News | Devon Akmon

A Visionary Environment: Leonard Knight’s Salvation Mountain

April 22, 2021 Adventure

I first learned of Salvation Mountain while watching the biographical adventure film Into the Wild, which is based on the book by Jon Krakauer. The story explores the life and untimely death of Christopher McCandless. As I watched the film I became captivated by this mysterious place and its eccentric creator, named Leonard Knight (who plays himself in the movie). I made a mental note that I would be sure to visit Salvation Mountain the next time I found myself inRead More

The Meandering Road to Spiral Jetty

April 20, 2021 Adventure

I had been wanting to visit Robert Smithson’s earthwork, Spiral Jetty (1970), for years. However, I’ve never had the opportunity to venture out from Salt Lake City while in Utah. Recently, as we explored the state in the comforts of our Subaru, we made a point of paying a visit to Rozel Point peninsula on the northeastern shore of Great Salt Lake to view this acclaimed work of art. Located approximately two hours north of Salt Lake City, the earthworkRead More

Laumeier Sculpture Park: Experience World-class Public Art in a Beautiful Natural Environment

April 20, 2021 Adventure

I first visited Laumeier Sculpture Park in Saint Louis during a board reception at the American Alliance of Museums’ 2017 Annual Meeting. I now make a point of returning every time I’m passing through the city. It’s the perfect place to experience world-class art in a beautiful natural environment. The collection, which is free and accessible to the public, includes works by Richard Hunt, Donal Judd, Mark di Suvero, Tony Tasset, and many more acclaimed artists. Here are some picturesRead More

Majestic Utah! Exploring Zion, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks

April 19, 2021 Adventure

It’s National Park Week (April 17-25, 2021) and we just returned from a visit to three national parks in Utah: Zion, Canyonlands, and Arches. Our visits were part of our return trip home from a vacation in southern California. We primarily toured each park by automobile. While it was far from the actual experience of exploring the depth of offerings each park provides, it was still a fun and welcoming experience during a global pandemic. Our goal is to returnRead More

An Urban Oasis: The John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park

April 19, 2021 Adventure

We made a brief visit to the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines, Iowa during our cross-country drive this past week. The impressive collection includes works by Willem de Kooning, Yayoi Kusama, Keith Haring, Mark di Suvero, Richard Serra, Olafur Eliasson, and many more internationally acclaimed artists. The 4.4 acre sculpture park, which is free and accessible to the public, is an extension of the Des Moines Art Center. It opened with an initial donation ofRead More

2020 Virtual Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

November 28, 2020 Adventure

I just completed the 2020 Virtual Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. It was my first self-supported marathon and my sixth overall. I ran a slow and steady pace. Running hard was out of the question (it’s a pandemic!). My only goal was to finish. And, I did. Not bad given I didn’t follow a training plan for this run. I basically relied on a very strong base of miles logged over the summer completing the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee and myRead More

FUTURE PRESENT: A Design Exhibition During a Pandemic

October 16, 2020 News

On Friday, September 11, 2020, Science Gallery Detroit opened it third annual exhibition—FUTURE PRESENT: Design in a Time of Urgency—in the midst of a global pandemic. This year’s exhibition theme, which was planned prior to the onset of the pandemic, explores humanity’s nuanced relationship to various forms of design and the impact it has on the future. Further, the exhibition illustrates three key themes as they relate to design: the impact of technology on society; design and systemic change; andRead More

Science Gallery Detroit Performance Closes Out Concert of Colors

October 10, 2020 News

Although concerts and music festival throughout the nation have been canceled this year due to the global pandemic, the 28th edition of the Concert of Colors (October 6-11) will take place digitally this October with performances broadcast on Detroit Public TV Channel 56 and WDET 101.9 FM. And, as a presenting partner, Science Gallery Detroit is pleased to close out the diversity-themed music festival with a performance by John Collins and Mark Flash of Detroit’s renowned techno label, Underground Resistance.Read More

Project “Run Every Street” in Ann Arbor

September 20, 2020 Adventure

This summer, I set out to run every street in Ann Arbor. The idea was inspired by two factors. First, given the travel restrictions due to the pandemic, I’d begun seeking new adventures close to home. And, second, my participation in the Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee required changing up my normal running routes to beat the tedium of hours and hours of running. And, with that, an idea was born. Having lived in Ann Arbor for almost twenty years,Read More

Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice

August 31, 2020 Adventure

The COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptions on life have been immeasurable. And, with each new challenge brought on by the coronavirus, we seek to find new adaptions and innovations to carry on with some semblance of normality. This has certainly brought on a range of emotions, from hope to stress. In the past, I sought travel and adventure as a means to find growth and renewal. However, given the current travel restrictions, we’ve had to refocus and look nearby for those similarRead More