Art Connection

Balance

Yetunde Rodriguez is a textile artist in Dayton, Ohio. Born in Nigeria, she encountered colorful, patterned fabrics that brought her much joy and happiness. Today, her Nigerian heritage plays a key role in her creative process, serving as a source of inspiration. Artist and teacher Joshua Chambers creates fine art acrylic paintings. with a minimalist approach to artmaking, he encourages viewers to bring their own experiences to his works and create their own stories based on what they see. Greg Rumph is not just an assistant principal in Sarasota, Florida. he is also an artist who expresses himself through his work.  We learn more about how he balances being a school administrator with being an artist.

Beat Poets

We meet some artist at the recent “Spring Fever in the Garden” festival who use colorful chalk to create their large-scale masterpieces…on concrete. Poet Carlos Contreras shares how self-reflection in poetry can lead to positive change. The Kohler Company gives artist unprecedented access to share studio space with its industrial workers. And we meet a pianist who is taking listeners on a musical journey.

Beautiful

Artist Agnes Chavez creates art that highlights the species inhabiting the earth. Focused on the environment, she reflects on the world around us, increasing awareness through her work. We hear from the band “Billy the Squid and the Sea Cow Drifters.” This talented group of singers and musicians blend a variety of sounds to make music that is one-of-a-kind. Artist Roy Lichtenstein was a major figure in the pop art movement. Recently, his “Modern Head” sculpture was installed at Ohio State University. Paula Vogel’s play “Indecent” is about an important moment in theatre history. We learn more about the production and its remounting in Boston, Massachusetts.

Beauty Doodles

We explore the art of one of the early 20th century’s great photographers of humanity, Edward Steichen. We follow along as a very rare fortepiano undergoes a complete restoration. We see how doodles can be a beautiful and connective force. And entertainer Michael Feinstein gives one UCF student the experience of a lifetime.

Best Costume Design

In this edition of Art Connection, we meet Christine Bossler, an independent metal smith and jeweler whose eclectic pieces have caught the eye of people all over the world. See how the classical training of The Art of Ballet at the Miami City Ballet teaches children discipline, self-esteem and incredible work ethic. We take a look at Edith Head's historic costume collection. And we meet some Sacramento tattoo artists utilizing living canvases.

Best Friend

Thomas Ashcraft shares his love for studying natural phenomena through photography. We meet Jane Walentas, who spent 27 years restoring a carousel and is its namesake, and discuss the carousel’s journey to Brooklyn, New York. We take a look at an original play about a soldier and his dog. And we talk with Brook Hill, a student of University of Central Florida, and what bringing awareness to human trafficking means to her.  

Big Impact

Indie Noir Market in Florida reaches out to the local community and provides a platform for African American artists and business owners to present their work. Tamarah Begay is the founder of Indigenous Design Studio and Architecture. A member of the Navajo Nation, she instills her heritage, knowledge, and values into her innovative designs. Ballet dancers have graced stages for centuries. What people may not realize, though, is that ballet artists are also incredible athletes. We visit the Cleveland Ballet to find out more. The Terrarium Shop is a unique place that explores the artistry of nature and all its curiosities. We head to Denver, Colorado to take a look.

Big Impact

As the first female state Senator in U.S. History, Martha Hughes Cannon’s impact continues to be felt in the state of Utah and across the country. Thanks to the efforts of Girl Scout Troop 914, the Utah legislature voted to send a statue of cannon to the U.S. Capitol. When artist Natalie Plasencia creates, she makes the spiritual visible. With her sculptures, the human soul is given a voice. We head to the Florida Keys to visit Plasencia in her studio and find out more about her process. We head to Ohio to meet aerosol artist Lance Johnson who embraces collaboration. Working with a local high school, he helped students express themselves through art and create a “Wall of Inspiration.”

Bird's Eye View

Drones take to the skies over Houston and offer a new perspective on the urban intersections. We learn about the late American painter Robert Butler, who created colorful and romantic portrayals of landscapes. A new board-game parlor is in town, and don’t think it’s just a place for Dungeons and Dragons. It’s complete with trained board-game sommeliers on-hand to help you. And we visit Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, New York to see how actors bring the amazing puppets of War Horse to life.

Blue

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Ohio State Ball, the largest ballroom dance competition in the world. Filmmaker Ken Burns speaks with reporter Carrie Saldo about his unique approach to the craft. We visit The Millay Colony of the Arts, which gives artists the time and space to create. And we visit a retrospective of George Rodrigue’s work and his son lends his insight into the man behind the Blue Dog.

Born to Ride

Dive into the first photography exhibit showcasing the Midwest motorcycle culture from those within the community. One group of central Florida performers shows off their skill and ignores the warning of "don't play with fire." Artist Sherry Hill creates bright, multicultural masks out of old computer boxes and colored paper. And we meet a Sacramento collage artist making pictures out of pieces in her creation of work.

Bouncing Light

Today we discover the master works of impressionist, Gustave Caillebotte. Mary Morton, Curator and Head of the French Painting Department at the National Gallery of Art guides us through the artist's career. Artist Nic Nicosia works with sculptures and photography to capture his work's rich narratives. We head to the American Folk Art Museum where artist Asa Ames' piece the "Phrenological Head" is discussed. And we join filmmaker Alicia J. Rose on the cutting room floor as we experience how a film is cut together.

Brave

In Utah, ten local poets came together for “Salt Lake Speaks,” a slam poetry exhibition that celebrated the artistry of spoken word. Since 2001, historian and author Brad Bertelli has been studying the Florida Keys. ever in pursuit of knowledge, he has published eight books about the sunshine state. Silo Arts Studio provides a welcoming space for adults with disabilities to get creative. We head to Canton, Ohio, to learn more about the important work done at this artist collective.

Break Away

Hildreth Meiere is considered one of the most renowned American Muralists of the 20th century. Breaking away from American academic tradition, she approached artmaking in a modern way. We take a trip to the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Nevada to experience the Dragon Lights Reno Chinese Lantern Festival. During this immersive event, visitors come upon eye-catching light sculptures. Alex Harris is a singer, actor, philanthropist, and the CEO and co-founder of Arts Conservatory for Teens. We travel to Saint Petersburg, Florida to meet the artist and find out how his organization is supporting underserved, at-risk students and communities.

Breaking Barriers

A family-owned business turns whiskey barrels into beautiful pieces of furniture. Cordell Cordaro's style has been compared to Toulouse Letrec. Every fall in Columbus, Ohio, dozens of artists and performance venues open up their studios for one epic weekend tour. Fiber artists are often on the fringe of the art scene perhaps not always getting the respect they deserve. Dayton artist Jackie Wetherly is trying to change that one silk dye at a time. 

Breaking Out

Today on Art Connection we follow composer Daniel Bernard Roumain to a park where he makes picnickers part of his performance. We also interview three-time Emmy winner actor Bryan Cranston. Paper artist, Tom Balbo passes on his skills to future generations and Rob Stewart talks to Mari Ariola about what makes her Sacramento, California gallery so special.

Breaking Stigmas

Suzanne Seller's art can be seen all around Houston, Texas and today we go examine her creative process and an artistic method for deceiving the eye. We visit The Arbor Opera Theater where artist and dancers perform inspiring pieces and use opera to combat the stigma of depression and other illnesses. Discover how The 3rd Law Dance/Theater is changing the way of traditional performances by combining both musicians and dancers together on stage. And meet visual artist Adler Guerrier whose work is a combination of photography, printmaking techniques, sculpture and video.

Break the Limits

Learn about a Tampa Bay non-profit that provides musical instruments to injured veterans and other service members in an effort to use the power of music to help heal. Meet life-long artist Tim Jackson, who, after suffering a stroke, had to learn to paint with his left hand. What began as the first Hispanic-led public radio station in the country, KUVO celebrated its 30th year in the 2015 as one of the top jazz radio stations in the world. Also, Susie Medhurst and Jenni Quadros make teddy bears and memory pillows; a labor of love becomes a huggable memory for families remembering loved ones.

Break the Rules

Albany NY photographer Connie Frisbee Houde has been traveling to Afghanistan and telling the country’s harrowing and untold stories with her photographs since 2003. Gabriela “Chanchita” Riveros is a recent graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and making a name for herself in the art community through her unique illustrations influenced by her Paraguayan heritage. We meet Cincinnati composer, performer, and community based teacher and activist - Eddy Kwon. We recently stopped into his Price Hill performance space to learn more about his work. We visit an art exhibit in raw warehouse space, where all exhibitors were charged with making art inspired by the concepts of "rough" and "tumble."

Brotherhood

Sculptor and installation artist, Martha Russo, hopes her mysterious objects and forms will inspire her viewer’s childlike curiosity. Art meets football in an informative museum exhibit, that celebrates the seventieth anniversary of the reintegration of the National Football League. Daniel Arsham’s installation, “Welcome to the Future,” at Locust Projects in Florida creates and excavation trench in the gallery’s floor, holding artifacts of the 20th century. And we sit down with The Vision Male Ensemble, who focus on creating the bond of brotherhood through music.