Art in the Margins

When I heard about the new exhibit at the Hunter Art Museum, I flipped out a bit. It's the most Art in the Margins thing ever. Lucky for us, Nandini Makrandi, chief curator at the museum, was kind enough to call in to discuss this exhibit: More Than Folk: Celebrating Self-Taught Artists. 

In case you're not already hooked, here's a clipping from the museum's essay on the exhibit:  

Not only did these artists not go to school for art, most did not complete much traditional schooling. Many grew up in poverty and had little access to cultural empowerment or educational advancement. Yet, using materials ranging from tree stumps and mud to denim and paint, these artists created emotionally moving works that draw us into their inner lives and daily experiences. The artworks selected from the Hunter’s collection are intensely expressive and at times spiritual. More Than Folk celebrates the passion, intuition, and creativity that drove these self-taught artists to paint and sculpt.

We wrap our week of awesome writers reading awesome writing with the great Kevin Max. Mr. Max is among the more prolific and versatile artists we know. Also, it took a very long time for this show's host to stop trying to sing like him. Tune in to hear Kevin read three poems, and give a little teaser about his next recording project. 

Featured music: "Desperate Heart," by Kevin Max.

Today we hear poems read by the frankly brilliant Mary Romero Ferguson. Enjoy!

Dancer and Choreographer Melissa Miller is one busy human. Today we talk about her dance practice, how writing is key to her choreography work, and how IN THE WORLD motherhood has made her a more prolific artist. 

Check out her work on Instagram at @mimimiller. 

In our second episode, we speak not to an artist, but to someone who does life with an artist. Physical Therapist and Entrepreneur Jena Beise shares insights about what she's learned from being married to a novelist for more than a decade—or approximately four books.