This episode we are joined by Zoe Scott of KNWLDG Couture. Zoe is a Baltimore-based sustainable fashion designer and long-time upcycler. Through her practice of upcycling, she transforms garments that might otherwise end up in a landfill into elevated outfits by breaking down clothing and reassembling it into fresh new looks.

We’ll discuss how her parents unintentionally gave her the tools to become a sustainable artist and how her design work challenges us to reconsider our personal style and the way we value our wardrobe.

We also discuss the harmful effects of buying from big-box retailers, including the creation of excess waste and harsh factory environments where the products are made.

We end with Zoe’s interest in community engagement, including a new campaign to spread financial literacy by demonstrating how Baltimoreans can save money by investing in sustainable fashion.

In celebration of Black History Month, this episode we're joined by Mark A. West Jr, a Baltimore-born visual artist, curator, and historian. He is also a current resident artist at the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower in Downtown Baltimore, which is a BOPA facility.

We discuss how history, which Mark studied primarily through art and museums, influences his current approach to art making, including how he portrays black subjects and his frequent depiction of deities.

We finish with an explanation of Mark’s social media handle “House of Mark West” and how the physical structure of a house has become a part of his personal brand and a metaphor for fostering community in the arts.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions that include references to rape within the context of race and art. These conversations aim to explore complex and sometimes painful histories, as well as their impact on artistic expression and cultural narratives. We acknowledge that this content may be distressing for some listeners, and we encourage you to engage with the episode in a way that feels safe for you. Listener discretion is advised.