Jerico

Jerico is a community of creative entrepreneurs, makers and artists. We share one common vision: to create and collaborate.

Our historic three building complex is home to 23 shared or individual studios. Designers, craftspeople, fine artists, baristas, welders, musicians and more! There is no limit to the type of work residents of Jerico bring to the table. Each resident works within their private or collective studios in one of our three historic buildings at the industrial edge of the Edison neighborhood in Kalamazoo, MI.

For the public, we offer access to a workshop space that facilitates collaboration between Jerico residents and the local community. Our workshops are thoughtfully curated offerings from artists, skilled tradespeople, activists and other individuals or organizations sharing their expertise with the local community.

For over 100 years, makers past have filled these walls with a legacy of innovations. We take pride in continuing that tradition. Charles Ford constructed the first building in 1898 to produce, among other things, bodies for some of the earliest automobiles. In 1913, Star Brass Works constructed a second building to cast its world renowned brass pulleys and harps for electric street trolleys. Before the construction of Star Brass Works’ third building in 1941, Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co. Ltd. began using Star Brass Works to create tone rings for pre-war Gibson banjos. These instruments are highly collectible and to this day there is speculation by banjo aficionados about the “secret recipe” used in the brass.