​Each year, Discovery Park of America’s Southern Artist Showcase highlights a unique artist with roots in the region. This year, metal sculptor Dave Dunn brings his Reelfoot Critters collection to life, blending movement, whimsy and storytelling through welded found, repurposed and new metal objects. Inspired by summers spent with family in Hickman, Kentucky—on the banks of the Mississippi River and at Reelfoot Lake—his work captures the essence of the wildlife and landscapes that shaped his childhood.​

In this episode, recorded during the opening reception on February 27, 2025, Discovery Park's senior director of exhibits and collections, Jennifer Wildes, conducts a brief interview and Q&A with Dunn. He shares the inspiration behind Reelfoot Critters, his creative process, and insights into his distinctive style. Listen in to discover how Dunn transforms metal into expressive sculptures, infusing a sense of place and nostalgia into each piece.