The Mayor's Arts Council in Angola has been working overtime since its formation last fall, and its Sculptures Angola Project is set to be unveiled and celebrated on the public square in the city's historic commercial. For a look at how things are taking shape on Angola's arts scene, as well as how the residents are taking to these new developments, last week WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with Mayor Richard Hickman, and downtown services coordinator, Maria Davis, to talk about the project's scope, the council's plans for the future, and how this arts-forward activity it is already impacting the community. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

After Forward Indiana co-founders Sarah Thompson and Carlos Marcano spent their Sundays throughout the spring and summer months serving up free meals in the park to the city's hungry, they have developed a Community Pantry initiative to better address the problem. By now, these self contained cupboards are popping up all over the city and beyond, each one a work of public art as well as public spirit.” "It's a way to bring the community together to help one another," says Thompson. "Take what you need and give what you can.” "It's solidarity not charity, and that means that we stand with everybody that comes here and it's for everybody." To learn the scope of the project and who all is being served, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with the couple to discuss the motivation behind the momentum that is quickly building on the horizon. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

Fort Wayne's Electro-Funk duo, Love Hustler, is presenting a Boogaloo Dance Battle at the Philmore on Broadway, in support of the charity organization, Hungry for Music. To Matt Cashdollar and Adam Rudolph, the men behind the music and the event, it's all about the music...and the dance, and putting smiles on everyone's face while raising funds to put instruments in the hands of kids who otherwise couldn't afford them. For a look at the cause, the contest, and the music itself, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with the duo last week to talk about the various passions at play, and the importance of community support. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOIs very own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

Thanks to Fort Wayne musician and educator, Kyle Haller, young folks wanting the chance to play music are being matched up with otherwise-forgotten instruments in a new project he calls Keyboards for Kids. Citing the pressing financial needs families increasingly face as a big deterrent to adding a musical instrument to the household, Kyle is grateful to have fallen into this business, which he describes as "meant to be." To learn what the project looks and sounds like, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with Haller to discuss how it came about during the bleak winter months of COVID restrictions, the response so far and what it means to all involved. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

The Firefly Coffee House on the city's north side has been a neighborhood gathering place for twenty years, which it will be celebrating this Saturday with an International Street Food Party. Owners Paul and Cyndi Demaree believe in their community and see this venue, located at 3523 North Anthony Boulevard, as an all-ages social hub where friends and neighbors, musicians, artists and coffee lovers can gather and connect. WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with the Demarees to talk about the passion they share for their products as well as their community, and what they plan to have brewing. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

Fort Wayne creative DJ E-Clyps has gained national attention for his photo documentation of the local George Floyd protests last summer, which is currently on display at Artlink. The show, called Voices, lives up to its name with a compelling collection of bold images that speak to the need for change with an end goal of social justice for all. For insight on the exhibit as well as the journey E-Clyps has mapped out for himself, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with him to discuss the collection, his mission and the impact of the story being told. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

Huntington's Damian Mason, businessman, farm owner, blogger and professional speaker, has added author to his list of accomplishments with his book, Do Business Better. Based on his own years of experience, Mason delivers straight talk and practical information in his signature, quick-witted style to folks who are ready to, as he puts it, "create a life and business by choice." WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with Damian to talk about what drives his passion for helping others learn how to achieve success, and the entertaining package he presents. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

Fort Wayne’s Embassy Theatre is celebrating its return to live concerts and the city’s rich musical culture with Down the Line 15: Soul Legends by Locals. With a line up that features the Ty Causey Band performing Stevie Wonder, Todd Harrold performing Bill Withers, the Institute for the Musically Insane performing Isaac Hays and Fatima Washington performing the Supremes, program manager Micheal Brett feels that the show presents a fitting tribute to the genre while speaking to the resiliency of the Embassy as well as the community it serves. For a preview of the show itself and the safety protocols the theatre has adapted, WBOI’s Julia Meek sat down with Brett and participating artist, Fatima Washington to discuss the spirit that makes it all work. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

The Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne has served school aged children and teens for thirty years, and now its brand new facility at the corner of Pontiac and Fairfield is open and welcomes hundreds of members each day. After school and all day during the summer, kids participate in impactful programs focused on Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles. Rudy Mahara, the local chapter founder, brought the idea to Fort Wayne in 1989, after moving here from Lafayette, Indiana, where he saw firsthand the value of the organization. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.

Delois "Dee" McKinley, host of WBOI's Sunday Morning Gospel Flight, is a civil rights activist known for her life of community involvement through a number of local platforms, including Fort Wayne's Urban League, Metropolitan Human Relations Commission and Public School System. Her dedication to achieving social justice for all, McKinley maintains, comes from her own upbringing in Alabama during the protest marches of the 1960's. As a final reflection on Black History Month, WBOI's Julia Meek invited Dee into the studio to discuss the changes she's seen, the biggest problems she feels still need to be solved and why the journey must continue. WBOI Artcentric is brought to you by WBOI’s own Julia Meek and Ben Clemmer. Our theme music is “Me voy pal campo'' by KelsiCote. Our administrative assistants are Olivia Fletter and Keegan Lee. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, and Sydney Wagner.