“The Fall of Gondolin,” the last of the tales of J.R.R. Tolkien, includes all of the author’s trademark themes and devices, including orcs and balrogs.
Fear is a Luxury You Can’t Afford: Just Make Art
Are you engaging in the luxury of fear? Take a cue from illustrator Susie Jaramillo, and learn the secrets to making art despite the self-doubt that picks at your artistic heart.
Children’s Book Club: “The Tin Forest”
From garbage, hope can grow — a forest filled with toucans, tree frogs, and tigers. Join us as we read “The Tin Forest ” with Megan Willome as our guide.
Of Color, Beauty, the Alphabet, and Fun: “A is for Azure”
“A is for Azure,” written by L.L. Barkat and illustrated by Donna Falcone, is a book about color, the alphabet, and literacy. It’s also full of childlike wonder.
Poets and Poems: Barbara Crooker and “Les Fauves”
“Les Fauves,” the newest collection of poetry by Barbara Crooker, is inspired by the paintings of the Fauvism movement, especially those of Henri Matisse.
Art and Poetry: “A Wider Landscape” by Donald Wilkinson
The paintings of artist Donald Wilkinson evoke the landscape and poetry of William Wordsworth, so much so that landscape and poetry become one.
Regional Tour: Marie Webster Quilts at Indianapolis Museum of Art
On her latest regional tour, Charity Singleton Craig takes in the exhibit of Marie Webster at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
The Healing Power of Poetry and Art
Liberated from a concentration camp, Gerda Klein recited a line from German poet Goethe—a reminder of the healing power of poetry and art.
Writing with Matisse in Mind
Maureen Doallas finds that if you live with an artist like Henri Matisse long enough, he’ll work his way into your writing.
Understanding the Life and Art of William Blake
Two books on William Blake, “Eternity’s Sunrise” by Leo Damrosch and “Blake: A Biography” by Peter Ackroyd, provide an in-depth look at the artist and poet.
In Search of William Blake
A close look at the poet and artist William Blake provides some surprising facts about a man largely unknown in his own lifetime.
Regional Tour: Science & Culture Museum at Michigan State University
Sandra Heska King tours the Science & Culture Museum at Michigan State U, discovering culture through teapots, quilts, hats and illegal hatpins.
Learning to Love Art—It’s as Easy as Riding a Bike
Megan Willome learns to love art while visiting her town’s art galleries and studios on a bicycle tour.
Regional Tour: The Getty Center in Los Angeles
The Getty Center houses so much art, Dolly Lee can’t see and savor everything it offers in one day. But she makes sure she has time to linger with a museum favorite.
The Best in Poetry: This Month’s Top 10 Poetic Picks
Did Allen Ginsberg howl or throw the first pitch. Push yourself or forgive yourself? Cognitive bias or creativity boost? It’s our Top 10 Poetic Picks.
How to Buy Art—from Rainbows to Wildebeest
Not sure how to buy art? Start with the wildebeest, if you must. And memories, and love.
Regional Tour: North House Folk School, Grand Marais, Minnesota
Join Michelle DeRusha in a regional tour to North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota, and learn birch bark weaving and bread baking. Bet you can smell the wood shavings.
The Best in Poetry: This Month’s Top 10 Poetic Picks
Walking makes you creative, reading makes you happy, publishing makes you tense and Harper Lee makes you appreciate a good editor. It’s our Top 10 Poetic Picks.
The Best in Poetry: This Month’s Top Ten Poetic Picks
How awe makes us more generous, how rhythm can help dyslexic kids read, and how reading Ginsberg might get you fired. It’s our Top Ten Poetic Picks.
This Month’s Top Ten Poetic Picks
Former teen poet becomes President. Poetry is dead, again? Elastic ekphrastics and the challenges of diversity in publishing. It’s our Top Ten Poetic Picks.