Filling a gap: U-M students help combat Michigan’s shortage of rural dentists

Two dentists work on a patient.

Northern Michigan resident Becky Klein was surprised to learn that the dentists at the Thunder Bay Community Health Service clinic were students from the U-M School of Dentistry. They turned out to be just as competent and professional as seasoned practitioners, she said, and excellent communicators.

  1. Graphic of woman sipping drink through straw, holding a bowl of cookies.

    1 in 8 Americans over 50 show signs of food addiction, U-M poll finds

    Whether you call them comfort foods, highly processed foods, junk foods, or empty calories, a sizable percentage of older Americans have an unhealthy relationship with them, according to a new U-M poll.

  2. A young student sits at a desk eager to participate in an M-ARC teacher’s classroom. Image credit: Angela Marocco

    U-M program places dozens of educators in Michigan classrooms, addresses teacher shortage

    In the 2022-23 school year, M-ARC is training and supporting 49 early-career teachers in 42 schools across southern Michigan. The program merges the U-M School of Education’s 100 years of experience with contemporary alternatives to support educators learning as they teach.

  3. U-M’s Campus Farm has been dubbed “The Freedom Garden”—a space where refugee clients can grow their own food through community gardening. Image courtesy: U-M’s Campus Farm

    Refugee-focused community garden celebrates its first year

    The garrden, a collaboration between Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County and Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, has turned a previously unused, grass-covered space into a fertile, productive plot.

  4. Stanley Chapel Rubik’s Cube. Image credit: Jeremy Marble, Michigan News

    Blindfolded Rubik’s Cube world champion sets the score (on violin)

    For many, the colorful 3×3 Rubik’s Cube was an infuriating, and largely impossible, puzzle to solve. But for one U-M student, the cube opened doors to international travel, a Guinness World Records entry, and multiple world championship titles.

  5. Fermenta, was co-founded by Pauline Knighton-Prueter, a 2012 graduate of U-M, after she realized how few women were represented in the brewing and spirits field and started the advocacy group with two experienced brewers. (Image: Eric Bronson, Michigan Photography.)

    Fermenta: Boosting equality in Michigan’s craft brewing industry

    Soon after joining the brewing and spirits industry, Pauline Knighton-Prueter realized how few women were represented in the field. So she launched Fermenta, an advocacy group focused on education, scholarships, and more.

  6. “The TVLab: a virtual, augmented and mixed reality space on Taubman College’s north campus”. Image credit: Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

    Bruno Martelli and Ruth Gibson bring extended-reality tech to U-M

    The London-based team, specializing in extended-reality technology, will be the new 2023 artists in residency at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, in partnership with the U-M Arts Initiative.

Creativity and connection across prison walls

One of the world’s largest and longest-running exhibitions of incarcerated artists is back with new programming designed to foster connection and deepen public understanding of incarceration in Michigan. The 29th annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons, curated by U-M’s Prison Creative Arts Project, showcases 772 artworks by 538 artists incarcerated in 26 state prisons. The Duderstadt Center Gallery on U-M’s North Campus is presenting the artwork through April 1.

  • Most Wanted by Samantha Bachynski

    The exhibition features diverse styles and media, including paintings, portraits, tattoo imagery, landscapes, sculpture, fiber arts and found materials. Each fall, volunteers, including students, select the pieces and visit every prison in Michigan to interact directly with the artists. (See original image)

    Colorful night sky shows through tree branches. 2025 PCAP exhibition.

  • Tangerine Dreams by Matisse Bravo

    For over 35 years, PCAP has worked to bridge the gap between incarcerated individuals and the broader community through artistic collaboration, mutual learning and growth. The program has expanded to include undergraduate courses, weekly art workshops in Michigan prisons, an annual literary review and year-round events to foster dialogue and connection. (See original image)

    A plate of tangerines and tangerine slices on a green table with yellow wall. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Peacefulness by Susan Brown

    According to Emily Chase, PCAP’s exhibition and curatorial coordinator, themes of community and mentorship emerged strongly in this year’s collection. (See original image)

    Colorful landscape with stripes and a mountains. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Paths #2 by Kendall Leonard

    The exhibition allows incarcerated artists to have their voices heard beyond prison walls. “Their voices are so often silenced, and this is one of the few areas where they can feel heard,” says Mattie Levy, PCAP community engagement coordinator. (See original image)

    Colorful abstract painting from the 2025 PCAP exhibition.

  • Mountain Honey by Terry Stinebeck

    “We witnessed experienced artists mentoring newcomers and saw how the artistic efforts of one individual can motivate and inspire others,” says PCAP’s Emily Chase. (See original image)

    A serene landscape with a yellow sky and mountains. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • House of Kards by Michael Browning

    Visitors to the Duderstadt exhibition can experience an audio tour that features select stories from some of the artists. (See original image)

    Abstract painting of a face card from a deck of cards. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Happiness Within by Groot

    This year, the exhibition introduced a new event, “Art and Music: A Collaborative Concert,” in which students performed original musical compositions inspired by select artworks. (See original image)

    Abstract image of youth with a surreal balloon. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Garden Escapades by Tim Brownell

    The concert that complemented the exhibition was a way to empower and unite with people impacted by the justice system through a shared love of creativity, says Ty Bloomfield, one of the event’s organizers. (See original image)

    A farm scene with crops growing in rows and red barn. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • DMX by David Hudson-Bey

    The 2025 exhibition was presented with support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the U-M Residential College. (See original image)

    Abstract of DMX painting with blues and greens. PCAP exhibition 2025.

  • Did I do that? by Daniel Teriberi

    For nearly three decades, the exhibition has provided a platform for incarcerated artists to share their work with the public, shedding light on personal narratives and the power of artistic expression. (See original image)

    Colorful abstract painting in 2025 PCAP exhibition.