The Big Picture

Gallery Crawl

October 31, 2019

Following my Detroit Gallery Crawl piece in October Current highlighting contemporary art galleries in Detroit, it seems only fair to highlight the visual arts galleries in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Detroit Gallery Crawl

September 30, 2019

Explore the art scene As the weather in Michigan turns cool, if you are curious about Detroit’s art scene and in the mood for a short 45 minute road trip, now is a great time to head downtown. When I began exploring Detroit several years ago, my hunt for significant art and artists was more

John Gutoskey Because I Cannot Sleep (corner of Ashley and Washington), David Zinn Pen Pals (corner of South Main and William), Leslie Sobel Lake Michigan Blues (corner of William and Division)

PowerArt! Three favorites From Ann Arbor’s Open-Air Museum

August 31, 2019

By K.A. Letts We expect public art— all those fountains, sculptures and murals— to express our civic soul, our collective values and our aspirations, providing visual relief from right angles and concrete. Ann Arbor’s PowerArt!, an ongoing project sponsored by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission, The Arts Alliance

Lester Johnson, Nelson Mandela, 2009, mixed media, 55”h x 44”w

Detroit’s Lester Johnson’s Solo Exhibit, Clarion Calls

June 30, 2019

This thoughtful mini-retrospective of the artist’s work traces his visual journey as an African American contemporary artist from the 1970’s until today.

Takahara

Experimental Artist Learned The Rules, Then Broke Them

May 31, 2019

Master printmaker and experimental artist Takeshi Takahara is a restless spirit. Rather than working comfortably within established print traditions, he prefers to skate near the edge of the unknown.

Helen Gotlib with “Water Garden VII” - woodblock, acrylic paint, india ink and gold leaf on paper. 2018. Photo by K.A. Letts, March 27, 2019.

Helen Gotlib

April 30, 2019

A visit to the artist’s studio and her “Secret Beaches”

The Quick Sketch

Jeff Daniels, Onstage and Unplugged

December 1, 2019

Chelsea resident Jeff Daniels returns to the Purple Rose Theatre Company for a new installment of his wildly popular concert series, Onstage and Unplugged, from December 26 through January 1. Finishing a year-long run portraying Atticus Finch in the Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird, the two-time Emmy-winning actor will perform a new set

Grown Up Stories at Crazy Wisdom

December 1, 2019

An evening of eclectic tales of all kinds awaits attendees to December’s installment of the Story Night for Grown Ups series. The event will see members of the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild take to the stage to tell tales— some true, some tall, all-engrossing and entertaining. Coupled with Crazy Wisdom’s selection of teas, desserts and

“Nutcracker” Returns to Michigan Theater

December 1, 2019

For over 15 years, the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet has enchanted audiences with the production of Tchaikovsky’s immortal Nutcracker. This yuletide staple returns to the Michigan Theater for one performance only on December 14. One of the most respected dance schools in the country, the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet teaches pupils the Vaganova

Performance art pioneer Suzanne Lacy

October 31, 2019

Some of the earliest examples of politically pointed and engaging performance art pieces came from the mind of Suzanne Lacy, whose work has engaged viewers with issues of feminism and gender for over 40 years. Lacy will appear on November 14 as part of the University of Michigan’s Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Speakers series. Utilizing

Artist Edel Rodriguez to speak at Michigan Theater

October 31, 2019

From his famous “Meltdown” cover of Time magazine to his contributions to the New York Times op-ed pages, Edel Rodriguez’s works have become some of the most iconic sights of the Trump era. Now, the Cuban American artist comes to the Michigan Theater to speak as part of UM’s Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Speakers series.