BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//UM//UM*Events//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit TZURL:http://tzurl.org/zoneinfo/America/Detroit X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20070311T020000 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=3;BYDAY=2SU END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20071104T020000 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=11;BYDAY=1SU END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260123T132939 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T163000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Stamping and Stomping: community inspired relief prints DESCRIPTION:Currently based in Ann Arbor\, Paloma Núñez-Regueiro is a Mexican printmaker born in Lima\, Peru. Paloma attended art college in Mexico\, where she came face to face with printmaking during her first year at the Facultad de Artes Plásticas (College of Arts) in Xalapa\, Veracruz. She became fascinated with the possibilities that printmaking offers\, as well as its importance in popular resistance throughout history. In 1997\, she transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology with an International Student Scholarship.\n-- \n\nAmongst the subjects that interest her are human migration\, social in-visibility\, and the intrinsic relation of humans to the universe as well as our dislocated relationship to it. She currently explores the vicissitudes of minorities and their stories in order to create a better understanding of their issues. By offering portraits of minorities and their stories\, Nunez-Regueiro’s goal is to create supportive communities for those who need to feel rooted in their geographical space and their present time. \n\nNúñez-Regueiro work is closely related to her experiences of living abroad — the impermanence\, the precarious construction of one's present and even less of one’s future. It is about the rootlessness of those of us who move from place to place. She is an incessantly positive artist and she profoundly believes in art as a tool to create the social change that can lead us to thoughtful actions\, and the bettering of ourselves and our communities. UID:144223-21894918@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144223 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:East Quadrangle - RC Art Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891355@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891561@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260129T092412 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T124500 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Bate-Papo: Portuguese Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and light snacks while improving your Portuguese! All language levels are welcome.\n\n-Meet in the RLL Commons: located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nQuestions? Contact Maria Teresa Mattos at (mtmattos@umich.edu). UID:143753-21893742@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143753 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260105T173930 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260206T130000 SUMMARY:Presentation:Museum Studies Program Virtual Open House for Prospective Students DESCRIPTION:The Museum Studies Program invites students enrolled in any graduate program at the University of Michigan to apply for the Fall 2026 cohort. This multidisciplinary graduate certificate program draws on ideas from the arts\, humanities\, natural and social sciences\, and technology and provides countless opportunities to apply theories in a vast array of museums and cultural institutions on campus\, in the region\, nationally and around the world.\n\nThe MSP curriculum examines the role of museums in society as sites of memory\, learning\, research\, cultural production\, public scholarship\, civic engagement\, and entertainment. The 12-credit certificate program consists of the Museum Studies Seminar (Fall and Winter terms\, 6 credits)\, approved electives (6 credits)\, and a funded internship. It prepares students for academic and professional careers in museums\, heritage sites\, arboretums\, botanical gardens\, zoos and other living collections\, and universities.\n\nApplication Deadline: February 27\, 2026\n\nApplication information can be found here: https://ummsp.rackham.umich.edu/tribe-event/virtual-open-house-for-prospective-students-3/ UID:143231-21892532@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143231 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260123T132939 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T163000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Stamping and Stomping: community inspired relief prints DESCRIPTION:Currently based in Ann Arbor\, Paloma Núñez-Regueiro is a Mexican printmaker born in Lima\, Peru. Paloma attended art college in Mexico\, where she came face to face with printmaking during her first year at the Facultad de Artes Plásticas (College of Arts) in Xalapa\, Veracruz. She became fascinated with the possibilities that printmaking offers\, as well as its importance in popular resistance throughout history. In 1997\, she transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology with an International Student Scholarship.\n-- \n\nAmongst the subjects that interest her are human migration\, social in-visibility\, and the intrinsic relation of humans to the universe as well as our dislocated relationship to it. She currently explores the vicissitudes of minorities and their stories in order to create a better understanding of their issues. By offering portraits of minorities and their stories\, Nunez-Regueiro’s goal is to create supportive communities for those who need to feel rooted in their geographical space and their present time. \n\nNúñez-Regueiro work is closely related to her experiences of living abroad — the impermanence\, the precarious construction of one's present and even less of one’s future. It is about the rootlessness of those of us who move from place to place. She is an incessantly positive artist and she profoundly believes in art as a tool to create the social change that can lead us to thoughtful actions\, and the bettering of ourselves and our communities. UID:144223-21894921@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144223 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:East Quadrangle - RC Art Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891358@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891564@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T150211 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260209T183000 SUMMARY:Livestream / Virtual:LSA Virtual Q&A for Admitted High School Students DESCRIPTION:Did you recently get admitted to the College of Literature\, Sciences\, and the Arts (LSA)? If so\, please join us for a one-hour informational and Q&A Session with our current cohort of LSA Ambassadors. The session is restricted to first-year admitted LSA students only. If you are interested\, sign up for a session below. Eastern Time Zone. \n\nPlease register here: http://myumi.ch/2rez4 UID:118178-21894931@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/118178 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260123T132939 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T163000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Stamping and Stomping: community inspired relief prints DESCRIPTION:Currently based in Ann Arbor\, Paloma Núñez-Regueiro is a Mexican printmaker born in Lima\, Peru. Paloma attended art college in Mexico\, where she came face to face with printmaking during her first year at the Facultad de Artes Plásticas (College of Arts) in Xalapa\, Veracruz. She became fascinated with the possibilities that printmaking offers\, as well as its importance in popular resistance throughout history. In 1997\, she transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology with an International Student Scholarship.\n-- \n\nAmongst the subjects that interest her are human migration\, social in-visibility\, and the intrinsic relation of humans to the universe as well as our dislocated relationship to it. She currently explores the vicissitudes of minorities and their stories in order to create a better understanding of their issues. By offering portraits of minorities and their stories\, Nunez-Regueiro’s goal is to create supportive communities for those who need to feel rooted in their geographical space and their present time. \n\nNúñez-Regueiro work is closely related to her experiences of living abroad — the impermanence\, the precarious construction of one's present and even less of one’s future. It is about the rootlessness of those of us who move from place to place. She is an incessantly positive artist and she profoundly believes in art as a tool to create the social change that can lead us to thoughtful actions\, and the bettering of ourselves and our communities. UID:144223-21894922@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144223 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:East Quadrangle - RC Art Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891359@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891565@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893220@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T042751 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T130000 SUMMARY:Livestream / Virtual:Woll Family Speaker Series Presents: Dr. Rick Hodes as guest speaker DESCRIPTION:Medicine wrestles with a persistent question: What does it mean to care for the vulnerable when resources are scarce and suffering is relentless? In an era when global health is often reduced to short-term interventions and metrics\, the deeper moral demands of accompaniment can fade from view. Dr. Rick Hodes challenges this narrowing of vision. In his upcoming talk for the Woll Family Speaker Series\, he invites us to consider medicine not as a transaction\, but as a sustained moral commitment.\nDrawing on more than three decades of work in Ethiopia\, Dr. Hodes will share stories of children with complex cardiac and spinal conditions and of a physician who chose to stay. He explores the ethical tensions of caring for patients whose needs far exceed available resources\, and asks what obligations endure when the usual boundaries of training\, geography\, and time fall away.\nDr. Hodes is an internist who has lived and worked in Ethiopia since the mid-1980s. His work brings children to the United States for life-saving care while strengthening local medical capacity. We are honored to welcome Dr. Hodes to the Woll Family Speaker Series for a conversation that will challenge\, inspire\, and reframe how we think about moral responsibility in medicine.\n\nWe are grateful to co-sponsor this talk with Global Reach. UID:145296-21897018@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145296 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location - n/a CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251028T145258 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T133000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Afterlives of Revolution: Political Passions in Post-revolutionary Nicaragua DESCRIPTION:With the “Hear\, Here” series\, we aim to facilitate conversations around new research in the humanities. Faculty fellows at the Institute for the Humanities will discuss a part of their current project in a short talk followed by a Q & A session.\n\nAbout this talk:\nThe Sandinista National Liberation Front\, which once led a Marxist-inspired popular revolution in Nicaragua (1979-1990)\, returned to power sixteen years later\, now in alliance with former foes in the business sector and the Catholic Church. Based on ethnographic research with contemporary Sandinistas\, this talk examines what appears to be the uncanny transformation of Nicaragua’s revolutionary left tradition during times of neoliberal hegemony and the contradictions that have arisen for grassroots organizers committed to creating lasting structural change.\n\n*Luciana Chamorro is a 2025-26 Hunting Family Faculty Fellow at the Institute for the Humanities and Assisstant Professor of Anthropology.* UID:141250-21888467@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141250 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, #1022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260105T094142 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T133000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Pause Café: French Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and snacks while improving your French skills!\n\n-Chat for 10 minutes or the entire hour. All language levels are welcome.\n\nThe RLL Commons is located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nFor more information contact Alan Ames at (alanames@umich.edu). UID:143171-21892376@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143171 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260119T092600 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260210T183000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:When Hebrew Met the Machine DESCRIPTION:What happens when an ancient language meets modern technology? This lecture will discuss the role played by media technologies—such as the phonograph\, typewriters\, the telegraph\, and computers—in the revitalization and modernization of Hebrew since the end of the nineteenth century. After lying dormant for two millennia as a mainly written language\, Hebrew awoke from its literary slumber and became a living modern vernacular. The revitalization of Hebrew is unique and unprecedented in world history\, and it has been studied in various fields\; but the role of modern media technologies in mediating this revival has not yet been considered. This lecture will delve into questions such as: what was the role of sound recording technologies in shaping the reemerging modern Hebrew speech? And how did the Hebraized typewrite pushed for the modernization of writing in Hebrew?. It will show how these media\, whose emergence ran in historical parallel to the revitalization of Hebrew\, were an active force in shaping the language as a modern communicative medium. Hebrew was a historical media lab: written from right to left and in unique script\, it posed technical as well as conceptual challenges to media which were originally designed for Latin script and Western writing systems. The adaptation of these technologies to Hebrew required various adaptations that shaped lingual mechanisms\, which had social and political ramifications on the emerging Hebrew culture. \n\nIdo Ramati is a senior lecturer at The Noah Mozes Department of Communication and Journalism and the Program in Cultural Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He studies the relation between media technologies\, language and culture\, from historical and philosophical perspectives. Ramati is the author of Lingua Ex Machina: Media in the Revitalization of Modern Hebrew\, out now in University of Pennsylvania press. His current project is on AI voices\, focusing on the shaping of the human voice by historical and contemporary machines. UID:138779-21883910@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/138779 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - 2022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260123T132939 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T163000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Stamping and Stomping: community inspired relief prints DESCRIPTION:Currently based in Ann Arbor\, Paloma Núñez-Regueiro is a Mexican printmaker born in Lima\, Peru. Paloma attended art college in Mexico\, where she came face to face with printmaking during her first year at the Facultad de Artes Plásticas (College of Arts) in Xalapa\, Veracruz. She became fascinated with the possibilities that printmaking offers\, as well as its importance in popular resistance throughout history. In 1997\, she transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology with an International Student Scholarship.\n-- \n\nAmongst the subjects that interest her are human migration\, social in-visibility\, and the intrinsic relation of humans to the universe as well as our dislocated relationship to it. She currently explores the vicissitudes of minorities and their stories in order to create a better understanding of their issues. By offering portraits of minorities and their stories\, Nunez-Regueiro’s goal is to create supportive communities for those who need to feel rooted in their geographical space and their present time. \n\nNúñez-Regueiro work is closely related to her experiences of living abroad — the impermanence\, the precarious construction of one's present and even less of one’s future. It is about the rootlessness of those of us who move from place to place. She is an incessantly positive artist and she profoundly believes in art as a tool to create the social change that can lead us to thoughtful actions\, and the bettering of ourselves and our communities. UID:144223-21894923@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144223 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:East Quadrangle - RC Art Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891360@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891566@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260129T181013 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260211T133000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Environmental Humanities Workshop DESCRIPTION:In preparation for this term’s visiting lecture\, we will be reading two of Jeffrey Insko’s recent contributions to the field of energy humanities--a socially\, culturally\, and historically attentive approach to understanding our shared dependence on fossil fuels. Read and come prepared to discuss one recent academic article by Insko\, “On Dismantling: A Report from Michigan”\, as well as one of his public-facing essays\, “How to Dream Beyond Oil”.\n\nWhether you consider yourself a seasoned Environmental Humanist or you are simply curious about the field\, we hope to see old faces and meet some new ones soon. See below for registration links and event descriptions\, and please circulate freely! UID:144805-21895965@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144805 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Angell Hall - 3241 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260123T132939 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T163000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Stamping and Stomping: community inspired relief prints DESCRIPTION:Currently based in Ann Arbor\, Paloma Núñez-Regueiro is a Mexican printmaker born in Lima\, Peru. Paloma attended art college in Mexico\, where she came face to face with printmaking during her first year at the Facultad de Artes Plásticas (College of Arts) in Xalapa\, Veracruz. She became fascinated with the possibilities that printmaking offers\, as well as its importance in popular resistance throughout history. In 1997\, she transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology with an International Student Scholarship.\n-- \n\nAmongst the subjects that interest her are human migration\, social in-visibility\, and the intrinsic relation of humans to the universe as well as our dislocated relationship to it. She currently explores the vicissitudes of minorities and their stories in order to create a better understanding of their issues. By offering portraits of minorities and their stories\, Nunez-Regueiro’s goal is to create supportive communities for those who need to feel rooted in their geographical space and their present time. \n\nNúñez-Regueiro work is closely related to her experiences of living abroad — the impermanence\, the precarious construction of one's present and even less of one’s future. It is about the rootlessness of those of us who move from place to place. She is an incessantly positive artist and she profoundly believes in art as a tool to create the social change that can lead us to thoughtful actions\, and the bettering of ourselves and our communities. UID:144223-21894924@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144223 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:East Quadrangle - RC Art Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891361@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891567@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260107T144751 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:EIHS Lecture: Labor\, Spirit\, and Sovereignty: Africa’s Great War\, Dr. Stephen and Lee Gork Endowed Lecture DESCRIPTION:In writing histories of World War I\, the pull of linear narrative is an ever-present temptation\, holding out the promise of making the global conflict comprehensible. Yet under the surface of the war’s grand narratives are the many wayward histories that refuse to get in formation. The history of World War I in the African world can be\, and often has been\, written as military or political history\, in which imposing order on unruly details and examples compensates for Eurocentric sidelining or exclusion of African and African descended peoples from the historiography. This lecture examines sites of unruliness and insurgency in African histories of the war by analyzing African refusals of European imperial extraction. Faced with war-driven colonial labor and tax demands\, African peoples decried these unrelenting abuses in modes that drew on ancestral\, spiritual\, medicinal\, and Biblical authority\, gesturing towards sovereignty and political reconfiguration. Using examples from different parts of the African world\, this lecture argues for understanding the war years as a temporal frame for recognizing and naming multimodal African insurgencies against imperial extractivism and violence.\n\nMichelle Moyd is Associate Professor of History and Red Cedar Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University. She is the author of \"Violent Intermediaries: African Soldiers\, Conquest\, and Everyday Colonialism in German East Africa\,\" published by Ohio University Press in 2014. Her peer-reviewed articles have appeared in Radical History Review\, Slavery and Abolition\, and International Labor and Working Class History. She is currently working on \"The African World and the First World War\,\" under contract with Cambridge University Press for the New Approaches to African History series.\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by generous contributions from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg and Stephen and Lee Gork. UID:141693-21889190@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141693 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260204T152853 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T190000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:“Language and Narrative” (Ha-safa ve-ha-sipur) Film DESCRIPTION:(60 minutes\, in Hebrew with English subtitles\, 2023\, broadcast on channel Kan-11)\n\nThis episode is part of the Anat Zeltzer’s documentary series Secularism (Hiloniyut) about secular culture in Israel\, a Jewish state where religion and nationhood intertwine. “Language and Narrative” traces the story of Hebrew language revival—from sacred text to everyday speech\, from the early twentieth century to the current moment. UID:145075-21896621@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145075 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 1420 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260204T103922 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260212T200000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Blind Date Book Swap DESCRIPTION:Blind Date Book Swap is a cozy\, Valentine’s-inspired gathering and interactive workshop. Students are invited to bring their favorite or most meaningful book to swap with someone else. Attendees will wrap their book in secretive\, creative ways and attach a handwritten note with general ideas about the book and the reason for their selection. Themed treats\, drinks\, and extra books will be provided! \n\nPre-registration required for food ordering purposes. Register at https://sessions.studentlife.umich.edu/p/track/16203. UID:142891-21891772@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142891 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institue for the Humanities lobby and Osterman Common Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260203T160925 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T200000 SUMMARY:Conference / Symposium:CLIFF 2026 - 30th Anniversary Event DESCRIPTION:Comparative Literature Intra-student and Faculty Forum (CLIFF) has been a cornerstone of the Department of Comparative Literature since 1996. Dedicated to interdisciplinarity and intellectual vigor\, our graduate student-organized conference embodies the values that form the basis of Comparative Literature. In previous years\, CLIFF’s conference-wide themes have inspired graduate students from disciplines across the University—as well as scholars from universities across the country and independent scholars—to share and discuss their work. For the 30th anniversary of CLIFF\, we are dedicated to honoring this long history of the conference while opening possibilities for its future. Our event will feature an opening speech by Comparative Literature Professor Will Stroebel\; three panels organized and presented by graduate students\; and a closing roundtable from organizers and alumni reflecting on CLIFF's past\, present\, and future.\n\nCLIFF 2026 Program\n\nFriday\, February 13\, 2026\nLocation: Rackham Assembly Hall\, 4th floor\n\n8:30 am - 9:00 am Breakfast\n\n9:00 am - 10:00 am Opening speech by Dr. Will Stroebel (Modern Greek & Comparative Literature) \n “Comparative Literature at the Borderscape” \n\n10:00 am - 10:15 am Coffee Break\n\n10:15 am - 11:45 am Panel 1: Historicism\, New and Used\n Organizers: James Kiselik & Srimati Ghosal\n Respondent: Dr. Will Stroebel \nPresenters:\nOğuz Kayır (Film\, Television\, and Media)\, “Historicizing Otherwise: A Feminist Archive in Contemporary Turkish Art”\nDibyangee Saha (English)\, “The Spatial Turn in Print Archives: Reading IPTA’s Unity from a Distance”\nSrimati Ghosal (Comparative Literature)\, “Aesthetics of Audacity\, Aesthetics of Advertisement: Encountering the Tricontinental in American Archives”\nJames Kiselik (English)\, “Usufructuary Historicism”\n\n11:45 am - 12:45 pm Lunch\n\n12:45 pm - 2:15 pm Panel 2: Media as Mediation\n Organizers: Nathan Omprasadham & Sanjana Ramanathan\n Respondent: Dr. Toni Bushner (Digital Studies Institute)\nPresenters:\nAlexa Kelly (English)\, “‘Are We All In Your Story\, Alan?’: Fictionality\, Ludic Form\, and Alan Wake II”\nDora Gao (History)\, “‘Tomorrow Comes’: Learning to Grieve through Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”\nMaryam Khan (English)\, “‘Rot as Memory’: Obsolescence and the Afterlives of Early Net Art”\nNathan Omprasadham (English) & Sanjana Ramanathan (Comparative Literature)\, “‘Tasting Fragments’: the Materiality of Language Loss in Venba”\n\n2:15 pm - 2:30 pm Coffee Break\n\n2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Panel 3: Within/Beyond the Boundaries of Caribbean Studies\n Organizers: Jeremy M. Santiago-Rojas & Amanda M. La O Cartaya\n Respondent: Dr. Supriya Nair (English)\nPresenters:\nAmanda M. La O Cartaya (Comparative Literature)\, “Beneath Structures of Power: Analyzing Jose Marti’s Work Through the Social Suffering Framework”\nJeremy M. Santiago-Rojas (Comparative Literature)\, “Tracing Filipino-Boricua Relations in the Archive”\nJodi Berry (English & Education)\, “Managing Imaginations: Female Castaway Narratives and Educational Exports”\nAnaridia Molina (English)\, “Digital Imaginaries Within and Beyond the Boundaries of Caribbean Literature: In the Same Boats & Visualizing Caribbean Literature”\n\n4:00 pm - 4:15 pm Coffee Break\n\n4:15 pm to 5:45 pm Roundtable with former CLIFF organizers\n\n6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Reception dinner UID:143586-21893426@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143586 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Rackham Graduate School (Horace H.) - 4th floor Assembly Hall CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260123T132939 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T163000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Stamping and Stomping: community inspired relief prints DESCRIPTION:Currently based in Ann Arbor\, Paloma Núñez-Regueiro is a Mexican printmaker born in Lima\, Peru. Paloma attended art college in Mexico\, where she came face to face with printmaking during her first year at the Facultad de Artes Plásticas (College of Arts) in Xalapa\, Veracruz. She became fascinated with the possibilities that printmaking offers\, as well as its importance in popular resistance throughout history. In 1997\, she transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology with an International Student Scholarship.\n-- \n\nAmongst the subjects that interest her are human migration\, social in-visibility\, and the intrinsic relation of humans to the universe as well as our dislocated relationship to it. She currently explores the vicissitudes of minorities and their stories in order to create a better understanding of their issues. By offering portraits of minorities and their stories\, Nunez-Regueiro’s goal is to create supportive communities for those who need to feel rooted in their geographical space and their present time. \n\nNúñez-Regueiro work is closely related to her experiences of living abroad — the impermanence\, the precarious construction of one's present and even less of one’s future. It is about the rootlessness of those of us who move from place to place. She is an incessantly positive artist and she profoundly believes in art as a tool to create the social change that can lead us to thoughtful actions\, and the bettering of ourselves and our communities. UID:144223-21894925@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144223 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:East Quadrangle - RC Art Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891362@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891568@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260205T140618 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T140000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:EIHS Workshop: Political Mobilization\, Authority and Collaboration DESCRIPTION:We live in a moment of intense global political mobilization. Popular movements—both state and non-state—are reshaping political life by preserving\, contesting\, and reworking state power. As the boundaries between citizen and subject\, resistance and authority\, become increasingly blurred\, long-standing frameworks for understanding collaboration and power demand reconsideration.\n\nThis workshop centers the figure of the intermediary—particularly colonial intermediaries who operated as both agents and instruments of imperial rule. We invite scholars to explore how these actors complicate binary narratives of resistance and collaboration\, coercion and consent. How do we account for the moral ambiguity\, partial complicity\, and aspirational authority of those who worked in the shadow of power as translators\, clerks\, soldiers\, chiefs\, informants\, and community figures within popular movements and state-making projects?\n\nJoin us for a conversation that revisits power\, agency\, and political belonging across historical and geographic contexts.\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg. UID:142516-21891065@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142516 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260119T103007 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260213T150000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:AI as Self-Discovery: How Large Language Models Reveal the Essence of the Human Mind\, and Why It Matters DESCRIPTION:Most discussions of artificial intelligence center on its instrumental role—how it will transform industries and economies. But it may do something even more radical: reveal who we are. As artificial minds become more capable\, they will expose the deep principles underlying human thought—how reasoning\, agency\, and creativity actually work. AI thus offers not just a technological revolution but a humanistic one. This new self-understanding\, I argue\, will force us to rethink core ideas about mind\, agency\, and the basis of praise and blame. UID:141750-21889311@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141750 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Ross School of Business - R2240 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260216T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260216T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891365@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260216T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260216T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891571@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260203T094108 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260216T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260216T173000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Workshop - On Revival: Hebrew Literature between Life and Death DESCRIPTION:We warmly invite you to attend a special workshop with visiting scholar Roni Henig (Assistant Professor of Modern Hebrew Literature at New York University) on Monday\, February 16\, from 4:00 - 5:30 PM\, in Thayer 2000. \n\nRoni Henig will share\, in dialogue with Prof. Maya Barzilai\, her critical approach to the Hebrew language revival and its uncanny and even monstrous metaphoric. This workshop is based on Henig's recent book publication\, \"On Revival: Hebrew Literature between Life and Death\" (UPenn Press\, 2025)\, and we will circulate the Introduction ahead of the event. The book can also be accessed through our library. UID:144963-21896207@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144963 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - 2000 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891366@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891572@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893221@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260105T094142 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260217T133000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Pause Café: French Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and snacks while improving your French skills!\n\n-Chat for 10 minutes or the entire hour. All language levels are welcome.\n\nThe RLL Commons is located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nFor more information contact Alan Ames at (alanames@umich.edu). UID:143171-21892377@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143171 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891367@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891573@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20250904T085750 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T130000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:DAAS Faculty Forum DESCRIPTION:In the spirit of creating stronger departmental connections\, DAAS is presenting a faculty forum in honor of DAAS's 55th anniversary. Members of the DAAS faculty will discuss their projects\, research\, and/or publications to share more about their work and interests. The DAAS Faculty Forum will be held monthly on Wednesdays at noon.\n\nSeptember 17 - Stephen Ward\, Associate Director of the Residential College\; Arthur F Thurnau Professor\; Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Associate Professor in the Residential College\n\nOctober 22 - Magdalena Zaborowska\, Chair and Professor of American Culture\, Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nNovember 5 - Jessica Walker\, Assistant Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Assistant Professor of American Culture\n\nDecember 3 - Al Young Jr.\, Associate Director of Center for Social Solutions\; Arthur F Thurnau Professor\; Edgar G. Epps Collegiate Professor of Sociology\; Professor of Afroamerican and African studies\; Professor of Public Policy\n\nJanuary 21- Aliyah Khan\, Director of the Global Islamic Studies Center\, International Institute\; Associate Professor of English\; Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nFebruary 18 - Scott Ellsworth\, Teaching Professor in Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nMarch 25 - Saraellen Strongman\, Assistant Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nApril 8 - David Doris\, Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Associate Professor of African Art and Visual Culture UID:137882-21881025@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/137882 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Haven Hall - 4701 Haven Hall (DAAS Conference Room) CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260209T134104 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260218T200000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire DESCRIPTION:Eighty years after his liberation from Buchenwald\, we seek to understand the man behind Elie Wiesel's searing and widely read memoir Night. Told largely through his own words and eloquent voice\, Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire seeks to penetrate to the heart of the known and unknown Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) — his passions\, his conflicts and his legacy as one of the most public survivors of the Holocaust. With unique access to personal archives\, original interviews\, and employing hand-painted animation\, the film illuminates Wiesel’s biography as a survivor\, writer\, teacher and public figure.\n\nAfter the film\, stay for a discussion between one of the film’s producers\, Patti Askwith Kenner\, and Wallenberg Institute director Jeffrey Veidlinger.\n\nCo-presented by the University Musical Society (UMS)\, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of the University of Michigan\, and the Michigan Theater. UID:145246-21896924@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145246 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location - Screening Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891368@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891574@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260212T114016 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260219T200000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Many Manifestations of Home DESCRIPTION:\"What would your dream house look like if money\, rules\, and physics didn't apply?\"\n\nJoin the Institute for Humanities for a creative workshop on where (and what) home really is. This is an interactive event that uses drawing\, writing\, and conversation to rethink what \"home\" really means beyond four walls and a mortgage. No background in art\, architecture\, or visual studies is required!\n\nGrounded in the humanities\, this workshop treats home not merely as a physical structure\, but as a personal\, cultural\, and political idea. Over the course of the event\, participants will move through two creative exercises that blend thinking\, self-reflection\, and critical interpretation. Participants will be asked to imagine impossible homes\, reinterpret familiar spaces\, and consider what \"home\" might look like for different people and communities. Together\, we will explore how identity\, memory\, history\, and power shape where (and whether) we feel at home.\n\nRegister to attend at https://myumi.ch/kP7e5. UID:144610-21895565@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/144610 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Osterman Common Room, #1022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891369@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891575@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260129T092412 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260220T124500 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Bate-Papo: Portuguese Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and light snacks while improving your Portuguese! All language levels are welcome.\n\n-Meet in the RLL Commons: located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nQuestions? Contact Maria Teresa Mattos at (mtmattos@umich.edu). UID:143753-21893743@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143753 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891372@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891578@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T150211 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T183000 SUMMARY:Livestream / Virtual:LSA Virtual Q&A for Admitted High School Students DESCRIPTION:Did you recently get admitted to the College of Literature\, Sciences\, and the Arts (LSA)? If so\, please join us for a one-hour informational and Q&A Session with our current cohort of LSA Ambassadors. The session is restricted to first-year admitted LSA students only. If you are interested\, sign up for a session below. Eastern Time Zone. \n\nPlease register here: http://myumi.ch/2rez4 UID:118178-21894932@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/118178 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260219T125424 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260223T200000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Activism and the Struggle for Academic Freedom DESCRIPTION:The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) invites you to join moderator Isaac Kamola\, editor Melanie S. Tanielian and contributors Marjorie Heins and Henry Reichman to discuss the release of \"In the Spirit of H. Chandler Davis: Activism and the Struggle for Academic Freedom.\"\n\nInspired by Chandler Davis’ courage\, integrity\, and devotion to the struggle against oppression\, injustice\, and the persecution of speech\, the twelve contributors to this book offer crucial insights into the importance of defending intellectual independence\, institutional autonomy\, and the right to free expression\, and the importance of facing\, and not accepting\, authoritarian threats. UID:145737-21897755@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145737 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891373@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891579@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893222@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251028T155537 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T133000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:The (In)Visible Acquisitions of Ann Allen Shockley DESCRIPTION:With the “Hear\, Here” series\, we aim to facilitate conversations around new research in the humanities. Faculty fellows at the Institute for the Humanities will discuss a part of their current project in a short talk followed by a Q & A session.\n\nAbout this talk:\nThis talk explores the prolific literary and professional life of archivist\, librarian\, and multi-genre author Ann Allen Shockley (b. 1927). Despite being a contemporary of Audre Lorde\, Alice Walker\, and Toni Morrison\, she is largely overlooked within Black feminist thought and Black women’s literary production. This talk analyzes correspondence\, organizational records\, and Shockley’s publications to trace how late-twentieth-century material and epistemological conditions facilitated the memorialization of some Black feminist intellectuals and creatives while obscuring others. \n\n*Jennifer Dominique Jones is a 2025-26 Jean Yokes Woodhead Faculty Fellow at the Institute for the Humanities and Associate Professor of History and Women's and Gender Studies.* UID:141254-21888471@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141254 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, #1022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260303T144954 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T143000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Privacy@Michigan: Interrogating the Quiet Escalation of Tech Billionaire Influence on Detroit’s Future DESCRIPTION:Join Chris Gilliard\, privacy researcher\, and Tawana Petty\, artist and organizer\, as they discuss the impact of big tech on the future of Detroit.\n\nAn eleven-foot Robocop statue stands prominently in Eastern Market. A defense contractor headquarters is moving to the riverfront. A drone conference is scheduled to take place on land\, in the air\, and on the water. A large billboard and an annual conference signal Palantir’s investment into Detroit as “America’s Future\,” a billion-dollar renovated “train” station and technology campus is building a drone highway\, and the World Economic Forum has its eyes on the city as a potential location for its global Davos summit.\n\nWhat does this trajectory mean for the future of a predominantly Black city that has led the country in misidentification cases by law enforcement using facial recognition\, has had a median household income hovering under $40\,000\, and has more than 50% of its youth living in poverty?\n\nDr. Chris Gilliard and Tawana Petty will interrogate these questions and more. UID:145440-21897360@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145440 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan League - Koessler Room (3rd Floor) CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260224T110543 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T163000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:CANCELED: DSI Lecture Series | Trans Ecologies of the Real and the Virtual in Contemporary Art DESCRIPTION:For the survival of all our ecologies\, we must refuse human centricity and build networks of care across lines of species and liveliness. This talk stitches a line from trans people to an expanded conception of trans\, using a focus on trans ecological poetics to go beyond a focus on the human. I broaden the operation of “trans” in trans media studies to include non-human movements\, such as those made by animals\, viruses\, and movements across the boundaries between different environments. Trans media studies can extend the fields of media studies\, transgender studies\, and trans of color studies to connect more deeply to and through non-human entities. Still\, any injunction for queer and trans studies to go beyond the human must reconcile with the history of trans\, Palestinian\, Black\, and Indigenous people being deemed less than human. In this talk\, I use the method of algorithmic analysis proposed in my book *Poetic Operations: Trans of Color Art in Digital Media* (Duke UP\, 2022) to explore the operations that make up the poetics of three contemporary artworks—*Sin Sol* (2020)\, an augmented reality installation I created with the Critical Realities Studio\, *Acoustic Ocean* (2018)\, a short film by Ursula Biemann and “Of Whales”\, a film created using virtual reality created by Wu Tsang.\n\nmicha cárdenas\, PhD\, MFA\, is an artist\, author and Professor of Critical Race & Ethnic Studies at the University of California\, Santa Cruz. She is the director of the Critical Realities Studio. Her debut novel* Atoms Never Touch* (AK Press 2023) imagines trans latina love crossing multiple quantum realities. Her academic monograph P*oetic Operations : Trans of Color Art in Digital Media* (Duke UP 2022) was the co-winner of the Gloria Anzaldúa Book Prize in 2022 from the National Women’s Studies Association “for groundbreaking monographs in women’s studies that makes significant multicultural feminist contributions to women of color/transnational scholarship”. cárdenas was a winner of the 2022 Anonymous Was a Woman artist award. She is currently working on her next academic monograph* After Man: Trans Ecologies and Climate Justice*\, as well as *The Probability Engine*\, a multi-disciplinary artwork imagining futures of climate justice. She is a first generation Colombian American.\n\nWe strive to make our events accessible to all participants. This will be a virtual event held in an online meeting space. Please register in advance for the online Zoom Webinar here: https://myumi.ch/G23ey. \n\nCART captioning will be provided. If you anticipate needing additional accommodations to participate\, please email Eric Mancini at dsi-administration@umich.edu. Please note that some accommodations must be arranged in advance\, and we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.\n\nCo-Sponsors: American Culture\; Center for Ethics\, Society\, and Computing\; DISCO Network\; English Language & Literature\; Film\, Television\, and Media\; History of Art\; Institute for Research on Women & Gender\; Penny W. Stamps School of Art\; Science\, Technology\, and Public Policy\; Spectrum Center\; and the Trans Studies Collective. UID:142502-21891048@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142502 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251201T103828 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260224T183000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Jewish Journalism in Dark Times DESCRIPTION:Join us for a roundtable discussion exploring the transformation of Jewish journalism during the interwar years (1918–1939) and World War II\, an era of profound upheaval. Panelists will analyze how Jewish newspapers and journals became vital platforms for political\, literary\, and cultural engagement. The discussion will highlight dramatic shifts in journalistic practices\, including evolving editorial strategies\, reporting methods\, and technological innovations in format and distribution and the transnational and transcultural elements that come to the fore during that time. Panelists will also examine the economic pressures and opportunities that shaped the Jewish press\, and consider the influence and role of Jews as journalists within the broader media landscape.\n\nGilad Halpern\, journalist and media historian\, draws on recent doctoral research on The Palestine Post amid imperial decline and rising nationalism\, bridging professional and scholarly perspectives. Naomi Brenner explores entertainment fiction in the Hebrew and Yiddish press\, focusing on the aesthetics and politics of the roman-feuilleton as a transnational literary form.\nMatthew Handelman investigates the cultural politics of German Jewish intellectuals and the primacy of culture in political discourse from the Weimar Republic onward.\n\nCentral to the conversation is the role of Jewish periodicals as spaces for cultural expression\, literary experimentation\, and political debate. These publications not only documented Jewish life\, but actively shaped identities\, fostered transnational dialogue\, and provided forums for writers\, artists\, and intellectuals grappling with questions of survival and belonging. This roundtable offers timely insights into journalism during a time of crisis\, illuminating enduring questions about Jews and media. UID:142275-21890347@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142275 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Room 2022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891374@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891580@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260206T161202 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260225T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:An Operatic Reimagining of The Handmaid’s Tale: Gender\, Power\, and Reproductive Justice DESCRIPTION:In 1985\, Margaret Atwood\, The Handmaid’s Tale\, envisioned a theocratic regime that systematically stripped women and gender-diverse people of their reproductive freedom. Although Atwood’s narrative is fiction\, the realities of forced reproduction and restricted bodily autonomy have long impacted women of color\, low-income women\, disabled women\, and people of diverse gender identities\, making this story compelling and profoundly relevant today. The novel’s evolution into a television show and now\, an opera reflects its sustained cultural and political resonance. This event\, co-hosted by the Detroit Opera and the University of Michigan’s Center for History\, Humanities\, Arts\, Social Sciences\, and Ethics in Medicine\, will feature a free\, moderated discussion about the operatic adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale. Together\, we will explore how artistic representations can stimulate important conversations about reproductive justice\, structural power\, and the ongoing struggles faced by women and people of marginalized genders. Through centering the role of art in social critique and activism\, this event aims to deepen understanding of gender and sexuality in the context of contemporary debates surrounding reproductive rights. UID:145187-21896776@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145187 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Palmer Commons - Forum Hall CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891375@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891581@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20250930T101850 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T143000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Dialogue and Donuts DESCRIPTION:Come enjoy a sweet treat and make new friends while testing out U-M's new conversation game\, The Pluralism Playdeck. The Pluralism Playdeck is a low-key scaffolded card game designed to allow university students to practice the soft skills they need to engage in compassionate and honest conversations about hot-button issues across ideological and demographic differences. You'll learn about yourself. You'll learn about others. You'll develop a skill set that will serve you well in both social and professional settings. UID:139212-21885094@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/139212 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:LSA Building - 1040 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260107T144911 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:EIHS Lecture: Historicizing Transness Otherwise: Asia Narratives and Decolonial Thought DESCRIPTION:This lecture develops transtopia as an unruly concept that emboldens a continuum model of transness\, thereby activating a mode of historical inquiry that dismantles both the transphobic order of the past and the transgender presumption of the present. That is\, it challenges both the assumption that gender nonconforming figures did not exist historically and the idea that the Western category of transgender delivers the best framework for understanding their experience. To unveil and remedy some of the most salient flaws of epistemic convention in historical inquiry\, historical exemplars from the Sinophone Pacific will be analyzed and weighted in decolonial terms.\n\nHoward Chiang holds the Lai Ho & Wu Cho-liu Endowed Chair in Taiwan Studies at the University of California\, Santa Barbara\, where he is Professor of East Asian Languages & Cultural Studies\, Director of the Center for Taiwan Studies\, and an affiliated faculty of History and Feminist Studies. He is the author of two award-winning monographs: \"After Eunuchs: Science\, Medicine\, and the Transformation of Sex in Modern China\" (Columbia\, 2018) and \"Transtopia in the Sinophone Pacific\" (2021). Between 2019 and 2022\, he served as the Founding Chair of the Society of Sinophone Studies.\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg. UID:141696-21889197@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141696 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260224T083317 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260226T200000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Interfaith Photovoice: Discovering Human Connection Through the Lens DESCRIPTION:What if a set of photos could completely transform how you understand your purpose\, the experiences of others\, and the value of humanity? With over 5 billion pictures taken globally every day\, Photovoice uses this powerful medium to foster deeper connections and understanding between participants. In this 90-minute interactive session\, you’ll use photographs to reflect\, share your story\, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others. Whether you're looking to explore your own journey or connect with diverse perspectives\, this innovative experience is designed for everyone. No photography skills are needed—just bring your curiosity and an open mind! Come capture more than just a moment—discover the stories behind the images!\n\nThe theme for February is \"transformation.\" The Lunar New Year\, Lent\, Ramadan\, and the turn into spring all touch on this theme. Snap 3-5 photos that relate to the theme of transformation for you\, and be prepared to share and talk about them with others during this event. \n\nWe strongly encourage you to print the photos or bring them in a slidedeck on your laptop. UID:139184-21885021@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/139184 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan League - Hussey room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891376@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T100358 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Tukilile Vaa DESCRIPTION:Kaloki Nyamai is a multidisciplinary artist based in Nairobi. His practice explores Kenya's histories and collective memory\, blending Kamba traditions with contemporary narratives. Using acrylic paint\, rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, his free-hanging immersive works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation. For his U-M project\, Nyamai will present one large unstretched piece and two framed paintings at the Institute for the Humanities\, as well as a second free-hanging work at the U-M Museum of Art.\n\nThe physicality of his complex constructions inspire wonder in the viewer. The works are vast in scale\, embedded with stories\, where past and future merge both poetically and conceptually. In each composition\, the artist proposes a powerful alternative to the flatness of singular narratives of Kenyan history and identity presented as the definitive postcolonial account. He likens the formal act of stitching to symbolically unifying a wounded or fractured community.\n\nNyamai founded the Kamene Cultural & Research Center in Nairobi\, a creative and collaborative hub dedicated to the preservation\, promotion\, and innovation of African cultural practices.\n\nAbout the artist:\nKaloki Nyamai (*1985 in Kitui\, Kenya) is a multidisciplinary artist working with installation\, painting\, and sculpture based in Nairobi. From an early age\, his mother introduced him to painting and taught him to draw\, fostering an ever-lasting interest in art throughout his life. He often finds inspiration in his grandmother’s stories of the Kamba people\, a Bantu ethnic group of eastern Kenya. Using materials like acrylic paint\, sisal rope\, photo transfers\, and stitched yarn\, Nyamai’s free-hanging pieces evoke the healing of historical wounds and a collective yearning for renewal. His works blur the boundaries between painting\, sculpture\, and installation\, creating cohesive\, immersive experiences where past\, present\, and future converge poetically.\n\nNyamai studied Interior Design at the Buruburu Institute Of Fine Arts (BIFA) and then pursued painting after working in other creative fields. His large-scale paintings and mixed-media installations intricately explore historical narratives\, examining their resonance in the present. Nyamai has shown his work across the globe in solo exhibitions at the Norval Foundation\, Cape Town (2024)\; James Cohan Gallery\, New York (2024)\; Galerie Barbara Thumm\, Berlin (2023 and 2022)\; SEPTIEME Gallery\, Paris (2019)\, and other venues. In 2023\, he featured part of his series Dining in Chaos in the “Unlimited” section at Art Basel in Basel. He has participated in group exhibitions and biennials\, most recently at the Sharjah Biennial 16\, Sharjah (2025)\; The Völklinger Hütte\, Völklingen (2024)\; the Kenyan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale\, Venice (2022)\; and the Dakar Biennale (2022). His works are part of numerous private and institutional collections around the world\, such as the Dallas Art Museum\, the Southern African Foundation for Contemporary Art\, and the Arthur Primas Museum. UID:142791-21891582@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142791 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260218T160802 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260227T140000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:EIHS Workshop: Gender Unruliness\, Power\, and Order DESCRIPTION:How does gender shape power\, knowledge\, and lived experience across imperial and post-imperial worlds? This graduate workshop explores gender not just as a social category but as a critical lens for analyzing colonial power\, resistance\, and postcolonial critique. Inspired in part by Howard Chiang’s concept of transtopia\, which highlights gender transgression across times and cultures\, this workshop challenges Western-centric frameworks and invites broader\, global perspectives on gender variance.\n\nThis workshop brings together scholars to examine how gender constructs and disrupts hierarchies of power\, intersects with race and imperialism\, and reshapes scientific\, cultural\, and political authority.\n\nJoin us for a conversation to reconsider the entanglements of gender\, power\, and order across historical geographies and contexts.\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg. UID:142517-21891066@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142517 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260302T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260302T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891379@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260303T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260303T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891380@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260304T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891381@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260305T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260305T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891382@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260306T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260306T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891383@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891386@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260220T140058 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T180000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Animality in Yiddish Arts and Literature DESCRIPTION:Anna Elena Torres is the author of Horizons Blossom\, Borders Vanish: Anarchism and Yiddish Literature (Yale University Press\, 2024)\, A Bear Flew By: Animality in Yiddish Arts and Literature (Rutgers University Press\, forthcoming)\, and the co-editor of With Freedom in Our Ears: Histories of Jewish Anarchism (University of Illinois Press\, 2023). Their work has appeared in The Oxford Handbook of Queer Modernisms\, Prooftexts\, Jewish Quarterly Review\, Nashim\, make/shift: a journal of feminisms in motion\, In geveb\, Comparative Literature\, and elsewhere. Torres’ collaborative art practice includes work as a muralist\, contributor to the Yiddishland Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2022)\, and commissioned artist by the POLIN Museum\, Warsaw. UID:145780-21897808@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145780 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Rackham Graduate School (Horace H.) - East Conference Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260107T110452 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T210000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:German Film Series DESCRIPTION:February 2: *Ich bin dein Mensch* (2021\, Maria Schrader)\nIn search of a way to finance her studies\, Alma Fesler (Maren Eggert) agrees to participate in an experimental study: she will live with a humanoid robot for three weeks. This sci-fi romance takes audiences to the edges of rationality\, longing\, and what it means to be human.\n\nMarch 9: *Woyzeck* (1979\, Werner Herzog)\nBased on the drama fragment by Georg Büchner\, this film adaptation follows Franz Woyzeck (Klaus Kinski)\, an aimless\, low-ranking soldier attempting to find his footing while stationed in mid-nineteenth century provincial Germany.\n\nApril 6: *Yella* (2012\, Petzold) \nThis enigmatic thriller haunted by capitalism follows Yella Fichte (Nina Hoss) who\, freshly separated from her ex-husband and about to embark on a new life in Hanover\, enters a surreal world of money making schemes.\n\nRegistration is requested by not required.\n6:00pm: Pizza\n6:30pm: Film UID:143360-21892950@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143360 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Quad - 2435 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T150211 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260309T190000 SUMMARY:Livestream / Virtual:LSA Virtual Q&A for Admitted High School Students DESCRIPTION:Did you recently get admitted to the College of Literature\, Sciences\, and the Arts (LSA)? If so\, please join us for a one-hour informational and Q&A Session with our current cohort of LSA Ambassadors. The session is restricted to first-year admitted LSA students only. If you are interested\, sign up for a session below. Eastern Time Zone. \n\nPlease register here: http://myumi.ch/2rez4 UID:118178-21897209@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/118178 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891387@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893224@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260105T094142 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T133000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Pause Café: French Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and snacks while improving your French skills!\n\n-Chat for 10 minutes or the entire hour. All language levels are welcome.\n\nThe RLL Commons is located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nFor more information contact Alan Ames at (alanames@umich.edu). UID:143171-21892380@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143171 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251105T123020 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T133000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Radical Care: Stories of Women Leaders in Corrections DESCRIPTION:With the “Hear\, Here” series\, we aim to facilitate conversations around new research in the humanities. Faculty fellows at the Institute for the Humanities will discuss a part of their current project in a short talk followed by a Q & A session.\n\nAbout this talk:\nWomen’s ascension into corrections leadership parallels the unprecedented expansion of the U.S. prison-industrial complex. Yet\, as women’s labor contributes to the growth of carceral systems\, leaders strive to be changemakers\, spearheading reforms and humanizing geographies. Weaving together composite narratives drawn from in-depth interviews\, this talk situates the work of women leaders as a practice of radical care\, exploring the potential and challenge of making meaningful change within harsh and unyielding institutions and systems. \n\n*Francine Banner is a 2025-26 Norman Freehling Visiting Fellow at the Institute for the Humanities and Professor of Behavioral Sciences\, U-M Dearborn.* UID:141259-21888483@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141259 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, #1022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260217T095254 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260310T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Is American Antisemitism Exceptional? DESCRIPTION:Part of the Samantha Woll Dialogues\, Deborah Dash Moore (Jonathan Freedman Distinguished University Professor of History and Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan) and Pamela Nadell (author of Antisemitism\, an American Tradition\; Chair in Women's and Gender History and director of the Jewish Studies Program at the American University) will discuss the uniqueness of American Antisemitism and its history\, as it relates to other minority groups and their experiences in the United States. UID:137006-21879405@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/137006 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Rackham Graduate School (Horace H.) - Rackham Amphitheatre CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891388@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891389@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260225T093505 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T200000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Tacos n' Trivia: Women in the Humanities DESCRIPTION:Which American author and philosopher wrote \"Woman in the Nineteenth Century\"? What prestigious prize did U-M History Professor Heather Ann Thompson win in 2017? Which Detroit native was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?\n\nCelebrate Women's History Month and join us for an evening of themed humanities trivia and delicious food! Come with a team of 4-5\, or join a team when you arrive. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for food ordering purposes. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team! UID:143976-21894360@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143976 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Suite 1022, 202 S. Thayer Street CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260313T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260313T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891390@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260305T104122 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260313T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260313T140000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:EIHS Workshop: Transpolitics of Postcolonial Orders DESCRIPTION:Colonial power does not simply disappear at independence. It mutates\, reappearing through contemporary institutions\, political discourses\, and racial hierarchies\, complicating any clean break between colonial and postcolonial eras. Ann Laura Stoler’s concept of duress captures this ongoing condition: colonial power persists as a lived\, material\, and affective force\, embedded in social life even when presumed to be over.\n\nRacialized and minoritized communities actively confront and reshape these postcolonial conditions. In France\, for example\, immigrant communities and descendants of colonial subjects engage in memory-work\, cultural production\, and political mobilization to challenge assimilationist ideologies\, securitized Islamophobia\, and exclusionary myths of national universalism. These interventions contest dominant narratives of belonging and insist on political futures that reckon with imperial histories rather than disavow them.\n\nJoin us for a panel that examines how postcolonial orders are inhabited\, contested\, and reimagined across diverse contexts.\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg. UID:142519-21891068@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142519 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260316T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260316T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891393@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260317T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260317T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891394@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260317T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260317T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893225@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260227T101504 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260317T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260317T183000 SUMMARY:Performance:Hasidic Women in the Media DESCRIPTION:In a compelling lecture performance\, author Jessica Roda presents themes from her groundbreaking book \"For Women and Girls Only\"\, joined by actress\, writer\, and producer Malky Goldman—the book’s remarkable protagonist. The event offers a nuanced exploration of the representation of Hasidic female identity in media\, on screen\, and on stage. Goldman\, who was raised in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem\, shares her deeply personal journey navigating the arts from within and beyond the boundaries of her Hasidic upbringing. Through dialogue\, multimedia\, and live performance\, the evening exposes the tensions between tradition and self-expression\, visibility and erasure\, community expectations and artistic freedom. Roda contextualizes Goldman’s story within broader questions of gender\, religion\, and representation\, challenging reductive portrayals of Hasidic women in mainstream media. Goldman’s voice—grounded\, creative\, and courageous—offers a powerful counter-narrative\, reclaiming agency and complexity for Hasidic female identities on public stages. The performance invites audiences to reconsider assumptions and listen to stories often silenced or misunderstood. UID:142487-21891009@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142487 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - 2022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891395@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260226T142240 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260318T190000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Jews & Other Minorities in the 20th-Century Middle East DESCRIPTION:Lior Sternfeld is an assistant professor of History and Jewish Studies at Penn State University. He is a social historian of the modern Middle East with particular interests in the histories of the Jewish people and other minorities of the region. In this lecture\, Sternfeld focuses on how the study of minorities\, especially Jewish communities\, to better understand the histories of Middle Eastern societies in the transformative period of the twentieth century. UID:145997-21898248@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145997 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Quad - 2255 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891605@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891396@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T115749 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T200000 SUMMARY:Reception / Open House:Opening Reception for *Flyways* DESCRIPTION:Please join us for the opening reception of Sheida Soleimani's debut Michigan exhibition *Flyways *immediately following her Penny Stamps Lecture at the Michigan Theater. See the exhibition\, meet the artist\, and enjoy some light refreshments. All are welcome!\n\nAbout the exhibition: \nIranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani’s exhibition Flyways (a reference to the migratory patterns of birds) represents the latest iteration of Soleimani's ongoing Ghostwriter series\, in which she continues to explore her parents’ experiences of political exile and migration as a lens to examine broader systems of geopolitics. Soleimani creates detailed compositions in the studio that combine photographs\, props\, live animals\, and even her own parents\, resulting in surreal\, magical realist scenes.\n\nThe artist's most recent works include imagery evocative of her family’s history alongside photographs of injured birds from her care work as a wildlife rehabilitator. As an extension of her art practice\, Soleimani founded the non-profit Congress of the Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island. The sheer range of Soleimani's practice—her choice of imagery\, subject matter\, and method—informs a visual language that is surprising\, inventive\, imaginative\, and contemporary. Soleimani’s exhibition in the Institute for the Humanities Gallery will feature a newly curated selection of photographs from the Ghostwriter series\, along with a new site-specific wall drawing created as part of the project.\n\nAbout the artist:\nSheida Soleimani is an artist\, educator\, and licensed wildlife rehabilitator whose work examines power\, environmental crisis\, queerness\, migration\, and care. The daughter of political refugees who escaped Iran in the early 1980s\, Soleimani draws on archival materials\, props\, and sculptural elements to create visually lush\, politically incisive tableaux. She works across various mediums\, investigating themes such as oil politics and human rights abuses\, confronting the systems of violence linking the SWANA region and the United States\, unraveling their implications in American culture. Though her images are dreamlike\, they are grounded in lived experience: her parents frequently appear as subjects\, in compositions made from elements of their (sometimes harrowing) tales. Increasingly\, wildlife enters the frame – injured and orphaned birds\, with their own quiet stories of migration and survival. Before the lens\, these animals encapsulate Soleimani's multifaceted practice: care as art\, storytelling as resistance.\n\nHer work has been the subject of solo exhibitions in institutions such as the International Center for Photography\, New York (2025)\, the Contemporary Arts Center\, Cincinnati (2025)\, the Museum of Fine Arts\, Boston (2023)\, Southern Utah Museum of Art\, Cedar City (2019)\, Atlanta Contemporary\, Atlanta (2018)\, and MoMA PS1\, New York (2017)\, to name a few. Soleimani’s work is held in permanent collections including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum\, the Museum of Fine Arts\, Boston\, the Victoria & Albert Museum\, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts\, MIT List Visual Arts Center\, and Cranbrook Art Museum. In 2018\, she founded Congress of the Birds\, (originally) a home-based clinic in Providence\, Rhode Island\, where she provides care for wild birds. UID:142801-21891654@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142801 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891606@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891397@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260129T092412 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T124500 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Bate-Papo: Portuguese Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and light snacks while improving your Portuguese! All language levels are welcome.\n\n-Meet in the RLL Commons: located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nQuestions? Contact Maria Teresa Mattos at (mtmattos@umich.edu). UID:143753-21893744@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143753 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260119T102942 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260320T150000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Building Social Capital by Balancing Voices in School Governance DESCRIPTION:We propose that schools can build social capital through an explicit school governance framework called Balancing Voices that concerns decisions about implementing and evaluating new schoolwide policies or practices\, engaging community members\, and evaluating teachers and administrators. In an RCT of role play simulations\, those assigned to a Balancing Voices approach versus business-as-usual reported higher levels of key precursors of social capital — procedural fairness and legitimacy of authority figures. The estimated effects are especially positive for those who played roles other than administrator. Accordingly\, schools that more explicitly and formally balance the interests of different stakeholders in their decision making may be able to cultivate greater flows of social capital to improve instructional practices and student outcomes\, including equity. UID:141751-21889312@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141751 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Ross School of Business - R2240 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891609@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891400@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T150211 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260323T190000 SUMMARY:Livestream / Virtual:LSA Virtual Q&A for Admitted High School Students DESCRIPTION:Did you recently get admitted to the College of Literature\, Sciences\, and the Arts (LSA)? If so\, please join us for a one-hour informational and Q&A Session with our current cohort of LSA Ambassadors. The session is restricted to first-year admitted LSA students only. If you are interested\, sign up for a session below. Eastern Time Zone. \n\nPlease register here: http://myumi.ch/2rez4 UID:118178-21897210@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/118178 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891610@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891401@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893226@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251028T155427 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T133000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Black Girlhood Unfolded: Reclaiming Puberty Narratives in a Digital Archive DESCRIPTION:With the “Hear\, Here” series\, we aim to facilitate conversations around new research in the humanities. Faculty fellows at the Institute for the Humanities will discuss a part of their current project in a short talk followed by a Q & A session.\n\nAbout this talk:\nThis talk explores Black Girlhood Unfolded\, a digital narrative platform that centers the lived experiences of Black girls navigating puberty. By elevating personal stories and community voices\, the platform challenges adultification bias and dominant media silences\, creating space for identity formation\, healing\, and resistance. In capturing voices too often left out of cultural memory\, this work reframes Black girlhood as central—not marginal—to our understanding of youth\, development\, and representation.\n\n*Rona Carter is a 2025-26 Digital Scholarship Faculty Fellow at the Institute for the Humanities and Associate Professor of Psychology.* UID:141262-21888486@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141262 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, #1022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260105T094142 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T133000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Pause Café: French Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and snacks while improving your French skills!\n\n-Chat for 10 minutes or the entire hour. All language levels are welcome.\n\nThe RLL Commons is located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nFor more information contact Alan Ames at (alanames@umich.edu). UID:143171-21892382@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143171 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260102T113452 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T183000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:How Ford Transformed Religion in America DESCRIPTION:What does a motor company and its founder have to do with religion in America? A lot\, it turns out. Henry Ford did not just mass produce cars. As a member of the Episcopal Church\, reader of New Thought texts\, believer in the “gospel of reincarnation\,” mass marketer of antisemitic material\, and employer who institutionalized a social gospel\, Henry Ford’s contributions to American models of business were informed by and produced for an America he understood to be broadly Christian. Though Ford’s efforts at the head of the Ford Motor Company have commonly been understood as secular\, the Motor King was explicit that his work in engineering and auto production was prophetic and meant to remake the world. This talk offers a religious history of Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company\, repositioning them within critical studies of religion and examining how Ford transformed American religion in the twentieth century.\n\nDr. Katherine J. Curtis is Buttel-Sewell Professor of Community & Environmental Sociology and the Director of the Center for Demography & Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her work is centered in demography and extends to spatial\, environmental\, rural\, and applied demography\, and focuses on two central themes: population-environment interactions\, most centrally the relationship between demographic\, economic\, and environmental forces\; and spatial and temporal dimensions of social and economic inequality\, most centrally historical and local forces perpetuating racial disparities. In her work\, Curtis adopts place-based theoretical frameworks and employs advanced spatial and spatio-temporal statistical approaches to analyze questions about inequality\, which has profound and far-reaching impacts on population wellbeing. Current projects focus on spatial differentiation in migration and fertility responses to environmental events (NICHD and NSF)\, age- and race-specific net migration (NICHD)\, and rural livelihoods and spatial connectedness (USDA). UID:142476-21891005@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142476 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - 2022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260304T095707 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T190000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Author Event: \"Something in the Woods Loves You\"\, by Jarod K. Anderson DESCRIPTION:Program in the Environment is bringing author Jarod K. Anderson to campus March 24th for an author chat on his memoir\, \"Something in the Woods Loves You\". This book chronicles his journey through mental health struggles and finding solace\, strength\, and healing through engagement in the natural world. PitE will be hosting Jarod for an evening book chat\, where he'll complete a reading of an excerpt of his book. We will then host a Q&A session with him about his experiences writing this memoir and delve a bit deeper into the relationship between nature and mental health. Immediately following the Q&A we will host a book sale (with Schuler's Books) and signing with Jarod. UID:145765-21897792@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145765 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Dana Natural Resources Building - 1040 Dana Bldg CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891611@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891402@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20250904T085750 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T130000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:DAAS Faculty Forum DESCRIPTION:In the spirit of creating stronger departmental connections\, DAAS is presenting a faculty forum in honor of DAAS's 55th anniversary. Members of the DAAS faculty will discuss their projects\, research\, and/or publications to share more about their work and interests. The DAAS Faculty Forum will be held monthly on Wednesdays at noon.\n\nSeptember 17 - Stephen Ward\, Associate Director of the Residential College\; Arthur F Thurnau Professor\; Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Associate Professor in the Residential College\n\nOctober 22 - Magdalena Zaborowska\, Chair and Professor of American Culture\, Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nNovember 5 - Jessica Walker\, Assistant Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Assistant Professor of American Culture\n\nDecember 3 - Al Young Jr.\, Associate Director of Center for Social Solutions\; Arthur F Thurnau Professor\; Edgar G. Epps Collegiate Professor of Sociology\; Professor of Afroamerican and African studies\; Professor of Public Policy\n\nJanuary 21- Aliyah Khan\, Director of the Global Islamic Studies Center\, International Institute\; Associate Professor of English\; Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nFebruary 18 - Scott Ellsworth\, Teaching Professor in Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nMarch 25 - Saraellen Strongman\, Assistant Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nApril 8 - David Doris\, Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Associate Professor of African Art and Visual Culture UID:137882-21881026@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/137882 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Haven Hall - 4701 Haven Hall (DAAS Conference Room) CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251218T112301 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260325T200000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Meet a Humanities Graduate Student DESCRIPTION:A panel discussion and Q & A featuring U-M graduate students in humanities fields. Check back soon for more info. UID:142895-21891777@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142895 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891612@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891403@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20250930T101850 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T143000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Dialogue and Donuts DESCRIPTION:Come enjoy a sweet treat and make new friends while testing out U-M's new conversation game\, The Pluralism Playdeck. The Pluralism Playdeck is a low-key scaffolded card game designed to allow university students to practice the soft skills they need to engage in compassionate and honest conversations about hot-button issues across ideological and demographic differences. You'll learn about yourself. You'll learn about others. You'll develop a skill set that will serve you well in both social and professional settings. UID:139212-21885095@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/139212 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:LSA Building - 1040 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260227T142231 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:EIHS Lecture: Ordering the Sky: The Atmospherics of Sovereignty in the Hellenistic World DESCRIPTION:This lecture will explore the relationship between unruly weather and ancient kingship\, proposing: first\, a widely acknowledged mode of meteorological legitimacy\; second\, that in certain configurations the atmospheric sky became an available object for management and manipulation\; and third\, that\, in consequence\, it became a landscape for thinking through the limits of sovereignty.\n\nPaul J. Kosmin (Philip J. King Professor of Ancient History at Harvard University) works on the political\, cultural\, and intellectual history of the ancient Greek world\, broadly understood. The core of his work to date has focused on the Hellenistic east – the political landscape that extended from the Greek mainland to India and Central Asia in the last three centuries BCE – and on three broad historical themes: the relationship between empires and systems of knowledge\; the interaction between the Greek world and its Near Eastern neighbors\; and ancient societies’ engagement with the “planetary”.\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg. UID:142520-21891069@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142520 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251208T144938 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T200000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:36th Annual David W. Belin Lecture: Orthodox Jewish Wellness Influencers in the Age of Viral Politics DESCRIPTION:The University of Michigan Frankel Center for Judaic Studies is pleased to announce that Professor Ayala Fader of Fordham University will deliver the 36th Annual David W. Belin Lecture\, titled “Orthodox Jewish Wellness Influencers in the Age of Viral Politics.” \n\nOver the past decade\, frum (Orthodox) Jewish women wellness influencers on social media have become a significant presence. Despite attempts by some rabbis to silence them\, frum influencers in the United States and Israel continue to share intimate details of their everyday lives online\, earning a living through the promotion of products linked to their platforms. Professor Fader’s talk examines the seemingly contradictory worlds these influencers navigate: while claiming new forms of gendered authority\, they simultaneously reinforce traditional Jewish family structures and gender roles.\n\nDrawing inspiration from conservative Christian wellness influencers\, frum influencers create content that asserts Jewish exceptionalism while fostering unexpected exchanges with conservative Christian women. The lecture will consider whether frum social media influencers are subtly promoting illiberal politics through the gendered language of wellness.\n\nAyala Fader is Professor of Anthropology and Jewish Studies at Fordham University. She is the author of the award-winning books Mitzvah Girls (2009) and Hidden Heretics (2020). Professor Fader’s research has been generously supported by numerous fellowships and grants\, including those from the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. As the founding director of Fordham’s New York Center for Public Anthropology & Sociology\, she leads the Demystifying Language Project\, which makes linguistic anthropology a social justice resource for public high schools.\n\n\nABOUT THE BELIN LECTURE:\n\nThe David W. Belin Lecture in American Jewish Affairs was established in 1991 through a generous gift from the late David W. Belin of Des Moines (IA) and New York to provide an academic forum for the discussion of contemporary Jewish life in the United States. As the founding chair of Reform Judaism's Outreach Commission and a founding member of the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous\, Belin served the American Jewish community in numerous leadership roles. His commitment to the future of American Jewry inspired him to endow this annual lectureship\, providing a forum for meaningful discussion of contemporary Jewish life in the United States. UID:141047-21888020@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141047 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan Union - Pendleton Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260224T083317 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260326T200000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Interfaith Photovoice: Discovering Human Connection Through the Lens DESCRIPTION:What if a set of photos could completely transform how you understand your purpose\, the experiences of others\, and the value of humanity? With over 5 billion pictures taken globally every day\, Photovoice uses this powerful medium to foster deeper connections and understanding between participants. In this 90-minute interactive session\, you’ll use photographs to reflect\, share your story\, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others. Whether you're looking to explore your own journey or connect with diverse perspectives\, this innovative experience is designed for everyone. No photography skills are needed—just bring your curiosity and an open mind! Come capture more than just a moment—discover the stories behind the images!\n\nThe theme for February is \"transformation.\" The Lunar New Year\, Lent\, Ramadan\, and the turn into spring all touch on this theme. Snap 3-5 photos that relate to the theme of transformation for you\, and be prepared to share and talk about them with others during this event. \n\nWe strongly encourage you to print the photos or bring them in a slidedeck on your laptop. UID:139184-21885022@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/139184 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan League - Hussey Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891613@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891404@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260309T144814 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T093000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T180000 SUMMARY:Conference / Symposium:Inclusive History Project Summit 2026 DESCRIPTION:Registration: http://myumi.ch/QwEbz\n\nJoin us for the Inclusive History Project Summit on Friday\, March 27\, 2026\, which will bring together students\, faculty\, staff\, alumni\, and the public to explore histories of inclusion and exclusion at the University of Michigan.\n\nAt the Summit\, engage in dialogue about the work of inclusive history\; learn about research\, engagement\, and teaching taking place across the three campuses\; and see student-led projects in a variety of forms. There will also be opportunities for you to share your stories about the University of Michigan.\n\nThe Inclusive History Project Summit is an annual event that is hosted on a different campus each year. Join us for the summit at UM-Flint in 2026!\n\nThe IHP Summit is free and open to all. Registration is encouraged but not required. We will send out reminder emails and event updates when you register. Check back for speakers.\n\nFor more information or questions\, please contact inclusivehistory@umich.edu.\n\n--\n\nSessions\n\nSession 1: Whose History\, Whose University? Power\, Memory\, and Narrative Panel Discussion \n9:30am – 10:45am\n\nPanelists: Camron Michael Amin\, Jay Cook\, and Lisa M. Lapeyrouse.\nModerated by Earl Lewis.\n\nThis panel explores how the Inclusive History Project moves beyond traditional origin stories and what some of its Origins and Trajectories project sites have revealed through the research process. Emphasizing the importance of multiple voices\, perspectives\, oral traditions\, and diverse ways of knowing\, the conversation aims to highlight inclusive history as both a practice and a responsibility\, with each project being discussed illustrating how it does those things. The panel will conclude with a public Q&A.\n\n--\nSession 2: Geographies of Justice and the Changing City Roundtable Discussion\n11:00am – 12/noon\n\nPanelists: Callum Carr-Marquis\, Rodney Brown\, and Benjamin Gaydos.\nTalk and moderation by Shana M. griffin.\n\nThis roundtable discussion will explore the history and impact of urban renewal in Flint\, examining the role of UM-Flint\, patterns of displacement\, and the experiences and voices of affected communities. Participants will also reflect on the power of archives in documenting these histories and discuss the collaborative process behind organizing the Blueprints of Power exhibition. The conversation will conclude by considering future directions for research\, community engagement\, and public storytelling on these issues. The roundtable will conclude with a public Q&A.\n\n--\nSession 3: Make\, Meet\, Learn: Free LUNCH + Drop-in Workshop\, Reflection Activities\, and Community Tabling Fair\n12/noon – 2:00pm\n\nJoin us for a free\, catered lunch and a unique opportunity to build connections\, strengthen networks\, and inspire collective action within the Inclusive History community and beyond. Visit the Community Tabling Fair featuring tri-campus university departments\, local Flint community organizations\, and Inclusive History Project initiatives. Participate in hands-on workshops and activities\, including button-making with Flint artists\, tactile community brainstorming sessions\, and opportunities to share your stories\, ideas\, and reflections. Attendees can also contribute to interactive installations created by U-M undergraduate and graduate students\, such as the Belonging Interactive Photo Mural led by the IHP Student Advisory Committee. Guided tours and a postering session for the Origins of the UM-Flint’s Student Support Services Center Project will be available throughout the event\, offering additional insight into ongoing work and future directions.\n\nFeatured Events:\n\nFrom Protest to Pride: Button-Making as Storytelling\nMake a button at this drop-in button-making workshop led by Flint-based artist and educator My Proulx. Materials\, supplies\, and onsite instruction will be provided.\n\nBelonging Interactive Photo Mural\nJoin us to make your mark and help ensure that our collective history reflects all of us by participating in the Belonging Interactive Photo Mural led by the IHP Student Advisory Committee.\n\nGuided History Tour of UM-Flint’s Student Support Services Centers\nEmbark on a guided history tour of the Student Support Services Centers located throughout the Harding Mott University Center\, the architectural and social heart of UM-Flint’s campus. This tour offers participants the opportunity to move through the building\, explore its design\, and reflect on how student advocacy\, institutional change\, and campus space intersect.\n\n--\nSessions 4\, 5\, and 6: Making Our Stories Heard: Talk\, Question\, and Engage Lightning Talks and Q&A’s by and with IHP practitioners\n1:45pm – 4:30pm (Multiple Sessions):\n\nSession 1〡1:45pm – 2:45pm\n\nSpeakers: Christina Blitchok (The 1956 Project\, UM-Flint)\; Rose Wellman and Amny Shuraydi (Centering Arab American Studies and Students: Past and Present Place-making\, Identity\, and Inclusion at the UM-Dearborn)\; Jodi Mae and David Mori (Towards Community-based Shared Stewardship)\, Wallace Bowie III (Architects of Change: Documenting the Legacy of White & Griffin (Michigan’s First Black Architects)).\n\nSession 2〡3:00pm – 4:00pm\n\nSpeakers: Ivy Forsythe-Brown and Terri Laws (The African and African American Studies Oral History Project)\; Mark Clague\, Cayenne Harris\, and Emily Lyon (Hill Auditorium)\; Yodit Mesfin Johnson and Matthew Countryman (Black Community Conversations on the Past\, Present and Future of Land Use in Ann Arbor)\; Emma Davis (Cultivating Communities of Belonging).\n\nWrap-up and Reflection: 4:00pm – 4:30pm\n\nSpeakers: Lisa Lapeyrouse and Earl Lewis.\n\n--\nSession 7: Spoken Word by Poet\, Activist\, and Flint Native Shea Phire Cobb\n4:30pm – 5:00pm\n\nJoin us for a spoken word performance by poet\, activist\, mother\, musician\, and Flint native Shea Phire Cobb.\n\n--\nSession 8: Blueprints of Power Exhibition Celebration and Inclusive History Project Summit Afterparty\n5:00pm – 6:00pm\n\nGet up close and personal with the Blueprints of Power exhibition and enjoy light fare and music as we wrap up and celebrate the day.\n\n--\nEngage throughout the day:\n\nBlueprints of Power: The University and Urban Renewal in Flint Exhibition\n8:00am – 6:00pm\n\nThe Shape of Repair: An Interactive Installation\n9:30am – 5:30pm\n\nA participatory engagement to spark critical thinking\, imagination\, reflection\, and the exchange of ideas about the outcomes the Inclusive History Project (IHP) is working toward.\n\nWolverine Stories Video Booth by the Inclusive Storytelling Hub\n11:00am – 3:00pm\n\nStep into a video recording booth to tell YOUR story about the University of Michigan. UID:146213-21898663@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/146213 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260305T171044 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T140000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:EIHS Workshop: Identity-Making and the Environment DESCRIPTION:More details forthcoming.\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg. UID:142521-21891070@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142521 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260227T133008 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260329T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260329T180000 SUMMARY:Tours:Bus Tour of Yiddish Detroit DESCRIPTION:Learn about the history of Yiddish Detroit in the places where it happened! From Belle Isle to the suburbs\, we’ll cover a century of Yiddish education\, politics\, literature\, and culture—all intertwined with the urban\, labor\, and social histories of the Motor City from 1900 to the present day.\n\nSEE:\n…a statue which inspired decades of Yiddish cultural activism…\n…the last remaining block of the street once home to Detroit’s Yiddish quarter…\n…the still-standing buildings where students learned to read and write Yiddish literature…\n…and more!\n\nTour guide bio: Nadav Pais-Greenapple is an award-winning public historian\, literary translator\, writer\, and educator born and raised in Southfield\, Michigan. He earned a BA in History and Judaic Studies from Wayne State University and was recently a 2025 YIVO Centennial Scholar. His research\, published in Michigan Jewish History\, In geveb\, and forthcoming in American Jewish History\, focuses on Yiddish life and culture in the industrial Midwest in the early 20th century. His particular interest is in Detroit’s role as a central node in a larger regional\, international network of Yiddish cultural production and activism. His most recent publication for \"In geveb\, 'In Ford’s Factory\,'\" is a translation of Yiddish writer Joseph Opatoshu’s 1929 report on working conditions in Ford’s River Rouge factory complex. UID:146032-21898293@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/146032 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Lobby CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260330T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260330T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891616@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260330T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260330T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891407@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891617@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891408@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893227@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260105T094142 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T133000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Pause Café: French Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and snacks while improving your French skills!\n\n-Chat for 10 minutes or the entire hour. All language levels are welcome.\n\nThe RLL Commons is located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nFor more information contact Alan Ames at (alanames@umich.edu). UID:143171-21892383@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143171 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260303T141552 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260331T200000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:America at 250: History\, Memory\, and Truth DESCRIPTION:Museums are the classrooms of our country. They play a crucial role in helping us understand the nation’s complex past. Join us for a dynamic conversation with Lonnie G. Bunch III\, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and Lynette Clemetson\, Director of Wallace House Center for Journalists\, as they reflect on the significance of the 250th anniversary of the United States. At a moment in which discussions about our shared past and collective future feel especially urgent\, this event offers an opportunity to learn from a leader who has devoted his career to informing and inspiring Americans to strive for the public good. \n\nQ & A will follow and copies of Secretary Bunch's book *A Fool's Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush\, Obama\, and Trump* will be available for purchase.\n\nLonnie G. Bunch III is the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. He assumed his position June 16\, 2019. As Secretary\, he oversees 21 museums\, 21 libraries\, the National Zoo\, numerous research centers\, and several education units and centers. Two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—are in development. Bunch was the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Bunch chronicled the creation of the museum in his book\, *A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush\, Obama\, and Trump*\, and is the first historian to be Secretary of the Institution. Since 2024\, Bunch has been Honorary Professor of Practice at Queen’s University Belfast. A member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences\, Bunch received France’s highest award\, The Legion of Honor\, in 2021.\n\nLynette Clemetson is Director of Wallace House Center for Journalists\, home of the Knight-Wallace Fellowships for Journalists and the Livingston Awards for Young Journalists at the University of Michigan. She came to the university from NPR where she was Senior Director of Strategy and Content Initiatives\, developing and guiding projects across broadcast\, digital and events to develop new audiences. Her career in journalism spans newspapers\, magazines and audio across a range of platforms. As a reporter\, she was a Washington-based correspondent for *The New York Times *and *Newsweek*\, writing about politics\, social issues and demographic change. Prior to her domestic correspondent work\, she was an international correspondent for *Newsweek *based in Hong Kong\, where she covered the former British colony’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. She moved into digital strategy and leadership in 2008 as the founding managing editor of TheRoot.com\, launched for The Washington Post Company with Henry Louis Gates Jr. She is also the former Director of Content Strategy at Pew Center on the States.\n\n*This 2026 Marc and Constance Jacobson Lecture is presented by the Institute for the Humanities in partnership with Wallace House Center for Journalists. Additional support provided by the Initiative for Democracy & Civic Empowerment\, Life-Changing Education\, Museum Studies Program\, U-M Library\, and the U-M Museum of Art*. UID:142899-21891778@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142899 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Rackham Graduate School (Horace H.) - Auditorium CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260401T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260401T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891618@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260401T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260401T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891409@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891619@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260402T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891410@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260403T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260403T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891620@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260406T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260406T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891623@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260406T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260406T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891414@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260107T110452 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260406T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260406T210000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:German Film Series DESCRIPTION:February 2: *Ich bin dein Mensch* (2021\, Maria Schrader)\nIn search of a way to finance her studies\, Alma Fesler (Maren Eggert) agrees to participate in an experimental study: she will live with a humanoid robot for three weeks. This sci-fi romance takes audiences to the edges of rationality\, longing\, and what it means to be human.\n\nMarch 9: *Woyzeck* (1979\, Werner Herzog)\nBased on the drama fragment by Georg Büchner\, this film adaptation follows Franz Woyzeck (Klaus Kinski)\, an aimless\, low-ranking soldier attempting to find his footing while stationed in mid-nineteenth century provincial Germany.\n\nApril 6: *Yella* (2012\, Petzold) \nThis enigmatic thriller haunted by capitalism follows Yella Fichte (Nina Hoss) who\, freshly separated from her ex-husband and about to embark on a new life in Hanover\, enters a surreal world of money making schemes.\n\nRegistration is requested by not required.\n6:00pm: Pizza\n6:30pm: Film UID:143360-21892951@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143360 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Quad - 2435 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891624@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891415@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260224T110822 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T113000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Eat Off Art Poetry Workshop DESCRIPTION:In a vibrant celebration of National Poetry Month\, the dynamic duo behind the art collective Eat Off Art\, Edreys and Alexa Wajed\, spend three action-packed days immersed in poetry\, art\, creative expression and social responsibility at the Institute for the Humanities.\n\nToday: This workshop invites participants into expressive\, freeform creativity through guided exercises that nurture reflection and self-discovery. Open to poets of all levels—from beginners to experienced writers—it offers a welcoming space to explore your voice. Together\, participants will craft affirmations and distill them into haiku and short poems—transforming personal insight into a heartfelt love letter to oneself.\n\nAbout Eat Off Art:\nEat Off Art\, founded by Alexa and Edreys Wajed\, is a creative design agency focused on building community based in Buffalo\, NY. It is a multi-dimensional agency\, platform\, and affirmation all in one\, providing transformative experiences through creativity\, food\, and art\, countering the adage of the “starving artist\,” in subscription to a new narrative of “thriving artists.”\n\nAbout Edreys: \nEdreys is an artist\, educator\, emcee\, poet\, playwright\, and entrepreneur. His positivity and creativity stem from a desire to inspire others.\n\nAbout Alexa:\nAlexa is a chef\, jewelry designer\, and businesswoman who blends her savvy to empower others to eat off their art. UID:142789-21891534@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142789 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:South Thayer Building, Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, 202 S. Thayer CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893228@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260105T094142 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T133000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Pause Café: French Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and snacks while improving your French skills!\n\n-Chat for 10 minutes or the entire hour. All language levels are welcome.\n\nThe RLL Commons is located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nFor more information contact Alan Ames at (alanames@umich.edu). UID:143171-21892384@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143171 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260224T110822 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260407T143000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Eat Off Art Poetry Workshop DESCRIPTION:In a vibrant celebration of National Poetry Month\, the dynamic duo behind the art collective Eat Off Art\, Edreys and Alexa Wajed\, spend three action-packed days immersed in poetry\, art\, creative expression and social responsibility at the Institute for the Humanities.\n\nToday: This workshop invites participants into expressive\, freeform creativity through guided exercises that nurture reflection and self-discovery. Open to poets of all levels—from beginners to experienced writers—it offers a welcoming space to explore your voice. Together\, participants will craft affirmations and distill them into haiku and short poems—transforming personal insight into a heartfelt love letter to oneself.\n\nAbout Eat Off Art:\nEat Off Art\, founded by Alexa and Edreys Wajed\, is a creative design agency focused on building community based in Buffalo\, NY. It is a multi-dimensional agency\, platform\, and affirmation all in one\, providing transformative experiences through creativity\, food\, and art\, countering the adage of the “starving artist\,” in subscription to a new narrative of “thriving artists.”\n\nAbout Edreys: \nEdreys is an artist\, educator\, emcee\, poet\, playwright\, and entrepreneur. His positivity and creativity stem from a desire to inspire others.\n\nAbout Alexa:\nAlexa is a chef\, jewelry designer\, and businesswoman who blends her savvy to empower others to eat off their art. UID:142789-21891535@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142789 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:South Thayer Building, Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, 202 S. Thayer CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891625@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891416@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20250904T085750 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T130000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:DAAS Faculty Forum DESCRIPTION:In the spirit of creating stronger departmental connections\, DAAS is presenting a faculty forum in honor of DAAS's 55th anniversary. Members of the DAAS faculty will discuss their projects\, research\, and/or publications to share more about their work and interests. The DAAS Faculty Forum will be held monthly on Wednesdays at noon.\n\nSeptember 17 - Stephen Ward\, Associate Director of the Residential College\; Arthur F Thurnau Professor\; Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Associate Professor in the Residential College\n\nOctober 22 - Magdalena Zaborowska\, Chair and Professor of American Culture\, Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nNovember 5 - Jessica Walker\, Assistant Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Assistant Professor of American Culture\n\nDecember 3 - Al Young Jr.\, Associate Director of Center for Social Solutions\; Arthur F Thurnau Professor\; Edgar G. Epps Collegiate Professor of Sociology\; Professor of Afroamerican and African studies\; Professor of Public Policy\n\nJanuary 21- Aliyah Khan\, Director of the Global Islamic Studies Center\, International Institute\; Associate Professor of English\; Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nFebruary 18 - Scott Ellsworth\, Teaching Professor in Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nMarch 25 - Saraellen Strongman\, Assistant Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\n\nApril 8 - David Doris\, Associate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies\; Associate Professor of African Art and Visual Culture UID:137882-21881027@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/137882 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Haven Hall - 4701 Haven Hall (DAAS Conference Room) CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260224T111055 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T140000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Eating Off Art Creative Writing Workshop led by Edreys and Alexa Wajed DESCRIPTION:In a vibrant celebration of National Poetry Month\, the dynamic duo behind the art collective Eat Off Art\, Edreys and Alexa Wajed\, spend three action-packed days immersed in poetry\, art\, creative expression and social responsibility at the Institute for the Humanities.\n\nToday: Explore playful\, generative approaches to self-investigation through prose\, poetry\, and expressive storytelling. Drawing from lived experience or creative imagination\, participants will experiment with voice and form in a supportive space\, with a strongly encouraged share-out at the end.\n\nOpen to writers\, nonwriters\, and the writing-curious—no prior experience necessary. Brunch included. \n\nWhat to Expect:\n-Guided prompts to support independent writing\n-Time to refine and rehearse your creative process\n-Community\, conversation\, and a good time\n\nAbout Eat Off Art:\nEat Off Art\, founded by Alexa and Edreys Wajed\, is a creative design agency focused on building community based in Buffalo\, NY. It is a multi-dimensional agency\, platform\, and affirmation all in one\, providing transformative experiences through creativity\, food\, and art\, countering the adage of the “starving artist\,” in subscription to a new narrative of “thriving artists.”\n\nAbout Edreys:\nEdreys is an artist\, educator\, emcee\, poet\, playwright\, and entrepreneur. His positivity and creativity stem from a desire to inspire others.\n\nAbout Alexa:\nAlexa is a chef\, jewelry designer\, and businesswoman who blends her savvy to empower others to eat off their art. UID:142790-21891536@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142790 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, South Thayer Building, 202 S. Thayer CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T151229 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260408T200000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:*This Is Not a Film* DESCRIPTION:This clandestine documentary\, shot partially on an iPhone and smuggled into France in a cake for a last-minute submission to Cannes\, depicts the day-to-day life of acclaimed director Jafar Panahi (*Offside*\, *The Circle*) during his house arrest in his Tehran apartment. While appealing his sentence - six years in prison and a 20 year ban from filmmaking - Panahi is seen talking to his family and lawyer on the phone\, discussing his plight with Mirtahmasb and reflecting on the meaning of the art of filmmaking. In Persian with English subtitles.\n\nThe film is being shown in conjunction with Sheida Soleimani's exhibition Flyways at the Institute for the Humanities March 19 - May 1\, 2026 and will be followed by a conversation with Sheida Soleimani\, Matthew Biro (History of Art)\, moderated by arts curator Amanda Krugliak.\n\nFree and open to the public. No ticket necessary. UID:142816-21891710@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142816 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891626@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891417@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251218T113333 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260409T200000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Student Org Potluck DESCRIPTION:Check back soon for more info. UID:142901-21891780@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142901 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanites Osterman Common Room and Lobby CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260410T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260410T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891627@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260410T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260410T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891418@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260413T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260413T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891630@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260413T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260413T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891421@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T152616 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260413T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260413T163000 SUMMARY:Presentation:Acolyte in the Bird-while DESCRIPTION:In conjunction with Sheida Soleimani's exhibition *Flyways *at the Institute for the Humanities March 19 - May\, acclaimed poet\, writer\, and Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing Keith Taylor will read from his collections of poems\, including selections from *The Bird-while* (Wayne State University Press\, 2017)\, a meditation on the nature―both human and non-human―that surrounds us daily.\n\nThis event includes a book signing. Copies of Taylor’s *The Bird-while*\, as well as *All the Time You Want: Selected Poems* (Dzanc Books\, 2024) and *What Can the Matter Be?* (Wayne State University Press\, 2024)\, will be available for purchase through Literati Bookstore. UID:142819-21891712@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142819 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room, #1022 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891631@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891422@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893229@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260205T114606 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Is There a Path Forward? Two Views from the Gaza Border DESCRIPTION:Part of the Samantha Woll Dialogues\, Raoul Wallenberg Institute Director Jeffrey Veidlinger will moderate an exchange between Jonathan Dekel-Chen (Chair in Soviet & East European Jewry at the Hebrew University and father of a former Israeli hostage) and Mkhaimar Abusada (Associate Professor\, Al-Azhar University of Gaza) about how neighbors across borders ravaged by war can seek a better future. UID:137007-21879406@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/137007 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan Union - Union Anderson Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260225T184437 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T190000 SUMMARY:Presentation:Roxane Gay Reading and Q&A DESCRIPTION:Acclaimed writer and cultural critic Roxane Gay will read from her work and participate in a Q&A. Dr. Gay's books will be available for purchase and signing. All are welcome to this free event co-sponsored by the Hopwood Awards Program and The Spectrum Center. UID:136074-21877812@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/136074 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan League - Ballroom CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251216T151149 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260414T200000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:All That Breathes DESCRIPTION:Shaunak Sen’s *All That Breathes *reinvents the environmental documentary by portraying\, in incisive yet lyrical fashion\, the reciprocal influence of animals and humans. For more than a year\, Sen followed New Delhi brothers Mohammad Saud and Nadeem Shehzad as they rescued birds of prey from the increasingly destructive effects of urban pollution. In Hindi with English subtitles.\n\nThe film is being shown in conjunction with Sheida Soleimani's exhibition Flyways at the Institute for the Humanities March 19 - May.\n\nFree and open to the public. No ticket necessary. UID:142817-21891711@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142817 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Off Campus Location CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891632@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260415T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891423@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891633@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891424@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20250930T101850 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T143000 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Dialogue and Donuts DESCRIPTION:Come enjoy a sweet treat and make new friends while testing out U-M's new conversation game\, The Pluralism Playdeck. The Pluralism Playdeck is a low-key scaffolded card game designed to allow university students to practice the soft skills they need to engage in compassionate and honest conversations about hot-button issues across ideological and demographic differences. You'll learn about yourself. You'll learn about others. You'll develop a skill set that will serve you well in both social and professional settings. UID:139212-21885096@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/139212 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:LSA Building - 1040 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260130T122651 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:EIHS Lecture: A Pretense of Ownership: The Peremptory Enslavement of Rose Bazile (Port-au-Prince\, Santiago de Cuba\, New Orleans) DESCRIPTION:Almost a decade after the Haitian Revolution led to the abolition of slavery in the French colony of Saint-Domingue\, Napoleon Bonaparte sent an expeditionary force to try to crush the Revolution and reverse emancipation. Though he failed on both counts\, the destruction his assault unleashed turned thousands into refugees. Among those who fled in 1803 were a man born in southern France named Pierre Bazy\, an African-born woman named Gertrude\, and Gertrude’s child named Rose.\n\nUpon arrival in Cuba and later in Louisiana\, Pierre claimed to own Rose\, and thus to control her labor\, her behavior\, and access to her body. Rose nonetheless found ways to live according to her own contrary claim to free status\, and to document that freedom. Enraged\, Pierre reported her to the New Orleans police as marronne (a runaway from slavery)\, leading to her arrest and jailing. Soon judges\, lawyers\, and dozens of witnesses had to address in court variants of the question: What is evidence of ownership\, and what is evidence of freedom? Or\, as we might put it: What could keep the legal fiction of property in a person afloat\, and what might sink it?\n\nThis event presented by the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible in part by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg. UID:142524-21891076@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142524 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Tisch Hall - 1014 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260224T083317 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260416T180000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Interfaith Photovoice: Discovering Human Connection Through the Lens DESCRIPTION:What if a set of photos could completely transform how you understand your purpose\, the experiences of others\, and the value of humanity? With over 5 billion pictures taken globally every day\, Photovoice uses this powerful medium to foster deeper connections and understanding between participants. In this 90-minute interactive session\, you’ll use photographs to reflect\, share your story\, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others. Whether you're looking to explore your own journey or connect with diverse perspectives\, this innovative experience is designed for everyone. No photography skills are needed—just bring your curiosity and an open mind! Come capture more than just a moment—discover the stories behind the images!\n\nThe theme for February is \"transformation.\" The Lunar New Year\, Lent\, Ramadan\, and the turn into spring all touch on this theme. Snap 3-5 photos that relate to the theme of transformation for you\, and be prepared to share and talk about them with others during this event. \n\nWe strongly encourage you to print the photos or bring them in a slidedeck on your laptop. UID:139184-21886549@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/139184 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Quad - Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891634@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891425@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260129T092412 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T124500 SUMMARY:Social / Informal Gathering:Bate-Papo: Portuguese Conversation Hour DESCRIPTION:-Enjoy coffee\, tea\, and light snacks while improving your Portuguese! All language levels are welcome.\n\n-Meet in the RLL Commons: located in the center hallway of the 4th floor of the Modern Languages Building.\n\nQuestions? Contact Maria Teresa Mattos at (mtmattos@umich.edu). UID:143753-21893745@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143753 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - RLL Commons, 4314 MLB CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260119T102915 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T133000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260417T150000 SUMMARY:Workshop / Seminar:Two Steps Forward\, One Step Back: How Progress Steadiness Affects Motivation DESCRIPTION:Rarely is the path to goal accomplishment perfectly smooth. Making progress on everyday goals is often unsteady\, in that each unit of effort or time spent generates unequal results. In this research\, we examine how progress steadiness affects motivation. Although unsteady goal progress is common in both work and personal pursuits\, we suggest that goal pursuers find it discouraging. We hypothesize that even when goal progress is equal in amount and speed\, unsteady (vs. steady) progress decreases people’s sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue\, and increases quitting. Across a variety of goal domains\, findings from vignette experiments\, recall studies\, and real-time achievement tasks support these hypotheses. We also explore the mediating psychological variables and identify how manipulations targeting expectations about progress steadiness and encouraging a more abstract view of progress can reduce the negative effects of unsteady progress. UID:141752-21889313@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/141752 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Ross School of Business - R2240 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260218T094424 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260419T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260419T180000 SUMMARY:Conference / Symposium:Symposium on Judaism and Film DESCRIPTION:This symposium celebrates the forthcoming 38-chapter volume The Oxford Handbook of Judaism and Film edited by Olga Gershenson. This volume offers the first comprehensive survey of the flourishing interdisciplinary field\, while challenging the geographic and conceptual boundaries of Jewish cinema. For too long\, the field has circled around a narrow set of places and stories\, about immigration\, assimilation\, antisemitism\, and the Holocaust. This Handbook proposes a broader\, more capacious understanding of Jewish film—one that moves past the assumption that Jewishness on screen must be mimetic\, historical\, or tied to the US\, Europe\, and Israel. Highlighting new research on Jews on and off screen in India\, Ethiopia\, Turkey\, Mexico\, the Arab world\, and beyond\, the contributions show how Jewishness operates as a global interpretive mode rather than a fixed set of themes. This expanded lens reveals how Jewish frames of thinking\, cultural practices\, and historical experiences structure filmmaking and spectatorship across wildly diverse geographies and contexts. The result challenges old stereotypes and opens up a bigger\, more complex world of Jewish film.\n\nThis symposium is an experimental and experiential format. Instead of formal presentations\, we will have three kinds of sessions: Salons\, Classrooms\, and Screenings.\n\nSUNDAY\, APRIL 19\nMichigan League\, Koessler Room (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:30 AM Welcome\n10:30-11:15 AM Session 1: Judaism in Hollywood Biblical Epics\n11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Session 2: Jews in Indian Cinemas\n12:30 - 2:15 PM Lunch Break\n2:15 - 3:00 PM Session 3: Reading Jewish Films as Jewish Texts \n3:15 - 4:15 PM Session 4: Disability films and the Aftermath of the Holocaust\n4:30 - 5:15 PM Session 5: Pedagogy\, Judaism\, and Film\n\n\nMONDAY\, APRIL 20\nMichigan League\, Room D (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:45 AM Session 6: Fashion and Whiteness in American Jewish Immigration Films\n11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Session 7: Judaism on Screen: from “Off the Derech” to Haredi \n12:15 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break \n2:00 - 2:45 PM Session 8: Erwin Leiser’s Holocaust Documentary \"Mein Kampf\" (1960)\n3:00 - 4:00 PM Session 9: Jewish Film Festivals\n4:15 - 5:00 PM Session 10: Jewishness in Post-Stalinist Soviet Cinema and TV\n\nRackham Graduate School\, Amphitheater (4th Floor)\n6:30 - 8:30 PM Film Screening: \"Sabbath Queen\" (2024\, dir. Sandi Simcha DuBowski\, USA\, 105 min)\n8:30 - 9:00 PM Session 11: Post-screening Discussion\n\nThis feature documentary follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel\, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul\, a pop-up experimental congregation. Sabbath Queen joins Amichai as he reinvents religion and ritual\, challenges patriarchy and supremacy\, champions interfaith love\, and stands up for peace and an end to the Occupation in Israel/Palestine.\nTrailer\n\n\nTUESDAY\, APRIL 21\nMichigan League\, Koessler Room (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:45 AM Session 12: Ethiopian Jews on Screens\n11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Session 13: Jews in Arab Cinemas\n12:15 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break\n2:00 - 2:45 PM Session 14: Jewish-Muslim Relations in Film\n3:00 - 4:00 PM Session 15: Jewish British Cinema\n \nRackham Graduate School\, Amphitheater (4th Floor)\n6:30 - 8:30 PM Film Screening: \"My One and Only\" (2025\, dir. David Tauber\, Israel\, 104 min.)\n8:30 - 9:00 PM Session 16: Post-screening Discussion\n\nWeeks after giving birth to her first child\, a young ultra-Orthodox woman arrives at her rabbi's wife's home\, claiming her husband has been replaced. He looks identical\, but she insists he's a double. Does she need psychiatric care\, or is her husband a demon? This mystery drama can be read as a nuanced exploration of how people change in relationships or as a new instance of Israeli horror productions.\n\n\nCo-Sponsors: \nDepartment of Film\, Television\, and Media\nAnn Arbor Jewish Film Festival UID:143267-21892604@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143267 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan League - Koessler Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891637@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891428@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260218T094424 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T180000 SUMMARY:Conference / Symposium:Symposium on Judaism and Film DESCRIPTION:This symposium celebrates the forthcoming 38-chapter volume The Oxford Handbook of Judaism and Film edited by Olga Gershenson. This volume offers the first comprehensive survey of the flourishing interdisciplinary field\, while challenging the geographic and conceptual boundaries of Jewish cinema. For too long\, the field has circled around a narrow set of places and stories\, about immigration\, assimilation\, antisemitism\, and the Holocaust. This Handbook proposes a broader\, more capacious understanding of Jewish film—one that moves past the assumption that Jewishness on screen must be mimetic\, historical\, or tied to the US\, Europe\, and Israel. Highlighting new research on Jews on and off screen in India\, Ethiopia\, Turkey\, Mexico\, the Arab world\, and beyond\, the contributions show how Jewishness operates as a global interpretive mode rather than a fixed set of themes. This expanded lens reveals how Jewish frames of thinking\, cultural practices\, and historical experiences structure filmmaking and spectatorship across wildly diverse geographies and contexts. The result challenges old stereotypes and opens up a bigger\, more complex world of Jewish film.\n\nThis symposium is an experimental and experiential format. Instead of formal presentations\, we will have three kinds of sessions: Salons\, Classrooms\, and Screenings.\n\nSUNDAY\, APRIL 19\nMichigan League\, Koessler Room (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:30 AM Welcome\n10:30-11:15 AM Session 1: Judaism in Hollywood Biblical Epics\n11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Session 2: Jews in Indian Cinemas\n12:30 - 2:15 PM Lunch Break\n2:15 - 3:00 PM Session 3: Reading Jewish Films as Jewish Texts \n3:15 - 4:15 PM Session 4: Disability films and the Aftermath of the Holocaust\n4:30 - 5:15 PM Session 5: Pedagogy\, Judaism\, and Film\n\n\nMONDAY\, APRIL 20\nMichigan League\, Room D (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:45 AM Session 6: Fashion and Whiteness in American Jewish Immigration Films\n11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Session 7: Judaism on Screen: from “Off the Derech” to Haredi \n12:15 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break \n2:00 - 2:45 PM Session 8: Erwin Leiser’s Holocaust Documentary \"Mein Kampf\" (1960)\n3:00 - 4:00 PM Session 9: Jewish Film Festivals\n4:15 - 5:00 PM Session 10: Jewishness in Post-Stalinist Soviet Cinema and TV\n\nRackham Graduate School\, Amphitheater (4th Floor)\n6:30 - 8:30 PM Film Screening: \"Sabbath Queen\" (2024\, dir. Sandi Simcha DuBowski\, USA\, 105 min)\n8:30 - 9:00 PM Session 11: Post-screening Discussion\n\nThis feature documentary follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel\, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul\, a pop-up experimental congregation. Sabbath Queen joins Amichai as he reinvents religion and ritual\, challenges patriarchy and supremacy\, champions interfaith love\, and stands up for peace and an end to the Occupation in Israel/Palestine.\nTrailer\n\n\nTUESDAY\, APRIL 21\nMichigan League\, Koessler Room (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:45 AM Session 12: Ethiopian Jews on Screens\n11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Session 13: Jews in Arab Cinemas\n12:15 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break\n2:00 - 2:45 PM Session 14: Jewish-Muslim Relations in Film\n3:00 - 4:00 PM Session 15: Jewish British Cinema\n \nRackham Graduate School\, Amphitheater (4th Floor)\n6:30 - 8:30 PM Film Screening: \"My One and Only\" (2025\, dir. David Tauber\, Israel\, 104 min.)\n8:30 - 9:00 PM Session 16: Post-screening Discussion\n\nWeeks after giving birth to her first child\, a young ultra-Orthodox woman arrives at her rabbi's wife's home\, claiming her husband has been replaced. He looks identical\, but she insists he's a double. Does she need psychiatric care\, or is her husband a demon? This mystery drama can be read as a nuanced exploration of how people change in relationships or as a new instance of Israeli horror productions.\n\n\nCo-Sponsors: \nDepartment of Film\, Television\, and Media\nAnn Arbor Jewish Film Festival UID:143267-21892605@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143267 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan League - Room D CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260218T094507 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260420T200000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:\"Sabbath Queen\" (2024) Film Screening DESCRIPTION:This feature documentary follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel\, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul\, a pop-up experimental congregation. Sabbath Queen joins Amichai as he reinvents religion and ritual\, challenges patriarchy and supremacy\, champions interfaith love\, and stands up for peace and an end to the Occupation in Israel/Palestine. UID:145530-21897475@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145530 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Rackham Graduate School (Horace H.) - Amphitheater CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891638@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891429@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260108T095119 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T110000 SUMMARY:Recreational / Games:Schokoladenstunde DESCRIPTION:German Lecturer\, Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu)\, brings German chocolate to snack on and games to play (e.g. Tabu)\, all while chatting in German. UID:143465-21893230@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143465 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Modern Languages Building - 3110 CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260218T094424 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T180000 SUMMARY:Conference / Symposium:Symposium on Judaism and Film DESCRIPTION:This symposium celebrates the forthcoming 38-chapter volume The Oxford Handbook of Judaism and Film edited by Olga Gershenson. This volume offers the first comprehensive survey of the flourishing interdisciplinary field\, while challenging the geographic and conceptual boundaries of Jewish cinema. For too long\, the field has circled around a narrow set of places and stories\, about immigration\, assimilation\, antisemitism\, and the Holocaust. This Handbook proposes a broader\, more capacious understanding of Jewish film—one that moves past the assumption that Jewishness on screen must be mimetic\, historical\, or tied to the US\, Europe\, and Israel. Highlighting new research on Jews on and off screen in India\, Ethiopia\, Turkey\, Mexico\, the Arab world\, and beyond\, the contributions show how Jewishness operates as a global interpretive mode rather than a fixed set of themes. This expanded lens reveals how Jewish frames of thinking\, cultural practices\, and historical experiences structure filmmaking and spectatorship across wildly diverse geographies and contexts. The result challenges old stereotypes and opens up a bigger\, more complex world of Jewish film.\n\nThis symposium is an experimental and experiential format. Instead of formal presentations\, we will have three kinds of sessions: Salons\, Classrooms\, and Screenings.\n\nSUNDAY\, APRIL 19\nMichigan League\, Koessler Room (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:30 AM Welcome\n10:30-11:15 AM Session 1: Judaism in Hollywood Biblical Epics\n11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Session 2: Jews in Indian Cinemas\n12:30 - 2:15 PM Lunch Break\n2:15 - 3:00 PM Session 3: Reading Jewish Films as Jewish Texts \n3:15 - 4:15 PM Session 4: Disability films and the Aftermath of the Holocaust\n4:30 - 5:15 PM Session 5: Pedagogy\, Judaism\, and Film\n\n\nMONDAY\, APRIL 20\nMichigan League\, Room D (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:45 AM Session 6: Fashion and Whiteness in American Jewish Immigration Films\n11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Session 7: Judaism on Screen: from “Off the Derech” to Haredi \n12:15 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break \n2:00 - 2:45 PM Session 8: Erwin Leiser’s Holocaust Documentary \"Mein Kampf\" (1960)\n3:00 - 4:00 PM Session 9: Jewish Film Festivals\n4:15 - 5:00 PM Session 10: Jewishness in Post-Stalinist Soviet Cinema and TV\n\nRackham Graduate School\, Amphitheater (4th Floor)\n6:30 - 8:30 PM Film Screening: \"Sabbath Queen\" (2024\, dir. Sandi Simcha DuBowski\, USA\, 105 min)\n8:30 - 9:00 PM Session 11: Post-screening Discussion\n\nThis feature documentary follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel\, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul\, a pop-up experimental congregation. Sabbath Queen joins Amichai as he reinvents religion and ritual\, challenges patriarchy and supremacy\, champions interfaith love\, and stands up for peace and an end to the Occupation in Israel/Palestine.\nTrailer\n\n\nTUESDAY\, APRIL 21\nMichigan League\, Koessler Room (3rd Floor)\n10:00 - 10:45 AM Session 12: Ethiopian Jews on Screens\n11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Session 13: Jews in Arab Cinemas\n12:15 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break\n2:00 - 2:45 PM Session 14: Jewish-Muslim Relations in Film\n3:00 - 4:00 PM Session 15: Jewish British Cinema\n \nRackham Graduate School\, Amphitheater (4th Floor)\n6:30 - 8:30 PM Film Screening: \"My One and Only\" (2025\, dir. David Tauber\, Israel\, 104 min.)\n8:30 - 9:00 PM Session 16: Post-screening Discussion\n\nWeeks after giving birth to her first child\, a young ultra-Orthodox woman arrives at her rabbi's wife's home\, claiming her husband has been replaced. He looks identical\, but she insists he's a double. Does she need psychiatric care\, or is her husband a demon? This mystery drama can be read as a nuanced exploration of how people change in relationships or as a new instance of Israeli horror productions.\n\n\nCo-Sponsors: \nDepartment of Film\, Television\, and Media\nAnn Arbor Jewish Film Festival UID:143267-21892606@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/143267 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Michigan League - Koessler Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260218T094441 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260421T210000 SUMMARY:Film Screening:\"My One and Only\" (2025) Film Screening DESCRIPTION:Weeks after giving birth to her first child\, a young ultra-Orthodox woman arrives at her rabbi's wife's home\, claiming her husband has been replaced. He looks identical\, but she insists he's a double. Does she need psychiatric care\, or is her husband a demon? This mystery drama can be read as a nuanced exploration of how people change in relationships or as a new instance of Israeli horror productions. UID:145532-21897477@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/145532 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Rackham Graduate School (Horace H.) - Amphitheater CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891639@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251218T114133 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T120000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Momentary Landscape DESCRIPTION:Diane Lavoie’s *Momentary Landscape* project is a site-specific pop-up installation located on the U-M campus grounds in close proximity to the School for Environment and Sustainability. The project intends to engage the campus community by embedding large textile panels into the tree line. All of the textiles will be made from up-cycled materials\, showcasing sustainability and environmental issues. Taking inspiration from the foliage of southeast Michigan\, Lavoie’s on-campus interventions aim to celebrate the positive impact of the beautiful campus landscape on our everyday experiences. The project offers students and visitors a restorative and joyful experience through public art installation. UID:142904-21891781@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142904 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Dana Natural Resources Building - Outdoors between the Dana Building and the 1100 North University Building CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891430@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251218T114754 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260422T173000 SUMMARY:Lecture / Discussion:Momentary Landscape Artist Talk & Opening Reception DESCRIPTION:Please join us for the opening reception of Diane Lavoie’s debut Michigan exhibition *Momentary Landscapes*. Lavoie will be in conversation with curator Amanda Krugliak about her art practice. Following the talk\, there will a be a guided walk with the artist to view the installation.\n\nAbout the installation:\nDiane Lavoie’s *Momentary Landscape* project is a site-specific pop-up installation located on the U-M campus grounds in close proximity to the School for Environment and Sustainability. The project intends to engage the campus community by embedding large textile panels into the tree line. All of the textiles will be made from up-cycled materials\, showcasing sustainability and environmental issues. Taking inspiration from the foliage of southeast Michigan\, Lavoie’s on-campus interventions aim to celebrate the positive impact of the beautiful campus landscape on our everyday experiences. The project offers students and visitors a restorative and joyful experience through public art installation.\n\nAbout the artist:\nDiane Lavoie is a North American visual artist based in Berlin\, Germany. Her art represents a dialogue between the natural and artificial world\, and explores the boundaries between reality and perception. In her practice\, Lavoie creates large-scale\, textile representations of natural environments in contrast and connection with the actual environs surrounding them. Lavoie holds an MFA in painting from California State University Long Beach and a BFA in illustration from Massachusetts College of Art. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in private and public collections in the US and Europe. UID:142905-21891795@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142905 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Osterman Common Room CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891640@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251218T114133 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T120000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Momentary Landscape DESCRIPTION:Diane Lavoie’s *Momentary Landscape* project is a site-specific pop-up installation located on the U-M campus grounds in close proximity to the School for Environment and Sustainability. The project intends to engage the campus community by embedding large textile panels into the tree line. All of the textiles will be made from up-cycled materials\, showcasing sustainability and environmental issues. Taking inspiration from the foliage of southeast Michigan\, Lavoie’s on-campus interventions aim to celebrate the positive impact of the beautiful campus landscape on our everyday experiences. The project offers students and visitors a restorative and joyful experience through public art installation. UID:142904-21891782@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142904 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Dana Natural Resources Building - Outdoors between the Dana Building and the 1100 North University Building CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260423T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891431@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260210T131912 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Flyways DESCRIPTION:Iranian-American artist Sheida Soleimani explores themes of migration\, political exile\, queerness\, and environmental crisis through the wildly imaginative and intricate scenarios she first stages in her studio. The tableaus—which often include live animals\, props\, even her parents—are then photographed\, documenting the artist’s process. Each photograph becomes a part of Soleimani’s rich visual storytelling. \n\n*Flyways *presents a series of new photographs that include images evocative of her family’s history and migration story in juxtaposition with images of injured birds that are representative of Soleimani’s work as a wildlife rehabilitator. (In 2018\, Soleimani founded Congress of Birds\, a wild bird rehabilitation center in Rhode Island.) The change in her practice to include bird rescue results in a revolutionary body of work steeped in passion and articulated in a completely original visual language. Learn more at https://lsa.umich.edu/humanities/gallery/current-exhibitions/sheida-soleimani.html. UID:142798-21891641@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142798 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:202 S. Thayer - Institute for the Humanities Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251218T114133 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T120000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Momentary Landscape DESCRIPTION:Diane Lavoie’s *Momentary Landscape* project is a site-specific pop-up installation located on the U-M campus grounds in close proximity to the School for Environment and Sustainability. The project intends to engage the campus community by embedding large textile panels into the tree line. All of the textiles will be made from up-cycled materials\, showcasing sustainability and environmental issues. Taking inspiration from the foliage of southeast Michigan\, Lavoie’s on-campus interventions aim to celebrate the positive impact of the beautiful campus landscape on our everyday experiences. The project offers students and visitors a restorative and joyful experience through public art installation. UID:142904-21891783@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142904 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:Dana Natural Resources Building - Outdoors between the Dana Building and the 1100 North University Building CONTACT: END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20251215T163232 DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260424T170000 SUMMARY:Exhibition:Terence Swafford Exhibition DESCRIPTION:This exhibition showcases a decade of artist Terry Swafford’s work in Detroit\, marking the culmination of years spent composing scenes from the untamed edges of urban communities. These paintings serve as a visual record of Detroit’s transformation\, capturing humanity’s impact on the environment alongside nature’s persistent efforts to reclaim these spaces. As the city continues to change\, many of these depicted scenes are vanishing\, no longer visible in the landscape today. The significance of this documentation goes beyond mere nostalgia\; it invites viewers to reflect on the dynamic interplay between urban development and ecological restoration\, prompting a deeper understanding of how cities evolve while retaining traces of their history.\n\nSwafford’s paintings are created on location and in one session. The natural conditions\, including light\, shadow\, and atmosphere\, change dramatically from hour to hour and day to day\, forcing the artist to respond quickly and decisively. This approach\, born of a direct engagement with the subject and the fleeting nature of the scene\, along with his wet-on-wet technique\, keeps the work fresh and immediate. By immersing himself in the environment\, Swafford captures the diverse textures and vibrant colors that characterize Detroit’s landscape\, imbuing his work with a sense of urgency and spontaneity. Each brushstroke conveys a commitment not only to visual accuracy but also to emotional resonance\, as he strives to encapsulate the spirit of a place that is both loved and contested.\n\nIn addition to these works\, the artist constantly sketches ideas both for paintings and for designing projects in his business. These sketches serve as visual language\, helping him clarify and refine his concepts before bringing them to life. They become a means to communicate ideas to clients and his crew and become an extension of his voice—an academic exercise rooted in artistic practice that fosters collaboration and innovation. The act of sketching also reflects his evolving relationship with the city\, as each drawing encapsulates fleeting moments of inspiration drawn directly from his surroundings. This duality of function—creating art for exhibition and conceptualizing designs for projects—demonstrates Swafford’s versatility and adaptability as an artist.\n\nSwafford received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design\, and while at RISD\, he was part of the European Honors Program. His education not only honed his technical skills but also broadened his artistic perspective through exposure to varied artistic traditions. He has shown his work in both solo and group exhibitions in Chicago\, Kansas City\, and New York State. Each exhibition serves as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his ability to engage diverse audiences\, offering them an opportunity to explore the complex narratives woven into each landscape. UID:142768-21891432@events.umich.edu URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/142768 CLASS:PUBLIC STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:Humanities LOCATION:North Campus Research Complex Building 18 - Connections Gallery CONTACT: END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR