Stems Gallery and Arsenal Contemporary Art NY have joined forces across the Atlantic to present an exciting group exhibition that includes twelve artists working across various materials and techniques including painting, photography and sculpture. The exhibition brings the worlds of art, fashion and sports under the microscope to explore the connections between them while offering an understanding of their unique significance within the contemporary visual arts culture. In a compelling on-site interview with curator Anais Castro, I explore the depths of this ground-breaking exhibit that has multiple other similar installments both in the United States and abroad. Situated in the hectic streets of downtown Manhattan, the gallery where I interviewed this remarkable curator is conveniently located near several successful sporting goods stores. Shoppers stop in because of the sporty, eye-catching art displays in the window. Inspired sports fans are being introduced to the art world thanks to this ingeniously original project. The cleverly intriguing works offer a deeper realization: that the most routine activities such as watching the game, playing sports or the trip to the shopping are fragments of time filled with inspirational beauty.   

Nere Basora is a singer of many different genres. This beautiful performer is also a daring thrill seeker, a music connoisseur, a world traveler and a dance hobbyist. A stylish adventuress who has a wonderful motto, she always takes pride in the philosophy of "Live, Laugh, Love."  A pharmaceutical representative by day and a night club singer by night, Nere is the epitome of glamour, excitement, fun and talent. Blessed with a naturally perfect pitch, this vibrant songbird can be found singing in many Westchester hot spots including Ron Black's, The Mahopac Inn and Lucy's. Currently in the process of forming a band, her future goal is to perform with her group at various venues that are already making her offers right now. Free-spirited and vivacious, Nere has gone sky-diving, driven a motorcycle, traveled extensively, loves Zumba, attends drum circles and has created a meditation space in her home with soothing orchids. This unique interview took place right outside Ron Black's where she was going to be performing later on that evening. I am filled with gratitude for the honor of having this enchanting, talented, exciting and dazzling guest on my podcast!

State of the Arts Episode 104, The Thanksgiving Special just released! Arturo Herrera began his career in his college years when he took an interest in automotive technology. He chose to study for an associates degree in this profession and eventually followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a mechanic. Ford Motor Company awarded him with multiple Genuine Parts and Service certificates of achievement. With experience in many different environments, he is very well seasoned. He has worked in dealerships, gas stations and independently. Axtuo Ax is the YouTube channel he recently created that presents instructional videos. With some clever special effects and a little bit of humor, each video guides viewers along in the techniques of automotive repair.  Beginning with an uploading quantity of a few videos a month, he has accelerated his posting rate to about ten videos a week. Now up to over five thousand subscribers, his channel continues to grow at an epic speed. Many companies, including Amazon, have reached out to him with offers of collaborations for advertising purposes. In a never-done-before outdoor, in-person interview I welcome this creative, intelligent and entertaining guest onto my podcast this week!   

State of the Arts Episode 103 just released! A majestic historical building that was once the Alexander Hamilton Customs House is now home to the National Museum of the American Indian which is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. Permanent and temporary exhibits in this breathtaking museum explore the diversity of the Native people of the Americas. A true commemoration of their cultures from the earliest times to the present is in this wondrous landmark. Native American artifacts, art and special social justice exhibits, some going back 12,000 years, are on display. Located in the financial district of Manhattan, this museum is easily accessible by subway, ferry, bus or for those who dare to drive in that bustling metropolitan area, by car as well. As research for this important episode my trusted co-host Anthony Bonilla and I explored the vast bounty of historical richness this memorable location has to offer. Educational, touching, heartbreaking, informative and amazing are only a few adjectives that could be used to describe this beguiling cultural experience. From information left out of our history books to artifacts from a couple of millenniums ago to an honorable tribute to Native Americans who served in the major 20th century wars to a new COVID crisis exhibit, the wealth of knowledge that can be found in this memorable site seems endless. A gift shop waits at the end of your visit. Handmade crafts, jewelry, children's toys, books, clothing and other keepsakes are sold in a large, welcoming, warmly-lit area. This episode is a tribute to The National Museum of the American Indian, a monumental place that fosters a richer shared human experience through a more informed understanding of Native Peoples.            

State of the Arts Episode 102 just released! In 1968 poet and visual artist John Giorno created "Dial-A-Poem" which is a telephone service that communicates poetry to callers. The service began at the Architectural League of  New York. "Dial-A-Poem" ended up being an art display in many prominent museums. A table with a few telephones were set up at each of these museums for patrons to listen to recordings of poetry from many different authors (including John Giorno himself). More than one million people used this service in the comfort of their own homes and workplaces however, which inspired a range of similar services to be created. These services include "Dial-A-Joke," "Dial Sports" and "Dial-A-Horoscope." In 1969 after a review was received for "Dial-A-Poem" in the New York Times, they received millions of calls which caused 250,000 busy signals on the first day. In the 1980's, John Giorno released fifty albums of "Dial-A-Poem" poets to encourage people to start their own "Dial-A-Poem" hotlines. John Giorno passed away in 2019, but not without etching his legacy into the scene of New York art. Not only was he the creator of the successful not-for-profit Giorno Poetry Systems, he was also the subject of Andy Warhol's film "Sleep." This long-time practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism was a prominent activist in the cause of AIDS awareness as well. "Dial-A-Poem" has been revived recently and can be accessed by calling 917-994-8949. This one-of-a-kind episode is an homage to this awe-inspiring artist and his work.                        

This week State of the Arts pays a warm tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and to her contribution to the arts in the United Kingdom and abroad. I'm joined by Regina Elizabeth King who is a leading expert and historian on Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The distinguished monarch oversaw decades of the British National Theatre's growth and productions. Not only a patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Art Fund, she also endorsed over thirty arts organizations. Theatres all across the United Kingdom dimmed their lights upon her passing. Museums temporarily shut down or offered condolence guest books for tourists to sign. Her Majesty's attention to the arts helped raise revenue for otherwise unknown art establishments. Many schools for the visual and performing arts bear the royal title because of Her Majesty. My own mother Caroline Osborne attended the British Royal Academy of Music in Hong Kong where she trained to be a classical pianist. Through Queen Elizabeth II's seventy-year reign she opened the National Theatre, attended thirty-five royal variety performances and frequented West End Productions. There are various depictions of the late Queen herself in paintings, poems, plays, movies, television shows and books. Regina Elizabeth King and I pay our respects to the beloved leader of the United Kingdom in this mesmerizing new episode of State of the Arts.                      

State of the Arts host Derek Upright welcomes stand-up comedian, comedy show host, writer and co-producer of the Prohibition Comedy Show Kevin McGloin. He has traveled far and wide for comedy with no topic being taboo. From his bi-racial background to risqué political jokes, he brazenly takes on various subject matters when he ascends the stage. This graduate of Franklin & Marshall College was once a freelance writer for Valnet. Once a varsity golfer on his school team, he eventually volunteered his skills to teach golf to inner-city youths with the City Parks Foundation. With a degree in psychology, Kevin McGloin has worked in various people-oriented fields including the skin care industry, content creation sales, and online publishing. Tune in for an exciting new interview with this exciting new guest. At the helm of this fun-filled new episode is SOTA's beloved guest host.              

State of the Arts Episode 97: The Star Trek Special just released! Four enthusiastic trekkies converge over Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi juggernaut on State of the Arts! Derek Upright hosts this out-of-this-world episode along with myself, classic entertainment connoisseur Anthony Bonilla and my music composer husband Joe Grado Jr.! Together we boldly go where no SOTA episode has gone before as we discuss a vast array of topics; from which Star Trek characters we most identify ourselves with to recent technological advancements that were predicted in this ground breaking franchise. A gracious shout-out to Star Trek actor James Lee Stanley, who was a guest on State of the Arts a while back. Playing a Klingon, Bjorn and other extraterrestrials, he became a regular on Star Trek Deep Space Nine. From humble beginnings as a 1960s prime time show to an entire universe of movies, shows, comic books, cartoons, toys and conventions, Star Trek has reached explosive success in the past six decades. This episode is dedicated to Nichelle Nichols who passed away this year at age 89. She played Uhura on the original show and was the first African American actress to be cast in a leading role on main-stream television. Hats off to Gene Roddenberry for the creation of this ingenious phenomenon that has evolved into one of the world's most intriguing subcultures! A grateful declaration of thanks to my three beloved cohosts on this riveting new episode!