Hey, everyone! Welcome back to Culture Canvas.
Becoming an artist has turned into a second act for April Anue Shipp.
The Rochester Hills resident dabbled in art during her 35 years working at Chrysler, but it wasn’t until Shipp retired that she began to seriously pursue a creative career.
Now she’s a fiber artist and sculptor who teaches a quilt making class at the Hannan Center, a Detroit social services and wellness organization for older adults. Two of Shipp’s pieces are featured in the center’s annual “Emerge!” exhibit on display in its Kayrod Art Gallery through Sept. 4.
Shipp, 62, submitted two Afrofuturistic pieces as an ode to two iconic sci-fi franchises she adores–Star Wars and Star Trek.
“Harriet Tubman, Jedi Warrior” features a sculpture of the famous abolitionist and social activist in a multi-colored, hooded robe holding up a lightsaber.
“When you think about the Jedi Code and how they are fighting the freedom fighters, she (Tubman) was also a freedom fighter, fighting for human rights, for African Americans who were enslaved in the south. I tried to draw a parallel between the two,” Shipp said.
Meanwhile, “Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura” shows the late actress dressed as her Star Trek character on a quilt in a multitude of colors; lime green hair, fuchsia skin and a sunshine yellow shirt. Shipp decided to make a quilt of Nichols because of the impact she had as a Black woman on a show set in space, including civil rights leader and fan Martin Luther King, Jr.
“She (Nichols) was not going to renew her contract and she talked to Dr. King about that,” she said. “He told her she could not quit because this was the first time this country envisioned a Black person being in space and he told her that Star Trek was the only show that he would allow his children to watch. And so, she stayed on the show because he encouraged her to do so.”
Also featured in the exhibit is fellow Hannan instructor and artist Jim Puntigam. His piece, “Differentially,” shows the faces of three men in the middle of a monoprint and miniature figures on the sides. The Hazel Park resident’s inspiration comes from the hospital waiting room he sat in for hours while taking his late wife to chemotherapy appointments for 10 years. Puntigam, 71, said the “walkers” he draws on the side of his monoprints are the people he used to see walking by in the hospital.
Making art was therapeutic for Puntigam. Teaching and helping other artists blossom has also kept him busy.
“I think of myself more as a coach than as an instructor. I just kind of help them find their way,” he said. “Everybody has different approaches. That’s what’s so interesting about art.”
As always, have a great week!
Cheers,
Micah
313 Scene
- Wellness center Kimochi Detroit is open in Eastern Market. The business, which offers shiatsu massage, reflexology and more, was founded by Detroit native Kim Yokely.
- The LOVE Building, a hub for social justice and creative community in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood, is set to open next week. The Sept. 3 grand opening will begin with an open house. The rest of the week will feature a town hall, mural unveiling and house party. (Detroit Metro Times)
- In partnership with Stroh’s, Cass Corridor bar The Old Miami is hosting an art contest as part of its “Boondoggle in the Backyard” event on Sept. 7, from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., which coincides with Dally in the Alley. The winning artwork will be featured on Stroh’s promotional materials, including 100 limited-edition shirts and 200 stickers. (Detroit Metro Times)
- DuMouchelle Art Galleries announced artwork from the recently closed Rattlesnake Club is part of an upcoming auction in September at DuMouchelles on Jefferson Avenue in downtown Detroit. More than 50 items will be featured in the Sept. 12-14 auction. (Detroit Free Press)
What’s Going On in the D?
- The Detroit Jazz Festival returns Friday, offering four days of free entertainment at Hart Plaza, Cadillac Square and the new Gretchen Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. Performers include the 2024 artist-in-residence Brian Blade and Fellowship Band, Wendell Harrison and Tribe and the Billy Childs Quartet with special guest Sean Jones. Another highlight is the tribute to the late Detroit jazz musician and composer Alice Coltrane called “Translinear Light.” The show will include performances by Coltrane’s son saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, harpist Brandee Younger, bassist Reggie Workman and the Detroit Jazz Festival Chamber Orchestra.
- Another Labor Day staple, the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, kicks off Saturday along Joseph Campau Street. The free event will feature yacht races, carnival rides and the Hamtramck Labor Day parade on Monday. There’s also a full lineup of musical performances including garage punk band The Hentchmen with special guest Jack White.
- Beacon Park and DTE Energy are hosting its latest Summer Eco Sessions Pop-Up Series Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. The event will begin with a City Glow Yoga session featuring music from DJ Kaely Kellz from 5:30-6 p.m. A cooking demonstration will follow, led by Nayomi of Feed Em’ Freedom Urban Garden. At 7 p.m., the silent disco starts with beats from DJ Kaely Kellz as well as a live music set on Lumen’s rooftop and garden with DJ Tom T. The yoga and cooking demonstration is $35, while the silent disco is free. However, people must RSVP in advance.
- Comedian and actor Martin Lawrence is bringing his “Y’all Know What It Is!” tour to Little Caesars Arena 8 p.m. Friday. Fellow comedian Deon Cole is the special guest. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, beginning at $39.50.
- Detroit Poet Laureate jessica Care moore is hosting the 20th anniversary of Black Women Rock 7 p.m. Saturday at The Fillmore. The lineup includes moore’s group We Are Scorpio, singer Kimberly Nichole, singer/bassist Nik West and DJ Stacey Hotwaxx Hale. Tickets start at $35.
- For those who enjoy indie films, Planet Ant Theatre in Hamtramck is hosting its Planet 9 Film Festival Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m. The event will feature films made by people from all over the world in genres like sci-fi, horror and experimental. Admission is $10 on Eventbrite.
