. And if you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a Jerico resident yourself, keep reading to learn about our newest studio opening.
MEET Weavers Unlimited
Stuart Weaver has worked a thousand feet above the Arctic Circle, where steel groans in the cold and mistakes are unforgiving. Compared to that, a design-and-fabrication shop in Kalamazoo might seem quiet—but nothing about Weavers Unlimited is tame.
On any given day, Weaver might be shaping a one-off fender for a classic car. One of those cars is pure legend: a Leelanau County barn find, the AMX III—
one of just six prototypes ever made before AMC abandoned the design. Weaver rebuilt its chassis in chromoly steel.
‘That car,’ he laughs, ‘was one of the nails in American Motors Corporation’s coffin.’
Weavers Unlimited continues to grow thanks to the connections Stuart has built. After speaking with building owner Jeb Gast of Jerico—home to many creative businesses in renovated historic buildings that once housed the Ford Buggy Company on Fulford Street—Weaver learned about funding opportunities through Northern Initiatives.
With that support, he’s preparing to bring on partners and employees—aiming for two of each—and is “building an ecosystem” across the state, including a strong partnership with Detroit Metalshaping. — Excerpts from Northern Initiatives blog featuring Weavers Unlimited.
Join us for Art hop This Friday, May 1st!
Our Jerico residents are pulling out all the stops for Art Hop on May 1st from 5–8 PM! Across the complex, you’ll find art for sale, hands-on activities, and plenty of coffee and treats.
Come grab a gift for Mother’s Day or just hang out and enjoy the vibe—we can’t wait to see you!
Residents and Artists:
North Building:
Fiddle Leaf Cafe will be open with extended hours and specialty drinks. Next door at GUILD, join a collaborative banner painting for the nationwide Red Heart Banner Project. Upstairs, shop handmade jewelry from Notions of Lovely.
South Building:
Stop by the Harmony Room for apothecary goods. In the hall, explore Lanessa Miller’s exhibit Art From Life, featuring paintings of local Kalamazoo musicians like Megan Dooley, Kait Rose, and Jordan Hamilton.
Upstairs, visit Hush House and Studio 8 for a wide variety of handmade work from artists including Earth Body Pottery, Seedling Studio, Blue Hare Paper Co., Sara Rio, KJ Mitchell, Emily Fleckenstein, and Avery Mandigo.
EVENTS THIS MAY
GUILD Meet Up: Costuming Club — May 3rd
Join GUILD for a monthly cosplay meetup. Bring your works-in-progress or stop by to meet others and share ideas. Free materials and equipment are available. Ages 16+.
Yoga with Horses — Backyard Yogis, May 12th
Move, breathe, and connect with gentle horses under the shade of a sprawling tree. Join Andy for a grounding outdoor yoga session at Horse Time in Kalamazoo.
Jessi Phillips, Gabriel Goldstein & Annie Bacon — May 15th at The Clover Room
Expect heartfelt folk songs with rich harmonies and beautifully crafted lyrics.
Events You Don't Wanna Miss
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Events You Don't Wanna Miss 〰️
Shared Studio Space Available May 1st!
Hush House is a queer-friendly shared studio managed by Kalamazoo Backyard Yogis. They’re looking for 1–2 passionate creatives, artists, or small business owners to join a collaborative, office-style workspace.
Flexible lease terms available:
5×10 or 10×10 spaces ranging from $150–$310/month for 6-12 month terms.
Text Shelby at 269-224-7958 to schedule a tour.
