Arts & Culture

From artistic collaborations to creative problem solving, the arts have the power to lift us up and transform our future. These stories celebrate art, creativity, and culture in all its forms.

Image: A family cooking at the counter, the child in the middle sprinkling cheese. A taste of home!

How a Taste of Home Helps Us Appreciate Where We Come From

What do your favorite meals from your childhood say about who you are and the people you come from? If we let it, food can tell some wonderful stories, stories that we may not be able to hear otherwise.

Liesl Ulrich-Verderber
December 20, 2021

Image: community of skiiers vermont ski and sports

Vermont Organization Helps Veterans Find Community on the Ski Slopes

When winter sets in, this Vermont organization sets out to help veterans transition back to civilian life and recover from their invisible disabilities by coming together on the ski slopes.

Ellen Allerton
December 13, 2021

100 Years of Recycling Clothing: Introducing Italy’s Textile Town

Don’t toss that old tee shirt! We’re traveling to the “Textile Town” in Italy where they’re recycling fabric to give new life to your old duds, and threading the needle to a brighter, more sustainable future.

Renee Laroche-Rheaume
November 15, 2021

From Roots to Reading Rainbow: Celebrating the Legacy of LeVar Burton

At some point you’ve probably heard the kind voice of LeVar Burton: a trailblazer, education champion, and inspiration to us all. Whether you’re familiar with his work or not, his story provides a vision we can all use to improve ourselves and the world around us.

Liesl Ulrich-Verderber
November 8, 2021

Image: Orange and yellow flower garlands hanging in the background and foreground, accompanied by a small wind chime. ",https://dev-ever-widening-circles.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/joshuva-daniel-U4OS-GimdXA-unsplash-scaled-e1634745308956.jpg,,Culture

Saving the Ganges River by Turning Sacred Flowers Into Incense

Is creative thinking the best way to improve our communities? Undoubtedly, yes! For proof, here’s how one man in India is helping ease the pollution of the Ganges by turning sacred flowers—formerly trash that was dumped into the river—into incense!

Brittany Nugent
October 25, 2021

Image: A woman chopping vegetables and smiling at the camera

Stop Stressing and Start Living with These Helpful Meal Planning Hacks

How do we waste less food and less money? Meal planning can seem daunting, but these simple tips and tricks can make life easier, more delectable, and give us the freedom of mind to actually enjoy our food and leisure time.

Renee Laroche-Rheaume
October 11, 2021

Image: Weathered hands holding some odd yellow vegetables.

PhD Student to Farmer: Finding Your Calling in Weird Veggies

In what odd places might you find your passion? For former PhD student Arron Choi, it was his family's farm. Discovering a passion for weird veggies, Aaron's story shows that when it comes to finding our calling, we should never count out even the things that first seem odd.

Liesl Ulrich-Verderber
September 20, 2021

Settlers of Catan: How One Family’s Game Night Sparked the Fun of Millions

There is still a precious time when we can come together over life's simple pleasures: game night. And here's a story of wonder with Settlers of Catan, a worldwide classic. This game didn't come from a big corporation or fancy focus group—no, its origins are far closer to home.

Sam Burns
August 30, 2021

Get The Most Out of Your Groceries: Easy Ways to Use Food Scraps

Wait! Before you throw away that banana peel or compost your coffee grounds, you can give them another life. Here are some simple ways to start reducing waste and maximizing your grocery budget.

Sam Burns
August 9, 2021

Image: Steak, potatoes, and vegetables cooking on a grate over a hot campfire.

Stoking the Flames of Tradition: How Cooking Over Fire Connects Us With Our Roots

Cooking meals over open fire has long been tradition worldwide. And now, backyard chef Derek Wolf is bringing us back to our roots by bringing it back to the mainstream. His work reminds us that when you take the time to care about what you're doing—in this case, eating in the outdoors with carefully prepared food and good people—it makes everything better.

Brittany Nugent
August 2, 2021

Image: Two people competing in a lawn mower race

Ready, Set, Mow! Why Lawn Mowers May Be the New Race Cars

Missing a piece of the puzzle to reach your dreams? Don't sweat! With a little creativity and a dash of spunk, you can make those dreams happen. Check out this 12 hour long lawn mower race for proof!

Sam Burns
July 12, 2021

Image: A collection of three of Rosemary Mosco's comics

The Key to Learning? Make it Fun! Nature Comics with Rosemary Mosco

From ants with two butts to the weird and wonderful world of bird mating dances, there’s a lot of strange things going on in the natural world. This cartoonist is on a mission to make science approachable using a new medium: comics.