Celebrate American Artist Appreciation Month with this episode of Big Blend Radio’s World of Art podcast, where artist and art historian Victoria Chick delves into the life and legacy of Arthur Kraft (1922-1977). This talented Kansas City artist is known for his murals, mosaics, and significant contributions to public art. 

The conversation explores:

Also featured is a discussion tying in the influence of Thomas Hart Benton, further grounding the conversation in Kansas City’s rich artistic lineage.

Featured images are courtesy of Pat & Randy Kelly, owners of Kelly's Westport Inn — listen for Pat’s interview coming up next!

Read Victoria’s Articles:

Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist, art historian, and the visionary behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center in Silver City, New Mexico. She also collects early 19th and 20th-century American prints.

More to Explore

This episode also appears on Big Blend Radio’s Toast to The Arts and BIg Daily Blend channels. Discover more: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Discover the historical significance that shapes this unique destination, understand the impact of tourism on its dynamic culture, and delve into the diverse offerings that make Silver City a must-visit locale. Known as "The Gateway to the Continental Divide Trail," Silver City also serves as the main hub for adventurers exploring the breathtaking Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Gila National Forest, and Gila Wilderness Area.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

Resources Mentioned:

Tune in to Big Blend Radio's World of Art Podcast every 3rd Saturday for engaging conversations on art history, contemporary art, museum culture, and more: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts,” “Big Daily Blend,” “Vacation Station,” and “Parks & Travel” travel podcast channels. Explore the entire network of educational and arts-focused shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork  

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s World of Art podcast, artist and art historian Victoria Chick shares the remarkable life and legacy of Fanny Adele Watson (1873–1947), a pioneering American artist whose work—especially her landscapes and depictions of national parks—stood out in a male-dominated art world.

The conversation explores Watson’s unique artistic voice, her influences, and the historical context of her career. Victoria also emphasizes the importance of preserving art and recognizing the vital contributions of women artists throughout history, as well as how travel and natural beauty have inspired generations of painters.

🖼️ Read Victoria’s article: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/the-life-and-legacy-of-artist-fanny-adele-watson-1873-1947/ 

🔗 More to Explore:

📣 This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Women Making History and Toast to The Arts podcast channels. Discover more shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

🎙️ In honor of Armed Forces Day (May 17, 2025) and the upcoming Memorial Day (May 26, 2025), we're revisiting this meaningful Big Blend Radio conversation with artist and art historian Victoria Chick.

In this episode, Victoria explores the evolution of Veterans Memorials in the United States, from their 19th-century beginnings to the powerful tributes we see today. She explains how, historically, memorials focused on glorifying victories or honoring rulers — and how that shifted to commemorating the sacrifice and service of individual soldiers.

🎨 Learn about the art, symbolism, and cultural significance behind some of America’s most notable veterans memorials.

📖 Read Victoria’s accompanying article here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yhwzg/oamh/#p=68 

🎨 Visit Victoria Chick’s portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ 

🎙️ Tune in to Big Blend Radio's World of Art Podcast every 3rd Saturday for engaging conversations on art history, contemporary art, museum culture, and more: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Way Back When podcast channel. Explore the entire network of educational and arts-focused shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork  

From the Minneapolis Institute of Art to the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas (pictured), and even the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain—this episode of Big Blend Radio’s WORLD OF ART podcast with artist and art historian Victoria Chick concludes her three-part series on the History of Art Museums, highlighting the evolution and innovation of 21st-century art museums in America.

This art-focused podcast explores how modern museums are redefining the way we experience and interact with art, from cutting-edge architecture and community engagement to the transformation of museum collections and their exhibits.

Victoria Chick is the visionary behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center in Silver City, New Mexico. She’s also a contemporary figurative artist and a collector of early 19th and 20th-century American prints. Learn more about her work and the museum initiative, and explore her three-part article series on the history of art museums:

PART ONE: The Origins of Art Museums: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-one  

PART TWO: Growth of Art Museums in the 19th and 20th Centuries: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-two    

PART THREE: 21st-Century Art Museums in America: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-pt-3 

🎨 Visit Victoria Chick’s portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ 

🎙️ Tune in to Big Blend Radio's World of Art Podcast every 3rd Saturday for engaging conversations on art history, contemporary art, museum culture, and more: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s Way Back When and Toast to The Arts podcast channels. Explore the entire network of educational and arts-focused shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork  

From the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick is Part Two of her three-part series on the history of Art Museums. It focuses on the History of Art Museums in America.

Victoria is the catalyst behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center project in Silver City, New Mexico. You can learn more about the Museum effort and read her articles about the History of Art Museums:

Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ 

Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When" and "Toast to The Arts" Podcast Channels. Check out our network of shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

From the Capitoline Museum in Rome to the Museum of Ennigaldi-Nanna (a princess of Babylon) and the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick is Part One of her three-part series on the history of Art Museums. This global themed show celebrates International Friendship Month and National Library Month since museums are also home to libraries! 

Victoria is the catalyst behind the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center project in Silver City, New Mexico. You can learn more about the Museum effort and read her article about the History of Art Museums (Part One), here: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/articles/art-museums-a-history-part-one 

Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ 

Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When," "Toast to The Arts," "Women Making History," and "Big Daily Blend" Podcast Channels. Check out our network of shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

It's all about the historic Petroglyphs of Pony Hills in remote Southwest New Mexico on this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick. Read Victoria's article about Pony Hills, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/petroglyphs-of-pony-hills/  

Along with a great discussion about the potential meanings and symbolism behind the petroglyphs, we also chat about the Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center project that she has spearheaded in local Silver City. More here: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ 

Also see her stories and podcasts covering:

Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ 

Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

This episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Way Back When," "Toast to The Arts," and "Parks & Travel" Podcast Channels. Check out our network of shows: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

It's all about Petroglyphs on this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick. There is hardly a country in the world where petroglyphs do not exist. The United States is rich in petroglyph art, especially within National Park or National Monument boundaries or within National Forests and public lands where they are protected.

Read Victoria's article about Petroglyphs, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/petroglyphs-prehistoric-rock-art/ 

Also see her stories and podcasts covering:

Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ 

Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick focuses on early pottery of the southwest including Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, Southern Colorado, Southern Utah, and Northern Mexico. Read Victoria's article about it here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/early-pottery-of-the-southwest/ 

Victoria Chick is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Visit: https://victoriachick.com/ 

Victoria appears on Big Blend Radio every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ 

This episode is also featured on our other Big Blend Radio channels: "Big Daily Blend," "Toast to The Arts," and "Way Back When." Check out our Big Blend Radio Network of podcasts here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork