Once, in Amsterdam, Holland, when I was 17 years old, I saw a man smoking a marijuana cigarette within arm’s reach of a police officer. It was legal, but still, it seemed brazen. Well that’s nothing compared to what I’ve ...

[This piece was edited a month after its original publishing, to eliminate some expository sections that were not essential. -etw] Don’t fret precious I’m here. Step away from the window. Go back to sleep -A Perfect Circle, “Counting Bodies Like ...

The following is a letter of intervention, to Grand Rapids’ Arthur E. Vence. Dear Art, Before I begin to say anything, I want you to know that I love you.  I’m here today not only because I love you, but ...

“Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and ...

Wealthy Theatre featured Michelle Shocked live in concert, on Sept. 23. She exuded an amazing stage presence; she can sing and play guitar like nobody’s business; and she shared captivating stories of her love for free speech. An extraordinary person. ...

I’ve lived in Grand Rapids long enough to know there are two charismatic figures you do not criticize publicly. But I’m just naive enough to express concerns about a decision made by one of them.  Damn the torpedos. Here goes: I think it’s unfortunate that Mr. Rob Bliss should plan to…

In 2003, we began shooting an original, independently-produced, feature-length movie, titled “American Jesus.”  A couple years later, I started working about 75 hours per week at Wealthy Theatre, we added two more children to our family, and a number of ...

As we move forward along this unmapped terrain, as an emerging community of artists, we need to seek out criticism – solicit it, prime the pump. Get the machine going to where it becomes habitual to discuss, to discern. And we need to welcome the observations of those who consume local art – the risk takers who come out to events and exhibitions.

I should acknowledge at some point I’m an authority on nothing, I have neither education nor experience to justify my conclusions, and I’m making up these rules and categories, as I go along. Just wanted to get that out of the way. In pt.1 of this ridiculously heady series, I submitted there might be value in the following: walk away once you’re done creating

By design and execution, that experience had a framework: establishing it was part of the creative process. There remained ample room for personal interpretation, but the observer operated within some degree of established context. While this might be cynically interpreted as undue control…