last night’s walk in the park
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“it is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam.
this crisp winter air is full of it.”
-john burroughs
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argo park, ann arbor, michigan, usa – february 2021
WDIV-TV shares a recently discovered local treasure –
When glass artist Shawn Bungo and his wife moved to Ann Arbor from Knoxville, Tennessee six months ago, they knew moving to a new city during a pandemic would be a challenge. No stranger to community collaboration, Bungo decided to engage with locals through virtual scavenger hunts for small glass works he would hide across town — and they were an overnight hit. He originally started the tradition while going on walks with his dog, Leo, in Knoxville.
“Being a glass artist, you have a lot of pieces that don’t come out, so that’s what started that,” said Bungo. “When I moved up here, after the pandemic started, I started doing that again where I would just go around and randomly hide things and put my card with them — typically in downtown Ann Arbor. I really connected with the community with that.”
On his many walks, Bungo became fascinated with the city’s numerous Little Free Libraries. He shifted his scavenger hunts to showcase the various library boxes around town — which inspired him to relaunch a project he created in Knoxville.
“I just recently put it back up two weeks ago and I shared it with the Ann Arbor Townies group on Facebook,” said Bungo. “As soon as I did that, I almost immediately got people involved in it and it’s been really fun.”
He said he’s received about a dozen miniature paintings and other small items in the 12×12-inch box, some with handwritten notes. “Over the years, I’ve gotten poems, photographs — I’m open to everything,” said Bungo. He said it has served as a fun way to engage with other Ann Arborites during the pandemic.
“With people being so isolated right now, I think it’s the perfect time to do something like this, “ he said. “It allows me to connect with people because we haven’t been able to.” Bungo was supposed to show at the Ann Arbor Art Fair last summer, and with the event being canceled, he felt like he missed out on a true introduction both to Ann Arbor’s art scene and its residents. For now, keep an eye out for his latest adventures with Leo and his front yard gallery. You might just find a tiny treasure — if you look close enough.
story: wdivtv,clickondetroit, meredith bruckner – photos: shawn bungo, bungo glass
“art is too important not to share.”
-romero britto
first game of the year
and lots of excitement buzzing around town
most everyone embraces it
even the new arrivals on campus
on sorority/frat row
and the car wash
that stays open and works
while also hosting tailgaters
complete with
buses, games, food, and mini bar
now that’s team spirit.
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“you are either supporting the vision or supporting division”
― saji ijiyemi
headed off on a family fun river raft float trip
not real relaxing as expected
but lots of adventures/misadventures instead
so many laughs and we all survived
who could ask for anything more?
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“rejoice as summer should…chase away sorrows by living.”
-melissa marr, darkest mercy
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argo park, huron river, Ann Arbor, michigan, u.s.a. – summer 2019
what a perfect mix today in town
first spring football game
hash bash
warm, sunny weather
ice cream
and hula hoops.
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“instead of hate, celebrate.”
-prince
main street, ann arbor, mi, usa – 1952, a few years back.
when transportation options were booming
and parking was more flexible.
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“all the stories i’ll ever need are right here on main street.”
-robert corbier
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photo credits: ann arbor townies, carol nordman
Karen Schaefer took her turn at painting the Rock in Ann Arbor’s George Washington Park, announcing her conclusion about the boulder that was put on the spot in the 1930s. Schaefer wrote her master’s degree thesis on the Rock, (Objects that communicate).
all kinds of people with all kinds of agendas paint the rock in this decades-old tradition in ann arbor. the chat below was found on my community website and i especially loved how s.a. was at the ready with his how-to directions and a bit of historical support.
G.A. Does anyone know how much paint is required to paint a message on “The Rock” at Hill and Washtenaw?
P. L. Funny, my husband and I were just talking about this when we drove by it the other day.
S. A. Old gallon of house paint for the base, one old mop or broom, go to Denny’s down the road, come back and it’s dry for the message.
T. S. Can’t believe that no one has commented that is is illegal and vandalism…
S. A. Even Al Gallup, the living son of the Gallup who placed it there in honor of Washington, is okay with it.
‘passion is one great force that unleashes creativity,
because if you’re passionate about something,
then you’re more willing to take risks.’
—yo-yo ma
some whiz around at the art fair
buzzing amidst lots of creative energy.
some wind down in a hammock
amidst the shady trees
zapped and looking to recharge.
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“we should all relax about life
because you don’t have a clue as to what’s really going on.”
-barry sonnenfeld (american cinematographer)
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university of michigan diag, ann arbor, michigan, usa
ann arbor art fair is coming today.
bring it!
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“it is easier to go down a hill than up, but the view is from the top.”
-arnold bennett
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photo credit: ann arbor/scio hill- 1980s,*eck stanger-ann arbor news, aadl archives, ann arbor townies
*Eck Stanger, chief photographer for the Ann Arbor News for 40 years, landed the job because he was the only News employee able to read the German instructions for his secondhand Speed Graphic camera. Or so the legend goes. Over the course of his four decades as photographer – and the News’ sole photographer during its first 12 years–“one-shot Stanger,” as he came to be known–captured famous statesmen, princes, and presidents, as well as eminent artists, musicians, scientists, and athletes. But he spent most of his time capturing everyday Ann Arborites with skill and a keen eye.
