For years, Kim Roberts has made strides in revolutionizing artistic boundaries. Having showcased in many a gallery, her efforts in expression and communal endeavors create a one-of-a-kind artistic persona – though she had never originally intended on taking her artwork seriously or teaching for that matter.

“I’m generally inspired by objects and causes,” said Roberts, a professor at Grand Valley State University. “I guess I’m just a documentarian at heart.”

In 1990, Roberts moved to Grand Rapids on a whim, with no home or income. After finding a job at a communications company, Roberts enrolled at the Kendall College of Art and Design and entered student employment; having written to the human resources department about stability issues, Roberts received a full ride.

At Kendall, Roberts started the Student Art Gallery and was the first to create artwork with video and sculpture together. She focused on installations of social and political influence.

One exhibit, “No Survivors,” focused on the book of Genesis with the idea that when Eve succumbed to temptation, Adam became the “man of the house.” The piece was a basilica of broken car parts with small screens displaying the mouths of battered women telling their personal stories.

Another work, “Focus on the Family,” satirized the words of Dr. James Dobson (a right-wing radio host); this was a five-station video installation, with a large mirror above the projector. The viewer would wear a cloak, and projected on it were interviews about families of the victims of brutal homophobic acts.

“I was in heaven at Kendall, and I never looked back,” Roberts said. “The whole time I was there, I never thought about an art degree – I was just taking classes I wanted to take, and then my advisers informed me that I was about ready to graduate … All of the sudden there I was, and my professors would tell me to go to school to teach.”

She said at that time a lot of people had rejected the idea of computers, especially artists, so she worked with the faculty at Kendall to get more Macintosh computers. In turn, Roberts helped with financing and taught some small classes. Despite her own expectations, she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture. Roberts then took to graduate school, aiming for the Art Institute of Chicago, where she graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in video.

Upon her return to Grand Rapids, Roberts focused more on giving back to the community, creating a piece called “Returning to the Source,” inspired by the Three Graces. The installation focused on the figures, on which were projected the cycle of giving, receiving and returning thanks.

Last year, Roberts entered ArtPrize Grand Rapids with “Giggling Babies,” a much lighter piece compared to her previous ones.

In the meantime, Roberts continues to teach the classes she previously took at GVSU and now works with GVTV in hopes of getting more students involved and creating more substantial programs.

“When my professors told me I should teach, I flat-out rejected it,” Roberts said. “I would never want to be involved in an institution. I thought, ‘Maybe I could teach so I could do some art’ – as it turned out, I love teaching. I love the energy and the optimism involved.”

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