This week I saw two very different musicals. Well, to be honest, I saw all of one and parts of another. I was one of millions who have had the opportunity to see the PBS documentary on Hamilton, the Broadway smash musical that combines hip hop and history to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton, … Continue reading
I love stories. I love hearing good stories and I love telling stories. I can still remember my unbounded delight when my elementary classmates enjoyed hearing installments of my magical sagas. And these days I love the moments I steal from work to write stories of fantastic islands for my favorite young people. Stories take … Continue reading
Even in Michigan, there are hints of spring. While we can’t guarantee we’re snow-free yet, the dirty snow heaps are gone and I can begin to see buds on the trees. For many of you, spring break may be right around the corner. Here’s an idea for some family fun or art-lesson magic for your … Continue reading
You know how easy it is to get lost in online searches for something interesting—one thing leads to another and before you know it, it’s time for dinner—or bed. While writing the last post on integrating math and art, I discovered the beauty of the Vizzie Awards. The Vizzies, sponsored by the National Science Foundation … Continue reading
Theater and dance for teaching math? Math for teaching art? Arts integration is not only a great idea, but a great idea in the news. A recent story in the Education section of the Washington Post describes students from kindergarten through middle school learning mathematical concepts through the arts. You can find a description of … Continue reading
Was Shakespeare a rock star? He was popular in his time, but what if his reputation then paralleled celebrity today? That’s one of the questions underlying the current Broadway musical sensation Something Rotten, the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, would-be playwrights stuck in the shadow of the Bard of Avon. The sound track is … Continue reading
This summer, at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, I had the chance to see Lisa Kristine’s photography. To say it is stunning is to underestimate the impact. Lisa Kristine creates more than beautiful art. She inspires. The biography on her website states: Acclaimed humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine creates more than images, she inspires change. A … Continue reading
When I ask college students if they consider themselves creative, the most common response is, “No, I can’t draw.” So, of course, I spend a lot of time and energy helping them understand that creativity is important in all disciplines. As a result, I sometimes worry that I neglect some of the areas in which … Continue reading
Summer. Finally. Oh my. I love the cycles of the academic calendar, but I’ll admit that the last few weeks of everything-is-double-time summer school threw me for a loop last week—hence the unexpected week off from blogging. Perhaps that is why this week I’m drawn to ideas for artistic fun. I love the photography of … Continue reading
When is a utility box not a utility box? When it’s a work of public art. My home city, Ann Arbor, Michigan, has some of the best looking traffic signal utility boxes you’ll ever see. Thanks to a collaboration between the civic and arts organizations, the city is beginning to cover 42 utility boxes with … Continue reading
