Wrinkle Creative | By Mallory Patterson

As we observe this national holiday, I can't help but debate whether schools should have the day off today or not. Public schools always go on recess, but private schools have a choice to stay in session or not. People see it a few different ways.

Some believe that schools should remain open and continue educating our youth on the past and the present. Take Paul J. Adams III, founder of Providence St. Mel in Chicago, Illinois. His experiences growing up in the South and meeting Dr. King influenced him to dedicate this day to lessons about Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights. Adams is not only passionate about making sure the past is not forgotten, but he is a strong proponent of education in general. In fact, 100% of the students attending his school in the past 30 years have gone on to attend college.

Others think it's disrespectful to hold classes on this holiday. They tend to flock into two camps:

Some believe that MLK Jr. Day has too easily been used as a make-up day for inclement weather and other school activities and believe the holiday does not get the same respect as other national holidays such as Columbus Day or President's Day. In protest, parents have been known to keep children home despite school policies.

Others see having this day off as a day on and choose to get involved in community projects volunteering.

With so many people available and engaged on the same day, a huge impact can be made in communities nationwide. I personally have served on this day for many years and enjoy watching so many give their free-time giving back (not that this is the only day that effort should be made, but the numbers on this day never cease to amaze me).

Many events are taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan to commemorate Dr. King including an all-day event at Grand Rapids Community College that concludes with keynote speaker Sybrina Fulton, mother of the late Trayvon Martin, about "Encouraging Our Youth." 

Wrinkle Creative has also been involved in organizing an event in the community that examines the lives and experiences of youth in the Grand Rapids Public Schools system that will take place January 20th from 4-6pm at Harrison Park School. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Get Your Dream Event will screen the WGVU Public Media film, Get your Diploma. Get Your Dream. (directed by Randy Strobl) which will be followed by a panel discussion and the opportunity for individuals to get involved with various organizations that support the students of GRPS. This event is put on by the West Michigan AmeriCorps Collaborative and is FREE and open to the public. 

We at Wrinkle Creative hope you make this a day-on, whatever that means to you!

Wrinkle Creative | By Randy Strobl

I've been hearing a lot of fear, foreboding, and fussing lately about the results from the last election. From what I understand, it is scary to have the party with whom you disagree hold a great deal of power. It can leave an individual feeling, well, powerless.

As voters, we went out and exercised our democratic duty to influence our nation, state, and community to nudge the world in a more positive direction. Personally, I take great pride in being able to vote, but is that where democracy ends?

I say no. Democracy is not limited to the half hour every few years that it takes to vote. We are not powerless when our vote is overrun by citizens with differing opinions. Our human right to have a say in society extends far beyond the 2ft by 2ft voting booth. Our freedom to choose is present in every decision we make. In fact, I might say it's irresponsible to vote for representatives and then have them do all the work for us. Of course we can give them something to represent by writing letters, signing petitions, and marching in demonstrations, but we also have direct control over a lot of what's around us.

There are opportunities all around us in West Michigan to fill the gaps that government leaves. Where food assistance programs leave children hungry, there is Kid's Food Basket that needs your help organizing and collecting food. If you're outraged by air pollution, the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition needs members to help make 100 miles of bike lanes by 2015. And if, like I am, you're afraid that our students will be left underfunded, our teachers uncared for, and our schools uncertain, volunteer in the classroom. Take a student under your wing as a mentor, or participate as a Big Brother Big Sister or with the United Way.

Ok. Although fun and rewarding, those could take up a lot of your time. There are other ways to tackle issues with decisions we already make every day. Are you afraid of eating Genetically Modified Organisms? Check out a farmer's market for food rather than voting for industrial food products. At the end of the day, do you unwind by watching big network reality shows, or do you get re-inspired by exploring the programming on your local PBS station?

Our voice isn't confined to a few opportunities to vote. Our freedom affords us incredible power to take control of the world around us. It might not necessarily be easy, but isn't feeling powerless worse?

What are your thoughts? Exercise your voice below!

Wrinkle Creative | By Randy Strobl

This feeling of family, warmth, and community is what painter Pete Kemme perfectly captured in this year’s Festival poster. As he sits down with us and takes us on a tour of painted details, what he describes is a beautifully choreographed dance that he performs with the viewer. He points out the balance of the shapes as they pull and guide each other, the harmony of the colors as they sweep and blend into one another, and the intricate path his hand subtly guides us through from the Festival Street sign to the vibrant crowd, to the fragrant food booths, and to the warm summer sky and back.

As Christina Buentello explains, this is a bit of a departure for the Festival of the Arts poster as it doesn’t focus on The Calder or Sunny, the Festival mascot. Those elements are involved, although subtly - sunny on the food booth flags and Pete has hidden 4 Calders throughout the painting (can you find them all?). The feel of the painting isn’t all that’s new this year though; Buentello hopes that this year actually tastes different as she hopes to draw new food booths that serve and celebrate the rich food cultures in Grand Rapids. Buentello says the food is a very special part of Festival - not only because she loves all there is to choose from, but because of what it means for the local non-profits and churches that receive proceeds from the food sales. One such church is the Greek Orthodox Church that has benefited from partnering with Festival’s food vendors and has grown from a very small church to a large organization that puts on the Yassou! Greek Festival.

For artist Pete Kemme, Festival has many very personal meanings. When asked for his favorite part of Festival as portrayed in his painting, he thinks about it and then points to the little girl in the crowd who is riding on her dad’s shoulders. Kemme had started coming to Festival when he was about that age. Since then, he has seen the worst and felt the best of Grand Rapids working as a police officer and with non-profits. He has painted Grand Rapids many times and, as with everybody involved with Festival, he puts his whole soul into it.

What memories do you have from Festival of the Arts? Comment with your stories below. If you love Festival of the Arts, you can sign up to volunteer here, donate to the completely volunteer-run festival here, and learn more about Festival of the Arts here. 

Wrinkle Creative | By Randy Strobl

In its second year, the Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition had a fantastic turnout. Excited viewers and filmmakers arrived early to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and buzzed around talking, laughing, and sharing stories. Mallory and I were in attendance for our film, Rail Fan, which was selected as one of the top 10 films. The lobby was bright with smiles and flash bulbs and my initial nervousness was quickly dispelled by warm hugs from friends and enthusiastic handshakes from other filmmakers. With everybody dressed to dazzle, the night was full of movie magic.

During the show, hosts Kristin Armstrong and Jon Helmrich kept the energy high by inviting the 10 film finalists up to the stage for a brief introduction and interview before their film. Mallory and I are proud to have been listed alongside such a talented group of filmmakers from such varied backgrounds and wide distances. The range of filmmaking voices featured in the program was so diverse, in fact, that I found myself being challenged to think differently, laugh at a scenes I wouldn't have expected to, and even feel nostalgic - all because of short, 5 minute stories told very well. Being so affected by such short films really drove home for me what a great film culture that is growing in Michigan.

There is no feeling quite like that of seeing your own work up on the big screen with a theater full of people reacting to it. Hearing people react to scenes that we wrestled with and debated and worked over and over puts a huge smile on my face. The real payoff, though, is after the show when audience members get to talk about the films with the filmmakers. Hearing people give love for Bob's story (Bob was the star of Rail Fan who was generous enough to let us follow him with equipment as he chased trains) was worth everything. Knowing that people were moved by him and understood his love for life is the real magic of filmmaking. I am incredibly grateful to have our film been shown along side such great and unique films, and am inspired by the great community that turned out to support Michigan Filmmaking.