Where We Live

This hour, we preview several historical exhibits spotlighting local artists, many of whom were touched by the Pop Art Movement percolating just over the border in New York. This includes prolific artist couple Leo Jensen and Dalia Ramanauskas. We'll explore what it means to be an artist in community — in Connecticut or New York — and how Pop Art changed that.

1 of 6The exhibit "Avant Colony: Unearthing the Westbrook Gallery" is currently running through March 31 at Ely Center of Contemporary Art in New HavenEric Litke / Ely Center of Contemporary Art in New Haven2 of 6Saturday Night: New London, ca 1935, is on view in "Beatrice Cuming: Connecticut Precisionist," through May 26 at Lyman Allyn Art Museum.Provided / Tanya Pohrt / Lyman Allyn Art Museum3 of 6Bell Buoys on the Dock, ca. 1937, is on view in "Beatrice Cuming: Connecticut Precisionist," through May 26 at Lyman Allyn Art Museum.Provided / Tanya Pohrt / Lyman Allyn Art Museum4 of 6Leo Jensen (1926–2019), Baseball Machine, 1963. Painted wood, mixed media kinetic sculpture, 90 x 76 x 23 in. Collection of the Artist.Provided / Florence Griswold Museum5 of 6Leo Jensen (1926–2019), The Lure of the Turf, 1963. Wood, steel, 90 x 63 x 22 1/2 in. Collection of the Artist.Provided / Florence Griswold Museum6 of 6Leo Jensen (1926–2019), Secrets of a Home Run Hitter, 1964. Polychromed wood and mixed media assemblage (electric), 39 x 40 x 8 in. Collection of the Artist.Provided / Florence Griswold Museum

February 4 – March 31: Avant Colony: Unearthing the Westbrook Gallery at the Ely Center of Contemporary Art in New Haven

February 10 – April 14: Art in Play: Leo Jensen at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London

February 20 – May 19: Fun & Games? Leo Jensen's Pop Art at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme

"Dalia Ramanauskas: As We Embark" just wrapped up at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, and an exhibit dedicated to William Kent is in the works at the New Haven Museum.

GUESTS:

• Eric Litke: Museum Assistant, Yale University Art Gallery
• Amy Kurtz Lansing: Curator, Florence Griswold Museum
• Tanya Pohrt: Curator, Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flannel and blue jeans - these staples are the backbone of American fashion and the textile industry. Are they part of your wardrobe?

Textiles, fabrics and clothing is a dying industry here in the U.S. But author Steven Kurutz says that some makers and creators are trying to change that.

New York Times reporter and author Steven Kurutz joins us today to talk about his new book American Flannel: How a Band of Entrepreneurs are bringing the art and business of making clothes back home.

We hear about the rise and decline of this industry. We’ll also learn about the history of mills right here in Connecticut, and local artisan joins us to talk about their efforts to bring back the American mill.

GUESTS:

• Steven Kurutz: author of American Flannel and a reporter for New York Times covering cultural trends and the world of design
• Jacob Harrison Long: President and CEO of American Woolen Company in Stafford, Springs, Connecticut

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maurice Sendak is often celebrated for his contributions to children’s book art. You’re likely familiar with Where The Wild Things Are, or even Higglety Pigglety Pop. But in the late artist’s own words, "I do not believe that I have ever written a children's book. I do not know how to write a children’s book. How do you set out to write a children’s book?"

This hour, we’re exploring the Maurice Sendak Foundation in Ridgefield, where Sendak lived for forty years. There, the many layers of his artistic legacy live on, with the help of the experts and friends who knew and loved him best. We hear from them.

Twelve years after the artist's passing, the Foundation and HarperCollins are releasing Ten Little Rabbits.

GUESTS:

• Lynn Caponera: President and Treasurer, Maurice Sendak Foundation

• Dr. Jonathan Weinberg: Curator, Maurice Sendak Foundation

Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired February 12, 2024.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Around the globe, artists are using their mediums to show how climate change is impacting our planet.

Today, we’re exploring the convergence of art and science. We'll be talking with artists using their craft to have conversations about the environment.

Earlier this year, Where We Live talked about how snow loss is impacting our ecosystems and community here in Connecticut. Today, we hear from Lynn Cazabon, the artist behind the multidisciplinary project “Losing Winter” who will join us from Australia.

But first up, we’re hearing from the Mattatuck Museum. The exhibit “Sea Change | See Change” is raising awareness of how climate change is impacting our oceans.

GUESTS:

• Sam Schwann: underwater explorer and ocean artist
• Keffie Feldman: Chief Curator at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut
• Lynn Cazabon: artist behind the project Losing Winter
• Elizabeth Ellenwood: an artist from Pawcatuck, Connecticut

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Cat Pastor contributed to this show that originally aired on February 6, 2024.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tri-state area or New England? Nutmeg or Constitution State? "Stuffy, preppy, sleepy"? What really makes Connecticut Connecticut, and what stereotypes can we stand to shake off?

After the state's recent rebranding effort, it's a debate that has found its way to the national stage. This hour, Catherine Shen is joined by a roundtable of Connecticut Public hosts, as we debate what defines Connecticut.

And we want to hear from you. What characterizes or typifies where you live? What do you think people get wrong or right about Connecticut's reputation?

GUESTS:

• Colin McEnroe: Host, The Colin McEnroe Show

• Chion Wolf: Host, Audacious with Chion Wolf

• Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean: Host, Disrupted

• Dr. Jonathan Wharton: Associate Professor of Political Science and Urban Affairs, Southern Connecticut State University; Columnist, CT News Junkie and Hearst Connecticut

Cat Pastor contributed to this episode which originally aired on January 25, 2024.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the National Institutes of Health, average body weight drastically increased across the board for men and women during the pandemic lockdown.

Simply eating less and exercising more hasn’t been that effective when it comes to weight loss. In efforts to fight weight stigma, doctors are embracing a new idea that weight loss isn’t all about willpower and health is defined by more than just someone’s weight.

In 2021, the FDA approved Semaglutide for weight loss for the general population. Doctors and patients are flocking to get this medication.

Children over the age of 12 are now eligible to be prescribed this drug as well. Many celebrities have confirmed their personal use of the drugs, including Oprah. Influencers across the social sphere are partnering with pharmaceutical companies to promote the drugs.

Today, we talk about these drugs, and combating weight stigma in and out the doctor’s office.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Mara Gordon: Family Practice Physician from New Jersey
• Devika Umashanker: System Medical Director for Obesity Medicine at Hartford Healthcare
• Dr. Maria Asnis: Director of the Center for Weight Management at Stamford Health
• Dr. Sherry Pagoto: Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professor at University of Connecticut

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In late January, Reuters reported that “some 70 U.S. cities, including Chicago and Seattle, have passed resolutions on the Israel-Gaza war," with the majority calling for a cease-fire.

Several Connecticut city and town councils have considered resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Bridgeport passed one of these non-binding agreements in January, Hartford City Council recently rejected a resolution, and Hamden’s Town Council is considering one. In New Haven, organizers staged an open hearing for a ceasefire at City Hall on Monday, after they say the Board of Alders "ignored" their requests.

Coming up, we discuss the significance of these local resolutions with Eddy Martinez, Connecticut Public breaking news reporter, plus University of Hartford politics and government expert Bilal Sekou, and Dartmouth University professor of government Dr. Nadia Brown.

But first, NPR national security correspondent Greg Myre discusses the significance of Sunday’s announcement, and the very latest around diplomatic negotiations.

GUESTS:

• Greg Myre: NPR National Security Correspondent
• Dr. Bilal Sekou: Associate Professor of Politics and Government, University of Hartford
• Dr. Nadia Brown: Professor of Government, Georgetown University
• Dr. Emy Matesan: Associate Professor of Government, Wesleyan University
• Eddy Martinez: General Assignment/Breaking News Reporter, Connecticut Public
• Christine Squires: President and CEO, Americares

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For kids today, there’s a whole new career path: social media influencer. In fact, 57 percent of Gen Zs say they’d be an influencer. But some young people aren’t waiting to become social media influencers; they’re already ones.

These parent-run, kid centric accounts aren't all brand deals, and free merchandise. A new investigation by the New York Times showcases the darker side of the Kidfluencer world.

Today, we hear about the realities of working in this space — and how some young people are advocating to get their privacy back.

GUESTS:

• Jennifer Valentino-DeVries: Reporter for the New York Times
• Chris McCarty: Student Founder and Executive Director of Quit Clicking Kids

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Librarians in Connecticut say the number of book ban requests they’re fielding is still "soaring," and that the focus is on content relating to LGBTQIA+ identity and themes. Librarians have even looked to lawmakers for support.

This hour, we get the latest from state and national Library Associations.

But first, advocates and lawmakers hosted a vigil at the State Capitol last week for Nex Benedict, the teenager who died after a fight in the school bathroom in Oklahoma. Keith Brown with Gay Spirit Radio reports.

GUESTS:

• Keith Brown: Host and Producer, Gay Spirit Radio
• Deborah Caldwell-Stone: Director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom
• Samantha Lee: Chair, Connecticut Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee; Head of Reference Services at Enfield Public Library
• Mary Richardson: Teen Services Librarian, Simsbury Public Library; Co-Host "The Book Jam" Podcast

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Applying for financial aid is no easy task. Whether you’re the parent or the incoming student. And a new FAFSA form hasn’t made things any easier.

The online FAFSA form - or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid was recently updated. But it’s come with a lot of glitches causing headaches for students and parents alike.

Today on Where We Live, we talk about what’s happening with this form and how universities are responding.

We’ll also talk about how some universities here in Connecticut are working to eliminate student loans from their financial aid packages.

GUESTS:

• Danielle Douglas-Gabriel: Reporter for the Washington Post
• Eric Hoover: Senior Writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education 
• Jen Duncan: Director of Financial Aid at Wesleyan University

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.