Art Connection

The MIM

Oil painter, Mike Welton, uses his paintings to show a slice of urban areas throughout the Midwest and views them as architectural preservation. We visit The Musical Instrument Museum, which is the only museum in the world devoted to global musical instruments. We visit one of the only glass studios in Houston, Texas. And the Daytona Beach Symphony exposes at-risk students through the “Youth Experiencing Symphony” program that helps students broaden their horizons.

The Originals

We visit The Origin KC Theater in Kansas City, where a vast catalogue of original work has been mounting since Artistic Director, Eric Rosen, took the reins eight years ago. We take a look at environmental sculptor Roy Staab’s newest installation and how it’s designed to go up and then decay into its surroundings. Two wonderful and unique collections from Mexican modern art masters have taken up residence at the NSU Art Museum. And the Colorado Symphony takes the work of an American poet and sets out to create something new.

The Poet and The American

In this edition of Art Connection we visit a Korean art fair in the city of Houston. Declan Kiely, head of the Department of Literary and Historical Manuscripts at the Morgan Library and Museum discusses the “Edgar Allan Poe: Terror of the Soul” exhibit. We get an extensive lesson in animation from experienced cartoon animator Tim Decker and Jessica Fellows, author of the Chronicles of Downton Abbey, talks about Cora’s leading role as “the American."

The Puppet Masters

Ohio based Zoot Theater Company creates and uses puppets to entertain and stimulate the creative spirit. Screen-printing sensation Carlos Hernandez shares how he became obsessed with the medium. We take a look at the home of prolific female photographer Alice Austen. And the lead singer from Everclear inspires the next generation of musicians at the new Los Angeles College of Music.

The Spice of Life

We talk with a music producer with a long and successful career playing and producing jazz music that now has a new mission, to turn a new generation onto jazz through education and performance. We stop by Houston’s historic Glenwood Cemetery. We examine the shift in Norman Rockwell’s paintings towards the end of career and chef Ingrid Hoffmann shares personal stories that inspired the latest cookbook, "Latin D’lite."

The Tranquility of Art

In this episode of Art Connection, we check out a unique approach to calligraphy by the Japanese performance artist, Setsuhi Shiraish. Artist Sharon Gainsburg shares what she knows about her art, as well as what she knows about how to unlock the creative artist in all of us. Curator Alicia G. Longwell discusses the permanent collection of works by American impressionist William Merritt Chase at the Parrish Art Museum. And we see how the Frei family continues to apply medieval techniques to the craft of stained glass windows.

The Works of Art

University of Tampa's Haig Mardirosian provides an inside look at the grand 21st century pipe organ housed inside Sykes Chapel at the University of Tampa. Laura Leigh Lanchantin is a fine artist and instructor focused in oils and watercolors. Inspired by nature, Laura completes her work layering stone pigments she creates from Catskill Mountain sedimentary rock. The Cedarburg Artists Guild collaborated with the Grohmann Museum at the Milwaukee School of Engineering for an exhibition called "Artists at Work". Lastly, self-taught Reno glass blower and lamp worker Nicole Seaton started out her artistic journey as a jewelry maker who wanted to create her own centerpieces for her work.

Three Kings

Meet Terri Kern, an artist who pours her passion for archeology into the clay sculptures she dreams up. We sing the blues with Central Florida's Blues legend, Daniel Heitz. Discover the power of language as we tour the Ian Hamilton Finaly and Lesley Dill exhibit at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. And we sit down with award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns as he shares how he got into the business of making documentaries and his thoughts behind his recent project "American Ballet Theater, A History."

Through the Ages

Tiger Lily Press provides a space for individuals to find out more about printmaking. From silkscreen to etching to letterpress, all aspects of the artistic process are explored. The Urban Lotus Project is a non-profit organization that brings the art of yoga to young adults. While learning to master this craft, participants encounter the benefits of this ancient practice. We travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take a look inside the Pabst Mansion. Completed in 1892, this architectural marvel serves as a time capsule of the gilded age. Through the organization angels and heroes, military families come together and experience the craft of ranching and farming.

Through the Eras

Get an up close look at an art exhibit that features the lost city of Pompeii. Jared Bowen talks with Phyllis Logan, Lesley Nicol and Allen Leech of Downton Abbey. A craftsman in Magnolia, Texas keeps the traditional methods of blacksmithing alive and a selection of mid-century textiles are featured.

Together

TRIIIBE is a collective of artists dedicated to art and activism. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, this talented group brings together members of the community through music and events. For veteran James Eby, art is a way to heal trauma and suffering. We sit in on a mask making workshop and learn more about the therapeutic benefits of creativity. We take a trip to Florida to experience an interactive puppet installation. Artists Aurora Molina and Julian Pardo collaborated on this special project that reflects on the elderly in our society.  As a plein air artist, Monikaa Piper Johnson chooses to work outside. With her palette knife and paint, the Lake Tahoe, Nevada, region becomes her source of inspiration for vivid landscapes.

Toytisserie

Today we check out the Cirio Collective, a salon where dancers have the freedom to create and push themselves with no restrictions. Artist Michael Roque Collins shares his activity in the Houston art scene and a bit of family history. We learn about the production Birds of a Feather at Stageworks in Tampa, Florida. And we visit the Toytisserie exhibit at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures.

Tradition

Oleg Kruglyakov is a Balalaika virtuoso. Growing up in Siberia, he works to preserve Russian folk music traditions alongside his music partner Terry Boyarsky. Every third Thursday of the month, the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District in Islamorada, Florida, has their monthly art walk. featuring a wide array of artists, this landmark event brings the community together. We take a trip underwater for an immersive experience in wisconsin. Called “Deep Lake Future,” this surreal art adventure imagines a future where freshwater invasive species have overrun the great lakes. In recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop, the rock and roll hall of fame created an exhibition that highlights the movement’s musical and cultural impact across the globe.

Trailblazer

In 2018, the Utah legislature voted in to send a statue of Dr. Marth Hughes Cannon to the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. We meet Maya Mercer, member of Girl Scout Troop 914 to tell the story of how her troop lobbied the legislature to help send Martha Hughes Cannon's statue to Washington, DC. We head to the South Side of Columbus, Ohio to meet artists Jessica Naples Grilli and Amanda Le Kline, the creators of the work “South Side Stories.” Having a love for their community, they spoke with individuals throughout the area to collect stories that could be shared. We visit Louisiana to meet musician Rusty Metoyer. As the leader of the band “The Zydeco Krush,” he brings his upbeat sound all over the world and introduces audiences to zydeco music.

Trail Blazer

For Jeff Vollmer of Cincinnati, woodworking was just a hobby. But after losing his job, he decided to pursue woodworking as his full-time career. Miami, artist Christina Pettersson attempts to introduce all of Miami to the wonders of poetry. When Alanis Morisette’s Grammy-award winning album was released in 1995, it became a soundtrack for a generation who loved it because it was raw and it was angry. MacNeal Crank is a Navajo photographer from Monument Valley, Utah. He's been capturing stunning landscapes of South Eastern Utah for several years, but his journey started as a chef of a restaurant

Train of Thought

We get an inside look at The Copley Society’s painted works based on the music performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Professional photographer S. Kay gives adults with disabilities the opportunity to photograph and experience nature. Abstract artists Mike Elsass uses his passion and unique vision to work with steel and natural color sources. And we visit the SPUN: Adventures in Textile exhibit at the Denver Art Museum that demonstrates the vastness of what fiber art can encompass.

Transformation

Stephanee Grosscup is an ice choreographer and skating coach from Salt Lake City, UT and has been skating for 40+ years. She has been able to use her love and talents for ice skating to amass an impressive career on the ice. Piano solos have the ability to quiet a room, then fill it with pure musical recreations of experiences from heartbreak to joy. Imagine multiplying that experience by 10 and you've got the Miami piano circle. Creede Repertory Theatre, an improbable success story. Carrie Saldo looks at how the Creede Repertory Theatre helped transform a former mining town into an arts destination. As part of the commemoration of the centennial of the First World War, Public Art Fund commissioned Tauba Auerbach to cover a historic fireboat in a brightly colored design known as dazzle camouflage.

Transforming Communities

The organization “Curated Storefront” breathes new life into neglected urban spaces in downtown Akron, Ohio. Storefronts that have gone unused become multimedia art installations for the public to enjoy. With his camera, photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite has chronicled black life and culture. We visit an exhibit in New York City that displays a selection of his work, including forty studio portraits and images taken of the artistic community in Harlem in the 1950s and 1960s. Oklahoma artist Matt Goad has been creating for years. His geometric approach to art is beloved across the state—so much so that he was chosen to produce an original artwork for the Will Rogers world airport in Oklahoma City.

Trumpet Perfection

Jason Harrelson is a master of trumpet creation. We visit his Denver workshop where lovely sounds fill the air. Houston architect Brett Zamore puts a modern take on old kit homes of the past. Photographer Craig Royal creates beautiful pieces of abstract art from a unique perspective and artist Brian Kuether shares his love of painting and Wisconsin’s wildlife.

Tunnel Vision

Tampa Bay substitute teacher Francis Edwards has found a way to capture the imagination of his students through his unique three dimensional creations called tunnel books. World-renowned violinist, Midori, gives a special performance and discusses her passion for music. Artist Melissa Loop paint landscapes that challenge the collective conscience of some of the world’s most iconic places. And we have a conversation with actor and Broadway legend, Joel Grey.