When it comes to climate change, science appeals to the mind, but art can touch the heart. To create change, we need both. The Westminster Presbyterian Art Festival unites earth care, art, and faith for its annual celebration.
“We don’t push religion at all. We have magazines, art books, whatever they need. Our job is to serve and to love."
"We are praying to open an African restaurant, plant a garden, open a barber shop," says Pastor Johsua Kibezi, director of the African Community Kalamazoo. "Our future goal is to offer 55 jobs for refugees. I cannot give up on this work or my people will suffer. In my heart, I know I must help.”
“I’ve made so many great connections with all these events. I’ve met writers from across the world. But what I have really loved is that people close to me have appeared at readings. . .This book has put me together with old friends. That means the most.”
Getting fresh fruits and vegetables on the plates of school children has had a few food system obstacles. Enter KVCC ValleyHub's partnership in an innovative 'Potato Project' to increase farm-to-school options. A win-win for farmers and families.
“We wanted to explore the African diaspora esthetics of music. And while anyone can join, our hope is to encourage underserved Black youth in our community to explore instrumental music by Black composers from the Americans, the Caribbean, Europe, from anywhere."
Just minutes from Kalamazoo sits a picturesque farm with grazing animals and several outbuildings — a woolery, coffee shop, thrift store, wood shop, and sugar shack. This is SHALOM, a unique Christian caring community that provides housing, and social and educational opportunities for adults and some youths who have physical, developmental, emotional, and mental disabilities.
Introducing Jennifer Cooley, the new museum education and community engagement director at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. As the KIA approaches its 100th anniversary, she has a few surprises in store.
“What we as adults need to do is to question our beliefs and values — are we actually living and acting on them,” says Bridget Blough who co-founded Free to Bloom, a homeschool cooperative that meets in a greenhouse. “Too many of us are disassociated from what we value and how we live. Take your money to do what you love — beginning with your child.”
“Westernized culture increases the fear of death,” says Debbie Eisenbise, a Kalamazoo death doula. “We outsource death. Doulas are trying to make a change in that culture by bringing about an acceptance of death. Death is natural. My goal is to keep people living until they die. This is about quality of life.”
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