Event: Synergy: The Art of Crew

April 2nd, 9:00 pm at The Blind Pig, 208 S. First St, Ann Arbor

An event by A&D graduating senior erin anderson-ruddon featuring: dance, original artwork, book release and more. With performances by: Gina Pensiero (of Palmyra/Umberto), Mike Boyd and the Ypsilanti Pops Orchestra, and The Seven Chakraz. A part of Let’s Wrestle: The A&D Senior Show

Performance: Let’s Wrestle: A&D 2008 Senior Show

April 4th and 5th, 8:00 pm at Sh/aut Gallery, 325 Braun Court Ann Arbor.

Performances and time based work by A&D graduating seniors.

Window Exhibition: Connecting Vital Systems

April 9th - May 1st at Matrix Gallery, 111 S. Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor.

Danielle Shusterman presents Connecting Vital Systems: Exposing the similarities through mapping, threading and layering, an installation in the window of Matrix Gallery

Video Screening: Let’s Wrestle: A&D 2008 Senior Show

April 10th, 4:00 pm at the Michigan Theater, followed by reception at Work • Ann Arbor

Video/animation work by A&D graduating seniors.

Exhibition: Let’s Wrestle: The School of Art & Design 2008 Senior Show

Exhibition Opening Reception: Friday, April 11 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Slusser Gallery and Warren Robbins Gallery (2000 Bonisteel Blvd.), and Work • Ann Arbor, 306 S. State St, Ann Arbor.

Culminating projects by the School’s graduating seniors, including film, installation, traditional and new media. Encompassing all of the School’s exhibition venues, the show also features a number of off-site exhibition locations. Exhibition runs April 11 – April 27.

ENGAGEMENT: 3 of the 20,000

Opening: Saturday, April 12 from 6 - 9 pm at Work:Detroit (3663 Woodward Ave (corner of Woodward & Mack/MLK), Detroit, MI 48201). Gallery hours are 10-5, Tues - Sat. Special Performance/lecture: April 25th. Exhibition runs April 12th - May 17th.

Happi Williams presents 3 of the 20,000: Many American young men and women have parents to rely on if they fail an exam, go through a bad break-up or are just low on cash. But aged out foster kids don't really have anyone to turn to. Nearly 20,000 foster care teens "age-out" of the foster care system each year. Once they reach 18 or sometimes 20, their state and foster families are no longer required to give them assistance. They are left to fend for themselves.

I attempted to aid three transition young adult and myself through self- exploration, such as: art exercises, self-image awareness and photo documentation of own lives. This is not strictly teaching which is why I am involving myself with this process. I believe that I am not higher than them and that they are not lower than me; I still have room to grow. I am hoping that different communities would benefit from our work; policyholders, community leaders, social workers, parents, youth and more importantly themselves.

With my persistence and frequent visits with them, our relationship will grow and this is what my project is truly about. My experience with them is a lot more important than the artwork we produce; it is simply the acknowledgment that I was able to make a difference in someone's life and that they can believe that other people will believe in them.

The Warehaus Show

Opening Reception: April 12, 4:00 - 7:00 pm at 305 W. Liberty St, Ann Arbor

An exhibition and runway show by 16 graduating A&D seniors, including live music. Gallery open from April 14 - 18 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm.

Blue Planet Run • Ann Arbor

April 13, 10:00 am at Gallup Park & Huron River Trails, 3000 Fuller Rd, Ann Arbor.

This thesis project by Kristen Shenk is a 6 kilometer run to promote global and local water issues. Registration: www.blueplanetrun.org/annarbor

unOrthodox : Unraveling the Tangle of Sexuality, Gender and Religion

Friday, April 4: Reading at /Sh/aut Gallery, 8 pm
Saturday, April 5: Reading at /Sh/aut Gallery, 8 pm
Sunday, April 13: Reading at Hillel, 7 pm
/Sh/aut Performance Space is located at 325 Braun Court, Ann Arbor. There is a 5 dollar fee for entrance. Hillel is located at 1429 Hill St, Ann Arbor. Event is free.

Naomi Zaslow will be reading sections from her narrative, unOrthodox. The vignettes explore what it means to be queer and female in the Orthodox Jewish community.

Performances: Let’s Wrestle: A&D 2008 Senior Show

April 18th and 19th, 8:00 pm at the Duderstadt Video Studio, 2281 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor.

Performance work by A&D graduating Seniors.

Ann Arbor: The Urban Forest Project

April 24 - May 15, on Ann Arbor's Main Street, between William and Washington.

Using the power of design to raise awareness of sustainability issues in urban areas, A&D senior Trent Busakowski creates an installation of banners designed by over 30 designers and students from across Michigan hung on Ann Arbor's Main Street, between William and Washington. In collaboration with the Detroit chapter of AIGA, and with support from O2 Creative. The original Urban Forest Project was conceived by World studio in conjunction with AIGA NY and Times Square Alliance. The Urban Forest project has also been implemented in Denver and Portland by each city’s respective AIGA chapters and local partners.

Closing Reception: Thursday June 5. There will be a closing event/celebration involving charity auction of the bags. The charity is The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor. Event Date: Thursday, June 5. Date & Time TBD, check http://www.detroit.aiga.org for further updates.

Video and Animation: Let’s Wrestle: The A&D Senior Show

April 25th at 7:30 pm; April 26th at 4:00 pm at Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Center, 1226 Murfin, Ann Arbor.

Video work by A&D graduating Seniors.