Deb Polich

A master of tulle, lace, and silk, Jan Lee is adept with scissors, thread, and a machine. She fashions bridal gowns to make them fit beautifully for hundreds of brides on their special day. Now working exclusively at the Brides Project, Jan’s work helps fight cancer too. Hear her story on this edition of "creative:impact" with host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Humor is the antidote for the world’s imperfection. Amanda Uhle, publisher of McSweeney’s and a freelance journalist, relies on her talent, plus a healthy dose of satire to tackle many of the most “untouchable” issues out there. She is also devoted to developing the voice of youth. Hear how she does it when she joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-12) knows that the rapidly changing U.S. economy requires investment in small business that specialize in creative industries. She is sponsoring the CREATE Act, with bipartisan support, to extend to services and programs afforded other sectors to artists, creative workers, and businesses. Hear the details when Mrs. Dingell joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Leading the Ann Arbor Symphony is on Sarah Calderini’s 2022 agenda. We meet Sarah, the Symphony’s newly-appointed executive director, and hear what’s on her to-do list, as well as what gives her hope in the New Year when she joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

One person can make a difference! The Community Action Network (CAN) started its Art + Design program because one member of the community was concerned that many kids were missing out. Hear how a seed planted blossomed to now serve children in many of our neighborhoods, when CAN's director of education, Laura Amtower, joins host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw on this edition of "creative:impact."

Raucus, fun, and steeped in tradition, a panto is a theater tradition that has entertained generations of Brits during the holidays. Ryan Mackenzie-Lewis, co-author of Theatre Nova’s production of "A Almost British Christmas" talks about the over-the-top characters and the slapstick comedy of this family-friendly holiday entertainment with "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw. 

A semi-finalist for the 2022 Grammy Award for Music Educators, Yael Rothfeld, a music teacher at Ann Arbor’s Thurston Elementary, believes she wins every day because she gets to the joys of music. Get ready to be inspired by her passion when she joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Who knew Ann Arbor had record labels? Jeremy Peters knows! He's the co-founder of Quite Scientific Records and former director of music publishing Ghostly International. Sample this crossover music professional who is also a singer, a professor of music business, and arts advocate when he jams with "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Being in the right place at the right time put photographer Doug Coombe in the best seats in the house. Since 1999, his camera has captured the music scene in southeast Michigan and documented media stories throughout the region. Get a view of Doug’s world on this edition of "creative:impact" when he joins Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Director of Night Terrors Brandon Wiard stops by to take "creative:impact" listeners on a behind-the-scenes tour of Wiard Orchards Haunted Thrill Park. Discover what it takes to create a frightfully scary experience along with "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

A leading expert on cultural audience behavior, Alan Brown returns to "creative:impact" after his first appearance in April 2020 just weeks after COVID-19 shut down cultural venues. He announced then that he was launching the Audience Monitor Outlook, a study of COVID’s impact on audiences and when they would comfortably return to cultural venues. He gives an update on his findings to "creative:impact" host Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw.

Founded in 1911, the Zal Gaz Grotto is steeped in the history of masons wanting to cultivate sunny cheerfulness and indulgence in healthy merriment and joyful laughter. A simple building on West Stadium, it is a home for local jazz and rock bands and attracts an eclectic audience. Bob Hospardaruk is a master mason and serves as secretary of the club. He joins Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw on this edition of "creative:impact."

Sitting at the intersection of art and technology, local entrepreneur Don Hicks wondered how SaganWorks 3-D technology could make it possible for anyone to view the work of artists from anywhere. Being one to take action, he started the nonprofit CultureVerse to figure it out. Aubrey Martinson was enlisted as executive director, and she explains it all when she joins co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMUs David Fair on this edition of "creative:impact." 

Ann Arbor’s Stratøs (AKA Eddie Codrington) is reaching for the stars! A three-time winner of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award in 2019, 2020, and 2021, his flight plan was shaped by local music education programs, jazz artists, and events. He is releasing his first album "Planets" in October. Hear all about it when he joins co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair on this edition of "creative:impact."

Straight from Broadway, after roles in "Mamma Mia," "Bonnie and Clyde," "9 to 5," and "Les Misérables," Michigan native Dan Cooney wanted to put on his own show(s). He decided Dexter was the right place, and he opened The Encore Theatre. Hear his story when he joins Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair on this edition of "creative:impact."

Since his student days as member of the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and at the University of Michigan bands, Dr. Eric Becher has excelled at taking the field, literally and figuratively, whether as the youngest ever director of the U-M Marching Bands or in his second career in fundraising and advancement. He Shared his journey with WEMU's David Fair and Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw on 'creative:impact.'

What we’d once hoped was going to be a short little dance number, COVID-19 has turned into a dance marathon. Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair talk about the state of arts + creative industry, now 18 months into this pandemic, on this edition of "creative:impact."

Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit is creating change. Washtenaw County has joined communities across the world using art + creativity to detour youth away from the justice system. Eli talks about his office’s decision to add preventative creative programs and its partnership with Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper and the Vera Institute of Justice on this "creative:impact" with show co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair.

Meet Holli Andrews, the enthusiastic, talented director of Saline Main Street. A community booster second to none, she is salting downtown Saline with art to create lively local scenes. A visit to Saline is in your future after hearing Holli on this week's "creative:impact" with show co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair.

Chelsea resident Gary Munce has held many volunteer gigs. One of his favorites is being the entertainment adviser for Chelsea Area Festivals and Events, producer of Sounds and Sights, and the Chelsea Sculpture Walk. You can hear Gary’s love for what he does and his community when he joins "creative:impact" co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair.

Artist and curator Marcia Stegath Dorr traveled to Oman and discovered timeless culture, art, and craft virtually unknown to rest of the world. She has worked ever since to preserve Oman’s past and lift up its 21st Century artisans as the Consultant to the Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman. Hear about Marcia’s journey on this edition of "creative:impact" with co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair.

From her artist’s booth, Karin Wagner Coron had perfect view of the 2021 Ann Arbor Art Fair. In the second of this two-part series, Karin paints a picture of her experience, how it went, what was the same, what was different, and how it felt to be back on the streets selling art after a one-year, Art Fair hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear it all as she joins "creative:impact’s" co-hosts, Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair.

Karin Wagner Coron has exhibited at the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair for years. She has a routine: how many works to have in inventory and what to pack to be ready. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of last year’s Art Fair. In the first of a two-part series, Karin talks about that disruption and what she anticipates for the 2021 Art Fair. Next week, she’ll be back to tell "creative:impact’s" co-hosts, Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair, how the Art Fair went.

Mackenzie Scott and Dan Jewett recently gave away $2.7 billion to “286 teams empowering voices the world needs to hear.” Neutral Zone (NZ) was surprised to learn they were on the list! Lori Roddy, NZ’s executive director, talks about the impact of this transformative gift with "creative:impact's" co-hosts, Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair.

Like memories of their beloved homeland, art remains within the heart and soul of refugee artists. Their art offers a way to connect new neighbors to the culture and stories of their past. World Refugee Day is Sunday, June 20, and a celebration of artists new to our land is being planned. Dr. Shadin Atiyeh of Jewish Family Services, the refugee resettlement agency in Washtenaw County, gives all the details to Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair on this week's edition of "creative:impact." 

Like the distinct threads of a tapestry, 20-some individual artists have entwined for more than two decades to fashion the WSG Gallery. This artist-owned and operated gallery has withstood the winds of change and now a pandemic. Textile artist and member Cathryn Amidei takes us through WSG’s journey to the future when she joins Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair on this week’s edition of "creative:impact."

Wild Swan Theater’s co-founders and artistic directors Hillary Cohen and Sandy Ryder created a family theater program their way. For more than 40 years, families gathered to enjoy their inclusive, accessible, and delightful theater productions. Now they are dropping the final curtain and spend time reflecting with Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair on this week’s edition of "creative:impact." 

A reimagined art fair is coming to the State Street District in 2021 after all. Artists and merchants are excited to bring art back to the downtown district for a pared-down fair that runs Thursday, July 15 – Saturday, July 17. Meeting all the required safety protocol is paramount, says Frances Todoro-Hargreaves, director of the State Street Art Fair, when she makes the announcement to Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair on "creative:impact."

The Ann Arbor Art Fair just had its second major COVID-19 hit. The directors of the fairs announced that the streets of Ann Arbor will be ghosted again this year by one of the highest rated art fairs in the country. Frances Todoro-Hargreaves, director of the State Street District Art Fair, joins Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair and tells them of the difficult decision to cancel the art fairs on "creative: impact."

Self-described as a "failed music student," Ellie Snyder says she decided to seek out attention in a new way: making strangers laugh in bars. Imagine the irony of being an aspiring comic during the least funny time: a pandemic. With her style of observational humor, Ellie tells Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair her story on this edition of "creative: impact."