Deb Polich

Meet Anne Mondro, an artist whose creative practice is at the intersection of art and health and, specifically, memory loss disease.  She talks with David Fair and Deb Polich about how engaging in art can create meaningful experiences for people with memory loss and their caregivers on this edition of "creative:impact."

Susan Guszynski and Greg Mazure are theater production professionals who have seen the world over the last 30 years as members of national theater touring companies.  Join WEMU's David Fair and The Arts Alliance’s Deb Polich to take a trip with this couple to get the behind-the-scenes look at the behind-the-scenes life.

Fashion is cyclical in nature--what is tacky now is retro later.  But what about the fashions from long ago with the flouncy hats and pointed shoes you might see in a Shakespeare play?  Melanie Schuessler Bond, EMU professor of costume design, knows.  WEMU’s David Fair and The Arts Alliance’s Deb Polich talk with her to explore the craft of costume design and her recently published book "Dressing the Scottish Court, 1543-1553 Clothing in the Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland" on "creative:impact" this week.

Ilana Houten and Jessica Tenbusche, two of the three co-founders of Ypsi Alloy Studios, chat about how a business born of each artist’s need for studio space developed into a cooperative and supportive business model serving other “dirty” artists in Ypsilanti.  On "creative:impact,"  WEMU’s David Fair and The Arts Alliance’s Deb Polich  learn about what makes Ypsi Alloy Studio’s model work.  

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the awe-inspiring view of the universe from the seats of the Planetarium and Dome Theater at the new U-M Natural History Museum, but have you ever wondered what goes into designing these programs?  Planetarium manager Matthew Linke takes us into his stratosphere where imagination has no bounds on this week’s "creative:impact" with WEMU’s David Fair and The Art Alliance’s Deb Polich.

The 2019 Ann Arbor Art Fairs are coming up this weekend, and, each year, an "emerging artist" is featured at the event.  This year, the artist is Jon Van Eck, owner of Van Eck Pottery & Tile Works and an instructor at the Ann Arbor Art Center.  Van Eck talks about his artistic journey leading up to this honor with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact." 

Special education teacher and author Patti Smith is one of the most passionate Ann Arbor residents you'll ever meet.  She sees her hometown as an ongoing project, especially when it comes to preserving its history.  Smith talks about her latest book, "Vanishing Ann Arbor," with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

Ann Arbor resident Dave Coverly loves to draw.  In fact, he has taken that love of drawing to the rest of the country with his one-panel print cartoon, "Speed Bump."  Coverly talks about his journey with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

A national spotlight was shining on the arts and creative organizations in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan last week when the National Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) visited.  In this week's "creative:impact” segment, Victoria Hutter, the NEA’s assistant director for public affairs, joins WEMU's David Fair and The Arts Alliance’s Deb Polich to discuss what happened during the visit.  Hear how the NEA continues to impact our communities and remains essential to the country.

It has been three years since a gunman entered the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida and opened fire.  Recently, a new arts exhibition was unveiled in Orlando to honor those lost in the tragedy, and Ann Arbor artist John Gutoskey's work is prominently featured.  In this week's 'creative:impact,' Gutoskey discusses that work, life as an artist, and the role of social conscience in the creative process.  

Reading comics has been a popular youth activity for decades.  In some cases, it inspires youngsters to seek out a career in the comics industry.  The youth organization "Kids Read Comics" was founded to encourage kids to get their creative juices flowing.  The organization's founder, Chelsea librarian Edith Donnel, discusses the project and latest engagement opportunities with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

Jazz historian Dr. Karl Koenig has built one of the world's most extensive collections of jazz and ragtime music.  Recently, he selected the River Raisin Ragtime Revue, or R4, in Tecumseh to maintain and preserve his collection.  R4 founder and executive director William Pemberton joins WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich to talk about this amazing undertaking in this week's "creative:impact."

We often talk about how art makes a difference in the quality of our lives.  Imagine if that life was playing out in a prison.  The Prison Creative Arts Project at the University of Michigan began exploring that reality nearly three decades ago, and, as WEMU’s David Fair and Deb Polich from the Arts Alliance found out, it is changing lives.  They speak to two of the project's instructors, Vanessa Mayesky and Cozine Welch, Jr., in this week's "creative:impact." 

If you’ve ever wanted to learn blacksmithing or timber-framing, you don’t have to go far.  The Michigan Folk School is serving Washtenaw County residents right now.  In fact, it has been expanding since its inception in 2012.  In this week’s "creative:impact," with WEMU’s David Fair and Deb Polich of The Arts Alliance, you’ll hear the personal and professional story of the school’s director, Jason Gold.

Meet the Eastern Michigan University graduate, Ann Arbor resident, and Venezuelan immigrant who has produced a documentary making waves around the world.  Juan D. Freitez's “Salud Sin Papeles: Health Undocumented” will be playing at the upcoming Cinetopia Film Festival.  On "creative:impact," Juan will take you on his journey in a conversation with WEMU’s David Fair and the president and CEO of The Arts Alliance, Deb Polich.

Every homeowner wants his/her house to really stand out, and well thought-out landscaping can make that possible.  Traven Pelletier is lead designer of Lotus Gardenscapes in Dexter, and he and his team have turned the craft into extraordinary works of art.  Pelletier talks about his work with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

Breaking into a career in radio, whether it's commercial or public, takes a lot of work, talent, drive, and a little luck as well.  In this week's "creative:impact," Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich learns about the personal journey to a career in radio with David Fair, who is celebrating 25 years at WEMU in 2019. 

Photography is an art form that can capture people, places, and things in the most imaginative of ways.  It takes a creative and learned mind to succesfully negotiate the world of biomedical and forensic photography.  That accurately describes Lisa Belanger Neal.  Lisa is a biomedical photographer in Autopsy & Forensic Services in the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan Hospital.  Hear about her work in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

The Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra will celebrate its 20th anniversary later this month.  In "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Deb Polich of The Arts Alliance introduce you to Solana Howard.  She'll discuss the benefits from participation in the YYO and why she now serves as a program mentor. 

Ann Arbor resident R.J. Fox has always had a passion for writing.  He is a published author and two of his books are now being made into films!  Additionally, Fox teaches film and English classes in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.  Fox walks you through his written-word journey with WEMU's David Fair and the President and CEO of The Arts Alliance, Deb Polich, in this week's "creative:impact."  

At the end of 2018, John Bracey announced his retirement as executive director of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA).  Luckily, the council didn't have to search too far for his successor.  MCACA programs manager Alison Watson will take over as executive director, and she talks about her plans with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

Creative entrepeneurs, triple bottom lines, and the life cycle of businesses are among the topics explored in this conversation with Paul Hickman.  Paul founded Urban Ashes in Saline in 2008.  The business closed earlier this year.  Hickman joins WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich to talk about what Urban Ashes accomplished in this week's "creative:impact."

Perhaps one of the most difficult issues to discuss is domestic violence.  Michigan playwright Carey Crim authored the play "Never Not Once" and takes a deep dive into the emotional and personal issues dealt with the aftermath of such horrific crimes.  Artistic explorations, like this, can have a positive impact on how the public deals with such difficult issues.  That's the focus on this week's "creative:impact. " 

A key to the success of any business, organization, or institution is knowing your audience.  Marketing and advertising will help seal your product, but it is branding that will create emotional connection and loyalty.  As such, branding has become an art form unto itself.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich connect with Danielle Milner, a partner at the Ypsilanti branding studio DO:BETTER. 

The most ancient form of artistic expression is architecture.  Whether in it's in our own backyard or across the world, architects have created buildings of all shapes and sizes.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's Patrick Campion and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich talk to Kristen Nyht, who talks about her work with the Quinn Evans archtectural firm in Ann Arbor and as president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

The Arts Alliance's annual "pARTy" is just under a week away, and among those being honored are Bill and Mary Kinley.  Their philanthropic work has supported and expanded the local arts community in many ways.  They discuss their journey with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

Last week, Aaron P. Dworkin was shown how much of a force he is in the creative industry.  His spouse, Afa S. Dworkin, has done her share to expand creative minds as well.  She is head of the Sphinx Organization and co-recepient of the Outstanding Service Medal at the upcoming pARTy 2019.  Afa talks about her journey with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

Aaron P. Dworkin is a force!  Hear his story of how he turned his personal experience as a young Black violinist, acutely aware of the lack of diversity both on stage and in the audience in concert halls into a movement -- but not before engaging his life partner Afa S. Dworkin.  Aaron tells his story this week with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich.  We'll hear Afa's on "creative:impact" next week.

"The pARTy 2019," in which the Arts Alliance honors those who have made significant contributions to the arts, is coming up on February 11th.  This year's recepients of the Lifetime Achievement Medal are the musical, husband-and-wife duo, William Bolcom and Joan Morris.  WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance President and CEO Deb Polich sat down with Bolcom and Morris to discuss their decades-long career in this week's "creative:impact."

Every year, the Arts Alliance hosts a reception to honor those who invest in and contribute to the arts scene in Washtenaw County and around the world.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich talk about this event, which is best known as "The pARTy!"