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Audio Engineers Restored Hidden Notes and Revealed Lost Instruments in This New Treasure Trove of Songs by the Pioneering 'Mother of the Blues'

The 118-track collection is the most complete set ever compiled of recordings by American blues icon Ma Rainey

Smithsonian Smart NewsSmithsonian Smart News
Source published Jul 30New3 min readBrightSide page reviewed Jul 30, 2026

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Creative Joy

The Youngest Lighthouse Keeper in Britain Is Putting a Fresh Face on an Old Job

For Jeri Cormack, climbing towering spiral staircases and braving howling storms are all in a day’s work. The 28-year-old is the newest and youngest retained lighthouse keeper for the Northern Lighthouse Board, which maintains more than 200 lighthouses across Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Nice News - Jul 30

Creative Joy

Lifelike Birds Emerge from Foliage in Painted Paper Reliefs by The Paper Ark

The duo aims to raise awareness of biodiversity and conservation by evoking a sense of wonder similar to what we feel in nature. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Lifelike Birds Emerge from Foliage in Painted Paper Reliefs by The Paper Ark appeared first on Colossal .

Colossal - Jul 30

Creative Joy

Zac Henderson Venerates Devil’s Tower in Bold Black-and-White Photos

Henderson also captures the changing light and the otherworldly textures and ochres of the iconic rock. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Zac Henderson Venerates Devil’s Tower in Bold Black-and-White Photos appeared first on Colossal .

Colossal - Jul 30

Creative Joy

1,300+ Hand-Colored Wildlife Illustrations Now Available in The Naturalist’s Library Digital Archive

1,300+ Hand-Colored Wildlife Illustrations Now Available in The Naturalist’s Library Digital Archive An endless list of information about nature and wildlife is now at our fingertips, but this was not always the case. In the Victorian era, The Naturalist’s Library was one of the main sources of information about the natural world. Now, you can step back in time with a digital archive of the library restored […] READ: 1,300+ Hand-Colored Wildlife Illustrations Now Available in The Naturalist’s Library Digital Archive

My Modern Met - Jul 30