Glasstire

Brandon Zech, Jessica Fuentes, and Nicholas Frank discuss takeaways from the Art Papers Art Writing + Publishing Symposium and issues in the field of arts writing.

“We focus on the larger impact of the field of art criticism whenever an art critic gets cuts from their post but the reality of the situation is that one person is able to impact not just an artistic community but an arts-interested public in such a significant way that it's kind of absurd.... The real world impact of journalism, or of losing just a single critic or arts writing position, is weirdly a part of the conversation that gets left out a lot of the time.”

Related readings link: https://glasstire.com/2025/10/03/art-dirt-reflecting-on-the-art-papers-symposium

This podcast is supported in part by The Texas Tribune Festival, which is bringing together inspiring thinkers, leaders, and innovators to discuss the issues that matter to you. Discover the ideas and actions shaping our state and leave ready to turn your boldest ideas into reality. This isn’t just another political event — it’s a catalyst for shaping the future of Texas, today. The festival is happening November 13-15, 2025, in downtown Austin. Get tickets and learn more: http://tribfest.org/

Brandon Zech, William Sarradet, and Nicholas Frank share insights and reflections from the inaugural Houston edition of the Untitled Art fair.

“We are proud of Houston, but it can be kind of a hard place to visit. I was impressed by Untitled's programming in the way that the fair was trying to act as a host for people both in the city and for people coming from out of town.”

Related readings: https://glasstire.com/2025/09/20/art-dirt-reporting-from-untitled-art-houston

If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Jessica Fuentes speaks with artist and gallerist Nancy Douthey about tarot as storytelling, visual art, and creative future building.

”Looking at the complexity of those cards was like looking at a painting and creating a story... Working with the interior story that I had for it could be a mirror or a reflection, helping me move through my own pain.”

Related readings link: https://glasstire.com/2025/09/06/art-dirt-talking-about-the-artistry-of-tarot-with-nancy-douthey

If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Brandon Zech, William Sarradet, and Nicholas Frank answer Glasstire readers' questions about pricing art, working with galleries, and exhibiting in alternative spaces.

“Showing up to everything you can is the first step… talk to the galleries who show work that you like, ask them questions about their program, and learn what they’re interested in. It’s really about continuous engagement with people and building relationships, which doesn’t happen over night. But, the more you focus on it, the more you start to see those results.”

See related readings here: https://glasstire.com/2025/08/23/art-dirt-pricing-your-art-gallery-representation-alternative-spaces/

If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

William Sarradet talks with Dallas-based fashion designer Ashley Lee about fashion, textile works, and how to approach craft schools across Texas.

"The lines between art, design, and crafts get quite blurry these days. I tend to think of fashion more as a design form. It can be a craft — there are definitely elements of craft in it — but overall, I view it more as a design form."

See related readings here: https://glasstire.com/2025/08/09/art-dirt-talking-garments-fashion-craft-schools-with-ashley-lee

This podcast is supported in part by The Texas Tribune Festival, which is bringing together inspiring thinkers, leaders, and innovators to discuss the issues that matter to you. Dive into unforgettable conversations spanning education, the economy, healthcare, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and more. TribFest gives you an up-close look at how big ideas take shape, and how they affect your life. You’ll connect with fellow Texans, engage directly with experts and leaders, and leave inspired to turn your boldest ideas into reality. This isn’t just another political event — it’s a catalyst for shaping the future of Texas, today. The festival is happening November 13-15, 2025, in downtown Austin. Get tickets and learn more here: https://tribfest.org

This podcast is also supported in part by Untitled Art, which is coming to Houston September 19–21, 2025, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Experience cutting-edge painting, sculpture, photography, and more from 86 international exhibitors across 21 countries, including 20 galleries from Texas. Whether you're a collector, artist, or just curious, this is your chance to discover the next big thing in Texas art. Get your tickets now by going here: https://untitledartfairs.com

Jessica Fuentes speaks with Glasstire's recently appointed News Editor Nicholas Frank about growing up in Milwaukee, his artistic practice, and his writing career.

“I felt right at home here... [Milwaukee and San Antonio are both] cities where the major redevelopments in the city are based on old German breweries. Both cities hinge their downtown redevelopment on the River Walk... they are both located 77 miles from the state capitol... so that determines cultural things.”

See related readings here: https://glasstire.com/2025/07/27/art-dirt-getting-to-know-nicholas-frank

This week’s podcast is sponsored in part by the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Cool down from the summer heat with CAMH's newest exhibition, "Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe." This mid-career survey of the Houston-born artist brings together nearly a decade of work across disciplines, spanning textiles, paper, archival images, and more. Colliding histories intersect with color theory in the vibrant and multifaceted pieces that scrutinize mechanisms of societal power and recognize the triumphs for the empowerment of communities of color. The exhibition is on view through March 29, 2026, and admission to the museum is always free.

William Sarradet speaks with Jhonny Langer, a paint conservator and object restoration artist living in Galveston, about the history of the city and paint conservation on the Gulf Coast.

“I’m starting to step back and look at what I’ve done over a period of time and realize that it is interesting. Before it was just a job, and now it is fascinating.”

See related readings here: https://glasstire.com/2025/07/11/art-dirt-paint-conservation-on-the-texas-coast

If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: glasstire.com/donate

Jessica Fuentes and William Sarradet discuss summer exhibitions that are on view or opening later this season throughout Texas.

“A Houston show I was very excited about was the “Tomashi Jackson: Across the Universe“ show that just opened at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. It's a midcareer survey, and it includes several bodies of work by Jackson, and they are all so powerful and compelling.”

See related readings here: https://glasstire.com/2025/06/29/art-dirt-summer-exhibition-roundup-2

If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate

Brandon Zech and Jessica Fuentes talk about artistic legacies, including Damien Hirst's posthumous paintings, artists who have launched work into space, and artist foundations.

“A lot of artists consider what happens with their body of work — with this momentum they’ve created during their lifetime — after their death. But, historically, people haven’t thought about the continuation of art making after their death. They’ve thought about how their artwork gets cared for in their absence, not how can they continue to have artwork.”

This week's podcast is sponsored in part by The National Juneteenth Museum's upcoming inaugural Juneteenth Festival, Freedom Vibes. The event features a conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young, performances by Orchestra Noir, The O'Jays, and the Whispers, and a block party on Saturday, June 21. Festivities for the Fort Worth event are from June 19 to June 22, and the "Declarations of Freedom" visual art exhibition opens on June 12 and runs through July 19. Learn more here: www.freedomvibes2025.com

See related readings here: https://glasstire.com/2025/06/15/art-dirt-posthumous-paintings-art-in-space

William Sarradet speaks with artist, lecturer, and Glasstire contributor Renee Lai about the inaugural Friends Fair and the Affordable Art Fair in Austin.

“Every room that I went into, I looked in the bathroom first... I got my impression from each booth by what was going on in the bathroom. The more outrageous or custom or funny the bathroom was, the more it predisposed me to whatever else was in the room.”

See related readings here: https://glasstire.com/2025/05/31/art-dirt-reporting-on-the-austin-art-fairs

If you enjoy Glasstire and would like to support our work, please consider donating. As a nonprofit, all of the money we receive goes back into our coverage of Texas art. You can make a one-time donation or become a sustaining, monthly donor here: https://glasstire.com/donate