Critical Mass for the Visual Arts

Ep. 67- Jodi Kolpakov

Welcome listeners to 5 Questions: A Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Podcast in which we ask 5 questions of our interviewees aimed at positioning and contextualizing their respective bodies of work within the St. Louis artworld.This episode we’re talking with Jodi Kolpakov.

Jodi is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and foodie based in St. Louis. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from Washington University in 2018, and  completed her MFA in Illustration and Visual Culture this past year. Jodi is interested in midwestern americana, soviet aesthetics, and other compelling narratives around place, time, and culture. Her work includes zines, animation, caricature and a wide range of media infused with a playful sense of humor.

5 Questions is a program by Critical Mass for the Visual Arts – a nonprofit, self-formed visual arts collaborative dedicated to promoting, enhancing and initiating contemporary visual art in the St. Louis region. 

With Jodi Kolpakov and Joe Kohlburn 

Editor – Sarah Hammond

Producer – Brett Williams

Ep. 66.- Myrina Otey-Myton

Welcome listeners to 5 Questions: A Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Podcast in which we ask 5 questions of our interviewees aimed at positioning and contextualizing their respective bodies of work within the St. Louis artworld.This episode we’re talking with Myrina ‘Renaissance’ Otey-Myton.

Myrina is a fashion, portrait and event photographer born and raised in St. Louis, MO. She is a wife, mother of 5 (soon to be 6), daughter, aunt, sister, and community collaboratHER. She graduated from UMSL in 2018 with a B.A. in Psychology, Workplace Science. As a native to St. Louis, her love and adoration for people of color has inspired her to learn more. Through her journey she has become fascinated with the constant evolution of black people, from our intelligence, fashion, art and natural state as expressive beings to all that we’ve overcome. Myrina first picked up a camera as a young girl learning from her father, Michael D. Otey Sr. After losing her job in 2016, she picked it up again and began freelancing. In May 2020, she opened up her first photography studio, Renaissance TJS Studios where she captures mostly women of color, encouraging them to tap into their confidence and beauty in front of her lens. Myrina’s studio is an all inclusive experience with makeup, wardrobe styling, creative direction and hype conversation. She has recently photographed Vice President Kamala Harris, and is currently on tour with Janelle Monáe.

With Myrina ‘Renaissance’ Otey-Myton and Joe Kohlburn 

Editor – Sarah Hammond

Producer – Brett Williams

Ep. 65- Mee Jey

`Welcome listeners to 5 Questions: A Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Podcast in which we ask 5 questions of our interviewees aimed at positioning and contextualizing their respective bodies of work within the St. Louis artworld.This episode we’re talking with Mee Jey.

Mee Jey is a multidisciplinary Indian artist concerned with the lived experience. Through large scale installations, durational live, video or photo performances, illustrations and collage works, she digs into her challenges and aspirations as an immigrant. With research degrees in History and Field Archaeology at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, she went on to receive an MFA degree in visual arts from Washington University in St. Louis, USA. With solo shows and performances at Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Bruno David Gallery (St. Louis), Middlesex University ( London, UK), Craft Alliance, India Habitat Center (New Delhi), her works have been shown in group shows in Athens (Greece, Europe), New York (MA), London (UK),  San Jose’ Museum of Quilt and Textiles ( CA), Michigan, Miami (FL), St. Louis (MO), Alton (IL) and New Delhi (India). She was Artist-in-Residence at the Laumeier Sculpture Park (MO, 2022),  Procreate Project (London, 2023), Craft Alliance (2022-23) and Resident-Teaching Artist at Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis (2022-23). Currently Mee is Creative Lab Fellow at Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (2023). She was recently awarded the St. Louis Visionary Emerging Artist Award (2022) and Mother Art Prize in London (UK, 2023).

5 Questions is a program by Critical Mass for the Visual Arts – a nonprofit, self-formed visual arts collaborative dedicated to promoting, enhancing and initiating contemporary visual art in the St. Louis region. 

Mee Jay’s latest show with Marina Peng entitled  Where to Begin Where to End was at Craft Alliance and more info is available here- https://craftalliance.org/exhibitions/where-begin-when-end-marina-peng-and-mee-jey

With Mee Jey and Joe Kohlburn 

Edited by Sarah Hammond

Produced by Brett Williams

Ep. 64- Melon Press

Welcome listeners to 5 Questions: A Critical Mass for the Visual Arts Podcast in which we ask 5 questions of our interviewees aimed at positioning and contextualizing their respective bodies of work within the St. Louis artworld.This episode we’re talking with Melon Press’ Sophia Malone and Dan Madrigal!

MelonPress is a community driven collaborative that gives artists the outreach that only print can achieve. Melon Press turns traditional printmaking on its head and experiments with the printed medium to its fullest capabilities. 

Melon Press is a haven of radicalism in the traditional form of print. They practice a combination of  risograph, screen printing and digital printing to publish our zines.  Melon Press Print Studio has printed many zines and chapbooks for local artists, holds an annual zine-fest pop up, and is constantly collaborating with creatives around St. Louis. They donated a copy of our entire collection to the Historical Society of Missouri at the end of 2022, which is available for viewing at the Skinker library. 

5 Questions is a program by Critical Mass for the Visual Arts – a nonprofit, self-formed visual arts collaborative dedicated to promoting, enhancing and initiating contemporary visual art in the St. Louis region. 

criticalmassart.org/fivequestions, on twitter @criticalmassSTL, and IG @criticalmassart

Melon Press at https://melonpressstl.com/

Submit to Duplicator here

With Sophia Malone and Dan Madrigal and Joe Kohlburn 

Editor – Sarah Hammond

Producer – Brett Williams