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SmartShop Metalworking School and Art Gallery Collection

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-3476

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the records of SmartShop Metal Arts Center, which operated from 2002 until its closing in 2010. Records of SmartShop Metal Arts Center (SMAC), also called SmartShop Metal Arts Collective include handwritten notes; receipts; Articles of Incorporation, 2004, 2008; by-laws, 2008; board records; contracts; and information on fundraisers.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 2002-2010

Creator

Biographical / Historical

SmartShop Metal Arts Center was in operation from 2002 until 2010. It was located at 516 E North St, in Kalamazoo. SMAC was established in 2002 by Holly Fisher, an artist specializing in metalworking. SMAC was a metalworking school, gallery, and sculpture garden. The purpose of SmartShop was to support, teach, practice, and promote the metal arts. In 2004, Holly Fisher was awarded a $100,00 Cool City grant, which she used to renovate the new building purchased as part of the Brownfield Redevelopment Initiative. In 2004, SMAC also received non-profit status as a 501(c)(3). The organization was known for working with disadvantaged youth and provided scholarships to the underserved of Kalamazoo.

SmartShop Metal Arts Center closed in 2010. The board of directors cited economic reasons for the closure.

Extent

3 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Physical Description

The collection amounts to 3 cubic feet and is contained within 3 bankers boxes. The collection includes the entire records of SmartShop Metal Arts Center (SMAC), also called SmartShop Metal Arts Collective in the earlier years of its operation. The collection is primarily made up of 8.5” x 11” printed pages, though it also includes some handwritten notes, receipts, carbon copies of checks, CDs and one flash drive.

The collection has been kept in the original order provided by Vincent Faust upon donation. The four boxes that were originally donated were labeled “Governance,” “Marketing/Development,” “Finance/Grants,” and “Receipts.” These labels are reflected below in the box inventory.

Due to the age of the items, they are currently in very good condition. Consideration should be paid to the CDs and flash drive, as it is possible these formats will become obsolete in the future. In addition, all newspaper clippings and articles have been photocopied to preserve their information.

Provenance

The collection was donated in June of 2011 by Vince Faust, former President of the Board of Directors for SmartShop.

Title
SmartShop Metalworking School and Art Gallery Finding Aid
Status
Completed
Author
Devin Erlandson
Date
2002-2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490