Studio Break

January 6, 2026

This week Sarah Smelser joins the podcast to discuss her abstract print based work and collage that are primarily created through use of stencils and trace monotype.

Sarah solo exhibition “Escape Artist” is currently on view through February 14th at Western Michigan University in the Netzorg-Kerr Gallery.

This week Bonny Leibowitz joins the podcast to talk about her mixed media installations and sculpture works, which examine the boundaries between manufactured and organic landscapes.

Bonny has an upcoming exhibition: Adventures In Plunderland that opens December 6th from 6-8 PM at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center in Dallas Texas. The exhibition runs December 6th - January 10th.

Bonny was selected as a 2021 Studio Break Professional Competition podcast winner by our juror Erika B. Hess.

This week Marie B. Gauthiez joins the podcast to talk about her art evolution, growing up in France, traveling the world, and finding her way to the United States. Her mixed media work explore a range of materials both found and printed all coming together to make installation works that explore memory, identity, and the self.

Marie is part of the two-person exhibition with Griffin Allman entitled Withholding that opens at Studio Break Gallery in West Chicago, on Saturday November 8th from 5-8PM.

Griffin was selected as a 2024 Studio Break Student Competition podcast winner by our juror Natalie Pivoney.

This week Griffin Allman joins the podcast to talk about his mixed media assemblages that combine a variety of materials and approaches of mark making.

Griffin is part of the two-person exhibition Withholding with Marie B. Gauthiez Withholding at Studio Break Gallery in West Chicago, opening Saturday November 8th from 5-8PM.

Griffin was selected as a 2024 Studio Break Student Competition podcast winner by our juror Natalie Pivoney.

This week Jason Lipow joins the podcast to talk about his interdisciplinary practice that explores a range of found media to create painting, sculpture, and installation work.

Jason was selected work was selected for our 2024 Studio Break Professional Competition by Marc Mitchell, Curator & Director of Exhibitions at the University of Arkansas.

This week Quinn Antonio Briceño is our guest for a new podcast where we talk all about his studio practice. Quinn’s paintings include mixed media works that combine acrylic paint and image transfers and images that speak to his American and Nicaraguan background.

Quinn was selected as a 2022 Studio Break Student Competition podcast winner by our Studio Break host David Linneweh.

Erika b. Hess joins us once again to talk discuss her recent paintings for her solo exhibition Between Worlds that opens at Studio Break Gallery on October 4 from 5-8 PM.

Erika is the host of I Like Your Work Podcast and Director of Visual Arts at the Chautauqua School of Art.

Erika has been featured on Studio Break episodes: #207, #266, #314, & #328

This week Jo Locke joins the podcast to discuss her studio practice exploring social practice and collaborative works in a wide variety of traditional and found materials.

Jo’s work will be featured in the group exhibition, Only Dust Know’s What’s Left Behind, at Presa House Gallery.

Jo was selected as a 2024 Studio Break Student Competition podcast winner by our juror Natalie Pivoney.

This week Cristina Marian joins the podcast to talk about her background and evolution of her studio practice, which explores mixed media paintings and installation.

Cristina’s work will be featured with Ann Blaas in the two person exhibition Emergence, opening at Studio Break Gallery on Saturday September 6th, 5-8 PM.

Cristina was selected as a podcast and exhibition winner in the 2022 Studio Break Professional Competition by Jason Franz, Director of Manifest in Cincinnati Ohio.

This week Amanda Lechner joins the podcast to talk about her studio practice which explores fresco painting, egg tempera, works on paper, and installation.

Upcoming exhibitions include the Studio Break Invitational, a 20 person group exhibition at Studio Break Gallery Opening July 12, 6-9 PM.

Amanda’s work was selected for our 2024 Studio Break Professional Competition by Marc Mitchell, Curator & Director of Exhibitions at the University of Arkansas.