Andrew Paul Davis is a native Floridian, now living in Indiana, who made this state the setting for his first full length movie, after honing his craft while attending Upland's Taylor University. The film, called Palace, presents a cross-generational portrait of life involving a stubborn auto mechanic, a retired widower, and a college student as they interact at a bar in rural Indiana. An official Heartland Film Festival selection this past fall, in Indianapolis, Palace has enjoyed enthusiastic reviews at screenings across the country, and will be shown at Fort Wayne's Cinema Center. For a look at the path taken by both the film, and its maker, WBOI's Julia Meek invited Davis, and one lead actor, Joe Martyn Ricke, into the studio to talk about the process, and the many connections they have enjoyed along the way. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

As of last Wednesday morning, a vibrant new mural by Brazil's internationally acclaimed street artist Arlin Graff occupies the south and east walls of Shindigz Place in downtown Fort Wayne. The massive work, titled River Otter, is part of the the city's Art This Way program, managed by Alex Hall. Animals are the celebrated muralist's principal theme, executed in his distinctively creative style that pairs whimsically colorful representations of the animal kingdom with elements of the modern technological world. Before the final coat of paint was dry, WBOI's Julia Meek ushered Graff and Hall into the studio to talk about the dramatic new piece, the procedure and Graff's passion for his craft. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

The 2013 winner of the Northeast Indiana Playwright Festival, The Wedding Gift, by Nancy Carlson Dodd, is making a triumphant return to the Civic Theatre. It's also enjoying a 2nd world premiere, since Dodd was able to realize her original vision of the play as a musical this time around, which wasn't permitted in the playwright contest qualifications. Dodd's collaborator on the music and orchestration for this project has been her niece, Dori Erwin Collins, with the added advantage of working in Collins' own theatrical milieu of Chicago. For a behind the scenes look at how the production has taken shape, WBOI"s Julia Meek talked with Nancy, and director Phillip Colglazier about the play's perennial charm, and the playwright's passion. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

When Riley Fitzharris, age 14, and Cohen McCreery, age 12, were challenged by their teacher at Oak Farm Montessori School in Avilla to "make a difference in the world" last fall, they ended up deciding to host a fundraiser to help the homeless. After deciding that a hands-on approach best suited their interests and combined skill sets, they organized their thoughts, rolled up their sleeves and began a nine month quest to build a detailed campaign that would eventually involve their families, friends and the entire Oak Farm community. The results? A Family Friendly Sports Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, August 22nd, on the grounds of the Concordia Theological Seminary. With the event now on the near horizon, WBOI's Julia Meek invited the young organizers into the studio to learn how it's all coming together and what they've learned along the way. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

Sayaka Ganz is a Fort Wayne sculptor, born in Japan, who is internationally known for her large scale animal figures made from reclaimed plastic objects. Her latest local installation opens on Friday, February 22nd, at Artlink, and WBOI's Julia Meek decided to invite Ganz into the studio to discuss its complexities, as well as the motivation for this medium she embraces. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

When COVID-19 forced local author & social activist Ketu Oladuwa to halt his public jazz and poetry performance projects he switched gears, regrouped his energy and made a long term commitment to write and publish his own work instead. With a goal of producing three poetry chapter books in 2021, Oladua has just released the 2nd volume, entitled intimatez panoramic i. A reading from and discussion of the book will be presented at Wunderkammer Company on Wednesday, August 18th. To learn where this journey has led him WBOI's Julia Meek invited Ketu into the studio to discuss how the pandemic helped him to shape and re-state his identity. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

Fun Home, one of the most celebrated Broadway musicals of the decade, made its groundbreaking debut in 2015 as the first musical in history to feature a lesbian protagonist. Thanks to Three Rivers Music Theatre, the play is making its regional premiere right here in Fort Wayne, at Wunderkammer Company. Based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir of the same name, the story, which unfolds at the family's funeral home business, concerns the author's coming of age, and uncovering a family secret. For a sneak preview of what's in store, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with director, Andy Planck, and lead actor, Kat Hickey, to learn how the production is taking shape, and how they hope it will impact their audiences. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory will kick off its 15th annual Botanical Roots Concert Series this Friday, August 6th. Nicknamed "Concerts al fresco" by the facility's dedicated staff, this year's lineup of national touring acts and local opening bands is expected to fill the backyard Terrace with area music lovers of all ages every Friday throughout this month. For a sneak peek at what's in store, WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with the Conservatory's Program Coordinator Missy A'Hearn to discuss the original roots of the series--and the rhythm it continues to enjoy as a summer music staple in downtown Fort Wayne. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Alex Castonzo, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Mariah Roberts, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

The Rotary Club of Fort Wayne takes its tag line, "Dream big about service," very seriously, and this year, it is making a big splash on the downtown Riverfront scene with a Water Jet Fountain, which will be constructed adjacent to the Compass Pavilion in the heart of Promenade Park. The group is hoping to raise most of the rest of the necessary funds for the project with its annual Big Easy Mardi Gras Feast. WBOI's Julia Meek met with president, Dave Bennett, and Barb Wachtman, past president and event committee member, to talk about the club's rich legacy, and learn how this and other projects fit the club's mission as it begins its second century of service. 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Alex Castonzo, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Mariah Roberts, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.

The AVOW organization was founded a little over two years ago with the purpose of giving women here in Fort Wayne a voice in public life. Under the leadership of founders, Patti Hays, Rachel Tobin-Smith, Marilyn Moran-Townsend and Faith Van Gilder, AVOW is growing in numbers, gaining momentum, and finding its voice in a number of platforms. The mission of the organization is to advance the voices of women in public life, the community square and civil conversations. Appealing to women of all backgrounds, ages and political affiliations, what unifies the group's effort is a common passion to inspire and train women for public life. Adding support to that endeavor is former Mayor of Fort Wayne, Paul Helmke. The Journal Gazette is also endorsing AVOW, and encouraging its participation in weekly guest columns and opinion pieces. WBOI's Julia Meek sat down with two of its founders, Pati Hays and Rachel Tobin-Smith, to discuss the group's mission and scope, and the impact it hopes to make on 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 assistant is Olivia Fletter. Our production assistants are Monica Blankenship, Alex Castonzo, Steve Mullaney, Kyle Norbeck, Mariah Roberts, Diahmynd Thomas, Mikaela Veltum, and Sydney Wagner.