Artist in Residence Doet Boersma to Host June 14 Exhibit Opening

Artist in residence Doet Boersma is hosting an exhibition on June 14 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Center for New Media in downtown Kalamazoo. A native of Leeuwarden in the Netherlands, Boersma was KVCC’s artist in residence last spring. She returned to the college on April 23 and will stay until June 21.

Boersma is an internationally recognized artist who is known for her creative and mixed media artwork. She has shown her work in European museums, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Portugal.  

“Normally I would never go to a place a second time, but I sense that the landscape has so much more to give,” Boersma said. “I can go further on my themes and go deeper into the themes. I can explore more because I know what I can expect here and we connect quicker.”

Boersma said she welcomes visitors into her studio. “Here at the Center for New Media they want to be in contact more with art and an artist,” she said. “When I’m here during the daytime, my door is open. It’s really an exchange. I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many nice people.”

Paintings that Boersma created last year can be seen on both campuses of Kalamazoo Valley, many depicting familiar destinations like Asylum Lake, South Haven and the Kleinstuck Nature Preserve. While landscapes have always been a favorite focus, Boersma is now using darker colors and is exploring themes like orchards and vineyards.

Boersma and Kalamazoo Valley Community College art instructor Linda Rzoska, who chairs the college’s Art and New Media Department, are also making prints with a new etching press. The women were inspired by a trip to Rembrandt’s house in Amsterdam. “We saw how he printed his engravings and we wanted to do it here, too,” Boersma said. “We’re connecting new media with a very old craft.” To use the press, Boersma begins by engraving a design into a thick plastic plate. Ink is then rolled onto the sheet and it’s fed through the press to transfer the engraved image onto paper.

Boersma has held workshops for faculty and staff. “They’re immediately attracted to it because they know how to make a nice design,” she said. “They love to do it.” She said the technique is appealing because one engraving can be used to print many variations.

Boersma said she’s happy to be back in Michigan and is anxious to share her new pieces with the public. “My inspiration is Michigan, her landscapes and people,” she said.