What happens when a typewriter becomes a tool for collective memory? In this episode, Rob Lee reconnects with interdisciplinary artist and activist Sheryl Oring—first featured on the podcast in 2023. Sheryl returns with updates on I Wish to Say, her decades-long public performance project where thousands have dictated postcards to the U.S. president. What began as a solo typewriter setup is now an evolving civic archive—and a way to resist censorship, document the moment, and hold space for unheard voices.This conversation follows a pivotal year for Sheryl—marked by the sudden closure of University of the Arts in Philadelphia—and explores how loss, listening, and literal paper trails have shaped her latest work.Resisting censorship: serving as the first artist on the board of the National Coalition Against CensorshipTyping on tour: collecting messages from parks, libraries, and campuses during an election yearAnalog permanence: archiving 5,000+ typewritten postcards and the invisible labor of cultural memoryPost-UArts Philly: navigating grief, disillusionment, and artistic renewal after institutional collapseFear and self-censorship: how public expression is shifting for immigrants, youth, and marginalized communitiesLibraries as sanctuary: preserving democratic space as book bans and closures escalateArt as care: on fermenting, gardening, and rituals that ground a life in transitionSheryl first appeared on The Truth in This Art in 2023—listen to that conversation [here].This episode was recorded during a season reflecting on archives, resilience, and artists working at the intersection of public space and democratic expression.

Director of Baltimore’s new Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment, Linzy Jackson III joins Rob Lee for his first appearance to discuss his journey from summer youth worker to one of the city’s key connectors between creatives and local government.In this episode, Linzy talks about what it means to streamline access to public resources, the cultural imprint of growing up in Baltimore, and his work tearing down red tape for artists and event organizers. He shares how early memories of AFRAM and MLK Day parades shaped his understanding of community engagement—and why cities like Philly and Austin are paying close attention to how Baltimore moves.We explore the long-term vision for Baltimore’s creative infrastructure and why Linzy believes artists shouldn’t need insider access to make things happen.Topics Covered:What equitable access to city support for artists really looks likeThe cultural impact of free festivals like Artscape and AFRAMCreating a more artist-friendly Baltimore through policy and planningLessons from sister cities and the value of inter-city collaborationWhy the city needs a “State of the Creative Community”🎧 Explore more conversations with Baltimore changemakers in our archive.📍 More on MOACE: baltimorecity.gov

Visual artist and educator Christopher Batten returns to reflect on evolution, resilience, and what it means to keep pushing—on canvas and in the classroom.Now in his 10th year living in Baltimore and his third year teaching at Morgan State, Christopher shares how his practice continues to evolve. We talk about the role of failure, what teaching over 1,000 students has taught him, and how martial arts, memory, and perseverance shape his work. This conversation was recorded shortly before his residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and after being featured in Luminosity in Detroit.Teaching as an artistic tool and the unexpected lessons it bringsWhy HBCU teaching fulfills a lifelong dream and sense of purposeHow rejection fueled four years of growth—and what changed when a “yes” finally cameThe importance of celebrating milestones and making space for creative restorationShifting definitions of success and the value of impact over popularity🎧 Revisit Christopher’s 2021 episode to hear the early stages of this journey.

Baltimore-based artist and designer Elijah Trice returns to talk about growth, storytelling, and painting the everyday with dignity and joy.Since our last conversation in 2022, Elijah has expanded his practice beyond hyperrealistic portraiture to explore themes of childhood memory and creative freedom. We recorded this just after his first solo show, Nothing Else Matters, which followed a transformative residency at Maryland Hall. Elijah shares how his architectural training shaped his painting style, what he’s learning from teaching, and why joy is radical in a world so often defined by struggle.How building furniture sparked a deeper connection to makingUsing vivid backgrounds and saturated color to honor Black eleganceTapping into nostalgia, storytelling, and his inner childThe pros and cons of meticulous planning vs improvising in the studioWhy nothing else matters—except the subject🎧 Catch Elijah’s 2022 episode for more on his early work and evolution as an artist.

If you’ve ever danced your heart out at a sold-out basement party or streamed a late-night DJ set on your phone, you’ve felt the pulse of Kotic Couture’s world. In this episode, Baltimore Magazine’s 2023 Best Local Artist shares how she swapped rap verses for turntables, co-founded one of the city’s most inclusive monthly events, and turned a bedroom-studio experiment into the Prototype album—all while building a fiercely supportive community of fellow Black queer creatives. Embracing vulnerability: lessons learned from emceeing full-hour sets before new audiencesPrototype album deep dive: turning a fearless DIY experiment into a cohesive, locally produced projectCurating intentional spaces: co-founding VERSION—one of Baltimore’s most inclusive monthly parties—and sustaining community through venue closures ​Power of word-of-mouth: why personal referrals and community trust can outweigh big marketing budgetsPandemic pivot: adapting from in-person shows to digital drop-ins and stepping back into a scene transformed by new DJsBroadening impact: collaborations with Black Techno Matters and Liberate DC, plus surprise opportunities in fashion and gallery featuresCatch Kotic Couture's first appearance on the podcast here:  This episode was recorded during a season dedicated to creative growth, transformation, and honoring the foundations that helped build Baltimore’s culture.Photo: