#popculture27: Helen Wills Moody Dominates the Tennis World, Inspires Art

The Michael Jordan of tennis in the early twentieth century was this unassuming Californian who also had ties to the art world.

by Rich Watson 

In a Hall of Fame career that spanned two decades, Helen Wills Moody had a pretty good 1927. 

The tennis superstar already had two Olympic gold medals on her shelf. But in that year, she won the women’s singles at Wimbledon (the first of four in a row and eight in twelve years) and the US (her fourth in five years), plus the Wimbledon doubles, and began a 180-match win streak.

One could argue that the story of American women athletes in the twentieth century begins with her.

The Art at 81 St-MNH Prepares You For a Deep Dive Into Nature

The NYC subway’s arts program decorated this station with art that celebrates the world-famous museum.

by Rich Watson 

For over a century and a half, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) has educated audiences on the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the universe.

Located on Central Park West in Manhattan, its subway station at West 81 Street reflects its mission with a stunning array of mosaic and relief art.