Fort Wayne author Carol Butler has a new book out for young readers that shares her own family memories and recipes, called Mama Joe's Kitchen. This slice of life narration, set in rural Georgia in the early 1950's, invites readers of all ages to walk through a friendly and open door and into, as Carol calls it, "a safe and loving place where everyone is welcome." Charming illustrations by Swedish artist Karin Sköld bring the story and the kitchen to life, and the book also features complete recipes for some of Mama Joe's family favorites. WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with Butler to talk about this ongoing journey, her motivation for choosing this perspective, and the modern day importance of storytelling. 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.

In May of 2020 Arts United and the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne joined forces to create the city's first ever Artist Relief Fund, designed to combat the financial pressures on independent artists & creatives suddenly without income because of shutdowns and closures caused by the corona virus pandemic. With COVID restrictions still hindering many from returning to work, a second phase has been launched. Like its predecessor, this user-friendly program is carefully devised to offer immediate assistance, and eligibility includes musicians, visual artists, actors, filmmakers, photographers and dancers who work and teach among gatherings of people. For a rundown on the new features Phase Two offers, WBOI's Julia Meek spoke with Arts United's Director of Arts and Grants, Heather Closson and Christine Meek, the Community Foundations Vice President of Nonprofit Excellence via Zoom to learn how the project is going and what it means to the entire 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.

Thanks to Matt Baker and Eli Doehrmann, Northwest Ohio's first "farm to festival" event, Tomato Fest is a free, family-friendly celebration which offers a large assortment of organic foods, music, arts & crafts and many other activities to its attendees, and primitive camping is available on a first come, first serve basis. WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with the pair of festival founders and planners to learn how they came together for this project, the last minute obstacle that threatened to stop the event before it began, and what they'll be serving up. 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.

As court executive for Allen Superior Court, John McGauley is able to satisfy his love of sharing details as well as his passion for photography. It all goes back to a lifelong dedication to storytelling, he explains, as well as his love of Fort Wayne, his "adopted hometown." And becoming a certified drone operator provided a bird's-eye view of things that proved to be irresistible. To learn how it all fits together, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with John to discuss his point and perspective from every angle of activity, and just what the tag, "Pure Hoosier Photography," means to him. 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 Club Room at the Clyde is hosting Summer Jazz Sessions every Wednesday evening. As a complement to the Clyde Theatre, a large venue on the city's south side designed to feature national touring acts, its new Club Room offers the community a chance to enjoy local musicians in an intimate setting, complete with signature cocktails and a unique dining menu. WBOI's Julia Meek invited its executive manager, Gregg Coyle, and Alicia Pyle, series curator, into the studio to discuss this new music space within the Clyde complex and what it's adding to the local music scene. 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.

Snider High School's 30th annual Nicholas Invitational Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday, though due to Covid-19 restrictions, things will look a little different this year. The festival is named after Carl Nicholas, the school's choir director from 1977 to 1990. Upon his retirement, the idea of bringing northeast Indiana middle and high school student bands together to continue his legacy was made a reality. For a rundown on the changes that were added this year, as well as a new special event "within the event," WBOI's Julia Meek spoke with Snider's band director Kevin Klee over Zoom to learn what's in store. 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.

Since its doors first opened in 2014, Chad and Heather Seewald's multi-faceted confectionary, Sweets So Geek, has grown sweeter by the year, so much so that it's finally outgrowing that original location on North Anthony Boulevard. Deeming the last five years their Sweets 1.0 and 2.0 phases, the Seewald's are ready to embark on the Sweets 3.0 phase, and have been working hard for the past two months to get the replacement location in Georgetown Square up and running, despite obstacles and delays at seemingly every turn. Those doors will definitely be opening this Saturday, so earlier this week, WBOI's Julia Meek coaxed the couple away from the construction site and into the studio to talk about the adventure, the joys of maintaining a family-friendly mom & pop sweet shop, and how these community connections continue to shape their inner geek. 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 C2G Music Hall behind Parkview Field in downtown Fort Wayne has been a big part of the local music scene for nearly 20 years. Now its mission and purpose are taking on new dimensions with a major expansion and renovation, as well as the new name of Baker Street Centre. The end result, according to its founder and Executive Director, Mark Minnick, will provide the organization with opportunities for even more community connection and engagement. For a sneak peek at the progress, WBOI's Julia Meek caught up with Minnick by Zoom to discuss some of the details of its bright new look and how it will enhance the city's cultural skyline. 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 city of Decatur, Indiana continues to focus on the arts and culture scene in a big way since launching its Sculpture Project in 2012, most recently partnering with the Biggs Group to build a Creative Engagement Center and living spaces in the heart of downtown. Sixteen residential units, called the 2nd Street Lofts are built above the city owned, multi-purpose community art space in the historic building known to residents as the Music House. For a close up perspective on the scope of this undertaking, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with Gus Gutierrez Rojas, Marketing and Communications Director for Biggs Group, and Decatur's Community Development Director, Melissa Norby, to learn how everything is taking shape and where the new connections being made may lead. 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.

Local journalist Corey McMaken delivers his fashion statements one step at a time, you might say, with an impressive sock collection that seemingly just won’t quit. Besides a sense of individuality and creativity, he maintains that having chosen sock collecting as "his thing" has connected him to a network of like-minded enthusiasts, and a host of supporters who can't wait to see what his daily whimsy will be. In honor of January's designation of National Hobby Month, WBOI’s Julia Meek caught up with McMaken via Zoom, to discuss how this curious sense of fashion drives his passion, as well as his spirited good humor. 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.