Kristina Wong, Cheech Marin, and More Join the Penny Stamps Speaker Series
You won't want to miss this lineup.
Leading artists, designers, performers, and thought leaders headline the Winter 2023 Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series. The series starts with a presentation by Robin Frohardt on Thursday, January 12: events take place at the historic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor on Thursdays at 5:30 pm unless otherwise noted.
“From climate change to social justice, master artisans and designers, comedian and cabaret performers, the new Penny Stamps Series season offers a dynamic roster of guests to challenge and inspire, gathering us around creative minds to connect across the University of Michigan campus and the community at large,” said Chrisstina Hamilton, director of the Penny Stamps Speaker Series.
Highlights of the upcoming series include:
U‑M alum Lynn Goldsmith, a renowned photographer of rock stars and album covers, will discuss her work from the 1980s. Goldsmith is awaiting a ruling from the United States Supreme Court on a pivotal case involving her work and impacting artists’ rights.
Prolific entertainer Cheech Marin is well known for his film, television, and comedy work and is also a leading advocate for Chicano art. The audience will hear about his efforts to share and amplify the importance of this art form globally.
You’ve seen their work in films like Harry Potter and Wonder Woman, and they’ve dressed everyone from Megan Thee Stallion to U‑M alum Madonna. Now, hear directly from Whitaker Malem about their innovative approach to design made for the human body.
Entertainer Kristina Wong is discussing her role as founder of the Auntie Sewing Squad in her tour Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord—a“New York Times Critics Pick” that premiered off-Broadway at New York Theater Workshop.
Filmmaker Sam Green will speak about 32 Sounds, his immersive documentary and profound sensory experience that explores the elemental phenomenon of sound. The film is a meditation on the power of sound to bend time, cross borders, and open our perception to the world around us.
The full lineup runs weekly on Thursdays unless otherwise noted, from January 12 through April 13 and features the following speakers:
January 12 — Robin Frohardt
January 19 — Titus Kaphar
January 26 — Tania El Khoury
February 2 — Kristina Wong
February 9 — Martha Schwartz
February 16 — Nicole Marroquin
February 21 — YehRim Lee
March 9 — Cheech Marin
March 16 — Whitaker Malem
March 23 — Sam Green
March 30 — Amanda Alexander
April 6 — Lynn Goldsmith
April 13 — Ty Jeffries
Established with the generous support of alumna Penny W. Stamps (1944−2018), the speaker series brings respected leaders and innovators from a broad spectrum of creative fields to Ann Arbor to conduct weekly public lectures and engagements.