ben

The Ann Arbor District Library special exhibit, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World, celebrates Franklin's 300th birthday and allows the viewer to experience the life and adventures of an extraordinary man. Scientist, inventor, diplomat, humorist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential and remarkable Americans of any generation. His name evokes many qualities - imagination and curiosity, hard work and ambition, wit and entrepreneurial ingenuity -- qualities that have contributed to the formation of an American identity and American values.

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World was organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, Philadelphia, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling exhibition for libraries has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life.

The traveling exhibition is based on a major exhibition of the same name mounted by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Franklin’s birth. The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary is a nonprofit organization established through a major grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts to educate the public about Franklin’s enduring legacy.

Join us here as we celebrate Benjamin Franklin - the exhibit, the man, his ideas and his influence. Check out all our Ben Franklin events for a complete list of events and activities surrounding the exhibit.

Chess On the way to work today I stopped to read and enjoy the special traveling exhibit, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World. I learned that Benjamin Franklin LOVED to play chess. In fact, he wrote an essay about Chess for the The Columbian Magazine in 1786 entitled, The Morals of Chess. Benjamin Franklin is recognized as one of the earliest players of chess in America. Speaking of chess, did you know that we play chess regularly here at the library? The next Chesstastic event is scheduled Sunday May 15, 1 pm to 4 pm at the Traverwood Branch.

Read the entertaining novel Ben and Me by Robert Lawson, attend the book discussion/craft program, and then bring the whole family to the Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibit. Amos the mouse, Ben Franklin’s “closest friend and adviser”, has quite the ego and sense of humor. His descriptions of Franklin’s inventions and adventures are filled with wisdom and warmth. The opportunity to explore the remarkable Ben Franklin from to fact to fiction, will be available through July 8th!

In conjunction with the big Ben Franklin display that's coming to AADL May 4 - July 8, we will be having a book discussion about the children's classic Ben and Me by Robert Lawson. This book tells the story of Ben Franklin from the viewpoint of the little mouse that lived in his house. An activity will follow the discussion. This is for students in grades 2 - 5.

This discussion will be on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at the Downtown Library.

The library bought extra copies of this title so reserve yours today! For more books about Mr. Franklin, click here.

bvi

The Detroit Institute of Art presents Many Ways of Seeing: Artwork by Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Youth from the Detroit Area. The exhibit will take place at the Walter Gibbs Gallery from April 8 to 15. The DIA Learning and Interpretation Department, in collaboration with the UM School of Art and Design, recently began an art-making program for students in Detroit Public Schools and Lincoln Park Public Schools who are blind or visually impaired. This exhibit presents the local blind and visually impaired youth’s work, shedding light on the many ways of seeing that exist.

Dream Seeding

The organizers of Dream Seeding are actively seeking submissions of art in ANY feasible medium from folks of any age or skill level for this year's Art Show.

The artist must feel that the work, in any conceivable way, "offers a vision of any aspect of a more peaceful, socially just, or ecologically healthy community or world, or offers some suggestion as to how we can move toward such a world." For more information on guidelines and submission, here is the contact.

Dream Seeding for Changing Realities All Ages Art Show will be open to the public at the Michigan Union Art Lounge (530 S. State St. on the University of Michigan Central Campus) from March 1st until March 31st.

Come join the Dream Seeding Reception on Saturday, March 19th, from 6 to 9 with music, dance, storytelling and food.

snoopy

The Exhibit Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace is on display from February 3 through March 10 at the Ypsilanti District Library.

The exhibit consists of 40 digital prints from the original drawings done by Schulz, depicting Snoopy’s most exciting adventures in his transformed doghouse—now a Sopwith Camel airplane —from the time he faced a deadly bout of influenza to sparring with the Flying Ace’s archenemy, the Red Baron.

Minnesota cartoonist Charles M. Schulz based the universally-loved beagle on his childhood black-and-white dog, Spike. Watch this delightful YouTube video of Snoopy vs. The Red Baron. It guarantees a smile.

Check out the AADL collection of books and videos by Schulz.

Now through December 12th, the University of Michigan--Dearborn's Mardigian Library is hosting an amazing collaborative exhibition celebrating the 5th anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House on the Prairie". Eleven museums and institutions from throughout the county have contributed Wilder artifacts and items from the time period to this must-see event for Wilder fans. More information can be found at UM's bulletin on the event. Please note that the event has been extended through Sunday, December 12th. This event is open and free to the public.

Directions to the Dearborn campus and maps can be found here. The exhibition can be found in the Berkowitz Gallery, on the third floor of the Mardigian Library (marked ML on campus maps). Parking is free; the closest lot is across from the library and space is usually available on nights and week-ends. The parking structure (marked MPS on campus maps) always has available parking. Don't forget to check out great Wilder materials right here at the AADL!

day of dead

Stop by the Multi-Purpose Room Downtown to view a colorful exhibit of the Heart and Hands of Coatlicue. This photo exhibit depicts Mexican & Mexican-American traditional healers and their mystic world. On November 1st the artists, Juan Javier & Gabrielle Pescador will discuss the history of Día de los Muertos, including a performance by a traditional Aztec Dance troupe directed by Estrella Torrez.

The University of Michigan Museum of Art is now hosting an exhibit on the life and works of renowned artist James McNeill Whistler. "On Beauty and the Everyday: The Prints of James McNeill Whistler" runs through November 28th. The exhibit features more than 100 works of art from the museum's rare and important Whistler collection. From the UMMA event announcement: "The exhibition explores Whistler's illustrious life and career; his artistic themes and concerns, including portraiture and his well-known series from England, Italy, and France; the interests and legacy of early-20th-century Whistler collector Margaret Watson Parker; and the tools and techniques that Whistler employed as a printmaker." For more information on the exhibit, click here. Don't forget to check out the AADL's great holdings on the artist and his work!