Where would America be without dreamers, without those who envisioned a new way? The Lorenzo Cultural Center will celebrate our great inventors and their innovations in a new program series, American Ingenuity: Embracing the Freedom to Dream.
The series explores those past and present who have made their mark through invention, innovation and entrepreneurship. National and local creations and developments are featured, such as Vernor’s ginger ale and Ford’s Rouge plant, and include presentations by famed choreographer Twyla Tharp and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
“Integral to the story of our nation is the story of the pervasive drive of Americans to chart new territory and create new possibilities,” said Linda Wells, vice president, Student and Community Relations at Macomb Community College, located in suburban Detroit. “The Lorenzo Cultural Center’s focus on American Ingenuity isn’t just about the history of our inventors and innovators; it’s also about the key role creativity and entrepreneurship has played in defining our nation and its importance in our future.”
American Ingenuity runs Sept. 25 – Nov. 21 at the Lorenzo Cultural Center, located on Macomb Community College’s Center Campus, M-59 and Garfield, in Clinton Township. The exhibits are free, and there is no charge for the majority of the presentations, though advance registration is required.
The exhibits on display will include Kites to Kitty Hawk, which chronicles the kites and their inventors in the movement toward the goal of man-powered flight, and Yesterday’s Tomorrows, from the Smithsonian Institution Museum on Main Street Program, which showcases how Americans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries envisioned the future.
The series will also include a special luncheon panel discussion on Accelerating Southeast Michigan’s Economy: Embracing Innovation and Change. The Nov. 4 luncheon will benefit the Macomb Presidential Scholarship.
A number of presentations will focus on great inventors of the past and present, including programs on A Day in Thomas Edison’s Lab, Oct. 6; Inventing Michigan: Inventors Known and Unknown, Oct. 20; Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion House: Invention and Innovation, Oct. 21; Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla: Inventors in Conflict, Oct. 23; and Stanford Ovshinsky: Sparking a Revolution, Nov. 10.
Highlights some of the other presentations include:
• Sept. 25: WWJ anchor Joe Donovan, who will talk about 90 years of innovation and change at the radio station.
• Sept. 29: Author and frequent guest on CNBC and MSNBC Scott Berkun looks at the “myths” of innovations.
• Oct. 1: Enjoying the Ride: The Story of Harley-Davidson.
• Oct. 2: Frederick Allen, leadership editor for Forbes magazine and vice president for selection of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, on America: Land of Invention.
• Oct. 7: Sanders Confectionary.
• Oct. 14: Twyla Tharp explores the nature of creativity, focusing on themes of process verses product.
• Oct. 21: Macomb County native Butch Hartman, the cartoonist who created The Fairly Oddparents and Danny Phantom for Nickleodeon TV, will share his perspective on creativity.
• Oct. 24: Detroit’s Drink: The Vernor’s Story.
• Nov. 5: Deanne Bell, featured on Discovery Channel’s Smash Lab, shares her journey in becoming an engineer and woman in science and will give the audience opportunities to come up with their own wacky solutions to some of the challenges faced on Smash Lab.
• Nov. 12: Steve Wozniak shares his experiences as the co-founder of Apple and discusses the importance of creativity and innovation in education in nurturing entrepreneurship.
• Nov. 20: The Thanksgiving RoboParade, organized by Lawrence Technological University and featuring robots made by area elementary, middle and high school students.
Tickets are required for the Oct. 14 Twyla Tharp and the Nov. 12 Steve Wozniak presentation, both of which begin at 7 p.m. Tickets for each event are $15, or $5 for seniors, students, and military personnel. Tickets to the presentation that include a meet & greet opportunity at 5:30-6:30 p.m. are $30. Tickets for the Nov. 4 luncheon, Accelerating Southeast Michigan’s Economy: Embracing Innovation and Change, are $50. To purchase tickets for these events, call 586.286.2222 or visit .MacombCenter.com. All other presentations during the series are free.
The Lorenzo Cultural Center is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Additional information on the center and on the American Ingenuity program series is available at LorenzoCulturalCenter.com
Group visits are welcome during the series and may be arranged by calling 586.445.7348.
About the Lorenzo Cultural Center
The Lorenzo Cultural Center (LorenzoCulturalCenter.com) explores the influences and experiences that shape our community's heritage, examining topics from a variety of perspectives and creating interactive opportunities for learning, celebration and entertainment. Located on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, Hall and Garfield Roads in Clinton Township, the cultural center is adjacent to the Macomb Center for Performing Arts.
About Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College (macomb.edu) is one of the nation’s leading community colleges, providing learning experiences to more than 48,000 students annually. Macomb nationally ranks in the top two percent in the number of associate degrees awarded and as the largest grantor of associate degrees in Michigan. The college’s comprehensive educational programming includes pre-collegiate experiences, university transfer and career preparation programs, bachelor degree completion and graduate degree programs, workforce training, professional education and certification, and continuing education and enrichment opportunities.
Media contact:
Dan Heaton
heatond@macomb.edu
586.445.7271