TRAVEL: SW Detroit Celebrating Trino the Poet

Thursday April 24, 2008
I have family ties to the community and because of this I knew poet Trinidad "Trino" Sanchez, Jr. very well and was saddened to hear of his passing last year. Matrix Theater company hosted an event which unfortunatley I did not make it to, but I met with local artists and residents at the after-event and was pleased to make new connections and re-connect with others I hadn't seen or talked to in several years.

I brought a video I shot of Trino reading his poetry at the Creole Gallery in Lansing. We watched the DVD at the after-event and all those who knew Trino were thrilled to see his face, humor and words come across in the video. I will be reproducing the DVD and sending complimentary copies to his wife (widow?) and Jose Cuello, Associate Professor of History at Wayne State who archives all things Latino arts.

A wonderful and emotional reconnection, that was long overdue for me.

TRAVEL: SW Detroit's COMPAS, Western HS

Friday April 25, 2008
I traveled to Western High School where video production students interviewed me and asked what it takes to be a successful artist. I emphasized the entrepreneurship side of being an artist and the fact that being an artist and a business owner are one in the same when you have to live off of revenue related to the art you produce.

I then met with Ismael Duran, the new Executive Director of COMPAS, the new performing arts center located in Southwest Detroit, who gave me a tour of the region as well as Mexicantown, letting me know about all the new development projects happening in the area on behalf of organizations such as Bagley Housing, SWSB, Skillman Foundation and Southwest Solutions.

The first thing Canadian tourists will see when coming over the Ambassador Bridge will be this slice of Southwest Detroit and the collective strategic efforts are coming together nicely to seize upon this opportnity in the near future, keep up the good work Southwest Detroit!

TRAVEL: Artserve Regional Meeting in Marquette

Sunday May 4, 2008
I traveled from Lansing up to Marquette today and remembered along this drive just how beautiful our land of Northern Michigan is. Rolling hills turn into lakeshore which then turned into thick forestry.

Monday May 5, 2008
We held ArtServe's third regional meeting at the U.P. Children's Museum and what an amazing place to gather a wonderful group of people! The local news channel showed up to ask some questions but not sure if we made it on the tube or not. Anyone know?

TRAVEL: ArtServe Regional Meeting in Flint

Friday May 2, 2008
Today I traveled to Flint where we held the 2nd Regional Meeting at the Greater Flint Arts Council. About 20 attendees networked after an Advocacy Update presented by Mike Latvis, ArtServe's Director of Advocacy.

Greg Fiedler, then took me on a tour of Flint and filled me in on all the background information regarding the downtown redevelopment efforts on the part of (Uptown Development???) and the expected benefits related to UofM Flint becoming a residential college soon. From what I saw the future looks very bright indeed, keep up the good work Flint!

TRAVEL: Oak Park Community Recognition Luncheon

Wednesday April 30, 2008
I attended this luncheon today and found out about the great work being done by the Oak Park Business and Education Association including mentorship programs among other efforts. While there, I met Kyesha Lane, the Community Liaison with Congressman Sander Levin's office, who just started recently and brings a refreshingly grassroots-background to the position.

TRAVEL: Small Town and Rural Development Conference in Thompsonville

Tuesday April 15, 2008
Drove up to Crystal Mountain resort in Thompsonville, MI for the Small Town Rural Development Conference and after checking in I walked off the long drive by touring the Michigan Legacy Art Park. I shot some video of the outdoor art work as the sun was setting, beautiful set-up they have there!

Wednesday April 16, 2008 The conference began today and I had the chance to attend some very exciting workshops including one on Youth Entrepreneurship put on by the folks from the Generation E Institute, and others.

Thursday April 17, 2008
Today the workshop wrapped up and I sat with some great folks from Evart, MI who let me know they have a glowing cemetary among other potential tourist attractions.