One look at the extraordinary photos from our featured photographer, Aaron Cooper, and you'll do as I did: fall into his landscapes, a bit like Alice. He perfectly captures the essence of place and spirit. 

Portage, Michigan. Boat Dock ©ACD&M 2019

We first met our friend Lara Smith at Grand Rapids Comic Con, at Artists Alley. After falling into discussion about her playful, creative art, we KNEW we had to share her work with our wandering educators. 

Wandering the aisles at Grand Rapids Comic Con, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the goodness. But as we walked by Corinne Roberts' booth, we did a full stop (don't worry, no one crashed into us). Her art drew us in with its playfulness, creativity, and intelligence. Once we started talking with her, I KNEW our Wandering Educators would be interested in her art...and books.

Last summer, my students and I read The Hobbit together. It had been 30 years since I’d read it. I have to admit, I reveled in the classic story, long buried in my brain under years of reading. As you know, it is a classic tale of a quest; a long, life-changing journey. The travelers have to battle (and avoid) various creatures, traverse extraordinarily vast plains, wend their way through mountain paths, and pursue their quest across Middle Earth.

We first met our Artist of the Month, Jessalyn Kline, at the 2018 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts High School Art Show. She had a gorgeous embroidered piece of art, full of meaning, color, and beauty. Of course, I asked her to share it with our wandering educators. You, too, will be amazed at her range of creativity, her eye for detail, and her passion for creating. Without further ado, the art and words of Jessalyn Kline...

We first met our Photographer of the Month, Dare'l McMillian, at a Western Michigan University press event for Phantom of the Opera.

Did you ever run across photos that captured you instantly? That took you to a place, and got you dreaming? Such is the case with our featured photographer this month, Larry Prosor. With photos from New Zealand's North Island and Northern California for this feature, he takes us to two very different locations—and gives us a true sense of place.

Gorgeous. That's the word I use (usually out loud, in an exclamatory fashion) whenever I see our featured artist this month, Czech This Out (Petra and David Bachron), on instagram. I love their work, separately and combined. I love their story, and I love their passion for art, and life. 

Nayda Collazo-Llorens, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is an interdisciplinary visual artist working in multiple mediums including works on paper and canvas, video, installation works, printmedia and public interventions, among others. Through her practice, she examines how our minds perceive the world around us, dealing with concepts of navigation and mapping. 

Just wait until you see the photos from our featured photographer this month, Scott Drummond. They are incredibly beautiful, and truly capture the essence of this extraordinary landscape.

View from Dynjandi - Wild Westfjords 4 Day Tour