Artistories

In this episode, we hear from Spring Winders, Designer, Metalsmith, and Owner of Heliotrope, which is known for creating wearable sculptures, and cast designs primarily depicting animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert. We learn of Spring’s journey as a creative and how growing up in an artist home in rural northern Arizona influenced her creative trajectory. We learn of Spring’s love for the Arizona desert, her strong connection to place, and how she partners with local conservation organizations, contributing to the preservation of the animals depicted in her fashion sculptures. She leaves us with advice for creatives considering metalsmithing as a practice and her hopes for the individuals who purchase her work.

You may also listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini episode, click below!

[All photos curtesy of the artist, Spring Winders]

In this episode, we hear from Adia Jamille, Fiber Artist and Doula. As long as she can remember Adia Jamille has been creating. In this episode, she shares what is was like growing up as a creative spirit and at a young age setting a goal to one day exhibit her work in museums.

Adia reveals that her enslaved ancestors worked on indigo plantations and the life changing opportunity that inspired her to bring the practice of growing and working with indigo to her studio practice in Tucson, AZ

You may also listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini episode, click below!

In this episode, we hear from Harrod Blank, Multidisciplinary Artist, Filmmaker, and Founder of Art Car World. Harrod shares the story of how he established Art Car World in Douglas, Arizona, which houses one of the country’s most prominent collections of art cars. He takes us back to his childhood and reveals how his upbringing with creative parents set a path for his creative career as a multidisciplinary artist. We learn of his commitment to honoring his parent’s legacy and preserving their artwork, a major source of inspiration for many of his long-term art projects. Harrod also speaks about his experiences documenting Burning Man, an annual event held in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, where participants gather to celebrate self-expression, art, and community. Harrod’s candid and engaging conversation provides listeners with a fascinating glimpse into the world of art cars and his great effort in art preservation and developing new public art in the borderlands. This episode is now available for streaming on all major platforms.

You may also listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini episode, click below!

In this episode, we hear from Julius Schlosburg, Photographer based in Tucson, AZ. First, we announce that the Arts Foundation has launched its new website and celebrate the photography Julius has contributed through his documentation of public art in Tucson. We learn how Julius jumped into a creative career after working in computer programming for a decade. He articulates his aesthetic inspiration and the influences that have impacted his style and approach to image-making over the past six years. Julius then shares his advice for artists and the one place in the world he would choose to teleport to any day. 

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

In this episode, we hear from Douglas Miles, multidisciplinary artist and founder of Apache Skateboards. As a Project Creosote Grantee, Douglas shares how the award impacted current Apache Skateboards projects and how purchasing high-quality production equipment opened the doors to new commissions and opportunities across the country. We learn how Douglas’ upbringing in a large family influenced his approach to artmaking and community organizing, the many projects Apache Skateboards is involved with, and the moments that make Douglas most proud.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

In this episode, we hear from Carl Euegene, Visual Artist based in Tucson, AZ. He begins by sharing how his Project Creosote stART grant has impacted this moment in his career. We learn of the concepts he is exploring in a new painting series titled, Tell A Friend To Tell A Friend The Spirit And The Bride Says Come, where he examines the intersections of religion, politics and what it means to be a woman. Carl shares the importance of philosophy, world events, and art history in his work and lists the artists who inspire him. We then get into why Carl has chosen to live in the Southwest and how the Tucson art community keeps him engaged and motivated. We get an insight into Carl’s perception of good art versus “self-expression.” He advises navigating the business side of being a gallery artist, his desire to start a collective in Tucson, and collaborate with recording artist Jay Z.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

Carl Euegene was born in Alexandria, Louisiana; he received his degree from McNeese State University. Carl merges the idea of countering social stigmas and the idea relationships among people in American society, in and out of the studio.

In this episode, we hear from Jonathan Rodriguez, Sound Maker and Multidisciplinary Artist. Jonathan begins by sharing what it means to be a sound maker and sound discoverer. He reveals how the pandemic inspired him to develop new collaborative processes that rely on field recordings and sharing files with fellow musicians over the internet. Jonathan then talks about the first time he was “moved” by music and the clever way he was able to secure the funds to purchase his first drum set as a seventh grader. We learn about his influences as an artist and the new opportunities he has coming up this year.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

To lean more about Jonathan, check out his website: jonathanrodriguez.net

Jonathan Rodriguez is an interdisciplinary artist who works with composition/sound design and percussion in a diverse range of spaces. While his art engages dance, film, ethnography, and improvisation, he can also be found playing drums in a metal band or jazz combo at your favorite local pub. Rodriguez holds a degree in History/Spanish and Performance from Millikin University, a master’s in Performance from the University of New Mexico and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Performance from the University of Washington. He has toured and taught nationally and internationally in wide variety of musical and artistic settings.

In this episode, we hear from Angelina Ramirez, Flamenco Dancer, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist. We begin the conversations by discussing her Project Creosote Start Award and the project titled Manos Trabajadoras. We learn how Angelina navigated the pandemic as a performing artist and how she is responding through her conceptual practice as a Flamenco artist. Angelina shares how “Flamenco found her” as a child and how an opportunity encounter with a Flamenco dancer in Tucson set the path forward for her life’s passion and profession. We lean into a conversation about identity and stereotypes in the art form and how Angelina is telling her own story as a non-gitana, Mexicana Flamenca.

To hear all this more, including her advice for artists who desire to transition to full-time practice, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

Angelina Ramirez is a flamenco movement artist and teaching artist living in Tucson, AZ. Angelina’s artistic work explores what it means to be a queer, latinx flamenca, practicing in a traditional gitano form of dance. As a teaching artist, she is interested in the intersections of arts and healing, focusing on teaching elders of all abilities and integrated flamenco with autistic individuals. She is devoted to promoting accessibility and eradicating ableism, racism and bigotry by practicing and promoting dialogue, acceptance and community participation.

In this episode, we hear from Inna Rohr and Emily Hallowell of Untitled Gallery. We learn about the moment Inna (Untitled Gallery Founder) was “handed the keys” to the Steinfeld Warehouse and how she, along with a team of 7 artists, transformed the space into a cultural hub in Downtown Tucson organizing monthly exhibitions, artwalks, and workshops. 

We learn about the “artistic roots” of both Inna and Emily and get into a conversation about the expansive skies of the desert serving as major influences for both artists. The co-op members discuss the importance of supporting artists in dynamic cities like Tucson. Emily even draws on ideas from Toni Morrison that will leave you pondering the significance of artists to our culture.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!

Click here to check out more of Inna Rohr’s artwork.

Click here to check out more of Emily Hallowell’s artwork.

In this episode, we hear from Luck Salway, Muralist and Owner of Arrowhead Ink and True Descendants Trading Company Est. b.c.. Luck shares stories about his experience painting two murals this summer, celebrating his ancestral lands in Tucson, AZ, and Pine Ridge, SD. We learn how he entered the Tucson mural scene by connecting with fellow artists and asking to paint on a wall in Downtown Tucson. He shares stories about the iconography in his work, including the story of his Rufus design which is featured on his very first mural titled, You Are On O’Odham Land EST. BC. We learn how stories of the past influence Luck’s work and how signs lead him to the answers he seeks as an artist.

To hear all this more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking the link above! To listen to the mini, click below!