Art Connection

Sharing a Gift

Author Jyotsna Sreenivasan writes about the experiences of Indian Americans. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Sreenivasan hopes to build connections with her readers. With “The Jerome Project,” artist Titus Kaphar focuses on a history that is personal. Through a series of impactful portraits, he examines the lived experiences in our society. We take a trip to South Lake Tahoe, California, to meet harpist Anne Roos. With her Celtic harp, Roos shares music with audiences from all over the world. We visit Ohio to hear about a collaboration between artist Amber D. Kempthorn and the akron symphony orchestra. Animation and classical music were brought together to create a memorable experience.

Shelter

Meet Suzy Taylor, a Houston photographer who pushes the boundaries of reality with photography. Escaping violence and fear, CalArts dramatizes the traumatic, but hopeful journey of unaccompanied minors seeking a new life in the U.S. through a student production. Mateo Blanco, an opera singer turned artist, explains why he loves to create art that fascinates, but also tastes good. And we join the students from the Kansas City Art Institute as they come together to show their community how steamrollers can be used to create art.

Shooting Stars

Jewelry artist, Kara Knack, has drawn inspiration from a combination of fond childhood memories and outer space to create a jewelry line targeted towards a different type of accessory lover. Artist Mary Mirabal has found a passion for acrylic painting and now devotes herself to re-creating the vibrant colors of the American Southwest. What’s normally described as a large fruit in the squash family, has become the main subject of Amy Knight’s art collection. And photographer Nancy Raven uses the old method of pinhole photography to photograph historical landmarks in Nevada.

Silhouette

In this episode, we preview the American Repertory Theater's production of Finding Neverland. Artist Virginia Krause opens up about her art during WWII. Photographer Patrick Nagatani shares his thoughts about fiction and the stories his collections tell. And charcoal artist Virginia Fifield's drawings appear bold and familiar at first, but on a closer examination, they encourage a deeper contemplation about man's relationship with nature.

Sister Cities

DiDomenico, an artist that has dabbled in art forms from sculpture, to prints, and all the way to the creation of a cave walk installation piece. Enjoy a behind the scenes look at Machine de Cirque, one of the newest entries in the circus renaissance around the world. We visit The Craftsman House in St. Petersburg, Florida, which features the work of local and national artists, including those who use natural and recycle materials in their creations. And the youth orchestra from Toyota City, Japan, visit Detroit, Michigan to collaborate with the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Slammed

Take a look inside The Generator, an inclusive art space in Nevada that invites all artist to make art and be part of their creative community. Rochester, New York based musical duo, Roses & Revolutions, perform. We sit down with a few of Slam ULIT’s members as they explain the fire needed to perform slam poetry. And we visit the ‘Through My Lens: Art is Life’ exhibit, where twenty-five teens were given the opportunity to make a statement, via photography.

Slip Trails

Come along as we stop by Chocolatier Annie Rupani’s shop to see how she creates her tiny and delicious works of art. Discover how a calendar from The Academy Graphic Communication celebrates the arts marked by each month of the year. We go inside the studio of The Pottery Shop in Dearborn, Michigan where beautiful plates, pots, and more are created. And we visit painter Dennis Larkins, who uses iconic imagery from the 50’s and 60’s to create retro-pop culture masterpieces.

Small and Big Feats

At first glance, Kristi Abbott’s work draws the eye with its vibrant colors and complimentary patterns. Upon closer study, her paper collages reveal their complexity. This segment is a visually stunning and highly personal tale about the universality of music, the immigrant work ethic and the pull of our roots, which inspires one to do both great and small things. One Six Five is a Columbus-based jewelry line by Kaleigh Shrigley and Claire Lowe. We popped into their High Street shop to learn more about their minimal and modern designs. Muralist Robert Dafford has made a lasting impression in cities across the country, as well as internationally. We look at this Lafayette, Louisiana native’s major works over the last four decades.

Snapshots

International acclaimed photographer Alec Soth, exhibits his work at the Denver Art Museum and showcases the America we live in. We take a look at the life of Iranian born musician and philosopher Ostad Elahi. We go inside the family gelato business Gelazzi and discover the art of gelato making. And we take a look back at the life of Cecil B. Demille and the legacy he left behind.

Something from Nothing

Meet legendary Iranian sculptor Parviz Tanvoli whose latest show, at The Davis Museum at Wellesley College features the man considered the father of the modern Iranian sculpture. They may be young, but the kids from the L.A. Drama Club relish in the works and stories of Shakespeare. Artist Jeanne Cameron shares how she uses digital and fine art to tell stories on canvas. And we visit the University of Central Florida as they celebrate the merging of the arts and sciences and explore the link between the two.

Something New

Zen Glass Studio and Gallery provides a space for members of the art community to learn about glassblowing. From workshops to classes, this flamework glass studio gives people the opportunity to do something new and exciting. In Reno, Nevada, artist and anthropologist Zoe Bray paints from life. Fascinated by humankind, people are her subjects. With her brush, she captures the identity and spirit of the individual. Stereotank is a design studio focused on the relationship between sound, art, and architecture. We take a trip to Florida to meet the studio’s co-founders. Through performance and education, Harlem Quartet expresses their strong admiration for classical music. We hear from its members and sit in on one of their master classes.

Soul Grooves

We meet the members of The Utility Players, a well-known Reno, Nevada improv group, and find out what it takes to create great improv. We visit The Old Manse, a historical hub where early literary masters gathered to exchange ideas; today it is a public space to discuss and debate important issues. The Pink House Gallery is a dream come true for artist Luis Nunez. And we catch up with funk and R&B band The Infatuations.

Spark of Vision

Cuban-born artist Wilfredo Lam traveled the world, inhaled the works of the greats and steeped himself in the cultures that moved him. We take a look at his body of work at a Boston museum. Cincinnati stone sculptor, Karen Heyl, found her new career when she picked up her first chisel in her thirties. The art of Cartier and its jewelry line is examined at the Denver Art Museum. And meet the directors of the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, who combine fun with musical training, and the dynamic music students learning their craft.

Stone Rose

Textiles, music and a disarmed nuclear missile come together to form an exhibition from Miami artist Christy Gast. Join us as we visit Susan Zalkind, a pioneer of contemporary American abstract and functional alabaster sculpture who honors each and every stone. We sit down with Terry Doughty, a wildlife artist best known for his intricately detailed paintings depicting animals in their natural habitats. And we visit a nationally recognized arts education organization that is dedicated to changing the lives of young people through the arts.

Story Threads

Meet New Mexico, Tlingit weaver, Clarissa Rizal as she documents the history of an indigenous culture. We visit Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, where Timothy Haglund is using the walls as his canvas. Photographer Rick Buchanan shares how photography recharges his batteries. And we take a look at some unique seashell designs.

Strange Beauty

Curator Andrea Lipps talks about the exhibition “Beauty - Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.” An Alexandria artist called on to expand the collections of presidents of nations. Santa Fe Santero, Arthur Lopez uses traditional iconography in a contemporary way. Gallery 2125 is a unique space located within the Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. Two local art agencies, Platform Art and Polk County Art Alliance, partnered together to open this calming space for the public. 

Stripes and Lines

We fall into artist Bryce Widom’s vibrant and mystical portraits he creates using chalk. We go inside the Museum of Modern Arts in New York City, for a look at the sculptures of Pablo Picasso. Artist Charlotte Belland creates a miniature herd of zebras to fill a dollhouse-sized gallery. And we tour the murals of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida and meet the artist behind the large-scale works that adorn building facades.

Strong

Enter the fantastic world of Killbuck, a Reno artist who creates artistic works ranging from steampunk–themed oddities to historic scenes filled with sideshow banners and noodle-western flair. “Ballet Moves,” a partnership between the Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, offers classes to young people with Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. Lives of both students and instructors are transformed. The best-selling book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was adapted into a best-selling drama winning 5 Tonys including best play. For its star, it’s a physically and mentally demanding role like no other. Albuquerque, New Mexico, artist Lea Anderson sees biological patterns as a world of ideas.

Style

Suzanne Wallace Mears is an Oklahoma City multi-media artist who’s forte is color and whimsy.The annual Green Box Arts Festival in Green Mountain Falls brings famed UK outdoor installation artist Bruce Munro to Colorado for his first-ever presentation of Field of Light. Known for their harmony-laced take on alt-folk, the Chesapeake band of seven siblings have been playing music together almost their entire lives. It’s a panoply of posters at MassArt which recently unveiled its newest exhibition—A Century of Style. They’re the posters that made us dream of faraway travels and fizzy cocktails.

Style and Artistry

In Largo, Florida, a group of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease gather together to sing songs and welcome music’s ability to help both physically and mentally. We get a behind the scenes look at the Cirque du Soleil show Corteo. Full of thrilling circus acts with a powerful story to match, we learn more about the show and the group of performers that make it possible. We visit the Heritage Museums and Gardens to see an array of race cars from throughout history. Each car has a story and is rich with style and artistry. Otherworld is an immersive art experience that allows visitors the chance to go on an adventure. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this installation is brimming with creative wonders.