Kid Art in Downtown Ann Arbor

Every year the art teachers in Ann Arbor select the best of the projects from their classes and post them around town. Different businesses participate and one can spend hours walking the streets looking at windows full of different kinds of art produced by all ages of school children.

When I was a kid I would have loved this project. I was featured in a show at Rackham Auditorium, which was a really big deal to me. It was a big deal to a young girl who came in to look at her piece on display at the Peaceable Kingdom. She was thrilled to see her work on the wall and her entire family came with her to support her. It was delightful!

Dia De Los Muertos

One of my favorite holidays is coming up fast!

November 1st is Day of the Dead, or in Spanish, Dia De Los Muertos. Contrary to the look of the art, which some find unnerving, it is a happy holiday where the life of the person who has passed on is celebrated.

There are parties to celebrate and it is also common to decorate the grave of loved ones.

Sometime in my lifetime I will visit Mexico during this holiday. These pieces are from my personal collection, so they are not public, but it is a holiday that the public participates in. Keep your eyes open. It is becoming more and more common here in the U.S. 

Enjoy!

A new acquisition

This piece was purchased by my Mom at the Ann Arbor Art Fair this year. My Mom doesn't make investments of this kind often, so I was excited to see it.

It is light in weight, as the kayak is made from canvas over a light wood frame. I really like this piece. It was not at all what I had envisioned. 

I've been interested in kayaking for a while now, this only peaks my curiosity! 

Ann Arbor Summer Festival

It's that time of the year again! 

Ann Arbor comes alive at night for the 25th season of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival! 

Free music! Free movies! The outdoor festival begins June 13 th and ends on July 6th. The trend each year is to introduce free family friendly outdoor entertainment. This year Dream Engine is coming to enchant us all! They will be preforming outdoors June 25th through the 28th at evening performances. There are two shows one called Conedancers and the other is Heliosphere. It is sure to be a favorite among kids of all ages! 

Other options include bands and movies at dusk on the giant inflatable movie screen. There is also various performing artists playing in the Power Center which is adjacent to the festival location. The following link will connect you to all kinds of free and some paid options. Check it out!

And don't forget to support your local folks by purchasing food and beverages while at the festival. Don't forget that it is a"free" event, but it won't stay that way if you don't make donations and purchases. So, go have fun and keep this Ann Arbor treasure free!

Just what is Festifools?

This is a kitty puppet that was showcased at the Festifools 2008 parade in Ann Arbor. Festifools debuted on April Fools Day 2007 and in one short year has grown into a huge celebration of puppet creation for the public! This video shows clips from Millennium Park in Chicago and the second half is from Festifools 2008. For more on this event see the bottom of this blog.

Cinco de Mayo

It's Cinco de Mayo! 

This day of celebration commemorates the victory of Mexican forces over the French at the battle of Puebla. It is often confused as Mexico's independence day, which is actually Sept. 16th and occurred 41 years prior to this event. In Mexico it is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla but it is recognized nationally. In the rest of the world, it is celebrated as a day to honor Mexican heritage. The children pictured here are from St. Paul, Minnesota.