Arts Roll Call

Welcome to Episode 18 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with REACH Studio Art Center's founder and executive director, Alice Brinkman, along with incoming executive director, Melissa Keeley. Together they paint a picture of REACH's past and share a vision for what's ahead as Alice prepares to pass the leadership torch after more than 20 years at the helm of the organization.

Welcome to Episode 17 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with musician Mikeyy Austin about his music, his love for Lansing and his belief that arts and culture drive everything and help create strong and supportive spaces that are for everyone. They dive into his history and love for making music and building community, his dreams for Greater Lansing, 517 Juneteenth Weekend and a whole lot more.

Welcome to Episode 16 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with local photographer and filmmaker Petra Daher. They delve into Petra's 20-plus years as owner of Petra Daher Productions and how Petra's love of photography and film have led down a path of activism. She talks about teaching, documentary filmmaking and how we can use our art and experiences to create change in the world.

In this episode of Arts Roll Call, our host Robin Miner-Swartz talked with local artist, writer, illustrator and muralist Marissa Tawney Thaler. They talked about Marissa's journey as an artist, from illustrator to muralist and children's book author and how taking risks is important for growth. Marissa shares the importance of entering competitions, and insight on how to keep going despite rejection.

Welcome to Episode 14 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with Melik Brown, better known as Metro Melik shares his passion for all things Metro Lansing. He talks about his own art, his numerous endeavours as a creative entrepreneur and his new shop, 517 Metro Melik in Old Town Lansing.

Welcome to Episode 13 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with interim WKAR general manager, Shawn Turner. They chat about WKAR's 100-year anniversary and the upcoming year-long celebration, "A Century of Service." Shawn shares about the early beginnings of WKAR, the role of the arts in its programming and the exciting partnership with the Arts Council to create a community mural in the studio.

Welcome to Episode 12 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with sculpture and scrap artist, Andrew Sandstedt. They chat about Andrew's background as a growing artist in the Greater Lansing community and his thoughts on making art that's good for the environment and giving things a second chance. The also cover as his years participating in ScrapFest, which is coming to Old Town, Lansing on July 8, 2022.

In Episode 11 of Arts Roll Call, our host, Robin Miner-Swartz interviews Ukulele Ambassador Ben Hassenger. They talk about the history of the ukulele, why it has played such a huge role in Ben's life and why it has so much power to bring people together! Plus learn about Music is the Foundation and the upcoming Mighty Uke Day festival.

In episode 10 of Arts Roll Call, we talk with twins Louis and Max Boyang. They share their journey as young artists, their passion for creative expression and how they are using art to make change in the lives of children with cancer.

We are very excited to share our first podcast episode of 2022! Episode 9 of Arts Roll Call features Greater Lansing area artist and metal sculptor Ivan Iler. He and host Robin Miner-Swartz explore his early days with Old Town Lansing's ScrapFest, his growing career as a sculptor and his recent appearance on the Netflix series "Metal Shop Masters." They discuss all the creativity that exists in Greater Lansing and what it takes to get noticed as an artist and an arts community! Have a look!