December 2020 - The Brick Magazine

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Julie Palmer2020-12-28T11:52:18-05:00

One foot in front of the other is how we get anywhere. But where do we go from here? So often, we concentrate on what we don’t want. We complain, we lament — we’re busy being angry. And rightly so; there’s so much we need to change. But how should we go about creating this change? One thing I’ve started doing more of lately is reframing my questions. Instead of asking what we want less of, we should ask what we want more of. Focusing on what we do want — justice, equality, peace, and kindness — can be the first [...]

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHERJulie Palmer2020-12-28T11:52:18-05:00

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN KERRYTOWN

Julie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:19-05:00

Photo from Kerrytown Concert House By Deborah Meadows The African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) was founded in 1993. Our mission is to research, collect, preserve, and exhibit cultural and historical materials about the life and work of African Americans in Washtenaw County. Our programs include videotaped oral histories with the Ann Arbor District Library, Underground Railroad tours, and performances from local artists in our Focus on the Arts events. The latest Focus on the Arts was at the Kerrytown Concert House in October. The Kerrytown neighborhood was historically home to a melting pot of nationalities, including [...]

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN KERRYTOWNJulie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:19-05:00

ROMANS, REGIFTERS, & STRESS

Julie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:27-05:00

Photo on Unsplash By Morella Devost How did Christmas become the gift-giving holiday? To the chagrin of those for whom this holiday is a sacred religious festivity, the reality is that for the majority of people, Christmas is all about gifts, parties, and food. The origins of this tradition can be traced back to Roman times. In the Roman Empire, December 25th was the date of observance of Sol Invictus (the rebirth of the “unconquered sun”). It was essentially a celebration of the sun returning after the winter solstice. This holiday also coincided with Saturnalia, the festival of Saturn, the god [...]

ROMANS, REGIFTERS, & STRESSJulie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:27-05:00

THE ART OF GIVING

Julie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:34-05:00

Photo on Unsplash By Allison Buck Having worked in various non-profit arts organizations over the past seven years, I’ve been lucky enough to meet a wide range of artists, art advocates, art administrators, and art lovers who call Ann Arbor home. Undoubtedly, art and culture are one of the many reasons folks are drawn to Ann Arbor (myself included). Whether folks come annually for the world-renowned Ann Arbor Art Fair, or to visit the top-notch University of Michigan Museum of Art, or come for a more intimate arts experience at the various galleries in town — the options are endless. But [...]

THE ART OF GIVINGJulie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:34-05:00

THE GIFT OF BEING SEEN

Julie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:41-05:00

Photo by Max Jakob on Unsplash By Maria Sylvester, MSW, CPC I’m sure you know the feeling; that moment when someone says or does something that lets you know they completely see and get you. You feel recognized and acknowledged for what makes you quintessentially you. It feels delicious, yes? A sense of aliveness and joy ripples gently through your body. Every cell tingles happily. It’s a moment of significance because you feel significant. At the core of our heart’s desire, we all long to be seen for who we truly are — for what makes us tick in all of our idiosyncratic [...]

THE GIFT OF BEING SEENJulie Palmer2020-12-01T09:37:41-05:00

FIVE SEEDS OF AMBITION FOR PLANTING FRUITS OF SUCCESS

Julie Palmer2020-12-01T09:38:28-05:00

Photo by Danielle Macinnes on Unsplash By Shell Phelps It’s time to focus on your ambitions and compile your list of your aspirations. Narrow down this list to your top three obtainable goals. This will guide you and give you direction. Just like a road map, goals lead you to a precise location. They guide you to fulfill your purpose of finding happiness while achieving your success stories. The best way to achieve a goal is to assign actions steps to them. The tasks are the seeds, and as you complete each one, you begin planting and watering the seeds of [...]

FIVE SEEDS OF AMBITION FOR PLANTING FRUITS OF SUCCESSJulie Palmer2020-12-01T09:38:28-05:00