Category: On This Day

The Architectural Genius of Bruce Goff

Architect Bruce Alonzo Goff was born in Alton, Kansas on June 8, 1904 and passed away on August 4, 1982. He was a brilliant child with a talent for drawing, and in 1915, his parents moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was later made an apprentice at the Tulsa architectural firm of Rush, Endacott and …

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Remembering the Shining Charisma of Rosalind Russell

You’re guaranteed to get at least this from seeing a movie starring Rosalind Russell: the sheer pleasure of watching a sparkling, sharp-witted, and warm character. Russell is well known for her lovable characters, especially her high energy socialite role in Auntie Mame (1958), her sharp repartee in His Girl Friday (1940), and her stern yet …

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Brilliant in Blue: Raoul Dufy

Painter Raoul Dufy was born on this day June 3, 1877 in Le Havre, France. He may have been best known for his brilliant, bright watercolors, and he was a dedicated follower of Fauvism, which translates to “the wild beasts” in French. Fauvism favored strong colors over realism. What I love the most about Dufy …

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“It’s a Small World” Opened On This Day In Disneyland In 1966

Happy birthday, Small World! 🎈 The colorful “It’s a Small World” attraction first opened in Disneyland on this day, May 28, 1966, following its successful showing at the New York’s ’64-’65 World’s Fair UNICEF salute at the Pepsi-Cola pavilion. In the opening ceremony, children from around the world in traditional costumes joined Walt Disney. Water that …

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A Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration in 5 Songs

On May 24, 1941, American legend of song and 2016 Nobel Literature Prize winner Bob Dylan was born. With music of gold and his lyrics of pure poetry, Dylan has been an influence on artists of all walks of life and will continue to shine for a long, long time. Take Bringing It All Back …

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George Nakashima: Master of Organic Furniture Design

George Katsutoshi Nakashima created wood furniture with reverence and patience, sometimes keeping boards of wood around his workshop until their true essence was revealed to him. The furniture designer was born in Spokane, Washington on May 24, 1905 and passed away on June 15, 1990.  Even though he started designing furniture opposed to the popular concept of modern …

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Pollyanna Was Released on This Day One Fine May

On May 19, 1960 this cheery Disney film was released to the public. It is the story of an orphaned girl raised by missionaries who arrives in a town fraught with feuds, and transforms the community with her positive attitude. Pollyanna’s shining quality is that she can always find the good in something. Yes, it …

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One to Watch: Satyajit Ray

Born into a talented Indian family, Satyajit Ray is not only regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, but he was also a screenwriter, author, music composer, illustrator, and calligrapher. His most well known films include his debut self-financed film Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956), Apur Sansar, (The World of Apu) (1959), The Music Room (1958), The Big …

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Peter Zumthor’s Zinc Mine Museum in Norway’s Allmannajuvet Gorge

Happy birthday to minimalist architect Peter Zumthor, born on this day April 26, 1943 in Basel, Switzerland. Peter Zumthor designed a graceful, stilted building to tell the story of Norway’s Allmannajuvet Gorge Zinc Mine, which operated from 1881 to 1899. He also designed the nearby cafĂ© for the museum with the same elegant grace. Zumthor commented …

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Selected Classics: Gambit (1966)

Happy birthday to the illustrious Shirley MacLaine, born on this day April 24, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia. In celebration, I’m sharing one of my favorite Shirley MacLaine classics, Gambit, starring the exceptional duo of MacLaine and Michael Caine. Between the superb acting and the wonderful 1960’s design, I can’t help but be drawn to it. And …

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