Women's LifeStyle Magazine, August 2019, Arts by womenslifestylegr

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Grand Rapids|Holland|Grand Haven

AUGUST 2019

Arts

UICA Curator Juana Williams’ Contemporary Perspectives Historic Church Resurrected Piper Adonya: Illustrator, ArtPrize Winner, Mom

Angela Steele

The Power of Artists Creating Together

Essentials for the Perfect Beach Day The Museum Store

Product Information (clockwise from top) Tote: Banner Bags, Snap Brim Cap: Flipside Hats, Books: Various from Museum Store, Lunch Box: Black & Blum, Clutch: Vere

Uncover ed

FEATURING:

Angela Steele

Executive Director, Artists Creating Together

Juana Williams Exhibitions Curator, UICA

Piper Adonya

Impact. When you become a Laker, you look outward, focusing on others instead of yourself. With professors’ caring guidance, you learn how to make a meaningful, lasting difference. Then, as you enter the world, you’re good to go forward, tackle challenges, and make meaningful contributions. Like West Michigan itself, your positive impact will be far reaching. That’s the Laker Effect. And we can’t wait for you to become part of it.

Owner, Piper Adonya Studios gvsu.edu

Devin DuMond

Owner, Hatch Creative Services

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1428 Plainfield Ave, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505 616.459.4167 www.stonesthrowliving.com 3

Contents

August 2019 Edition #257

womenslifestyle.com

PUBLISHER Two Eagles Marcus

15 Her Legacy

PAINTING BY PIPER ADONYA

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Roxanne O’Neil

FEATURES 18 Ebony Road Player Shares the Black Experience Through Theatre 20 Sarah Vesely Brings Passion and Knowledge to Wealthy Theatre

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHING CONSULTANT Carole Valade

22 Artists Creating Together Provides the Power of the Arts to Individuals with Disabilities

EDITOR Elyse Wild editor@womenslifestyle.com ART DIRECTOR Kelly Nugent

24 The Art of Preservation: Carol Moore Resurrects Historic Church in Grand Rapids

ILLUSTRATION BY LIBBY ARMSTRONG

25 Juana Williams on the Art of Curating

PRODUCTION DESIGNER Larissa Espinosa CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Arnold Devin DuMond Elyse Wild Kayla Sosa Anu Teodorescu Maddie Woodrick COLUMNISTS Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council GROW Kelsey Emmanuel Steve Lasater, M.D. Susan Erhardt Vonnie Woodrick

26 Piper Adonya: Illustrator, Jewelry Maker, Painter ArtPrize Winner and Mom

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

26 Piper Adonya: Illustrator, Jewelry Maker, Painter ArtPrize Winner and Mom

13 Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad with Goat Cheese

CALL (616) 458-2121

FOOD AND DINING

13 Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad with Goat Cheese 13 Spiced Pecan Turkey Meatballs Lettuce Wraps

32 “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy” Closes with Lecture COURTESY PHOTO

LEARN & DO

PHOTO BY VICTORIA UPTON

15 Her Legacy: The War of Cornelia Steketee Hulst

EMAIL info@womenslifestyle.com MAIL 3500 3 Mile Rd NW, Ste A Grand Rapids, MI 49534 IN MEMORIAM Victoria Ann Upton Founder 1955 - 2018 To extend an uplifting, inclusive and vibrant invitation to enjoy life, every day, in our community.

16 When the Curtain Closes: Selling Your Business 19 Reader’s Lounge

22 Artists Creating

Together Provides the Power of the Arts

Ebony Road Players Shares the Black Experience

ABOUT THE COVER

Angela Steele photographed by Two Eagles Marcus Angela Steele is the executive director of Artists Creating Together. On page 22, she shares how the organization strives to support individuals with disabilities through the arts.

10 Can Anything be Done to Help Women with Diminished Libido? 12 The Art of Healing: How Creativity Can Support Mental Health

COURTESY PHOTO

PHOTOGRAPHY Elyse Wild Two Eagles Marcus SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Terrie Lynema sales@womenslifestyle.com (616) 951-5422

8 Get Creative with Your Fitness Routine

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 28 July Events 31 “All That Glitters” Now Open at the UICA 32 “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy” Closes with Lecture 34 Grand Rapids’ First Ever African Festival Takes Place This Month 35 We’re Out There Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

From the Editor

As a child, I was surrounded by creative women, most of who were mentored by my grandmother. Her house was my frequent respite and through it flowed a constant stream of students, some who were picking up a paintbrush for the first time and would go on to show their work in international exhibitions.

ONLINE ONLY CONTENT We have too much great content to fit it in all in the print edition every month. Please visit womenslifestyle.com for exclusive online content featuring:

Some of my earliest memories are of my grandma’s paintings: sprawling watercolors coaxed by an expert hand to form a flower blossoming like a firework or an angular yet ethereal abstract scene. Even as PHOTO BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS she aged, and her hands contorted from arthritis, she continued her quest for new tools and techniques, painting with everything from syringes to nail polish to a knife’s edge. Her work imparted her joy, grief, curiosity and wonder. I was privileged to witness her teach people how to find their vision and communicate their perspective. With this edition, we celebrate women like her — women who believe in the power of the arts and invest their time and talents into sowing seeds whose fruit nourishes all of us.

Artist Dayna Walton Draws Inspiration from Nature

Eight Essential Back-to-School Sleep Tips

Opera Grand Rapids Executive Director Emilee Syrewicze

Exploring the Culinary Arts with the Local Epicurean

On page 22, we introduce you to Angela Steele. Steele is the executive director of Artists Creating Together (ACT), a local nonprofit that supports individuals who have disabilities by providing them with avenues to engage in the arts. In the piece, Steele describes the beauty of watching ACT students extend themselves beyond their limitations to become self-advocating members of the art community. Meet Juana Williams, the exhibitions curator at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts. In her role, she employs her innate curiosity and affinity for social sciences to select contemporary works that support the journeys of artists and audiences in our city (25). Learn about the vital work of Ebony Road Players, a local black theatre troupe that amplifies underrepresented voices through the power of performance (19). On page 26, award-winning artist Piper Adonya discusses how she draws on cultural influences from across the globe for her artwork, which includes illustration, painting, jewelry and more. As usual, we bring you the best events taking place in West Michigan this month (28). On Aug. 25, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park invites you to attend the closing lecture of “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy” (32). This month, Grand Rapids’ first-ever African Festival takes over Rosa Parks Circle to provide the community with an educational celebration of the diverse cultures that make up Africa (34). I hope these stories inspire you to explore our city’s rich and evolving arts community, embrace the notion that the act of creativity can change a life, and receive other perspectives through the power of storytelling. Happy reading!

COME AND SEE

WHAT’S NEW KIDS’ GIFTS TOYS, GAMES AND MORE!

-Elyse Wild, Editor Women’s LifeStyle is a dynamic multi-media platform designed to make beneficial connections in our community. The positive, upbeat, award winning and popular locally owned publication is supported by a dynamic mobile friendly online presence and an interactive website (including an events calendar, embedded video), as well as friendly, helpful and consistent social media interaction with the community. With 490+ distribution locations, Women’s LifeStyle is favored by an active, engaged and progressive audience. You are now looking at the 257th edition. All content ©Women’s LifeStyle, Inc. 2019.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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Spotlight on Community Initiatives

Join In

Sponsored by Grand Rapids Community Foundation

ArtPrize Project 1 ArtPrize is taking a new approach this year; instead of being a three-week festival all over downtown Grand Rapids, the art will take form as a site-specific community art project. There are plenty of opportunities to sew, donate fabric and work events surrounding the project. To sign up, visit project.artprize.org.

Grand Rapids Symphony Donate your time as a volunteer at a main season concert, an education program concert or one of the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops concerts. Other volunteer opportunities include special projects in the office or work that can be done from home. To learn more, visit grsymphony.org/volunteer.

WYCE WYCE is an independent, community radio station serving the West Michigan area on 88.1 FM. There are many ways to give your time at the station, like reviewing new albums, helping out at the annual Jammies awards ceremony and answering phones during a fund drive. To sign up, visit grcmc.org/wyce/volunteer.

The Diatribe is a nonprofit organization that uses performing arts to empower young people to share their stories, raise awareness of social justice issues and create change in their communities. Talented local poets who make up The Diatribe bring programming, including dynamic assemblies and intensive weekly workshops, directly into West Michigan classrooms.

Opera Grand Rapids Opera Grand Rapids is accepting volunteers for ushers and greeters, photographers and artist chauffeurs (providing transportation to visiting artists around town) load in and load out teams, administrative work and help at special events. To learn more or sign up, visit operagr.org.

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities Volunteer with the Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, an organization that seeks to “enrich the lives of neighborhood youth through diverse and engaging programs” through the Cook Art Center and Cook Library Center. There are opportunities to lead art, music or dance lessons, as well as assist students with homework and literacy, mentor, or lead STEM-related activities. To apply, visit gaah.org/volunteer.

“I support Grand Rapids Community Foundation so they can grow my gifts and make grants to tackle larger projects affecting the community.” Linsey Gleason

“Working with The Diatribe has provided me with so many opportunities in such a short time, in the form of both education and performance. The Diatribe [has] a phenomenal program, providing young people with a platform and helping us feel heard.” — Siena Ramirez, student

Meet our One Hundred New Philanthropists Linsey cares about organizations that make Grand Rapids fun, vibrant and rich in culture. You don’t need a million dollars to be a philanthropist; you just need heart and an organization to help you move forward. Learn more by contacting Jenine Torres at 616.454.1751 or jtorres@grfoundation.org.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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November 23rd Thanksgiving Tradition

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

Health & Beauty

Get Creative with Your Fitness Routine BY KELSEY EMMANUEL

icture this: Last night, you went to sleep later than usual, which led you to hitting the snooze button a few too many times this morning. With your morning plans stumbling a bit oﬀ track, you are left with only 30 minutes to spare at the gym if you were to go. You might ask yourself, “Is it even worth going to the gym now?” It’s common for people to want to spend an hour or more at the gym (including me), but don’t let the fact that you are short on time stop you from getting your workout in. You can do a lot with your time at the gym with only 30 minutes and the right type of exercise.

When You Are Crunched for Time When you are short on time at the gym, the most eﬀective full-body workouts you can do are compound exercises. Compound exercises are exercises that work multiple muscle groups at the same time, such as squats. Doing a barbell squat engages your full body, including your quadriceps, glutei, calves, back and abs. Focus on your form and decrease your risk for injuries. You would be surprised how fast compound exercises will get your eyebrows sweating and muscles burning!

When the Elliptical Gets Boring Rowers, StairMasters, ellipticals, bikes — these are great tools that can add cardio to your workouts, but they can get repetitive after a while. Instead of doing the elliptical for 20 minutes at the same pace, spend a shorter amount of time on your workout machine and play around with the speed and resistance. For example, you can do four rounds of one minute going at a comfortable pace, 30 seconds going at a medium pace and 15 seconds going at a sprint

pace. This allows you to work on hitting diﬀerent goals throughout your workout. I promise you will be feeling sweaty and accomplished by the end of those seven minutes!

No Gym Equipment? No Problem! If you have cats or dogs, you are one step ahead of the game! When buying a 30 lb bag of food, buy an extra one. An unopened bag of dog food will give you the opportunity to add weights to your workouts; you can perform diﬀerent lifts, such as squats, deadlifts, cleans and shoulder presses. The bonus with pet food bags is that they are durable and can help increase your grip strength. Aside from using dog food to incorporate weightlifting in your life, there are so many opportunities for you to be creative with what you have in your own home. You can use chairs for tricep dips, elevated push-ups, and planks. You can use your stairs for step-ups and calf raises. If you have open wall space, you can perform wall sits. The possibilities are endless! You just have to use your imagination, make sure you are being safe and always practice using good form.

Don’t let the fact that you are cut short on time stop you from getting your workout in. You can do a lot with your time at the gym with only 30 minutes and the right type of workout.

Happy Sweats! Kelsey Emmanuel is a certiﬁed CrossFit Level 1 trainer. Follow along with her workout tips and tutorials on Instagram @kelsey. emmanuel and on Facebook at Kelsey’s Health Journey.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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The National Fertility Support Center (NFSC) helps build families through embryo donation and adoption. Through this medical miracle, those who have completed their family through In-Vitro Fertilization can gift their unused embryos to couples struggling with infertility. The adopting couple may then give birth to their own adopted child! Success is possible even for couples who haven’t been able to give birth following their own medical treatment. This advertisement was developed with grant support from the United States Department of Health and Human Services under grants #EAAPA 151029 & 171031-01-00. The content is the responsibility of the National Fertility Support Center and does not necessarily represent the official views or policies of, nor does it constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

Health & Beauty ASK THE DOCTOR:

Can Anything Be Done to Help a Woman with Diminished Libido? BY STEVE LASATER, M.D.

Dear Dr. Lasater, I’m 50 years old, and my husband and I have been happily married for 25 years. The first 23 or so of those years had been fantastic for us, as we had enjoyed a very healthy sexual relationship well into our 40s. We were quite well-matched in this regard, with my own sexual needs and desires usually equaling – and sometimes even surpassing – his. Then, starting a couple of years ago, his libido started to decline somewhat, although it was still considerably better than average for his age. But during these last two years, my periods have stopped, and my own libido has totally vanished, leaving me to feel like it retired to Florida without even saying goodbye! I need something to be done to help me regain my sexual nature, for the sake of our marriage and for my own sense of personal well being. I asked my doctor about this recently, and she said that there is a prescription medication on the market designed to help women with this problem, but when she then explained that it could have some significant side eﬀects, I decided not to try it. Is there anything at all that you can recommend to help me? — Gloria S. Dear Gloria, There is definitely something that can help in this situation. In fact, I’m sure you’ve heard of it before: it’s called testosterone. It’s not just a “male” hormone, although men have much higher levels of it than women. It’s the primary hormonal stimulus for libido – sexual desire – in both men AND women. Women produce testosterone in their ovaries as well as in their adrenal glands. The ovaries produce considerably less testosterone for several years before menopause; and when menopause occurs, the ovaries reduce their production of estrogen and progesterone. The relative lack of these latter two hormones accounts for most of the classic symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, moodiness and fatigue, among others. But it’s the diminished level of testosterone in women that often contributes to this markedly diminished libido, such as you’ve been suﬀering from, along with fatigue, mental fogginess, muscle loss and weight gain (especially around the waist).

menopausal women, although it is not FDA approved for those women. In addition, flibanserin can cause low blood pressure and even loss of consciousness, especially if taken with alcohol or with certain prescription medications. A new medication for this problem has also just been approved by the FDA; it’s called bremelanotide and is approved only for pre-menopausal women. It is given via injection and carries a significant risk of very bothersome nausea. There are numerous other possible causes of low sexual desire in women besides low testosterone levels, including depression, stress, fatigue, physical illness, the use of certain medications, alcohol or substance abuse, relationship issues, or any of several vaginal conditions that might lead to painful intercourse. It’s a good idea to see your doctor to fully address the issue and to get a proper diagnosis.

There are numerous other possible causes of low sexual desire in women besides low testosterone levels … It’s a good idea to see your doctor to fully address the issue and to get a proper diagnosis. Admittedly, testosterone has not been approved by the FDA for treatment of sexual desire issues in women, and research studies have not yet clearly defined an association between the blood levels of testosterone and sexual desire issues in women. (There is some evidence that the blood level of testosterone is not what matters so much as the level of testosterone within the neurons in the brain.) But there is clear evidence that giving testosterone to women with low sexual desire, both pre-menopausal as well as post-menopausal, can in many cases produce dramatic improvements in sexual desire, as well as helping with the woman’s energy level, memory, muscle tone and weight control. To ask Dr. Lasater a question and have it featured in our column, please email slasatermd@gmail.com.

The medication your doctor was referring to was probably flibanserin, which was approved in 2015 by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of pre-menopausal women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (‘HSDD’), now re-named Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (‘FSIAD’). Flibanserin has also been shown to help improve sexual desire in post-

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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Art and Healing: How Creativity Can Support Mental Health BY VONNIE WOODRICK | PAINTINGS BY LEYNA LUTTRULL

The power of healing extends beyond visual art; music, literature, ﬁlm and more can provide avenues to understanding and soothing mental health struggles.

here are many types of therapy that aid in improving our mental health. Today, many people are finding ways to reduce anxiety and diminish depression with various forms of art. Writing has been my go-to method for years; when I began putting pencil to paper, my racing thoughts became more clear and organized. Having an outlet to summarize my feelings allowed me to heal — and perhaps to help others heal. The ability to express our selves is the key to obtaining strong mental health. Anxiety and depression can be challenging and misunderstood, yet it has been continuously proven that art therapy can reduce the causes and symptoms of depression. According to verywellmind.com, depression and suicide are linked: Nearly 60 percent of those who die by suicide have suffered from major depression. Many people believe that finding avenues to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety can be difficult. Simple responsibilities such as dishes, laundry and even getting out of bed can be challenging during a depressive episode. Leyna Luttrull is a Grand Rapids artist with an awe-inspiring ability to piece together personal depictions of mental health illnesses. After losing a family member to schizophrenia, she was determined to find a way to create a visual of what people experience during their struggles with mental health. Her paintings are stunning, and simply by looking at them, the viewer gains deep insight into what someone else’s struggle may feel like. In 2018, Luttrull partnered with Sophia Cerniglia for an ArtPrize installation titled, “Disease Does Not Discriminate,” which invited people to share their own experiences with mental health. By doing so, Luttrell was able to notice similarities in the way each described illnesses such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, postpartum depression and more. Marney Davies is a local artist who works in acrylics, encaustics and mixed media. Davies’ talent goes beyond painting and into interior design,

home renovations and more. Her creative spirit and passion for mental health issues inspire her to help others through her art. By doing so, Marney discovered she was also helping herself. When Davies lost a family member to suicide, she decided to create a series of paintings that allowed her to discover a new talent, evoke conversations and help her heal her own heart. A portrait of Jimi Hendrix was the first piece in Marney’s series of celebrities who have succumbed to drug overdose. Portraits of Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, all followed, leaving her with an interest in learning more about depression and mental illness. “For people with depression, art therapy represents an opportunity to push against that destruction by immersing yourself in the process of creation,” said Marygrace Berberian, a clinical assistant professor of art therapy at New York University. “Research has shown that art-making can have a profound impact on a person’s physical and psychological well-being.” The power of healing extends beyond visual art; music, literature, film and more can provide avenues to understanding and soothing mental health struggles. Emily Powers, project coordinator for iunderstand, shared that art has played a significant role in her own healing. “Listening to music and reading poetry have impacted me positively as the words carry significant meaning which can be very relatable to your own feelings you’re experiencing,” Powers expressed. Do you have an art form that helps you fight off depression or can help change your mood and thoughts? Share them with me at Vonnie@iunderstandloveheals.org Please visit iunderstandloveheals.org to download a free therapy page to color and discover the many benefits a simple act of coloring can have.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad with Goat Cheese SPICED PECANS 1 egg white 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 cups pecan halves SALAD 1/4 cup, plus 2 teaspoons, extra-virgin olive oil or pecan oil, divided 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 large peaches, halved and pitted 6 cups mixed baby greens 4 ounces soft goat cheese

To make spiced pecans: Heat oven to 275 F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In bowl, whisk egg white, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt until well combined. Fold in pecans and mix until evenly coated. Spread in single layer on baking sheet. Bake 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally until pecans are fragrant and golden brown. Allow to cool completely. To make salad: In bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Set aside. Brush cut sides of peach halves with remaining olive oil; grill until grill lines appear and peaches become tender, about 3-5 minutes. Remove peaches and slice. Divide greens among four plates. Top with grilled peach slices and goat cheese. Divide 1 cup spiced pecans evenly among salads and reserve remaining for snack. Top each salad with drizzle of vinaigrette.

Food & Dining

Effortless Summertime Entertaining RECIPE AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF FAMILY FEATURES

ummer means it’s time to stock up on fresh produce and light the grill for a season of outdoor gatherings with friends and family. Make entertaining easier with flavorful options that can make menuplanning a breeze all summer long.

A nutritious and versatile ingredient, American Pecans can be your secret weapon for a variety of entertaining occasions. Add one bag of pecans to your shopping list and transform standby recipes into wholesome and delicious meals and snacks for the whole crowd.

Enjoy the long summer nights on the back porch with a Spiced Pecan Grilled Peach Salad, packed with the essential flavors and textures of summertime. Or serve up PecanCrusted Asian Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps, a light and delicious appetizer or easy entrée to keep guests satisfied.

Pecan-Crusted Asian Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps MEATBALLS 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey thigh 1/3 cup chopped green onions 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger 1 cup fresh pecans SAUCE 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 head butter lettuce leaves 1/2 cup matchstick carrots chopped scallions (optional) cilantro leaves (optional)

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

Heat oven to 375 F. To make meatballs: Using hands, combine ground turkey, green onions, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, garlic and powdered ginger. In food processor, pulse pecans until coarsely ground to similar consistency as panko bread crumbs. Scoop 1 tablespoon meat mixture at a time and roll into meatballs. Roll meatballs in ground pecans until evenly coated. Place pecan-crusted meatballs on parchment-lined baking sheet; bake approximately 20 minutes. Flip after 15 minutes. To make sauce: In small saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, cornstarch, fish sauce and sesame oil. Stir until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Sprinkle lettuce cups with shredded carrots. Place meatballs on top and drizzle with sauce. Garnish with scallions and cilantro, if desired.

The Great War of Cornelia Steketee Hulst BY THE GREATER GRAND RAPIDS WOMEN’S HISTORY COUNCIL

WWI WOMEN’S REGISTRATION CARDS In late spring 1918, the Grand Rapids chapter of the Woman’s Committee of the Council of National Defense registered nearly 23,000 women. Women from all walks of life — from cigar rollers to Board of Education members — registered with the over 1,000 registrars operating throughout the city. The cards, now digitized and searchable on the Grand Rapids Public Library website, asked for basic information like name, age, address, occupation, marital status, nationality, health and volunteer services offered. But they also went deeper, asking women to identify their talents from the over 100 skills listed on each card. Steketee Hulst, for example, singled out her talents as a writer, author and teacher. Find Cornelia Steketee Hulst’s card in the collection at grpl.org, in Grand Rapids History’s digitized collections, page three.

n March of 1918, Cornelia Steketee Hulst was at the center of a wartime controversy. A prominent author and teacher, she had critiqued Britain’s motivations for entering into World War I in a 1916 article entitled, “Our Secret Pact.” For two years, her article went largely unnoticed by the people of Grand Rapids, but by 1918 wartime enthusiasm had taken hold. Her critique of Britain was cited as an attack against America. Branded unpatriotic, the Grand Rapids Board of Education swiftly asked for her resignation. Why were Hulst’s ideas so out of step from those of her fellow citizens? Her identity as an American of Dutch descent offers one explanation. Dutch-Americans generally harbored considerable ill will against the British after witnessing the events of the Second Boer War in which the British prevailed over the Dutch in a bitter struggle for power and influence in South Africa. This conflict brought about many civilian casualties, and Britain’s use of concentration camps during that period remains controversial today. Informed by that recent history, Steketee Hulst used her article to outline a pattern of British imperialistic strategy and a possible secret pact between the American government and Britain. In publishing this argument, Hulst did not intend to make an unpatriotic statement. Defending herself in an open letter published by the Grand Rapids Press, she cited her writing in fact as a patriotic duty. She was, she protested, anti-Imperialist not anti-American. Moreover, she was disturbed by the wartime impulse to censor her work. Amid the backlash that prompted her dismissal, secret service agents were assigned to her case and swiftly banned her article in the city. Her article banned, newly unemployed and under a cloud of suspicion, Hulst found herself in need of a way to demonstrate loyalty to her country. Around one month after her resignation, she registered for volunteer war service with the Woman’s Committee of the Council of National Defense. Founded upon the U.S.’s entry into the war in 1917, the Woman’s Committee organized women’s war work at the national, state and local levels. The Grand Rapids chapter of the Woman’s Committee was particularly active and there were many locations at which Hulst could have registered. But she chose the busiest and most public location — “The Hut” in Campau Square. Previously, in her published letter of

ILLUSTRATIONS BY LIBBY ARMSTRONG defense, Hulst had explained that she was doing little war work because of her poor health. However, just one month later when she registered at “The Hut,” she suggested an opposite situation. On her registration card, filled out by a trained volunteer registrar in a process reported to take on average thirty minutes, Hulst indicated that she was available for war work at anytime, anywhere and for “as much time as possible.” For Hulst, this very public process of registration was likely part of a strategy to rehabilitate her image. And it seems to have worked. About a year after she registered, Cornelia Steketee Hulst was engaged in a well-advertised lecture series on ancient myths. Her ordeal seemingly in the past, she continued writing and sharing her ideas. Her later publications were far less controversial.

The Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council is dedicated to educating the community and celebrating the legacies of local women, preserving knowledge of their past and inspiring visions for their future. For more information or to get involved, visit ggrwhc.org.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

10 Books, 26 Events

Select August Events GR Reads Pop Up Market Thursday, August 1, 2019, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Main Library – 111 Library St NE

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Books & Butchers Monday, August 19, 2019, 7:00 pm Main Library – 111 Library St NE

Shopping for Food: A Short History Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 7:00 pm Main Library – 111 Library St NE

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Most owners of small businesses truly care about their employees, their customers and vendors, which can lead to delaying a sale.” — Peggy Murphy, certiﬁed public accountant and shareholder at Hungerford Nichols

When the Curtains Close: SELLING YOUR BUSINESS COURTESY OF GRAND RAPIDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN

hen you start a business, it’s often to realize a dream, follow in the footsteps of family or friends or meet a need in the world. You see an opportunity, start it, nurture it and work hard — ultimately growing it into a successful business. At some point, your mind turns to what’s next, and that can mean selling your business. A natural reaction to this change is a mixture of anticipation, sadness and anxiety. The sale of your business is as big of a step as starting it in the first place. A positive way to approach it is not to think of it as an end but as the beginning of the next phase of your journey. We talked with GROW supporter and former board member, Peggy Murphy, a certified public accountant and shareholder at Hungerford Nichols. She is a specialist in advising small business sellers and recommends that business owners start planning for this milestone five years prior to selling. Here are three business succession planning categories to consider.

UNDERSTAND WHY YOU’RE SELLING. The goal of selling your business should be a smooth transition into what’s next for you and the business. The first step is understanding why you’re selling and setting your goals and expectations accordingly. Some of the most common reasons to sell a business include passing it to the next generation, an unexpected life event or approaching retirement. Typically, in a sale to fund retirement, your goal will be maximizing the value of the sale. For Denise Kolesar, former owner of Kohler Expos and a GROW mentor, changing family plans prompted her to kick off a three-year process that ended with the sale of her business in 2016. She had a long-time trusted employee as a potential buyer, which Murphy states is

not unusual. Thus, Kolesar’s sale had the characteristics of a succession event rather than a sale to outside buyers. In this situation, Murphy’s advice is to “have successors be part of the planning process.”

“The emotional component is the most important factor,” Murphy said. “Most owners of small businesses truly care about their employees, their customers and vendors, which can lead to delaying a sale.”

PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS.

When asked about the best part of the sale of her business, Kolesar said, “Selling it to someone I knew. I may have gotten more money (with another buyer), but I wouldn’t have gotten the same character.”

A realistic business valuation is a crucial early step and will be the basis for future discussions with bankers and buyers. To ensure a strong valuation, get your house in order. “Buyers will be looking at five years of records, keep them clean,” Murphy said. “Address problem employees and build a good management team.” Key financial topics are funding and taxes. Some buyers may request that sellers defer payments over time, so in effect, you’ll be acting as a banker for the buyer. If the business starts to perform poorly after the sale, your proceeds may be at risk. Tax considerations should be part of the planning conversation from the beginning to ensure your tax liability is minimized. Legal considerations involve the accuracy of representations you make to the buyer prior to the sale and how this aligns with the reality they encounter after the sale. It is recommended that you have legal experts ensure paperwork is done correctly and contracts with customers, landlords and key employees are renewed and transferable to the new owners.

PREPARE YOURSELF. Selling your business, just like starting it, can be an emotional process. Your business has been a constant presence in your life, including close employees who are often friends. Sellers often worry about what will happen to employees after the sale, and it is a valid concern. Both Murphy and Kolesar recognized the emotional part of a sale in both positive and negative ways.

The length of the planning process can help you adjust to the emotional aspects, but Murphy warns of “seller fatigue” if it stretches on too long. Going into the process, be aware that it will likely be more work and take longer — several months to more than a year longer — than you may like. The diligence and care you brought to the process of starting and building your business will be needed when you’re thinking of selling. If you’re looking for advice on succession planning for your business, there are many resources available, including GROW, your financial advisors, tax advisor or accountant and business mentors. “Bring all the pieces to the table at once to go over the numbers and see what’s right for you,” Kolesar said. “You’re playing poker,” Murphy added. “Advisors help you get the best cards and play them at the right time.” GROW is a service focused on entrepreneurs at various stages of business ownership, providing resources to help with every step of starting a business, empowering and supporting clients with funding options and professional expertise for a lifetime.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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Ebony Road Players

Shares the Black Experience Through Theatre BY ALLISON ARNOLD

“The stories that we tell are not just black stories … they are stories of our whole community, and I think that is important for us to let our community know that we are doing shows for everyone.” —Edye Evans Hyde, executive director of Ebony Road Players

ince 2014, Ebony Road Players has been sharing stories that represent the black experience while introducing diverse communities to theatre. Through performances, they bring a selection of works to Grand Rapids that highlight underrepresented voices and stories in our society. Ebony Road Players is somewhat of a continuation of the Robeson Players, a local black theatre company that began in the 1980s. “It really was a theatre company that tried to get more women and minorities involved in theatre,” Edye Evans Hyde, the executive director of Ebony Road Players, said of Robeson Players. “And when that went away, it had been quite a few years with that kind of platform for underrepresented voices not being presented to the community.” Lajanae Bijon-Smith performed with Ebony Road Players in the role of Mildred Loving for a June production of “Loving” by Peter Manos. “There’s no other theater company in town quite like Ebony Road players,” Bijon-Smith said. “They’re a company that serves to educate and inspire with a social justice aspect to it. They’re casting people of color that may not get a lot of opportunities to act in the city or have as many opportunities as their white counterparts, if I may say.”

PHOTO BY HEATHER MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Evans Hyde emphasizes the impact stories have on communities. “We are impacting stories,” Evans Hyde expressed. “We’re getting the community to be more involved in those underrepresented voices. [We are] telling the stories you don’t normally get the chance to hear about, such as the Loving story.”

URTESY PHOTO CO S AD PLAYER EBONY RO

Ebony Road Players performed, “Loving” for Grand Rapids’ fifth annual celebration of Loving Day. The historic day pays tribute to Richard and Mildred Loving,

an interracial couple whose marriage was illegal in their home state of Virginia. Their case was heard before the Supreme Court in 1967 and resulted in laws banning interracial marriage to be unconstitutional. Through productions like “Loving,” Ebony Road Players is creating space for people of all backgrounds to learn more not only about each other, but themselves. “It’s beautiful to see representation of different artists of color who are involved in Ebony Road,” Ericka Thompson commented. Thompson, a poet who goes by the name of Kyd Kane, was the narrator of Ebony Road’s production of “Loving.” “My artist motto is the challenging of privilege [...] and [theatre] is an area where I had to challenge my own privilege because a lot of times I don’t feel like my narrative comes up enough.” This fall, Ebony Road Players will be performing, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf ” by Ntozake Shange. The play is considered a choreopoem, a series of 20 choreographed poems highlighting the interconnected stories of seven women of color who have lived through oppression as a result of racism and sexism. It addresses topics such as domestic violence, abortion and rape. Ebony Road first performed it in 2014 as a stage reading. “The playwright just passed away this past year so we want to kind of salute her,” Evans Hyde said. While Ebony Road Players highlights stories focused on the black experience, Evans Hyde can’t stress enough how important these stories are for everyone. “When you are a black theatre company or a theatre company representing certain groups of people, other people outside of that community don’t think that they are invited to be part of the discussion, but they are,” she expressed. “The stories we tell are not just black stories […] they are stories of our whole community, and I think that is important for us to let our community know that we are doing shows for everyone.”

Allison Arnold is a freelance writer and avid adventurer who loves hiking, traveling and trying new foods. She writes about food and culture on her blog, For the Love of Tacos. PHOTO BY VICTORIA UPTON

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

READER’S Go Big or Go Home: Taking Risks in Life, Love and Tattooing

BY SUSAN ERHARDT

by Kat Von D.

Broad Stokes: 15 Women Who Made Art and Made History (in That Order) by Bridget Quinn

As a freshman in college taking art history, Bridget Quinn realized that she knew nothing about great female artists. She sought out an 800-page book called History of Art, and found that only 16 women were mentioned in the entire book. In Broad Strokes, Quinn writes about 15 female artists from Artemisia Gentilesch, who lived in the early 1600s, to Susan O’Malley, who died in 2015.

Frida Kahlo: Making Herself Up edited by Claire Wilcox & Circe Henestrosa

In 1954, following Frida Kahlo’s death at the age of 47, Diego Rivera, Kahlo’s husband and Mexican muralist, requested that her possessions be sealed in various cupboards and storerooms throughout the Blue House in Mexico City, where Kahlo was born, lived and died. In 2004, these cupboards were opened and thousands of her personal possessions were rediscovered. Making Herself Up features beautiful photos of these possessions and allows readers a window into her fascinating life.

Go Big or Go Home: Taking Risks in Life, Love, and Tattooing looks rather like a sketchbook ﬁlled with photos of Kat Von D.’s tattoo work, sketches and clients. It’s divided into seven sections: individuality, strength, creativity, independence, presence, wisdom and altruism. In each section, she tells personal anecdotes and explains in great detail how a tattoo design was created for various (and some famous) clients.

Old in Art School: a Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Painter

Nell Painter was a professor at Princeton, a celebrated historian and the author of many books when she decided to go back to school to get a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in art at the age of 64. In this absorbing memoir, Painter describes how she rediscovered old artists in a new way and found her own way in the art world as an older black woman. Susan Erhardt has been a Youth Services Librarian at Kent District Library for 26 years, and still loves to dance around with scarves at preschool story time. When she’s not at the library in her role as “Miss Susan”, she loves to scrapbook, read, travel with her family and walk her Jack Russell Terrier.

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She’s really built such a welcoming atmosphere over at Wealthy Theatre. I think that welcoming atmosphere shows in the amount of activity we’ve got over there now.” — Linda Gellasch, executive director of Grand Rapids Community Media Center which also includes GRTV, WYCE and The Rapidian. When the position opened up last year, Vessley had already worked at GRTV for nearly six years. “When she came in for an interview, she really blew us away,” Linda Gellasch, executive director of GRCMC, commented. “She gets our mission. She gets the movement that we’re a part of.” Gellasch describes Vesely’s presence as calm and steady. “She’s really built such a welcoming atmosphere over at Wealthy Theatre,” Gellasch said. “I think that welcoming atmosphere shows in the amount of activity we’ve got over there now.” Since stepping into the role of director, Vesely has increased community connections and business at the theatre. “My goal is to keep boosting the signal of the accessibility of this,” Vesely said. “Whether it’s trying to boost the signal and encourage people to come in here and use this platform, I think that’s one achievement because our number of events is on the uptick.” Wealthy Theatre hosts numerous film events, namely the Meanwhile Film Series, which, according to Vesely, has a great fall and holiday lineup. They also host film festivals, such as the Latin American Film Festival, as well as community events, such as resource meetings on sexual assault put on by the YWCA and forums held by the City of Grand Rapids.

Sarah Vesely Brings Passion and Knowledge to Wealthy Theatre BY ALLISON ARNOLD PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELYSE WILD

“I

’ve always loved movies,” Sarah Vesely, director of Wealthy Theatre, said. “The first time I saw one, I think it was the Little Mermaid when I was about two, and I have just been fascinated [ever since].”

Vesely holds a bachelor’s degree in film and video production from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from Hollins University. “There’s something really cool about film,” Vesely expressed. “It’s fun, tangible, magical, but it’s also a way for people to connect.” Vesely’s knowledge and passion for film and her commitment to the community made her the perfect candidate to fill the role of director at Wealthy Theatre. The theatre is a program of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center (GRCMC),

The most challenging, yet exciting, aspect Vesely has taken on in her role is learning how to run a historic venue while also preserving it. Wealthy Theatre was constructed in 1911 as a vaudeville and live theatre, later becoming a warehouse for the Michigan Aircraft Company during World War I. It stood empty for more than 25 years before being restored and reopened in 1998. The GRCMC acquired the theatre in 2005. In addition to assembling diverse and engaging programming, Vesely is working on projects for the future of the theatre. “I’ve been working with different people in the community to try to come up with new programming to bring in here,” Vesely said. “I’m hoping that we can kind of gear toward a more educational route. The Community Media Center overall has a really strong mission about being advocates for media literacy.” Allison Arnold is a freelance writer and avid adventurer who loves hiking, traveling and trying new foods. She writes about food and culture on her blog, For the Love of Tacos.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine •June 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

Artists Creating Together

Provides the Power of the Arts to Individuals Who Have Disabilities BY ELYSE WILD

ngele Steele’s first exposure to the transformative power of the arts was through her son, Rock, who has a chromosome abnormality.

ACT is currently in the midst of a $1.1 million capital campaign. The campaign has provided funding for a new, larger space that will accommodate the growing number of students (last year, their programming reached more than 6,000 people). Part of the funds has been allocated to the Creative Cube, a stunning 40-foot race trailer that expands to become a fully-accessible mobile art studio. The Creative Cube is on the road throughout West Michigan from March to October, serving more than 5,000 individuals who otherwise may not have access to ACT programming.

“He was in pre-school, and he was non-verbal,” she said. “He was a participant of Artists Creating Together (ACT) through his early childhood program. They brought in musicians and artists to teach drumming, visual arts and movement.” Steele witnessed Rock develop the ability to communicate through the creative activities in which he was engaging

“It has been a long time in the making,” Steele commented. “We knew that there were a lot of people living with disabilities in West Michigan who weren’t being served by ACT, whether they couldn’t get to our studio or weren’t involved in the health agencies we partner with or weren’t in the K-12 system. We said, ‘How do we establish a relationship with those people?’”

“It was really exciting,” she said. “It was fun to see him take a leadership role and want to show us and tell us what he learned through the arts, even though he wasn’t able to speak to us at the time.” Today, Steele works as the executive director of ACT as the nonprofit continues a 30 year legacy of supporting individuals who live with disabilities by providing them an avenue in which to engage in the arts. “I felt drawn here,” she said. “It is a great place to be, to get access to special education programs and also to parents who are further along on their journey than we are.” Through three branches of programming — youth, adult and health & healing — ACT conducts weekly programming and community events that allow individuals of all abilities to participate in visual and performing arts. They also provide accessibility training to other arts organizations within the community, such as the Grand Rapids Art Museum and ArtPrize. “We are excited to share what we know,” she said. “We want to make sure everyone knows that they are welcome.” Steele holds a bachelor’s in education and language arts from Hope College and a master’s in education from Walden University. Prior to joining ACT, she taught at West Ottawa Public Schools and was the program director for the Literacy Center of West Michigan. “I always knew the value of the arts and would incorporate creativity into my classroom, but it wasn’t

James Dykstra, who is on the autism spectrum, has been taking classes at ACT for five years.

ANGELA STEELE PHOTO BY TWO EAGLES MARCUS

“I always believed in the arts, but I didn’t know the massive power of the arts until working at ACT and seeing it with so many adults in our community. —Angele Steele, executive director of ACT

until I worked here when I saw students whose only outlet was through the arts,” she said. “Through our hospital programs, I saw people heal through the arts and overcome trauma, which is beautiful. I always believed in the arts, but I didn’t know the massive power of the arts until working at ACT and seeing it with so many adults in our community.”

“You don’t have to worry about anyone criticizing your artwork,” he said. “It is big enough that all of us with different disabilities can work in different ways. All of the teachers are really nice — they give you props on everything.” Dykstra says that making artwork helps him with concentration. “Sometimes you don’t realize how quickly time goes by while you’re doing your art,” he said. “Before you know it, you’re finished.” Of all of the classes Dykstra has taken at ACT, he has enjoyed photography the most. During the course, students took photos around the city as they learned various techniques. “When they turned in our photos to be printed, the woman at the counter asked if they had a release for the photos,” he smiled. “They were that good.” A hallmark of ACT is the value they place on their teaching artists, all of who are paid. For Sarah Scott, a printmaker who has been leading classes at the organization for more than five years, this demonstrates strong support for the local arts community.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

I love teaching here. A lot of what I do here is have my mind blown.” — Sarah Scott, ACT professional teaching artist

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACT

“To me, it offers an incredible amount of respect to artists in town,” she said. “It is really respectful when an organization can come at you like that.” Teaching artists are supported by ACT’s network of dedicated volunteers. “There are always two staff members and at least one volunteer,” she commented. “The volunteers are great — it makes you feel really supported.” Scott goes on to describe how rewarding it is to teach at ACT. “I love teaching here ... a lot of what I do here is have my mind blown.” ACT employs more than 50 teaching artists and makes an effort to hire those who have disabilities “Last year, we had a culinary arts teacher with a disability,” she said. “Watching the students respond to her as she came in, I saw a more immediate and natural rapport and relationship building. It was really beautiful.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACT

To additionally support their students as they transition out of special education programs, ACT offers an apprenticeship program. Apprentices are between the ages of 18-26 and work under the mentorship of a local artist with the goal of showcasing their art in the community. ACT helps them create marketing material and find venues to showcase and sell their artwork. Apprentices keep 100% of the sales of their work. “We want them to know that their art is valued and that is their voice, and they should make those proceeds for themselves,” she said. “It is also a way they can get involved with the community for years to come.” Steele says to witness the apprentice students grow in their abilities and confidence is one of the most rewarding aspects of working at ACT. “Watching them come in and dabble in the arts and learn skills here and there, to having five art shows under their belt and being able to talk about their art and what it means to them and advocate for their own sales is a really beautiful transition,” she said.

JAMES DYKSTRA PHOTO COURTESY OF ACT

To learn more about ACT, please visit artistscreatingtogether.org.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

THE ART OF PRESERVATION: BY KAYLA SOSA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELYSE WILD

Carol Moore Resurrects Historic Church in Grand Rapids

n the northeast corner of Diamond and Hermitage in the East Hills neighborhood of Grand Rapids sits an old church with broken stained glass windows and chipping paint on the siding. Built in 1875 by Dutch immigrants, it was home to a Third Reformed congregation until 1968, followed by an African American congregation and finally a Hispanic congregation. Today, it sits empty, an eye-sore to some around town. But lately, neighbors have noticed a transformation taking place with the church, all thanks to local preservationist Carol Moore. “To me, preservation is the arts,” Moore said. “I think it’s also the environmentally-sensitive thing to do.”

Moore is two years into the five-year project of restoring the old church. This isn’t her first restoration project — she’s been renovating buildings in Grand Rapids for over 40 years. In 1978, Moore was laid off from an administrative job in education. She saved her unemployment checks to buy her first property, which was her own home on Eureka Avenue and a house nearby on Virginia Street. In 1986, she bought 209 Diamond SE, which would house Gaia Cafe for 33 years. “I restore things completely and rent them out at a reasonable rate to people who will be there for a long time,” Moore said. She continued to buy a handful of properties in the area: two brownstones on Wealthy Street in the building that is now Sparrows Coffee & Tea & Newsstand, two brick apartment buildings on Wealthy Street, a duplex on Virginia Street and a bungalow in Savannah, Georgia. She also played a critical role in renovating Wealthy Theatre. “We started on Wealthy Street when no one wanted to go near it,” Moore said. “We’ve got pictures of Wealthy Street when it was all boarded up.”

“That’s the thing about preservation — once you start setting good examples for people to see, they see the beauty. — Carol Moore says it was well worth it to stick it out through those hard times. “That’s the thing about preservation,” she said. “Once you start setting good examples for people to see, they see the beauty.” Most of Moore’s renovations have been in her neighborhood, East Hills — the same area that Dutch immigrants settled in Grand Rapids more than a hundred years ago.

Over the years, Moore has seen the neighborhood grow from a high crime area into one of the most trendy, upcoming places in the city.

“That’s what’s so forgiving about these old buildings, they’re built so well,” Moore said. “You can abuse them — not that you want to — and then you can bring them back to life. They’re well built to start with and they’re built out of old-growth wood — that’s serious timber that you’re dealing with.”

“Most of my neighbors are artsy people, and we put roots down a long time ago,” she said. “I was shot at, was broken into, was punched in the teeth. But, you know, we had to fight for our neighborhood.” Moore

Not only does Moore enjoy learning the history behind the buildings and encountering relics from another century, but she wants to preserve space and make it accessible for the community.

“I just believe in these projects that have a public use,” she expressed. “Because it benefits everybody, and that’s just what the public good is all about.” Which, she says, is why she is transforming the Third Reformed Church into a nonprofit community arts center where there will be performance, class, residential and commercial kitchen space. “It’s been a church for 144 years — it does not need to be a church anymore,” Moore said. “It could be, but that’s too proprietary, it’s only for a small group of people. Let’s expand the audience, the population, and the arts is the liquid that makes it happen.” Kayla Sosa is a multimedia journalism student at GVSU. She’s a local freelance writer and enjoys spending time with her husband, her kitty and her family. When she’s not writing, she likes to go on nature walks, do yoga and paint.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

“A lot of what has happened in your life leading up to the moment you look at a piece has to do with how you feel about a work of art.” — Juana Williams

Juana Williams on the Art of Curating WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELYSE WILD JUANA WILLIAMS HAS AN INNATE CURIOSITY about the way art impacts our lives, whether we create it or view it. “A lot of what has happened in your life leading up to the moment you look at a piece has to do with how you feel about that work of art,” she expressed. “I am very interested in the process of creating and the story behind a piece.” Williams is the exhibitions curator at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA). She considers the role a service to the community, as art has the potential to help us embrace perspectives other than our own, process current events and project the voices of the unheard. “What interests me the most is that with art you can talk about anything,” she remarked. “I study a lot of sociology, psychology and different kinds of sciences — things that people may not think goes into the curation of visual arts.” When Williams was hired by the UICA last summer, she was working as an independent curator and assistant to the chair of the Wayne State University Art and History Department. She graduated from Wayne State with a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s in art history. She spent her first three years of college pursuing a math degree. When she realized she wasn’t interested in any career that involved math, she decided to explore her long-held interest in the arts. It was during an art history class when her current path unfolded before her. “It merged the two things I am most interested in — creativity and research,” she expressed. “Art history is very focused on research and understanding the past and digging through it. That is why l landed in contemporary art — the whole span of art history is involved in

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

contemporary art because everything that happened in the past is used to create exhibitions now.”

“Or Does It Explode?”, which documented the impact of forced migration.

Williams curates four floors of exhibition space in the 44,000 square-foot, LEED-certified building that houses the UICA. She says the building design, coupled with the fact that it is one of the few non-collecting galleries in the nation, makes the UICA a unique and exciting arts institution at which to work.

“There were people who told me about how the exhibition reminded them of their time in refugee camps,” she said. “Hearing their stories and how it impacted their lives, that makes a difference to me.”

“This building is very unusual in terms of museums and galleries,” she said. “It is so fun to curate these spaces because all of the floors are different.” When Williams is considering work for a show, the artist’s perspective is central to her approach; she collaborates with them to ensure their work is displayed in such a way as to amplify the message behind it. “I love working with artists,” she said. “I am really respectful of artists and their craft and what message they are trying to send to the world, and how they want their work seen.” And, rather than allowing her personal taste to dictate her choices, she always considers the community in which the work will be viewed. “I always go into it thinking about the audience,” she said. “Sometimes, the art doesn’t resonate with me, but might with someone else, or it might fill a gap that I feel needs to be filled.” As curating is primarily a solo-endeavor, Williams finds audience engagement to be rewarding.

“Breaching the Margins,” a juried exhibition that depicts how marginalized groups manage their lives in a society that largely excludes them, is on display at the institute until Aug. 18. “There are a few queer artists who have told me how much they feel seen — that the exhibition makes them feel more accepted in West Michigan, “ she said. “That is rewarding.” Viewing contemporary art can be a transformative, and sometimes challenging, experience. Williams advice is to be receptive to whatever the artist is trying to impart. “If you chose to go in with an open mind, an open heart and curiosity, you will get more from it ... When you go into a space, if you are open to receiving whatever message it is, you will have a much more pleasant or profound experience.” For a list of current and upcoming exhibitions at the UICA, please visit UICA.org. When she is not editing for WLM, Elyse enjoys traveling to far off lands, taking photos, listening to live music and spinning records.

She describes receiving feedback from the local refugee community about the recent group exhibition entitled,

“I would love for people to walk away with an experience … to inspire people to create. Even people who think they are not creative, can create.

BY DEVIN DUMOND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELYSE WILD

Piper Adonya:

ILLUSTRATOR, JEWELRY MAKER, PAINTER, ARTPRIZE WINNER AND MOM

t was one of those rare, unseasonably warm Michigan spring days when Piper Adonya and I sat down to talk about what it means to be a professional artist.

Her sketches are often created digitally, which gives her the creative freedom to play with color right from the start. She regularly posts these initial sketches on her social media and embraces the “messy” side of creative work.

“Nobody says a ‘real dentist,’ or a ‘real lawyer,’” she said. “Everything you see is a creative effort — everything around you was created and designed by an artist in their different and respective professions. We are wearing art; we are sitting on art; it is literally everywhere. To not appreciate it would be to not appreciate our environment.”

Part of being a professional artist for Adonya is to exceed the expectations of her clients. Her philosophy is to “give them what they ask for, but also more than they hoped for.” When examining her body of work, this work ethic and passion are evident. Whether a portrait, design or illustration, all of her work is thoughtfully executed and full of life, color and energy

Adonya’s interest in art began when she was just eight years old. She vividly recalls the first time she saw “The Little Mermaid” — she would pause the movie to recreate each scene, frame by frame. It was then that she decided her future would be in the arts. She has continued to develop characters, costumes and designs rooted in her early love for visual storytelling.

This energy can be seen in her contribution to “Rad American Women A-Z” a recently launched public art project in which female artists painted historically significant women on electrical boxes across downtown Grand Rapids. Her portrait of Yuri Kochiyama, which can be found in front of The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids, is a beautifully balanced explosion of color and pattern. The blend of her unique drawing style with a pattern derived from traditional Japanese fabrics result in a dynamic and compelling portrait.

Along her creative journey, she noticed a lack of women depicted in influential roles. She wanted to see more women of color and other cultures represented in art and animation. She remarked about how in recent years, this seems to have improved, but there’s still more progress to be made. Her art is rich with cultural influences from around the world. She draws inspiration from Asia, Africa and indigenous peoples of North and South America, using pattern, color and fashion to express these cultures. “Color alone can tell a story,” she stated while describing her creative process. “I think about what I want the viewer to experience and feel. The first initial sketch holds so much energy — raw and beautiful, full of passion. It carries the energy.”

“One thing I love about art is that it has the ability to woo the viewer before they realize that they are being challenged by her,” she said. “I call art ‘Her.’” Adonya draws from her personal life for inspiration. In typical mom fashion, she lights up when talking about her two children, Nya (13) and Judah (11). “They love to draw and take over my studio,” she laughed. Followers of her social media accounts get to know her kiddos as they take center stage in her ongoing online comic, “Slice of Life.” Here we see snippets of their lives with anecdotes from the pair as they negotiate vegetables,

screentime and being siblings. The comics are as funny as they are relatable, done in her cool, expressive style — a combination of quick linework, texture and muted color palettes. Listed among her professional accomplishments, you will find an ArtPrize award for best installation and venue from her involvement with Cultura Collective in 2016. Her resume keeps growing from there with several award nominations — including one from the 2018 BEAT Awards for Outstanding Trailblazing Female — children’s books she has illustrated, collaborative animation projects and her own artistic pursuits. When asked what she hopes to accomplish with her art, Adonya answered, “I would love for people to walk away with an experience … to inspire people to create. Even people who think they are not creative can create.” You can find more about Piper online at piperadonya.com or by following her on Instagram at @piperadonya.

Devin DuMond is a Grand Rapids artist, entrepreneur, and professor who is passionate about cultivating community and empowering women. Find her online at hatchgr.com and grwomenwho.com.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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August Events Tuesdays

Tuesday Evening Music Club. Local musicians will put on a show at FMG. Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater. 7:00 p.m. meijergardens.org

Lowell Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts. This free outdoor concert takes place every Thursday through August 29. Riverwalk Plaza. 7:00 p.m. discoverlowell.org

Thursdays

August 2

GRAM on the Green with WYCE 88.1 FM. Free, outdoor live concert along with dancing, food trucks, and even a cash bar. GRAM. 6:00 p.m. artmuseumgr.org

June 1 through August 17

Livin’ is Easy. This summertime exhibition features drawings and paintings created by Michigan artists. LowellArts Gallery. 10:00 a.m. lowellartsmi.org

August 9 through September 9

Eye Opener: Alternative Views of Summer. This group exhibition will feature different perspectives of summertime. LaFONTSEE Galleries & Framing. 5:00 p.m. lafontsee.us

August 21 through August 24

AQS QuiltWeek. DeVos Place Convention Center. 9:00 a.m. quiltweek.com

First Fridays: The Market. Sidewalk sales, live music and food trucks along the South Division commercial corridor. Avenue for the Arts. 6:00 p.m. avenueforthearts.com

August 2 & 3

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. 7:00 p.m. grct.org

August 3

Drop-in Tour. These docent-led tours will feature anything from portraiture to Michigan-made items. Free with admission, no registration required. GRAM. 1:00 p.m. artmuseumgr.org Art in the Park. Visit this annual arts and crafts fair and see the work of nearly 300 artists. Centennial Park. 9:00 a.m. downtownholland.com

August 6

August 1

How To Build a Cheese Tray. The Cheese Lady Grand Rapids. 6:30 p.m. Register at thecheeselady.net

Learn how to make 4 basic embroidery stitches of the thismia americana. Lions & Rabbits. 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at Eventbrite. lionsandrabbits.com

An Evening with The Beach Boys. Part of the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens. Frederik Meijer Gardens. 7:00 p.m. meijergardens.org

August 8

Street Performer Series. Downtown Holland. 6:30 p.m. downtownholland.com.

August 9

R E W S • BI KE S

August 9, 10, & 11

Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival 2019. Calder Plaza. 5:00 p.m. Free. hispanic-center.org

August 10

A Glimpse of Africa. Rosa Parks Circle. 10:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Free. facebook.com/aglimpseofafricagr

August 14

Open Studio: Frida Kahlo Inspired. ACT Studio. 6:00 p.m. Register at artistscreatingtogether.org

A Community Conversation on Facing the Opioid Epidemic. Learn about the opioid epidemic and engage in discussions with Dirt City Sanctuary, the Kent County Opioid Task Force and The Red Project. Grand Rapids Public Library. 7:00 p.m. grpl.org

August 23

Polish Festival. Rosa Parks Circle. 11:00 a.m. Free. polishheritagesociety.com

August 24

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Tour. Take a tour led by curator Don Hollaway and learn about First Lady Betty Ford. Tickets are first come, first serve. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. 11:00 a.m. grpl.org

Cyanotype. Join the maker of Adventure Textiles, Megan Williams, as she creates beautiful blue and white images on paper and fabric. Blandford Nature Center. 10:00 a.m. Register at blandfordnaturecenter.org

August 24 & 25

Market Masterclass with Field & Fire: Rye Bread. Register at Eventbrite.com. Downtown Market Teaching Kitchen. 12:00 p.m. downtownmarketgr.com

Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire. Showcase your work or purchase tickets at Grand Rapids Public Museum. 10:00 a.m. grandrapids. makerfaire.com. grpm.org

August 17 & 18

August 26

August 17

Dynamic Drawing. This monthly drawing class will feature a live model and still life; easels are first come, first serve. Little Space Studio. 6:30 p.m. littlespacestudio.com

GRandJazzFest. Rosa Parks Circle. Begins Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Free. grandjazzfest.org

August 18

August 27

Brushes with Benefit @FSFM: Cat Day. Brushes, canvases and inspo will be provided at this pain-along event. fultonstreetmarket.org. Fulton Street Farmers Market. 1:00 p.m. fultonstreetmarket.org

Tool Shop Takeover. Join Kevin from Armstrong Tool & Supply as he brings jewelry making tools like flux, pliers and saw frames to you! The Hot Spot. 6:00 p.m. thehotspotgr.com

August 22

Rock, Roar, & Pour Ft. The WhatNots. Enjoy drinks, food and live music from local bands, animal encounters, and much more! John Ball Zoo. 6:00 p.m. jbzoo.org

For more event listings,visit womenslifestyle.com.

• Q

Creativity Uncorked: Mixed Media Symbolism. Explore symbolism in art and create your own mixed media drawing.GRAM. 6:45 p.m. armuseumgr.org

•B

Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts: Sarah McLachlan with Orchestra. Frederik Meijer Gardens. 7:00 p.m. meijergardens.org

Compiled by editorial staff. We do our best to ensure the accuracy of each listing. Time, date and location of events are subject to change.

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

Grand Rapids VegFest Returns

rand Rapids VegFest returns to the DeltaPlex on Sept. 22 for its ﬁfth annual educational celebration of all things vegan and vegetarian. The event welcomes attendees to explore the beneﬁts of a plant-based diet through seminars, cooking demonstrations, local and national vendors and more.

“I want people to come and hear lectures and see that you can cook great food and eat an awesome cookie that is vegan and enjoy it,” she expressed.

Erica Wisniewski is the co-founder, president and board chair of Plant Based Roots, the 501(c)3 behind Grand Rapids VegFest. The organization promotes a plant-based lifestyle through informational and supportive events, including movie screenings, cooking demos, speakers, fun social events and restaurant meetups.

Cooking demonstrations will be provided by local and regional chefs, including Chef Bee Harriette Brown of Sisters on a Roll Cafe; Chef Josh Musinski of Water and Wheat Cafe; cookbook author Chef Valerie Wilson; and Chefs Cory and Tarra Davis of Big Daddy Pete’s BBQ, whose plant-based menu has become a hit among local vegans.

She notes that while West Michigan has deep roots in hunting and fishing and a cultural imprint that includes “meat and potatoes,” awareness for the benefits of veganism is quickly growing. “People are beginning to understand the effects of factory farming,” she said. And, referring to the World Health Organization’s announcement that consuming processed meat significantly increases the risk of cancer, she added, “It’s a huge wake-up call for people. It can be very difficult when you have lived your whole-life eating one way.” Wisniewski had already been a vegetarian for most of her life when she converted to a vegan diet after viewing the film, “Vegecated,” which introduced her to the ethical and health benefits of veganism. “It was an eye-opener for me,” she said. Wisniewski hopes to provide the same educational experience to VegFest attendees; she emphasizes that the event is not strictly for vegans and vegetarians, but for anyone seeking to learn about plant-based lifestyles.

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

“Pretty much every restaurant in the city proper is very accommodating,” she expressed. “And restaurants are clearly labeling items on their menus as gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian, or that the dish can be made that way. That is where I have seen a big difference over the years — restaurants offering options.” VegFest has welcomed thousands of attendees over the years and is made possible by a team of dedicated and passionate volunteers. At this year’s event, Dr. Caroline Trapp, the director of diabetes education and care at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, will speak about the impact of diet on diabetes. Becky Vandenbroek, founder of Girlapalooza, a cruelty-free vegan lip gloss, will provide education about chemicals in everyday products. Social media inﬂuencers The Sustainable Duo will also be speaking about zero-waste living. Food vendors include Bit Baking Company, Johnny B’s, Love’s Ice Cream, Shimmy Shack food truck, Bohdi Juice Company and much more. Other vendors include Green Wellness Life, West Michigan

Critter Haven, Save the Chimps, Dominion Sanctuary and more. Sponsors include Bridge St. Market, Natural Awakenings, Cats and Dogs Magazine and SJA Solutions. Leading up to Grand Rapids VegFest, Plant Based Roots is hosting Dr. Will Tuttle, author of The World Peace Diet, on Sept. 13 at Yote Social Lab. Additionally, Grand Rapids’ iconic Blue Bridge will be lit green in conjunction with a special celebration to kick off the event (date pending). Wisniewski encourages everyone to join in on the opportunity to learn more about a lifestyle many across West Michigan have embraced. “We are not here to judge,” she said. “We are not an animal-rights organization. We are here to give you information and show you that you can eat a different way that is just as delicious. We want everyone to come, no matter where you are on your journey.” Follow Grand Rapid VegFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. To volunteer or register as a vendor, visit grvegfest.com. What: Grand Rapids VegFest When: Sep. 22, 10-4 p.m. Where: DeltaPlex Arena, 2500 Turner Ave NW Cost: $12

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

“All That Glitters” Now Open at the UICA BY KAYLA SOSA | PHOTOS COURTESY

“A

ll That Glitters,” an exhibition by Mandy Cano Villalobos that questions what we as a society place value on, is on display at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts through Sept. 8.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 11 AM - 11 PM AFTERNOON Dave Slivinski’s Noteables NIGHT Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push Dynabrass

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 11 AM - 11 PM AFTERNOON Gary Szotko’s GPS Polka Band NIGHT Gerry Kaminski’s Polka Network Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 12 PM - 5 PM

ALL DAY

Polski Chix Polka Band and Ray Watkoski’s Family Band

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Authentic Polish Food Paczki Eating Contests Busia Contest Vendors & Souvenirs

Children’s Activities PRCUA Malbork Dance Ensemble Polish Cultural Displays Polish Cooking Demos and More!

“We live in a world that is bombarded with images and social media and the constancy of now,” Cano Villalobos said. “In that distraction, we don’t even realize that we want more than what we are getting, or what we are feeding ourselves.” Throughout the exhibition, twodimensional “objects of desire” are represented by pieces of art, such as a burlap bag filled with down feathers, or crumpled up rags painted in gold. The irony of the seemingly worthless rags paired with the glamour of gold is exactly what Cano Villalobos wants viewers to notice — when seen as shiny and gold, the rags become more desirable. “When someone looks at my work, they’ll realize that they want something more,” she said. “They want it immediately available.” Cano Villalobos incorporates laborious work to move away from the fast-paced lifestyle of Western culture.

Co-Sponsored by

The Polish Heritage Society & the City of Grand Rapids Proceeds going to local causes such as scholarships and YMCA.

For complete schedule and details, go to:

www.PolishHeritageSociety.com

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

“I want to negate the immediacy and consumerism that we constantly abide in,” she said. By doing this, Cano Villalobos is protesting the way that we live and going back to the “fundamentals of what it is to be human.”

ritualistic aspect of painting dots one after the other,” Cano Villalobos said. “Something that is well made [...] that automatically is kind of challenging the way that American society functions.” Cano Villalobos’s work will be on display in the UICA’s 4th Floor Gallery. Attendees may view the work and read the artist statement for more background on Cano Villalobos’ motivations. “Everybody is going to come into an art institution with different expectations and different backgrounds, and so my hope is that my work will speak to all of those differences,” Cano Villalobos said. Cano Villalobos expects most people to be attracted to her art viscerally at first; enjoying the sight of something “shiny.” But some may choose to go deeper and think about the processes and the meaning behind the work.

I want to negate the immediacy and consumerism that we constantly abide in.” — Mandy Cano Villalobos

“Hopefully people will look past that, because a lot of times I’m pairing something gold with something stained or worn, and conveys the passage of time,” she said. “Juxtaposing those two things, my hope is that people will recognize that one is just as beautiful as the other or that there’s this sense of desire for both.”

“The tactile nature of sewing, or the communal nature of sewing, or the

What: “All That Glitters” by Mandy Cano Villalobos When: July 12 – Sept. 8, 2019 Where: UICA Cost: Members/Free; Non-members/$5

“A NATIONAL TREASURE: FRED MEIJER, HIS COLLECTION AND LEGACY” CLOSES WITH LECTURE BY ANU TEODORESCU PHOTO COURTESY OF FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK

ew people ever get the chance to build their own world-famous sculpture collections and even fewer do so for the sole purpose of sharing it with the general public. But that’s exactly what Fred Meijer did in “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy,” on display now at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park (FMG). The 11 “chapter” exhibition, which opened on Feb.1, traces Meijer’s interest in sculpture as it developed throughout his lifetime. It concludes on Aug. 25 with a closing lecture by former Chief Curator and Vice President for Collections and Exhibitions, Joseph Becherer. Built through the curatorial work of Becherer and Meijer’sunderstanding and vision of sculpture, “A National Treasure” is especially unique because of its origin story. “Most people that have great art collections have it themselves first, and then they give it away,” Becherer said. “And, oftentimes, they give it away posthumously. That’s the situation you see from coast to coast, from top to bottom — not just in America, but in the West in particular. But here you have a situation where somebody never collected for their own personal purposes — it was always for the public ... to enjoy, for the public to learn from, for the public to grow with.” Incorporating sculpture and horticulture,

the collection showcases pieces by Marshall Fredericks, Auguste Rodin, Arnaldo Pomodoro, and Mark di Suvero — all sculptors with whom Meijer had a close, personal relationship. “Any opportunity he had to actually meet the artist, and go to their studio and really talk to them directly, [...] he cherished that experience,” Laurene Grunwald, Director of Sculpture, Art Collections, Exhibitions & Installations at FMG, commented. “Art historians love to talk about why something is made, or how it’s made, or what it means, but to be able to really hear that from the artist is a special thing.” The closing lecture on Aug. 25 will detail Becherer’s experience working with Meijer, including how Becherer developed the sculpture program and helped Meijer realize his vision of creating a distinguished collection. The lecture also marks what would have been the centenary of Meijer’s birth—a cause for celebration in the eyes of those who knew him personally. “Ultimately, [the lecture] is a way to learn and to get new information,” Becherer said. “But I think, most importantly, that it’s a way to celebrate Fred Meijer. And it’s a way to say thank you for allowing something really great to happen.”

What: Exhibition Closing Lecture — “A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy” When: Aug. 25, 2-4 p.m. Where: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, 1000 E Beltline Ave NE Cost: Adult/$14.50; Senior/$11; Student/$11; Children/$0-$7

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

BY MADDIE WOODRICK

Grand Rapids’ First Ever African Festival Takes Place This Month

Glimpse of Africa is a one-day festival that takes place on Aug. 10 in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids at Rosa Parks Circle. The event offers attendees the opportunity to experience the many different countries that encompass the continent of Africa. Representatives from across Africa will serve as vendors and entertainers to offer people insight into their diverse cultures. Fridah Kay, founder of A Glimpse of Africa, hopes the event will provide attendees with a better understanding of the dynamic aspects of Africa and its many cultures.

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“People think that it [Africa] is one big country,” Kay expressed. “They forget that it’s a continent. I’m from Kenya, and even though Ethiopia is close to Kenya, we don’t eat the same food. They [Ethiopians] eat different food, listen to different music and speak different languages.”

One of the major aspects of A Glimpse of Africa is the amount of food available to try; vendors who will provide attendees with authentic cuisine from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, Sudan, Ghana, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Eritrea, South Africa and more. Vendors will also have the opportunity to sell authentic wares, such as clothing, prints, paintings, carvings and other artwork. The event will include a fashion show that will display the clothing styles of Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa. The entertainment lineup includes performances by musical acts, dance groups, poets, comedians and more. Kay says the purpose of the event is to not only educate people on the many different cultures that make Africa a beautiful continent but also to give back to the community by donating a portion of sales to the Refugee Education Center.

“People think that it [Africa] is one big country, they forget that it’s a continent.” — Fridah Kay, founder of A Glimpse of Africa What: A Glimpse of Africa When: Aug. 10, 10:30 a.m.- 10 p.m. Where: Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW Cost: Free

Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

See more photos at womenslifestyle.com/party-pics Varnum • WomenConnect • Wednesday, June 19th, 2019 • Grand Rapids Art Museum • Photos by Two Eagles Marcus

GRAAHI • Gala 2019 • Thursday, June 20th, 2019 • Frederick Meijer Gardens • Photos by Two Eagles Marcus

Metro Health Foundation • How Women Rise • Thursday, July 11th, 2019 • Goei Center • Photos by Two Eagles Marcus

Submit your event coverage request at womenslifestyle.com/photos Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • August 2019

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