In the News

The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission is announcing the winners of the 2023 Golden Paintbrush Awards: Embracing our Differences Michigan. The Golden Paintbrush Awards were nominated by the community to recognize the creativity and talent of artists and organizations that have contributed to the cultural and aesthetic richness of Ann Arbor in the form of public […]

“I had seen the banners at Gallup Park, and I was very interested in the concept of using art to make people more aware and hopefully embrace all in our diverse world,” recalls EOD’s Director of Education, Key Wade.

Nancy Margolis shares her journey establishing Embracing Our Differences Michigan, an art and education program promoting diversity. With banners showcasing global and local art, the program stimulates conversations about diversity, offering free field trips and workshops. Margolis emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive society and highlights the challenge of securing sustainable funding for the […]

A mural designed by Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti students in collaboration with a nationally-known muralist now graces a building next to the Ypsilanti Transit Center. The mural’s theme of diversity and inclusion includes imagery of a bus driver connecting the two communities of Ann Arbor and Ypsi.

Ann Arbor nonprofit Embracing Our Differences Michigan (EOD Michigan) recently hosted a joint workshop to share curricula on diversity and the arts with both Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti teachers. 

Creative industries in Washtenaw County add hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. Host Deb Polich, the President and CEO of Creative Washtenaw, explores the myriad of contributors that make up the creative sector in Washtenaw County. She talks with Chris Gant to learn more about Embracing Our Differences Michigan.

Nancy Margolis of Embracing our Differences Michigan shares how these works of art send messages of love, diversity, and equality, Humane Pet Acquisition Ordinance, and take a peek at Island Park.

Curiosity piqued and voice memo ready, I decided to document the experience, the intertwining of art, culture, and diversity. And you, my Dear Reader, are here with me, sharing this journey, your curiosity as evident as mine.

“A couple years ago I saw this exhibit in Sarasota in one of their parks, and it was so fabulous that I talked to their executive director about bringing it here to Washtenaw County,” Margolis says. The public art exhibit featured enormous vinyl banners with images celebrating diversity and inclusion.

Ypsilanti Community Schools (YCS) will present its first K-12 Arts Extravaganza on May 16, in partnership with and sponsored by the arts nonprofit Embracing Our Differences Michigan. 

Download Press Release Ypsilanti Community Schools’ young artists will show off their artistic ability at the first annual YCS Arts Extravaganza sponsored by Embracing Our Differences. The event will be held at Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College on May 16, 2023, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The purpose of […]

Embracing Our Differences Michigan is accepting art and quotation submissions for its 2023 exhibit. The nonprofit organization is an art and educational program revolving around diversity, inclusion, and equity.

At their retreat last week, the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education visited an exhibit that uses the power of art and prose to promote diversity. They became the latest members of the AAPS community to visit Embracing Our Differences Michigan at Gallup Park and three other locations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. 

I spy “the art installation at the SE corner of Huron Parkway and Geddes,” writes Ellen Bauerle. “These are the ‘Embracing Our Differences’ banners in Gallup Park,” says Marilyn Knepp. “Wonderful billboard-size pieces on diversity and equality,” adds Amy Barnett. EOD (embracingourdifferences.org) started their annual exhibit in 2004 and receives entries from around the world. 

Nancy Margolis & Lynne Settles with Embracing Our Differences share how these billboard sized arts at area parks are changing the way people think about equality.

Sixty vinyl banners enlarge images representing ideas by local and distant artists paired with slogans submitted independently by other interested contributors.

To elevate the diversity of our experiences, stories and identities through creative expression, U-M and Michigan Medicine became major sponsors of the new non-profit organization, Embracing Our Differences Michigan.

Deb Polich, president and CEO of Creative Washtenaw, at the WEMU studio talks with Nancy Margolis and Lynne Settles of Embracing Our Differences Michigan about the impact art has in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti communities.