Deb Polich

Earl Lewis is a problem solver. He is also a scholar, an historian, an administrator and a National Medal for the Humanities recipient. As the founder of the University of Michigan Center for Social Solutions, he wants to find answers to questions of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Dr. Lewis joins host Deb Polich on this edition of creative:impact. Tune in to be inspired!

November 1st was declared All Hallows Day to honor Catholic saints as an antidote to a pagan festival – the origin of Halloween - where people wearing costumes would light bonfires to ward off ghosts. All Hallows Day remains an important holiday for many cultures. Chadewick Harris, inspired by the art of flow, started "Ypsilanti’s All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island" to mark the day. Chadewick joins Deb Polich on this edition of creative:impact. Join us to learn about flow and get the details about this lit Ypsilanti event.

That’s the impact of Washtenaw County’s nonprofit arts + cultural organizations, according to the recently released national study from Americans for the Arts. Sarah Miller, president of Destination Ann Arbor, meets up with Deb Polich, host of WEMU’s "creative:impact". They discuss the findings and the ripple effect on our local economy, jobs, merchants, taxes and quality of life.

It’s almost Halloween, and Stephen Warner wants to scare you – with music! As one of the Michigan Theater’s resident organists, he’ll be at the console of the great Barton Organ playing the score for the annual showing of the 1922 silent film classic "Nosferatu," the scariest vampire movie ever! Stephen is Deb Polich’s guest on this edition of "creative:impact." They talk about the connection between pipe organs, films and audiences.

Some creatives win at balancing their everyday life. Others might want more guidance. Abby Fanelli is a dot connector. She thrives on helping artists line up their creative goals with their life goals. Abby is Deb Polich’s guest on this edition of WEMU’s creative:impact. They talk about the work WAABEL, the company Abby co-founded, does to help writers and artists balancing everyday life.

They say it’s your birthday! The Neutral Zone, the organization envisioned as a youth-driven place for teens to gather, is 25 years old. The Zone's director, Lori Roddy, and youth leader, Sana Schaden join host Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact." With a glance back at Neutral Zone’s early days, they’ll bring us up to date on what is now a national model for teen gathering places and tell us about the birthday celebration.

Art, in all its forms, is a universal language. Sreyashi Dey’s company, Akshara, explores contemporary themes by bringing Indian myths to life through Indian dance and theater. Sreyashi joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." They chat about the new work she is premiering at the Rasa Festival, September 23.

Jason Stevens's company, Flutter & Wow Museum Projects, located in Ann Arbor, has designed exhibitions and displays for local museums, like the U-M Museum of Natural History and the Motown Museum, as well as museums in Kentucky, Georgia and elsewhere. Jason joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." They talk about what it takes to create captivating and exciting exhibitions.

Sandra Murchison is an artist and the director of Eastern Michigan University’s School of Art & Design. She recently set aside her art supplies and gladly picked up a shovel for the groundbreaking ceremony for EMU’s 3D Arts Complex. Sandra joins Deb Polich on "creative:impact" to talk about this exciting addition to the EMU campus expected to open in the fall of 2024.

The protagonist of Hilary Cohen’s first murder mystery, "A Turquoise Grave," is looking forward to a tropical getaway but instead finds herself trying to prove a man is innocent of murder. Hilary, widely known as the playwright for the famed Wild Swan Theater, has turned her talents to the written page. Hilary talks about how becoming a novelist seemed like the natural next step for her creative career on the next edition of "creative:impact" with Deb Polich.