This week, we thank everyone who came out the the opening of the Gallery at Steel Pixel, featuring the works of Michael Freeman, and talk with visual/collage artist Kailey Atkinson about the art of collage!

Kailey Atkinson is an artist and creative professional from Easton, PA. Her primary mediums are mixed media collage with 2D and 3D elements, illustration, and paper craft. She collects imagery from sources dating back to the late 1800’s, but most often from the early to mid 1900s. Through found imagery and the experimentation of a range of materials, Atkinson creates new narratives that explore topics like body image, memory, mental illness, identity, feminism, gender roles, politics, and personality, because she feels it is necessary to expose what is below the surface in her art. She also makes work that could be viewed as nonsensical, humorous, or a celebration of not taking life too seriously. Her work may seem simply playful at first, drawing viewers in with glitter, vibrant colors, mysterious textures, sassy sayings, and unexpected juxtapositions of imagery. Upon closer looking, she hopes viewers find connections to their own experiences and recognize the deeper meaning within her work.

To view her work, you can follow her on Instagram at @kaileycatkinson, go to LEARKE found at 65 N. 4th St. Easton, PA 18042, or check her out at the Indiemade Craft Market on 12/24/21 at the Starlite Ballroom in the Fearless Fire Company found at 1221 S. Front St. Allentown.

The Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast is a Steel Pixel Studios original series. To find out more about @steelpixelstudios, check out their Instagram or go to www.steelpixelstudios.com.

This week, we have theater director and arts administrator Randall Forte. Randall's most recent play, Room for Rent, played at this year's Festival Unbound. 

This week, we talk with multi-instrumentalist, engineer, and songwriter Matt Molchany. Matt owns Shards Recording studio, which is a brick-and-mortar creative space in Bethlehem Pennsylvania's Southside Arts District. To find out more information about Matt Molchany or Shards Recording Studio, visit their website or check them out on Instagram @shards_recording_studio.

This week, Ben talks with Brad Kramer and Dylan Flaherty of Reservoir Hill!

Reservoir Hill is an original Americana rock band co-founded by friends Dylan Flaherty and Brad Kramer in Allentown, PA. The band currently comprises Brad Kramer (Lead vocals), Tommy Pogash (Bass), Dylan Flaherty (Lead Guitar) and Charles Kicska (Drums).

Formed in the Winter of 2018 the band draws on their many influences to bring forth a diverse sounding collection of songs that show many sides to their personality. Influenced by bands like; Zac Brown Band, Chris Stapleton, U2, The Allman Brothers, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, The Black Keys, and more. They aim to produce lyrically driven, diverse and catchy originals with a wide variety of covers performed in their unique style.

After partnering with Lehigh Valley producer Brian J. Anthony, the band released their self-titled debut EP "Reservoir Hill" in March of 2019. Their single "Boneyard" was later nominated for "Best Single" for the Lehigh Valley Music Awards. They have played all over the Lehigh Valley adding new originals and drawing large crowds at venues like "ArtsQuest". In August of 2021 the band released their first full album “Desperate Times” on all streaming platforms. Now the band looks to grow their audience online and in the North East.

To see them live, check out their concert on October 22nd at Seven Sirens Brewing! You can find more information about the band on https://www.reservoirhill.band/bio! In addition, you can find them on Instagram at @reservoir_hill!

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast! In this episode, we talk with visual artist, Anthony Smith! Anthony is an extremely talented multimedia artist and an experienced teaching artist. He is currently a Resident Artist at the Banana Factory Arts Center and a drawing instructor at Northampton Community College. 

To learn more about Anthony and his work, follow along on Instagram @asmithjrnyc. You can also see his work in person in shows around the Lehigh Valley at the Payne Gallery, Banana Factory Art Center- Crayola Gallery, and Lehigh University Art Galleries.  His website is http://www.anthonysmithjr.com/.

Our opportunity of the week is Michael Lebson's upcoming solo show at ARTHAUS opening on November 3rd with a reception on November 18th. For additional information, including the address of the show and start time of the reception, go to https://figbethlehem.com/2021/09/michael-lebson-similar-but-different/. You can find Michael on Instagram at @michaellebson. 

The Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast is a Steel Pixel Studios original series. To find out more about @steelpixelstudios, check out their Instagram or go to www.steelpixelstudios.com.

This special episode is the pilot episode in a new Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast sub-series LVAP: Backstage!

In this episode, we go to Allentown's 47th Annual Art-in-the-Park and talk with an abundance of the artists in attendance!

This week we talk with the abstract-conceptualism painter Mary Ann Dunwoodie, who has coined the term Dunwoodieism when referencing her artistic style. We talk about her process, inspiration, and favorite artists. At the end of the show, Elisabeth and Elise talk about the anniversary of the ADA and announce that the show has officially surpassed 1000 downloads! If you'd like to check Mary Ann out on Facebook, you can find her at https://www.facebook.com/maryanndunwoodieart/. 

This episode is our season 1 finale! We'll be back at the end of September with Season 2. Stay tuned because we have many exciting announcements coming soon!

In this episode, we talk with local artist Cody Abrachinsky! Our conversation covers the importance of discovering your artistic voice, the role of education in the world of the arts, and what it means when the life you designed doesn't quite go as planned! If you're looking for more ways to connect with Cody, check him out on Instagram at @codyabrachinsky or at https://www.codyabrachinsky.com/. You can view his art in-person at the Bethlehem House Gallery from now until October 2nd!

Our opportunity for the week is an open submission for Moravian University's Payne Gallery. They are inviting visual artists working in all mediums to submit work for “New Normal: Working Through Quarantine”. For more information, please visit https://www.moravian.edu/art/payne-gallery.

The Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast is a Steel Pixel Studios original series.

In this episode, we talk with potter/ceramicist Rachel Schaffer, also known as @raybeamceramics! Our conversation covers her lengthy process, some necessary precautions when working in the world of pottery, her experiences as an art teacher, ways to improve accessibility in the Lehigh Valley, and so much more! If you're looking for more ways to connect with Rachel, check her out on ETSY where new pieces should be posted soon "in pottery time!"

Also Mentioned in this Episode:
Ann Lalik
Lit Coffee Roastery & Bakeshop
Southside Film Fest
Meaningless Films’ movie “The Gospel of Damian” directed by Collin Kornfeind

The Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast is a Steel Pixel Studios original series.

In this episode, we talk with Laurie Wagner Storlie, a self-proclaimed next-level artist whose background includes the world of voiceover, improv, and podcasting!

To view her page on social media, search @theimprovisedparent! To listen to her podcast, search "Improvised Parenting" on your preferred podcast listening platform! Her website is https://www.theimprovisedparent.com/. 

Our opportunity for the week is the Stonewall Memories Project. The Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive, a program of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in partnership with Muhlenberg College, is helping with The Stonewall Memories Project, a collaborative story collecting initiative where community members are invited to share memories, photographs, and stories to remember the important role Stonewall Lehigh Valley played in the lives of so many community members over the decades. The Stonewall Memory Project is co-chaired by Ariel Torres, Stephen Libby, and Emma Smith. You can submit memories HERE.

The Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast is a Steel Pixel Studios original series. To find out more about @steelpixelstudios, check out their Instagram or go to www.steelpixelstudios.com.