AADL Talks To: Deb Polich, President and CEO of Creative Washtenaw

Wed, 10/30/2024 - 7:39pm

Deb Polich has been involved in Ann Arbor and regional arts development and management for decades. She was the director of the pioneering and award-winning ArtTrain Inc. and is currently president and CEO of Creative Washtenaw where she’s been involved from its inception as Arts Alliance. She’s also served on the board of several arts and culture institutions and nonprofits. Deb talks with us about some career highlights, from memorable exhibitions with ArtTrain to initiatives such as Winterfest, PowerArt!, and creative:impact, her radio program at EMU. She also discusses changes in the local arts and culture landscape and the importance of funding for public art.

A Historic Tour of Hertler Brothers and Downtown Home & Garden

Thu, 05/16/2024 - 7:40pm

Mark Hodesh takes us on a tour of the historic downtown Ann Arbor building he owns, which was originally built in 1896 as Hertler Brothers, and renamed as Downtown Home & Garden in 1997. The building located at 210 S. Ashley St. has provided services and supplies to the wider Ann Arbor community for over a century. While in some ways it remains unchanged—continuing to sell bulk seed, grain, and hay—it's also adapted to changing times and evolving customer needs. Current owner of the Downtown Home & Garden store, Kelly Vore, also adds her perspective on this legacy. —Donald Harrison

AADL Talks To: Margaret Parker, Artist and Arts Activist

Thu, 03/21/2024 - 8:13pm

In this episode, AADL Talks to Margaret Parker. Margaret has been working as an artist for seven decades. She talks about her parents’ influence on her desire to become an artist and the evolution of her artistic development, from working in different mediums to confronting social justice issues in her work. Margaret talks about her time with the Michigan chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art and her commitment to bring public to Ann Arbor through her work on the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission.

For more information, see our digital collections related to Margaret Parker, or visit the artist's website.