TRAVERSE CITY — Holly Thompson is a mother, a lawyer who specializes in Native American law, a tribal Supreme Court justice, and a Leelanau County resident of Mexican and Native American descent.
So when she learned of an effort to organize a new northern Michigan cultural center, Thompson jumped on board.
"It's very important to me and to my children to have exposure not only to our own culture but to other cultures around the world," said Thompson, vice president of the fledgling Northern Michigan Cultural Center. "We in Traverse City tend to be a little more isolated than other areas despite being an artistic and thriving area, and we thought it would be good to bring that exposure here."
The center launched in November and kicked off its programming Jan. 28 with a Chinese New Year open house. It will sponsor a Chinese New Year Lantern Festival from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at the Open Space.
"Being new we want to do everything," said Executive Director Jim Adkins, who hopes to offer everything from foreign and indigenous language and cultural arts classes to informational classes on cultural holidays. "I love to learn, and I hope people out there will do the same."
Classes — priced at $20 or less — will be infused with lots of history, such as the true meaning of Valentine's Day and how and where Mardi Gras got started, said Sarah Adkins, who is helping to get the center off the ground.
"It's educational as well as fun," she said.
For now the center is housed in the couple's White Tiger Martial Arts studio on Eighth Street. Family classes will be offered on Saturday afternoons, starting with two or so a month.
"If we can keep it diverse enough, every Saturday would be good," Jim Adkins said. "Our goal for the end of the year is to find a bigger place to house the cultural center."
The center grew out of the Adkins' interest in Shaolin culture, which is founded on Chan Buddhism, martial arts and medicine, and Jim's unconventional upbringing by a black man and two part-Native American grandmothers.
After the couple immersed themselves in learning and teaching Shaolin culture, "we were thinking how can we (extend) it to other cultures," Adkins said.
Officials said the center will likely have a focus on Shaolin and Asian cultures, with cultural classes and public events including tea ceremonies, Feng Shui, the art of bonsai and calligraphy. Plans also call for a Shaolin temple with karate dojo to be situated nearby.
Sarah Adkins envisions a retail center offering acupuncture and massage, and parklike grounds with koi ponds and herbal, vegetable and ornamental gardens — "Something beautiful that people would want to go to, walk around," she said.
But the cultural center will teach about many other cultures, such as African American, Native American and Irish, officials say.
"When you're exposed to different cultures you actually see the common thread that runs between them, and that tends to unite a community," said Thompson.
"It's a beginning step for this area to some degree."
Jim Adkins said offerings will be geared toward both locals and tourists, and tie into existing community events like the National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival whenever possible.
Thompson said the cultural center could engage the area's ethnic minorities, who often live under the radar.
"There are people from India who have moved to the area. There are people from China, people from Korea. There are people from all walks of life, and I don't think they're as visible as most people think they are," she said. "This would be a great place to gather."
The center also will complement Northwestern Michigan College's active international student group and student life events that promote diversity and broadening horizons, said Lisa Thomas, NMC's student life director.
"Learning about respecting diversity is a developmental task that we want to see all students do," she said. "The cultural center is a great idea, and it ties into NMC's vision of a more global culture. Because that's where we live now."
Adkins said the center is seeking donations, programming ideas and people with expertise on different cultures. The center has filed for nonprofit status but will operate through his business, if necessary.
"We're passionate about it," said Sarah Adkins. "We'll make it work."
For events or more information, go to www.michiganshaolin.org or call 313-6900.
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