A Night with Nelson
John Berry presenter

Thursday, September 17, 7 p.m.

George Nelson is considered the “Designer of Modern Design”. His range of works, writings and design direction at Herman Miller provided leadership for what today is called Mid-Century Modern. John Berry, who knew Mr. Nelson, gives a fascinating presentation highlighting the designer’s remarkable range of accomplishments including his own voice recalling those experiences.

Mr. Berry was Vice President of Corporate Communications for Herman Miller and led the media introductions of major innovative products including the Aeron chair. He was the liaison between Herman Miller and the Eames Office and speaks nationally and internationally on the work of Charles & Ray Eames and George Nelson. His recent book, ‘Herman Miller: The Purpose of Design’ published by Rizzoli has received positive reviews both domestically and internationally.

Currently Mr. Berry is the Executive Director of Design West Michigan that seeks to use design as an economic building block for the region and brand West Michigan as ‘Design Centric.’

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Unchained from Gravity: Beyond Ballet with members of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company
Gordon Peirce Schmidt and GR Ballet Company dancers

Thursday, October 15, 2009, 7 p.m.

Think you know what ballet is? Think again! You will be dazzled by the athleticism, stunning strength, and raw emotion of Michigan’s only professional ballet company – the Grand Rapids Ballet Company.  This special About It features a behind-the-scenes look at dance, conversation with the internationally-acclaimed artistic director and choreographer for the GR Ballet Company, Gordon Peirce Schmidt, plus a sneak preview of upcoming Company features.

Mr. Schmidt received the Ruth Page Award for Choreography for his ballets The Gift of the Magi, and Hansel and Gretel.  In 1993 he made his television debut as director/choreographer of his “strictly for television” ballet Gesualdo created for PBS/WTTW Chicago and earned a Prime Time Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Individual Achievement – Cultural Programming.

He has danced with and choreographed some of the world’s most accomplished dancers, including ballet legends Rudolf Nureyev, and Maya Pliesetskaya who danced the role of the “Vamp” in his ballet By Django.  Mr. Schmidt has created more than 50 new works for the Grand Rapids Ballet company including the contemporary Shakespeare adaptation Caught in a Midsummer Night’s Dream set to the classical score by Mendelssohn and jazz arrangements of the score by Ed Clifford and the premiere ballet adaptation of The Prisoner of Zenda set to the music of Dvorak and Brahms.

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The Wreck of the Rockaway: the Archeology of a Great Lakes Schooner
Kenneth Pott presenter

Thursday, November 19, 2009, 7 p.m.

On November 19, 1891, the Rockaway was swept into a fierce autumn storm while carrying a load of lumber from Ludington to Benton Harbor, Michigan. The ship’s captain, first mate and crew of four were dramatically rescued just before the ship sank to the bottom, 2.5 miles northwest of South Haven, Michigan.

For more than 100 years the ship was lost in the depths of Lake Michigan, until in 1983 the wreck was accidentally discovered by perch fishermen. The Kenneth Pott led an underwater archaeological crew from the Michigan Maritime Museum that spent six seasons documenting the ship and its artifacts (many of which were recovered and conserved) in detail. During this About It presentation – given on the 118th anniversary of the Rockaway’s sinking – Mr. Pott will talk about the dramatic discovery of this Great Lakes scow schooner and the secrets its wreck has revealed.

Mr. Pott holds BA and MA degrees in Anthropology from Western Michigan University where he emphasized the study of archaeology and historic preservation. He has worked on maritime archaeological sites in Texas, Maine, East Africa and the Great Lakes region. Mr. Pott is currently Executive Director at The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph, Michigan, and has served on committees of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Council of American Maritime Museums, the Society of Professional Archaeologists, and as President of the Historical Society of Michigan.

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