During the Black Plague many believed that smelling sweet substances prevented disease caused by miasma, a form of “bad” air (Italian mal aria) given off by decomposing organic matter. This shaped the work of plague doctors, who donned protective masks inspired by the shape of a bird’s beak to accommodate aromatic materials like rose, carnation, mint, spices, and camphor.

We continue to conquer bad smells with good ones even though germ science has replaced the miasma theory of disease that was prevalent in 14th century Europe. The west has entered a period of obsessive aromatization in the culture that has less to do with disease and more to do with masking odors created by everyday living in the age of science.

Have we been taught to fear our human essence? What is it about natural organic and human odors that generate anxiety? How does this feed into smells as indicators of “otherness” in the culture? Modern perfumery touches on scent memories that are familiar, forgotten, othered and repressed. We’ll examine aromatic substances used by plague doctors to understand the multiple forms, functions and facets of smells, and how this shapes how we evaluate people and our surroundings.

The Smell and Tell series of lectures is led by Michelle Krell Kydd, a trained nose in flavors and fragrance who shares her passion for gastronomy and the perfume arts on Glass Petal Smoke. The Smell and Tell series debuted at the Ann Arbor District Library in 2012 and is ongoing.

Beautiful essences can be found in the floral category of perfumery. When inhaled they are reborn and enflower our very being. Gardenia, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Tuberose, and Ylang Ylang evoke innocence and carnality, inspiring a delirium of the senses. What is it about these flowers that make them so captivating? How does the perfumer arrive at equilibrium with these heady beauties? Beguiling answers await…

The Smell and Tell series of lectures is led by Michelle Krell Kydd, a trained nose in flavors and fragrance who shares her passion for gastronomy and the perfume arts on Glass Petal Smoke. The Smell and Tell series debuted at the Ann Arbor District Library in 2012 and is ongoing.

Musk, ambergris, civet, and castoreum are historic ingredients used in perfumery. Whether they purr, hiss, or roar depends on the dose. They are generally used as fixatives to support the structure of a perfume and leave nothing to offend in their wake.

Character is another issue when it comes to animalic ingredients as many contain intimate odors that are polarizing in Western culture. We’ll smash this cultural relic to bits at the Haute Skank Smell & Tell, where synthetic and humanely derived animalics will be experienced for the purpose of understanding their alchemical effects in a perfume formula.

We will also investigate plant-based animalics like Black currant bud, cumin, and costus. Some of these materials evoke intimate human aromas, and remind us that a short line occupies the space between the perfumes of intimacy and animal archetypes.

The Smell and Tell series of lectures is led by Michelle Krell Kydd, a trained nose in flavors and fragrance who shares her passion for gastronomy and the perfume arts on Glass Petal Smoke. The Smell and Tell series debuted at the Ann Arbor District Library in 2012 and is ongoing.

Aroma materials for the Haute Skank Smell & Tell have been provided by International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF).

Come draw with us! We'll provide everything you need to practice your drawing skills. In this session you'll draw flowers and leaves using drawing pencils.

Every other week we’ll cover a different topic. You’ll learn different techniques to tackle texture, chiaroscuro, and perspective, plus improve your sense of composition, lighting, and form. You'll get the chance to try out different mediums like pencil, charcoal, and pastel. All skill levels are welcome to participate.

Come draw with us! We'll provide everything you need to practice your drawing skills. In this session you'll draw a patterned landscape using colored pencils, Micron pens, and drawing pencils.

Every other week we’ll cover a different topic. You’ll learn different techniques to tackle texture, chiaroscuro, and perspective, plus improve your sense of composition, lighting, and form. You'll get the chance to try out different mediums like pencil, charcoal, and pastel. All skill levels are welcome to participate.

Come draw with us! We'll provide everything you need to practice your drawing skills. In this session you'll explore patterns using Micron pens and drawing pencils.

Every two weeks we’ll cover a different topic. You’ll learn different techniques to tackle texture, chiaroscuro, and perspective, plus improve your sense of composition, lighting, and form. You'll get the chance to try out different mediums like pencil, charcoal, and pastel. All skill levels are welcome to participate.

Come draw with us! We'll provide everything you need to practice your drawing skills.

In this session we'll explore color theory using colored pencils.

Every two weeks we’ll cover a different topic. You’ll learn different techniques to tackle texture, chiaroscuro, and perspective, plus improve your sense of composition, lighting, and form. You'll get the chance to try out different mediums like pencil, charcoal, and pastel.

All skill levels are welcome to participate.

Come draw with us! We'll provide everything you need to practice your drawing skills. In this session you will explore positive and negative space using drawing paper, black paper, drawing pencils, and markers.

Every two weeks we’ll cover a different topic. You’ll learn different techniques to tackle texture, chiaroscuro, and perspective, plus improve your sense of composition, lighting, and form. You'll get the chance to try out different mediums like pencil, charcoal, and pastel. All skill levels are welcome to participate.

Come draw with us! We'll provide everything you need to practice your drawing skills. This session will cover the basics and introduce you to many different graphite pencils and their uses.

Every two weeks we’ll cover a different topic. You’ll learn different techniques to tackle texture, chiaroscuro, and perspective, plus improve your sense of composition, lighting, and form. You'll get the chance to try out different mediums like pencil, charcoal, and pastel. All skill levels are welcome to participate.

Should we have a military mainly for defense, or should we use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests? Before Dr. King’s tragic death, he spoke out more and more against government use of military over diplomacy and the use of armed forces in the routine policy of the state. For such actions, Dr. King was criticized heavily and to this day his thoughts on war still make people uncomfortable.

Veterans For Peace will discuss Dr. King's speeches relating to defense versus militarism, showing that they are as relevant today as they were 50 years ago.