PUBLIC Radio

PUBLIC // 10.20.16

Old friend of PUBLIC Stacey Reason joined us by phone from Paducah, Kentucky, where she recently became the Director of the Yeiser Art Center. The phone connection presented some difficulties, but we still had fun catching up with her on her new role. PUBLIC is on each Thursday at 10am on 97.1 WXOX-FM, or stream it on Artxfm.com.

Open Doors

Open Doors Feature: Printmaking at St. Joe's

We had a great time visiting students at St. Joe's as they worked with Lori Kelley, an art therapist from LVA, to create their very own prints! Students began by sketching a few options on paper. From there, they selected their favorite to draw onto linoleum!

Once they drew their sketch on linoleum, students worked carefully to carve their blocks— making sure not to carve too deep or too shallow and to always cut away from their hands! 

The next step might have been the student's favorites— getting to mix and blend colors on plexiglass to use to ink their blocks! We got pretty messy, but it was well worth it!

From there, students were able to make print after print— experimenting with different colors and techniques. Their work was so lovely! We can't wait to visit again and see what else they've been up to!

Open Doors, Exhibits

Exhibit Feature: The View From Back Here

This was the culminating exhibit of a summer photography and oral history program for youth and young adults in the backside community who expressed interest in the documentary disciplines. Guided by instructors from Louisville Story Program, Louisville Visual Art, and The Backside Learning Center, they learned the fundamentals of photography and were trained in the objectives and techniques of taking oral history. They photographed many aspects of daily life on the track and conducted personal interviews with community and family members. Some of the participants are the children of equine workers on the backside of Churchill Downs, others work on the backside themselves. Together they have captured a brief, vibrant glimpse into the lives and stories lived every day on the backside of the track. The exhibit will run throughout the month of October, Thursdays and Fridays 5-10 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. Thanks to UPS for providing a grant to make the whole program possible!

Link Round Up

Friday Link Round Up: October 13th, 2016

Member Monday

Member Monday: Open Studio Weekend Artist Jenny Zeller

How did you first get involved with LVA? 

Joining LVA was one of the first things I did upon my return to Louisville in 2011. I first showed my work in Louisville that winter at LVA, for the Month of Makers exhibition in conjunction with Makers Mark.

When did you first know that art was going to be a big part of your life?

I was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to art.   I didn’t connect with a particular medium until my last semester at University of Kentucky when I took my first photography class.  It was my first job out of college at the Haitian Art Company in Key West that solidified my life with art!

What does LVA add to your life?

LVA has been a huge source of support to me for many years.  They have promoted and exhibited my work, and provided teaching opportunities to me.  LVA continually educates and inspires me with the introduction of new artists, concepts, and ideas.  I love my weekly sessions with Artebella and PUBLIC radio! 

How else are you involved in the community? 

Currently I’m working with the Louisville Photo Biennial, teaching photography classes at underserved community centers throughout the Louisville Metro area.  I am also a fixture in the local yoga community.

Describe your perfect Sunday afternoon.

My perfect afternoon contains little yoga, a lot of cooking with my NPR Sunday shows in the background, some quality time outdoors as well as with my stack of library books. The day would end watching a film that I think about the next day!

Who is your favorite local artist?

I love the work of collage and assemblage artist Caroline Waite.

Where would you like to see Louisville 10 years from now?

I would like to see Louisville competing on a national level for creative, artistic, and entrepreneurial opportunities. 

What neighborhood do you live in? What are some of your favorite things about it?

I live in Irish Hill.  It’s a quick bike ride to most places I want to be in the city.  While the area is in a constant state of transition, many of my neighbors have lived in Irish Hill for 30/40 + years!

What three items would you bring to a desert island? 

A rain barrel, lacinato kale seeds and my citrus press.

What advice would you give your past self if you could? 

Trust your intuition.

Member Monday

Member Monday: Open Studio Weekend Artist Phillip High

How did you first get involved with LVA? 

I attended an Artebella pre-launch feedback meeting and signed up when it first came online.

When did you first know that art was going to be a big part of your life?

I have always enjoyed art related activities, but In the 4th grade, one of my classmate's mother was an artist and gave a guest drawing lesson to the class. The process felt very natural to me and I received a lot of positive feedback from the results.

What does LVA add to your life? 

Just knowing there is an organization dedicated to promoting local art and artists is very encouraging. Artebella, Open Studio Weekend, and the Artist Opportunities email newsletter have been specifically helpful to me. 

How else are you involved in the community?

Mainly through arts related activities: attending openings and events and actively networking with other artists.

Describe your perfect Sunday afternoon.

I am in my studio all day, six days a week and I like for Sundays to be intentional down-time, with as light an agenda as possible. Being outdoors and time with family are always good. A clear break from "accomplishing" anything helps me to be more motivated throughout the rest of the week.

Who is your favorite local artist?

This is difficult to answer. I have only been back in Louisville since 2012 and I feel like I am still discovering new artists all the time. I honestly cannot pick a favorite at this point. There are many to choose from. 

Where would you like to see Louisville 10 years from now?

I believe Louisville is headed in a great direction right now. Some things I am looking forward to are: The Waterfront Botanical Gardens, the revitalization of urban communities, greater national recognition for our commitment to creativity and healthy growth, and an increasingly diverse and inclusive cultural mix.

What neighborhood do you live in? What are some of your favorite things about it?

I live in Hikes Point, a well maintained and convenient location. I am pleased to see many young couples and families moving in on a regular basis. I also like the surprising amount of cultural, racial, and economic diversity happily coexisting there.

What three items would you bring to a desert island?

Water, an umbrella... and a prayer rug.

What advice would you give your past self if you could?

Focus, plan, act.

Open Doors

Open Doors Feature: Printmaking with Maryhurst Students at Foxhollow Farm

We have come to look forward to the end of the summer because that means it's time to work with the students from Maryhurst on a field trip at Foxhollow Farm! Last year we did cyanotypes— this year we used printmaking! All artwork created will be for sale at this year's Foxhollow Farm's Fall Festival benefiting Maryhurst— come on out on October 8th to pick up a one of a kind piece of art! RSVP on the Facebook event today!

First we explored the farm and each student selected veggies, flowers, and leaves that they wanted to use to create their prints. Students got to sample cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, and green beans from the edible garden as well! 

Students then rolled out the ink onto plexiglass and pressed their selected items into it— making sure to coat it evenly— a lot like stamps! They then created patterns and prints on notecards, tea-towels, and totes. 

We thought for sure the veggies would be the most successful, but all of us agreed that the leaves made some of our favorite prints! 

Be sure to come snag your favorite prints at LVA's table during the Foxhollow Farm Fall Festival on October 8th!

PUBLIC Radio

PUBLIC // 9.15.16

Savage Rose Artistic Director Kelly Moore joined us in the studio with Tad ChitwoodAbigail Bailey Maupin, & Neill Robertson, who performed scenes from the new radio adaptation of Titus Andronicus that will be onstage at Vault 1031 September 23 and 24. Tune in to 97.1 WXOX, or stream on Artxfm.com every Thursday at 10am. (Please excuse the technical difficulties in the feed— there are some jumps here and there in the recording.)

Member Monday

Member Monday: Open Studio Weekend Artist Rebecca Norton

How did you first get involved with LVA?

I signed up for LVA newsletters when I moved back to Louisville. 

When did you first know that art was going to be a big part of your life?

I was attending shows and exhibitions shortly after starting my undergraduate studies at U of L in 1999. Art was what I did - it permeated my social, academic and private life. There was no one moment when I knew it was going to be a big part of my life. It just was. 

What does LVA add to your life?

Keeps me informed about artists and events in my community.

How else are you involved in the community?

I spend my free time at First Build making things and sharing ideas with other makers. 

Describe your perfect Sunday afternoon. 

A banana split followed by a walk in Cherokee Park with my family. 

Who is your favorite local artist?

Nico Jorcino

Where would you like to see Louisville 10 years from now?

More pedestrians and sidewalk culture.

What neighborhood do you live in? What are some of your favorite things about it?

Crescent Hill. The Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse, Blue Dog Bakery, Craft House, and the sounds of trains in late evening and night. 

What three items would you bring to a desert island? 

A book on classical and modern geometry—written in at least three languages and laminated, a mason jar (for its many uses— cup to capture water condensation for drinking, instrument to make sounds with different objects or water filled inside…), and a knife.

What advice would you give your past self if you could?

You'll have several opportunities to stop and see the Grand Canyon while driving to and from Los Angeles. Take advantage and spend a night under it's stars - its something I never did but wish I had. 

Link Round Up

Friday Link Round Up: September 9th, 2016