By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Preaching to the "choir" Monday noon in 79-degree weather at the dedication of Nina Akamu's Mount'n View sculpture, Dr. William M. Anderson said, "The challenge is to educate, nurture and grow the appetites of the non-consumers" of the arts.
Anderson, formerly of Southwestern Michigan College and now state director of history, art and libraries for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, said, "How many of us would really feel joy in our lives if we could experience nothing more than having our basic human needs met?"
Anderson asked. "What feeds and fuels the human spirit? Think of all the extraordinary things people accomplish that we know of … I believe that these individuals are filled with hope and inspired by a human spirit that energizes their creativity, their enterprise and their readiness to tackle daunting challenges. Think for a moment how your life experiences have cultivated an appetite that almost demands and certainly seeks that you have a rich life experience, whether it's reading, music, art, history, writing or dance.