Arts & Culture
Here we cover the latest and most uplifting exhibitions, creative movements, and imaginative design to keep you inspired throughout your day.
This unique greenhouse is made from over 4,500 recycled jars
[caption id="attachment_1408340" align="alignleft" width="265"] Axton Burton and their greenhouse[/caption] Axton Burton is a tropical plant enthusiast, but in their rainy home state of Washington, keeping warm weather-loving plants alive is no easy feat. Seeking out a greenhouse for their leafy Read More...
Meet the woman saving Hawaiian Sign Language from extinction
Linda Yuen Lambrecht has been on a mission to save Hawaii Sign Language (HSL) and with it generations of history and heritage from extinction since 2018. Lambrecht was born in 1944 to a family of Chinese laborers in Honolulu. She was completely deaf since birth and was exposed to HSL by her two Read More...
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: How you can honor and celebrate the holiday
To recognize the generations of genocide and oppression which followed Columbus’ arrival in the Americas, more and more cities and states are choosing to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Now, why should we celebrate this day? Well, because it recognizes the injustices Read More...
Pearl Jam founder is empowering kids with skateboarding in rural Montana
Pearl Jam founder Jeff Ament is one of the world’s most famous bass guitarists, but these days, his attention has shifted to a different goal: using skateboarding to empower the youth of Montana. Originally from Big Sandy, Montana, Ament is familiar with the challenges of growing up in a small Read More...
Phil Henderson will lead the first all-Black American team to the summit of Everest
Expensive gear, remote locations, and limited transportation options make outdoor exploration inaccessible to many communities. Phil Henderson recognizes that the world of outdoor adventure is lacking diverse representation and plans to push change in the industry by leading the first-ever Read More...
Researchers use AI to complete Beethoven’s unfinished 10th Symphony
Ludwig von Beethoven is celebrated as one of the best composers of all time, but when he died in 1827, he left behind the unfinished sketches of his 10th Symphony. Beethoven fans have since pondered what the remainder of that piece would sound like, and now, thanks to a dedicated team of music Read More...
Lorde uplifts New Zealand’s Indigenous language with new mini album
International star and New Zealander, Lorde, is paying tribute to her home country with new recordings of a set of songs off her latest album, “Solar Power,” in the country's Indigenous language, Māori. “Many things revealed themselves slowly to me while I was making this album, but the Read More...
Washington National Cathedral to retire Confederate-themed stained glass
Addressing racism in the 21st century often means confronting uncomfortable reminders of America’s history of slavery. The Washington National Cathedral is taking steps to confront its own legacy of oppression with the removal of stained glass depicting Confederate figures. The glass will be Read More...
Decolonizing Science: Kiwi scientists take a stand on using Maori language
At The Optimist Daily, we have often featured stories about scientific discoveries that help improve our understanding of the biosphere. We are also big fans of inclusivity, particularly when it shows an appreciation of Indigenous wisdom. That’s why we wanted to feature this delightful account of Read More...
Richmond, VA unveils Emancipation and Freedom Monument
Last week we shared how a controversial Robert E. Lee statue was finally removed from Virginia’s capital. In an acknowledgment of the history of slavery and the fight for equality in the US, Richmond has unveiled a new monument—a statue of a man and a woman holding an infant after they were Read More...