- Hi everyone, I'm Kylie Ambu and we're here at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair in Bronson Park.
There are dozens of unique artists out today.
We're talking with a few about what makes their craft so special, let's go.
(upbeat music) - I'm here with Trish from Moonlight Studio.
Thanks so much for chatting with me today.
- Oh, of course, I'm happy to do it, I always love to share.
- Yeah, tell me about what we've got going on.
- Okay, so I've been doing shows about 30 years now.
I've kind of changed my materials I work in and, but I most enjoy the glass, you can see it more whimsical style and very colorful.
And I just love working in the studio and creating new things.
But also I love meeting the people, seeing what everybody enjoys and, yeah.
- Absolutely, and this is the perfect type of event for that, 'cause you got people coming and going and you get to share your craft with everyone.
- That's it, and you know, people are always usually in a pretty good mood.
They come from quite far and they're just, you know, really looking forward to buying some art.
- Yeah, wonderful.
When I was growing up and I took art classes, it was more, you know, sketching or painting.
How do you get into something like glass?
- Oh, I took a class about 25 years ago, just a beginner class and then I just did a lot of experimenting from there, yeah.
- Yeah, and 25 years later we have in Moonlight Studio.
- There it is, yeah, I quit my regular job and was able to stay home and watch my children and then at night work in the studio, and then do art shows on the weekends.
- Wonderful, and that's such a commitment to take up your weekends and really show off everything you've worked so hard for.
Why is that important?
Why is artwork important in our community?
- Oh, man, it's just um, when I don't do it, I feel less fulfilled.
And just to be able to be creative and have that outlet is, it's, I have to have it.
- Wow, spoken like a true artist and we've got lots of artists around this area.
How does it feel to just be in community with one another and see all of the great things?
- Oh, I love it, this is my like water cooler people, you know, you see the same artists or not all the shows, but you know, they're our, we're all friends.
We're a big part of the art community here in Kalamazoo and really all over.
- Wonderful, this might be a hard question, it's like asking to pick your favorite child, but is there something in this booth that you're especially proud of?
- [Trish] I really love doing the stained glass windows.
- [Kylie] Oh, those are gorgeous.
- And I just, I'm able to just make each one different and that's what I like, yeah.
- Perfect, perfect.
Thank you so much for chatting with us today.
- Thanks for stopping, I appreciate the opportunity.
(gentle music) - [Announcer] Support for "Kalamazoo Lively Arts" is provided by the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, helping to build and enrich the cultural life of greater Kalamazoo.