The Thing Quarterly is an “object-based publication” based in San Francisco, the mindpup of artists Jonn Herschend and Will Rogan. Each issue is some useful thing, as conceived by the nimble imaginations of a shifting line-up of artists — a shower curtain by Dave Eggers, a pull-down window shade by Miranda July, a set of ceramic wine cups by Chris Johanson.

The latest edition of The Thing is the Fabric of Events 2013 Calendar by our esteemed colleague and friend, artist and filmmaker Mike Mills. The edition combines a series of half-toned images of historic persons, things, animals and events culled from Google Image searches and accompanied by text, some more obviously inter-related than others — with a notebook for planning your next calendar year. In Mike’s own words: “The idea of a historical fabric points to a non-hierarchical, non-linear way of understanding how moments, events, laws, things external and ‘real’ and things internal and subjective can shape our present story of who we are and how we love and are alone, how we are controlled and attempt to be free, and our relationship to different kinds of people and plants and animals.” The Mike Mills’s edition of The Thing Quarterly is available starting today at Project No.8 at Ace Hotel New York.

The one and only Chris Johanson held a percussion workshop at Summer School 2012 at Ace Hotel & Swim Club. This is the track he recorded with a bunch of Ace guests by the pool, a painting he made about it, and a picture of Chris and folks. And here’s what Chris had to say about it:

This is an art making situation where everyone is going to make some new art. We are going to talk about life though stories, percussion and paint. When we are done everyone will leave with a CD of music that they will never forget making. I have an idea what we are going to do but as we know in this trip called life, you never know how it is going to go. There could be some detours, a bump in the road, an unexpected beautiful who knows what, etc. I can tell you this, it will be fun and at the very least awkward. So come on into the art class and have a good time.

Summer School has returned — this weekend we have the amazing Chris Johanson teaching a percussion workshop, Johanna Jackson leading an abstract expressionism cake decorating session, Abby Portner (set designer for Animal Collective) making puppets, and Brian Roettinger leading the class in hand-lettering and zine-making. You can do all this drunk, sober or high on life in the Clubhouse next to the pool — and you’ll leave with your very own art. The cake — you will probably want to eat that before you go. Unless you get truly abstract and it becomes inedible.

As always, Matt and Chris of School Night LA are bringing rad bands and DJs to the pool and the Amigo Room all weekend including The Miracals, Chasing Kings, American Royalty, Good Night Keaton and Justin Cornwall.

Rooms are on the cheap, and all workshops are free for guests and Swim Club members and day pass holders. Last year was a truly incredible experience, and we’re so excited to be back in the poolside-art-making-saddle once again.

See more about everything here. And see more about one of our summer school teachers here: