Art on the Air

Join Kate Stanton Melendez for an interview with Jeanette McCune, the Executive Director of Cleo the Project Space, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit arts organization, located at 915 B Montgomery St., Savannah, Georgia. The space is open on Saturdays from 12-5PM, or by appointment.    Their next exhibition 'Survey to a Sweet Reminder' featuring Camille Wong and Alex Adkinson opens Saturday, October 18th from 6-9PM. The artist talk starts at 7PM.    Their fall fundraiser takes place on Sunday, November 9th, on the front lawn of Laney Contemporary from 1-4PM. Tickets are limited and available now.      Check out Cleo the Project Space here:   https://www.cleotheprojectspace.org/   www.instagram.com/cleo_the_project_space/

Join Kate Stanton Melendez for an interview with soft sculpture artist, performance artist, and college professor Kelly Boehmer.    Kelly has exhibited and performed her work nationally and internationally in over 175 exhibitions including shows in Baltimore, Dallas, Miami, New York City, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, San Juan, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.  She received her BFA in Studio Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art and her MFA in Studio Art at the University of South Florida. She is a member of the performance art band, Glitter Chariot. Kelly is a Professor of Foundations Studies at Savannah College of Art and Design, in Savannah, GA.   Boehmer's soft sculptures combine tragic humor with a celebration of the hidden beauty found within anxiety. Her creatures serve as metaphors for personal struggles with anxiety and aging. She finds humor in her attempts to become "comfortable in my own skin" and to navigate these challenges, particularly with social anxiety. Though the imagery may appear grotesque, with flayed and molting forms, these creatures represent growth, transformation, and positive change. She uses glittery sheer fabrics and vivid faux fur, to contrast difficult emotions with inviting textures. This creates a tension between attraction and repulsion, softening the rawness of the subject matter and making it more approachable for the viewer. Many of her works draw inspiration from iconic pieces in art history, such as the Unicorn Tapestries, the Laocoön Group, Lion Hunt of Ashurbanipal, and The Arnolfini Portrait. Her aggressive hand-sewing technique is similar to an expressive line in drawing. A key element of the process involves repurposing materials from previous sculptures, cutting them up after an exhibition and combining them with upcycled taxidermy. This gives the materials a “second life,” creating a layered history of growth and change embedded within the pieces themselves.   Check out Kelly's work here: https://www.kellyboehmer.com/ Kelly Boehmer (@kelly.boehmer) • Instagram photos and videoshttps://www.instagram.com/kelly.boehmer/?hl=en   Buy Kelly's work from Cindy Lisica Gallery in the Atlanta Art Fair: https://artcloud.market/show/cindy-liscia-gallery-atlanta-art-fair   See her husband Chuck Carbia's work here: https://www.chuckcarbia.com/

Join Kate for an interview with Lisa D. Watson, an artist, gardener, and activist.    Lisa D. Watson (b.1967) grew up in Northeast Ohio where she spent many days in the wooded forest behind her childhood home. The day the bulldozers flattened the forest to a suburb was the day she found her lifelong mission; tell the stories of the voiceless species of the natural world.  Watson received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, Ohio. Since her academic studies, she has used salvaged objects as her medium.  Through her art and garden designs, Watson strives to find balance between urbanization and conservation. Her company, Plan it Green Design, LLC, provides homeowners with creative and sustainable design solutions, emphasizing the use of native plant species. Currently she is collaborating with The Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance, The Longleaf Alliance, and the Georgia Native Plant Society. After receiving a Certificate of Interior Design in Chatsworth, California, Lisa moved to Savannah, Georgia and works out of her studio and native garden. I was lucky enough to be able to visit and chat.   Check out Lisa here: https://www.art-ldw.com/ https://www.instagram.com/art.ldw/ https://www.facebook.com/planitgreendesign/     Theme song by Jose Ray, an artist, DJ, & friend of the show!

Join Kate for an interview with Jose Ray, a multi-faceted artist. You can find his work on gallery walls, in public murals, in the bookstore, and you can find him in the DJ booth downtown.    Born and raised in the Midwest, Jose grew up with a love for wide-open exploration and do-it-yourself spirit. That outlook took him in many different directions while always building the knowledge and skills toward a creative path…and eventually, profession.   In visual arts, Jose works with Mixed Media to achieve lush and vibrant floral landscapes. The trail of abstraction is left to shine through in some moments, and in others, rendered into beautiful and fantastic floral forms. Playing with contrast and balance is always a motivating factor for this loaded-with-contradiction Gemini.    In audio arts, DJ Jose Ray has the knowledge and skills to set just the right tone with an eclectic mix of styles and a love for genre-jumping. Whether we're poolside chilling or sweating it out on the dancefloor, Jose will make sure you're lost in the groove!   Catch Jose DJing: Club Bardo on Friday nights from 8PM-11PM Starland Yard on Saturday nights from 7PM-10PM Hotel Alida on Sundays from 2PM-5PM   Check out Jose here: https://www.joseray.com/  https://www.instagram.com/joseraysay/    Notes: In this episode we referenced his friend Marc, the owner of one of Jose's murals, & a super talented poet. We've realized we didn't give him appropriate credit. Marc's full name is Marc Thomas -  his most recent book is "Wetlands - Low Country Haiku", which was illustrated by Jose Ray. This latest book was released last month & is available at The Book Lady & Locally Made Savannah, among others. 

Join all AOTA past hosts Tamara Garvey, Rob Hessler, & David Laughlin as they welcome new host Kate Stanton Melendez, and serve as a transition team. The artists and arts journalists share background info on the show's roots, give advice on becoming a podcaster, and dispense wisdom on the state of the arts in our beloved Savannah, Georgia (i.e., reminisce and gossip). We enjoyed catching up and goofing off, and hope you enjoy it too.      Check out Tamara's work and follow her here: https://www.instagram.com/tamgarv/     Check out David's work and follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/theidofdav/     Rob's grown tired of being popular, so leave him alone. But you can view past artwork here: https://loislambertgallery.com/rob-hessler      

Join Tamara for an interview with musician (upright and electric bass) Marc Chesanow, whose music plays at the beginning and the end of every episode of this show! 🎉  He played drums and trombone in HS band and then came to bass later: attending Eastman School of Music in NY for undergrad and then University of Memphis for his master's degree. He's been a working musician ever since, with occasional stints as a music professor.  Marc has lived in Savannah since 2016 and emphasizes the necessity of diversifying your time amongst bands, private gigs, orchestras, etc in order to pay the bills as a musician. He's 1/3 of beloved Savannah jazz group The Eric Jones Trio, and performs regularly with the Savannah Music Fest, Savannah Jazz Fest, and Savannah Philharmonic, as well as various "Dancing With the Stars" fundraiser shows and Juneteenth celebrations.  ⭐️ This episode is extra special! It's Tamara's 3 year anniversary of hosting the podcast, and after this one she'll be handing the hosting mike over to Kate Stanton Melendez. Listen through the end of the show for all the details! ⭐️ Song clips played during this episode: "Step Right Up" by Eric Jones Trio (Azubuike) "Where Dreams May Come" by Eric Jones Trio (Azubuike) "Azubuike" by Eric Jones Trio (Azubuike) "Four Women (Nina Simone cover)" performed by Eric Jones Trio featuring Cynthia Utterbach "Graceland (Paul Simon cover)" performed at "Savannah Salutes Paul Simon" show in 2024   Check out Marc's music and follow him here:  https://www.instagram.com/marcchesanow/   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8_T7op9aEY  https://www.facebook.com/eric.jones.muse/  (follow Eric Jones here)    Tune in and get all the details! 

Join Tamara for an interview with artist/illustrator (my fellow artist at the co-op Gallery 209 on River Street!) Erica Catherine, who draws "Vintage Inspired Designs for the Old Soul."  Erica is a native Savannahian who graduated from Savannah Arts Academy and then SCAD, with a BFA in Illustration. After graduation she started her business, selling her paintings and products made from her art, including prints, cards, scarves, and tea towels. She also has her work on a few print-on-demand sites, in order to license for fabric and wallpaper.  Her illustrations are created using layers of watercolor and graphite to give an ethereal feeling that harkens back to turn of the century illustration. She is known for creating large series around a theme, such as all of the US state flowers, one lettered alphabet combined with animals and one with flowers, maps of various Savannah neighborhoods, and all zodiac signs.    Check out Erica's art and follow her here:   https://www.ericacatherineillustration.com/  https://www.instagram.com/ericacatherineillustration/  Tune in and get all the details!

Join Tamara for an interview with musician (singer-songwriter, drums, guitar, bass) Markus Kuhlmann, whose IG description reads: "Pandemic-Born Dad-Bod Rock." He's a "recovering architect" originally from South Carolina who moved from Charleston to Savannah in the late 90s/early 00s. Over the past decades Markus has been in a number of beloved Savannah bands - The Train Wrecks, Clouds and Satellites, and now East Bay-Ardsley - generally as a drummer and singer. In recent years he also taught himself guitar and then bass. During the pandemic he recorded and released a solo five track EP, “We got Yr Smile on File" under a solo name, Mike Kilo. He regularly performs around town in solo gigs, and in May the Train Wrecks reunited at The Britannia Pub, for the first time in years! Keep an eye on his IG for upcoming gigs, and you can also chat with him most weekday mornings at Henny Penny (his partner is Jen of the Foxy coffee shops!).  Song clips played during this episode: Slowgaze by Markus Kuhlmann "Parlour Tricks" by Mike Kilo from "We Got Yr Smile on File" EP "A Typical Progression" by Mike Kilo "Fall, Run Away" by Clouds & Satellites (M. Garappolo) "More Than a Phase" by East Bay-Ardsley (S. Harmening)   Check out Markus's music and follow him here:  https://mikekilo.bandcamp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mikekilomusic/   Tune in and get all the details! 

Join Tamara for an interview with Armando Nieto, an artist/illustrator born in Caracas, Venezuela. He has an Associate's degree in Illustration, and then came to Savannah to complete his B.F.A in Illustration with a concentration in Concept Design for Animation and Games from SCAD. He became proficient in working in Procreate, as well as in traditional painting media.  He worked as a freelance Illustrator right out of graduation, and since 2023 he has been teaching art classes for both kids and adults at Scribble Art Studio in Starland: https://www.scribbleartstudiosav.com/. More recently he also teaches art online (you can request a specific lesson/project too!) - https://www.superprof.com/master-the-art-watercolor-and-acrylic-personalized-step-step-lessons-where-you-improve-your-skills-with-expert.html   Armando also takes on commissioned painting projects (landscapes, portraits, and pet portraits) and recently completed a mural with fellow artist Nico Moscosa, at the soon-to-reopen Troupial Cafe.    Check out Armando's work and follow him here:  https://www.instagram.com/armasketch/  https://armandonieto.art/  https://www.tiktok.com/@armasketch    Tune in and get all the details! 

Join Tamara for an interview with Jazz Howington, a versatile painter, muralist, and illustrator who started her career in 2012 (SCAD Illustration Alumna 2011). She has a day job in UX Design and creates art part-time, out of her studio at Cedar House (go visit her on weekends, receptions, or by appointment!). She'll have work in the upcoming Cedar House show “SPECTRUM,” June 6th - 27th, with a reception on Friday, June 6.  Her "Project Adoration" is a life-long endeavor to capture authentic queer relationships and the affection and adoration of those relationships, both romantic and platonic. The continued consideration of bold color, negative space, and degree of finish are constant themes in her works. She is always looking for authentic relationships to capture, so if you and your partner(s) feel comfortable being photographed and then painted, sign up to model!    Check out Jazz's work and follow her here:  https://www.jazzhowingtonart.com/  https://www.instagram.com/relicz_art/    Tune in and get all the details! 

Join Tamara for an interview with Brittany Curry, a Savannah native who started her career as the coordinator of Oconee Area Citizen Advocacy, an organization that helps people with disabilities build a life outside of professional services. In 2012 she discovered Graphic Recording, an emerging field of documenting meetings with large, hand-drawn, visual graphics. She began doing this work during nights and weekends, and in 2015 was able to take it full-time, launching her small business, InkyBrittany.  Since then, Brittany's Graphic Recording & Facilitating work has been requested across the country and beyond. She has worked with corporations, small businesses, philanthropies, governments, public health, education, agriculture, and the disability advocacy community, to name a few. She now also leads workshops teaching others the skill of visual communication. Mark your calendar for May 24 - Brittany is throwing a 10 Year Anniversary Party for her business at the American Legion downtown! :)  Check out Brittany's work and follow her here:  https://inkybrittany.com/  https://www.instagram.com/inkybrittany/   Tune in and get all the details! 

Join Tamara for an interview with Dana Richardson (b. Sewanee, TN), an artist, muralist, and art instructor at Savannah Christian Preparatory School. Her connection to landscape painting began during a year spent at the Marchutz School of Painting in the south of France.  Dana first moved to Savannah to get her B.F.A. in Painting from SCAD, and is currently pursuing an M.F.A. at the Maryland Institute College of Art, expected to graduate in 2026. In her current work, she explores the re-enchantment of spaces through her subconscious painting method, using automatic processes to channel internal landscapes. Dana returns annually to Ossabaw Island, where she completes a residency to study the unique environment. She currently has a piece installed at Artfields (running through May 3), and in June she and artist Lisa D. Watson will install collaborative work in the Boxed In/Break Out windows at the Jepson Center.  Check out Dana's work and follow her here:  https://www.instagram.com/danawrich/ https://www.danarichardsonart.com/   Tune in and get all the details! 

Join Tamara for an interview with singer-songwriter (and ukulele queen) Mandy Madson, who trained in opera and musical theater and then eventually "traded the stage of Carnegie Hall for the dim lights of the honky tonks." Mandy is one half of Andy and Mandy - she and Andrew Sovine are "a brother and sister classic country duo that brings low brow laughs with a high lonesome sound across the lowcountry."  She has a Bachelor’s in Music Education with a focus in Voice from Brewton-Parker College and currently works remotely as a middle school Music Teacher, and a freelance accessibility designer. Mandy has also developed a Mary Poppins-esque vibe for her "Miss Madson’s Magical Music" project of leading singalongs for children.  Song clips played during this episode: Duet cover of Happy Days Are Here Again / Get Happy by Judy Garland & Barbra Streisand Solo cover of Proud Mary by Tina Turner  Solo cover of Crazy by Patsy Cline  Original song: Holiday Heartbreaker by Mandy Madson   Check out Mandy's music and projects and follow her here:  https://www.instagram.com/mandylynnmusic/  https://www.instagram.com/andyandmandyband/  https://www.instagram.com/missmadsonsmagicalmusic/  https://andyandmandy.bandcamp.com/track/holiday-heartbreaker   https://andyandmandyband.com/    Tune in and get all the details! 

Join Tamara for an interview with Savannah, GA artist Maxx Feist, a nonbinary self-taught artist from Asheville, NC who spends all the days and all the times painting! Highly influenced by a regular regiment of caffeine, heavy metal, and true crime podcasts, Maxx fights to connect the cerebral with the visual…always trying to maintain a balance between the dark and the light. This generally come through by way of underworld subject matter highlighted in bright colors and fun abstract shapes, borders, rope-like imagery, and other whimsical additions.    ** For this episode, I (Tamara) am very happy to participate in this 3rd edition of Podcasthon! For one week, more than a thousand podcasts will highlight a charity of their choice. There's no money involved—it’s all about raising awareness for various charitable causes. I am highlighting The ACLU, which defends the rights of all people nationwide. “With immigrant rights, trans justice, reproductive freedom, and more at risk, we’re in courts and communities across the country to protect everyone’s rights — and we need you with us.” https://www.aclu.org/ If you enjoyed my episode, feel free to visit https://podcasthon.org/ to discover hundreds of other great causes through the voices and talents of other podcasters around the world! **   Check out Maxx’s work and follow them here:  https://www.instagram.com/maxx_feist/ https://www.maxxfeistart.com/   Tune in and get all the details!

Join Tamara for an interview with Ben Copperwheat, a versatile artist known for his exceptional work in fine art, wearable art, and interior concepts.  His distinctive style is characterized by vibrant colors, bold graphic imagery, and captivating screen prints. His art bursts with a riot of rainbow and neon hues, encompassing a diverse range of motifs and icons that form a unique visual language.  Ben was born in 1975 in Luton, U.K., and received a BA and an MA in the arts before moving to NYC in 2003. He worked as a Print Designer for Calvin Klein for a few years and then freelanced - co-founding an avant-garde menswear line, and working with stylist Patricia Field at events like Berlin Fashion Week and Art Basel Miami. In 2018, he moved here to Savannah and became a Professor of Fibers at SCAD. Check out Ben's work and follow him here:  https://www.instagram.com/bencopperwheat/  http://www.bencopperwheat.com/    Tune in and get all the details!