Art Connection

Echoes

This segment takes us behind the scenes during the production of a recent Maryland Public Television musical extravaganza called, Young Artists of America: The Songs of Tim Rice. As you step inside Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms, reflections of dots, colors and light bend reality. Theater students throughout the Reno/Tahoe region learn the finer things of Shakespeare while performing on the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe. Bernalillo painter Scott Greene examines the impact humans have on the natural world.

Elements of Design

Bestselling mystery writer, Laurie R. King, discusses her multiple series of historical fiction including her latest novel: The Bones of Paris. We take a look at Downton Abbey-era fashions. We travel to Palm Springs, California to discover the roots of Mid-century modern architecture and JW Johnston chats about his passion and focus for photography.

Embrace

In Ohio, the Bach Society of Dayton honors seven centuries of classical and contemporary music. This group of volunteer singers join together and embrace the power of song. The Solace Tree is a non-profit organization that provides a welcoming space for those struggling with grief. Art becomes a means of helping individuals share their feelings. The exhibit “New Industry Contemporary Visions of the Industrial” explores the industrial aesthetic. The show features artwork that reflects on mechanics and the urbanscape. Through her art and activism, Los-Angeles based photographer Dana Gluckstein highlights the indigenous persons living in our world.

Emotions

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ohio State university dance professor Susan Van Pelt Petry created nineteen videos as a way to process what was going on in the world. In these short pieces, the emotions and challenges of this unprecedented moment in history were explored through dance and movement. For over forty years, multimedia artist David Humphreys has been creating images. From fine art to portraiture to advertising and commercial photography, Humphreys brings his vision to each work he produces. Music chose Siobhan Monique. As an ancestral funk artist, she tells a story with her voice and connects with those that came before her. When she sings, audiences are dazzled.

Empowered

When he was only eleven, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo began performing professionally. Over the years, he has gone on to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, appear on broadway, and win a grammy. We travel to New Mexico to learn about the painter Henriette Wyeth. As the daughter of acclaimed artist N.C. Wyeth, Henriette began studying art at a young age. Throughout her career, she painted portraits, still lifes, and floral compositions in her own unique way. Nicole King is a jewelry designer in Reno, Nevada. With metal and stone, she creates a wide range of pieces for adornment, and they leave clients feeling empowered and inspired.

Everybody

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Utah women’s right to vote, students in the state gather together and create art that honors this monumental moment in history. In Islamorada, Florida, artists Glenn and Nadine Lahti render nautical artwork out of lobster trap wood. With nature as their partner, they repurpose what comes out of the water to make one-of-a-kind frames. The Center for Performance Arts and Learning in Wixom, Michigan provides individuals with an inclusive space to explore the arts and its many facets. No matter your background, everyone is invited to express themselves. The classically trained French painter Stephane Cellier melds past and present in his art. Using a technique from the 15th century, he paints eye-catching modern subjects.

Exceptional

Donna Darby, Historic Hudson Valley Visitor Services Coordinator, gives a tour of Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate, located in Pocantico Hills, NY / Westchester County just north of New York City. Edmond, OK, painter Reian Williams was selected as the artist featured in the 2017 Oscar swag bags. We go inside his studio to meet the man who wooed Tinsel Town with his emotive realism. Now let's hit the ice, where you'll see skaters combine creativity with athleticism like you've never seen before… check out Michigan Showcase Skating. Meet printmaker Katherine Case of Reno, NV, who creates linoleum carvings. She hand-sets metal type and prints using an antique SP-15 Vandercook proof press; fusing history, art, and textile patterns.

Exceptional

Body painting is a different and unique medium. Hear from the body paint factory in Reno, Nevada and see how a human body can be transformed into a work of art. The Addison gallery of American Art in Massachusetts explores Harlem's history, from the artists who documented it to the artists who define it today. In Mount Vernon, Ohio, four generations of one family have been creating handmade, hand-tooled leather goods from carpet bags and purses, to belts and keychains. John Kascht is a renowned caricature artist. He shares how caricature is a specialized form of portraiture that amplifies one's characteristics to find the true essence of a person.

Exceptional Communities

Megan Hallett is an educator in Utah, she leads Family Art Studio, which is a free after school program where families gather to share a meal and make art together, while building a strong community. In this session the families worked on oil pastels to make pet portraits. Part of the class is that the students are involved in the teaching process and show their parents how to draw and paint. We travel to South Lake Tahoe, California, to meet artist and muralist Matt Kauffmann. As the founder and creative director of “Tree Fort Design,” he looks to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary and evokes childlike wonder with his work. At the age of sixteen, artist Jes McMillan made her first mosaic…and today, she shares her knowledge with her community. Through the act of creation, she encourages people to come together and form connections.

Exceptional Creations

Artist Clayton Singleton recognizes the importance of creation. We travel to Norfolk, Virginia and learn more about his technique, inspiration, and striking, colorful works. We meet grand junction, Colorado based woodworker Greg Vigil, who applies his background in anthropology to his one-of-a-kind works of art. Fine art, murals, clothing design, pattern creation…for St. Petersburg, Florida artist Chad Mize, his canvas takes on many different forms and there are no limits to his bold ideas. Glassblowing is a special art form that requires tremendous skill and control. Since college, Nate Freeland has been using this technique to render vibrant, custom pieces.

Exceptionally Ordinary

We visit with Bobbi Mastrangelo who is internationally known for her artwork based on the theme of manhole covers. Artist Joanne Barthelmes takes a walk on her land and explains how she finds inspiration. We take a look at how students from The National Dance Institute of New Mexico are making exciting moves both on the stage and in the classroom. And we meet up with two students at the Columbus College of Art Design who leave inspirational messages on a chalkboard.

Experience

Call it visual art 101, with a twist. Paint and sip studios school grown-ups on ways to create a simple painting. Vino in hand, optional. We visit one such location in Grand Junction, Colorado. Originally from Austin, Minnesota, acclaimed Americana rock band, Gear Daddies have been playing together since 1986. Band members return to First Avenue for the 25^th Anniversary of the band’s record, “Billy’s Live Bait." We visit the Blue House Gallery and Studios in northwest Dayton, Ohio. Since 2014, this once-vacant property has blossomed into a contemporary arts center where artists can collaborate, create and exhibit. Political Cartoonist Dwane Powell looks back on a lifetime of covering the news.

Explore

Chef Jose Salazar opened Mita’s restaurant in Cincinnati in 2015. The menu features traditional and modern dishes of Spain and Latin America, and pays tribute to the food created by his grandmother. Rob Rogalski is a local artist whose whimsical art enraptures those who visit his studio. His miniature movie sets, his puppets and his sculptures transport you to a fantasy world that seems so real. At the Sacramento Zoo, animals get the opportunity to create works of art. It’s all part of a program that helps build stronger relationships with the animals and their trainers. Villa Conroy is the home of Connie and Roy Brand. Each month they open their home for a concert, bringing together folk musicians and fans.

Exploring the Past

Born in Susanville, California, community artist and activist Jean LaMarr  uses printmaking, painting, video, and more, to represent Native American life and culture, and address important issues affecting Indigenous people. Columbus, Ohio native Terri Albanese paints with glass. Inspired by the mosaics in Italy, she shapes glass into vibrant, textured works of art that uplift, heal, and evoke feelings of hope. At a very young age, jazz legend Kitty Daniels started playing the piano. Throughout her long career, she has collaborated with talents such as Etta James, B.B. King, and Dizzy Gillespie. We met the artist and hear her story.

Expression

Drag is an art and, in this segment, we meet drag performer Rianna Petrone. Based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Petrone sits down for drag queen story hour for youth in the community. Since 1980, DDC Dances has been presenting works of contemporary dance in Michigan. As a dance company, they choreograph expressive performances for audiences to enjoy. Multimedia artist Nicole Ashton creates unique public art. With her large-scale sculptures, she encourages interaction and participation. We take a trip to Reno, Nevada for the story. Artist John Waters is unlike any other. In his art, he tells a story in a provocative, subversive way. We visit the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio, to see an exhibition of his visual work.  

Expressions

Heidi Hoy’s expressive bronze sculptures render women with incredible strength and femininity. Wilmington, Ohio is often known for its antique shops. This small, sleepy town is home to a tattoo parlor which is anything but antique, it’s an art gallery. Photographer Steve McCurry tells us about his travels around the world which lead him to create iconic photographs of vanishing traditions, armed conflicts, and contemporary life. A hard-early life and eventual enlightenment influenced artist Forrest Prince in the creation of some striking multi-media art.

Expressions

During the biennial legislative session in Carson City, Nevada, the legislative exhibition series presents an array of artworks for legislators to appreciate. The series encourages creativity and expression. For over 20 years, Scenic Solutions has been bringing a variety of shows to life. Based in West Carrollton, Ohio, this scenery shop creates singular designs. We hear from feminist poet, writer, and social activist Margaret Randall. Over the span of her illustrious career, Randall has published over 150 books and made an undeniable impact on the poetic medium. We visit Durango, Colorado, to check out Ska Brewing Company. Founded in 1995, this music-inspired brewery is known for its creative beer labels.

Expressive

Artist Sabrina Nelson reflects on the world around her in her meaningful works of art. We head to Detroit, Michigan to get an inside look at her exhibition “Why You Wanna Fly blackbird." In Monroe, Louisiana, community members have come together to develop a public art project. Featuring sculptures of herons, “Herons on the Bayou” has become a part of the landscape. We travel to Reno, Nevada, to meet jewelry artist and goldsmith Micah Blank. We get a firsthand look at how his sustainable fine jewelry is made and the artistry behind his designs. Embracing Our Differences is a not-for-profit organization that educates and inspires. For over 15 years, they have presented an outdoor international art exhibition that celebrates inclusion and diversity.

Eye Candy

The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood exhibit delves into the fads, trends, and contemporary influences of the Peanuts comic strip and shows us how those references have changed over the last 50 years. Museum curator Gvido Trepsa talks about the artistic inspiration and the hardships encountered by Roerich in his work. Zach Braff discusses his new crowd-funded film “Wish I Was Here.” And artist Charlotte Kruk explores the ideas of consumerism through fiber arts made of packaging from items she’s consumed.

Fantastic

Producer Ashley Holcroft introduces us to Calvin Arsenia, who has captured the attention of audiences with his harp, his passionate vocals and his soulful style. Join us as Philip Smith takes us into the magical world of his hieroglyphic paintings as they reference the metaphysical world and his childhood in 1960s Miami. Known for his fantastical imagery of the sweet and the skewed, pop surrealist Mark Ryden’s work found its way to the most unlikely of places, American Ballet Theatre…and the result is simply delicious. What do Pavarotti, Abraham Lincoln, and Babe Ruth have in common? They're all featured in the work of artist John Cross, who  whittles blocks of wood into wonderfully defined sculptures.