This Thursday (May 20) we’re heading to Grooters Productions for a studio tour and process overview. It’s going to be awesome. If you have any interest in film / editing / motion graphics / audio engineering / etc. you won’t want to miss it.
Meet at the HAAC at 3:30. From there we’ll walk down at 4:00 and return at 5:30. RSVP via Facebook.
I’ve been thinking about large outdoor paintings as of late; the weather is getting warmer so it’s only natural to want to create something others can slap aerosol chicken scratches on. That’s probably one of the things that keep the painters at Colossal so far from the ground. Gutsy. Patient. Persistent. And talented on top of all that. Does anybody want to paint a mural with us this summer?
Video by Jon.
Fried food, human sweat and blooming flowers. Ahh, yes. Tulip Time. The annual festival in which millions of guests spend cash at transient stands peddling deep fried food and petty carnival rides all in the name of Dutch heritage. Beautiful.
In 2008 Kris assembled a photo scavenger hunt capturing this quintessential Tulip Time experience and this Thursday we’re exploring it via a photo scavenger hunt. Bring sunscreen, a digital camera and meet us at the HAAC at 1:30. We’ll watch the parade, snap some pics and wrap up at the HAAC at 5:00.
Catch the official list after the jump.
My brain is so full right now. This morning I got together with a local leader to chat about creative education in Holland. Her passion for the success of her students was contagious and throughout the meeting I couldn’t help but feel excited for the season ahead. For too long budget cuts have forced creative education to the margins. It’s so encouraging to see leaders in our community see the potential role third parties can play in the upcoming years and entertain mutually beneficial happenings. Even now thinking about it, my mind is reeling.
This week I also got a chance to sit down with a designer at JCI that worked on the re3. Man, walking into that place was like a creative kid’s candy shop. When I was little I used to design cars all the time…I used to dream of doing it as a profession so seeing the work these people did day in and day out made me a bit nostalgic. Our conversation turned towards motivation and what inspired him to pursue a life in product design. It turns out the biggest factors for his success was a mentor who showed him what a career in design could look like.
It made me curious, if skill based mentoring (you know, like good ‘ol fashioned apprenticeship) were an option for more youth how would the world be different? Would it prevent young grads from accumulating massive amounts of college debt to explore what the world has to offer? Would it better prepare them for the future? How would it change our community? Our economy? Our culture? So many questions and so many unknowns, but I’m convinced of one thing: the tighter our local professional and educational communities are woven the less chance a student has to fall through the cracks.
The above video is of Levi Maestro (Maestro Knows) visiting a school in Las Vegas. He’s a 20 year old filmmaker out of LA that’s part of a new breed of entrepreneurs who have found a way to turn their passions into profit (shouldn’t that be everyone’s goal???). So cool. Even cooler is the fact that he’s willing to share his successes and failures with a group of of students looking to make their mark on the world. Are you?
We’re scheming some amazing things for the upcoming seasons, a new school of sorts. Drawing, design, photography, printmaking, film, writing, business, anthropology, sociology, life and lessons learned. It’s going to be a raw. It’s going to be experimental, and regardless of whether it fails or not, it will be a beautiful step in the right direction. We’re moving forward and we want you to come with us.
More plans will be made public soon. The curious can contact me for more.
This week has been super awe.some. I’ve been meeting with fellow dreamers and schemers talking through this summer’s programming and couldn’t be more excited about the growing group of young makers in Holland. RAD! During a conversation with Emily and Karla we started talking about artists we’ve had strong emotional connections to. Emily pointed me to the work of Dan Eldon, an English photojournalist who was killed by an angry mob in Mogadishu at only 22 years old. When she mentioned his work I was instantly taken back my college gallery which was lucky enough to host “Dan Eldon: Images of War, Celebrations of Peace,” in 2004. His collages were so powerful, raw and fresh; a genuine expression of curiosity and love for the world around him. Over the course of his short life he made many films and journals documenting the social and cultural issues prevalent in his travels. I’m really grateful for Emily’s reminder of his life and work and would love to see his exhibit come to Holland. Until that happens, check this website or book for more info.
I found this today and it’s blowing my mind!!! Trade School is a barter based educational community in New York and it’s amazing! I’m convinced something like this could thrive in Grand Rapids (sadly, I don’t think Holland has the population to sustain it). Here’s my over simplified explanation of how it works:
1. Community members sign up to teach a class in something their passionate about. Topics have included (but aren’t limited to) composting, web design, demystifying caviar, fabric making, grant writing and the Chinatown Collaborative Food Tour (meat lovers edition). Yup, eating.
2. These class leaders then post a description of their class and a list of things they’re in need of.
3. Other members sign up to take the class they check which goods or services they’re able to provide or submit something new.
This spurred some good conversation today during our book altering workshop. It was interesting to hear what students would teach and expect in return for their knowledge. I’m happy to announce that if you have copious amounts of Red Bull and the ability to cook we’ll have a plethora of classes soon available to you. :)
Via GOOD.
