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Displaying 1 - 30 of 858 in total

S10 #32

#32 – How Do You Choose Stories Worth Telling? | Joe Tropea

Baltimore’s award-winning documentary filmmaker, public historian, and Baltimore City Hall curator Joe Tropea returns to share how personal connection guides his project choices, why he embraces “ums” and raw moments in the edit, and what it takes to build strong creative partnerships — from abandoned true-crime concepts to a new mayoral portrait gallery.Following personal connection: why priests breaking into draft boards, censored movie trailers, punk archives, and barbershop stories all felt like natural fitsEmbracing imperfections: the case for keeping “ums,” pauses, and rough cuts to give stories authenticity and respect the voices involvedKnowing when to pivot: lessons from shelving a State Department project and a true-crime doc that no longer aligned with his ethicsKeys to collaboration: how attraction, creative tension, and shared values shape meaningful partnerships with co-directors and researchersCurating City Hall: what it’s like to activate a 150-year-old space through public tours, historical exhibits, and a new mayoral portrait galleryRapid-fire reflections: favorite Vietnam War movie, a one-word definition of curation, and the low-key joys of exploring City Hall’s archives🎧 Catch Joe Tropea’s first conversation here:Whether you’re filming, curating, or simply looking for stories that speak to something deeper — Joe’s approach will push you to trust your instincts and lead with heart.📸 Photograph by Elena Volkova
S10 #30

#30 – How Do You Blend Archive and Activism in Your Art? | Isaiah Winters

You know those moments when a photograph or film clip feels like it’s speaking hidden truths? New School professor and interdisciplinary artist Isaiah Winters returns to share how rigorous archival research fuels his photography, film, and mixed-media practice. From earning his MFA at Parsons to documenting pro-Palestinian campus protests and exposing housing inequities, Isaiah shows how historical fragments—old photographs, 16 mm and 35 mm film, collages—become living narratives that confront nationalism, indexicality, and structural racism.MFA to professor: completing his Parsons MFA and stepping into a full-time teaching role in The New School’s photo departmentArchival layering: fusing historical photographs, film, and collage to interrogate narratives of nationalism and memory“This Land Is Your Land” revisited: investigating segregation, Indigenous displacement, and public memory in national parksUnpacking housing myths: exposing GI Bill disparities, postwar suburbanization, and systemic racism in American housingOn-campus documentation: capturing student-led pro-Palestinian encampments and the resurgence of fascist undercurrentsAnalog expansion: why he embraces 35 mm and experimental video to turn archives into urgent calls for changeCatch Isaiah Winters’s first conversation here:  Whether you’re an educator, activist, or lover of visual storytelling, Isaiah’s approach will open new pathways for seeing archives as living tools—and may inspire your next creative act. Photograph by Isaiah Winters
S10 #29

#29 – How to Bring Portraits to Life on Canvas | Monica Ikegwu

You know that moment when a painting feels so real you swear the subject might blink? Hyper-realist portraitist Monica Ikegwu returns to reveal the behind-the-scenes rigor—hours of glazing, precise lighting choices, and minimalist backgrounds—that turn a single photograph into a living, breathing canvas. Join Monica as she unpacks her journey from MFA student at the New York Academy of Art to international exhibitions, and how her “Just Say Yes” ethos keeps her pushing creative boundaries. Studio rigor and glazing: how disciplined layers of paint bring depth and life to every portraitFrom fabric backdrops to abstraction: evolving her style by pairing figures with minimalist geometric shapesPhoto-shoot alchemy: capturing a sitter’s essence in brief sessions and translating mood into color and formMFA to independent practice: moving from New York Academy of Art to a Baltimore studio and global exhibitions“Just Say Yes” philosophy: saying yes to every opportunity—from museum shows to artist-led residenciesLooking ahead: a new body of unified-color work and an upcoming institutional exhibition featuring her signature abstract motifsCatch Monica Ikegwu’s first appearance on the podcast here:  Whether you paint, draw, or simply love a great portrait, Monica’s process will give you a fresh appreciation for the craft—and maybe inspire your next creative leap. Photograph by Lia Latty
S10 #28

#28 – How Do You Bring Art to the People? | Ky Vassor

You’ve probably admired one of Ky Vassor’s murals without even knowing it—now she’s back to pull back the curtain on how those vibrant public artworks, pop-up workshops, and neighborhood installations all began with a passion for community and a sprinkle of hustle.In this episode, Baltimore’s interdisciplinary artist and Galerie Myrtis Assistant Director walks us through the unlikely lessons she learned bartending, volunteering, and designing street-team campaigns before deciding to earn an MFA in Community Arts—and how every step shaped her mission to make creativity part of daily life.From bartending and street‐team hustle to graduate studies: the unconventional path that led her to an MFA in Community ArtsCommunity‐first curation: activating public murals, mixed-media installations, and pop-up workshops in everyday spacesMentorship in action: building support networks for emerging artists through hands-on teaching and one-on-one studio visitsWearing multiple hats: balancing roles as artist, educator, and museum administrator for sustainable impactHonoring untold stories: creating works that uplift underrepresented voices and spark neighborhood prideWhat’s next: upcoming public art commissions and expanded educational programs designed to broaden Baltimore’s creative ecosystemCatch Ky Vassor’s first appearance on the podcast here: Whether you’re an artist, educator, or simply curious about the power of public art, this chat will leave you inspired to look at your own neighborhood in a whole new light. 📸 Photo: Phillip Muriel
S10 #14

#14 – Can Reclaimed Materials Tell Diaspora Stories? | Lex Marie

On this episode of The Truth In This Art, I'm excited to share my conversation with Lex Marie, a DC-based multidisciplinary artist whose powerful work I've been eager to explore for years. Lex creates compelling paintings, sculptures, and installations that reflect personal experiences and deeply resonate with the African diaspora, often using everyday and reclaimed materials.   We explore Lex's creative process, from her early creative explorations as a child (where she was known for coloring outside the lines with purpose!) to her pivotal decision to pursue painting in college and her impactful first solo exhibition in 2021. Lex shares her insights on the courage it takes to create art that addresses personal experiences and societal challenges, including the weighty realities of childhood for many African American children and children of color, systemic challenges, and her experience as a mother to a young Black boy in America.This conversation is more than just an interview; it's an insightful look into the motivations and inspirations behind her thought-provoking pieces and the importance of authenticity in artistic expression.This episode was recorded at Eaton DC, my creative home away from home, a hotel that's also a vibrant cultural center. If you're interested in contemporary art, the power of artistic expression, or stories that matter, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in and discover the compelling and authentic work of Lex Marie.
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