Talking about Art on KMUZ at 88.5 & 100.7 FM and KMWV at 98.3 (Capitol Community Media)

This morning is a rebroadcast from last year and it focuses on an artist you may have met while wandering this year's Salem Art Fair last weekend. Steve McGrath of Jam Jar Looms.

In July of 2018 Steve Slemenda was about to launch his KMUZ broadcast titled Poetry on the Air. To do so I asked Steve and three other poets to join me on a broadcast of Talking about Art to chat about the beginnings of his show and how it all came about.

Now for something completely different. I had the great opportunity to chat with Ed Schoaps and Chris Benham before the pandemic struck about producing the shows we enjoy at the Pentacle Theatre here in Salem.

Wow, summer has hit the Willamette Valley and it isn't even summer yet. I have a rebroadcast coming to you from the Summer of Love and The sixties poster art with Gary Westford.

I have a great rebroadcast for you today. Wild Women at River Gallery is back and alive. Today you can listen to Wild Women 2019 a rebroadcast featuring the event and River Gallery with two of their artists, Ann Durley and Becki Hesedahl. The opening party for Wild Women will take place at River Gallery on Main St in Independence on June 3rd, Saturday evening from 5 to 9 PM. The actual show dates are from June 1st to July 7th. I will see you out there!

I have a rebroadcast of a wonderful interview with Salem author and poet Jim Merrill this morning. Salem poet and author Jim Merrill, started life unassumingly enough…Here’s what Jim Merrill did with his life… Got born in Martinez, Contra Costa County, grew up east of Berkeley, went to college somewhere and finished at San Francisco State University. BUT THEN THINGS CHANGED…

I have a rebroadcast of a wonderful interview with author, poet and educator Henry Hughes this morning. Henry Hughes has been working as a Professor of Literature and Writing at Western Oregon University for 23 years. Western Oregon University is part of the Colleges & Universities industry, and located in Oregon, United States. Right after the interview I've got a few announcements about shows and gallery events that you may want to hear.

I have a fun re-broadcast for you today. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival and the week long practice of Yozakura (picnicking and observing the cherry blossoms in the evening hours) just recently ended. And for those who attended either or both of those events you were likely treated to seeing ladies dressed in the traditional, elaborate and beautiful costumes of kimono. Some while back I interviewed advisor to the Salem Multicultural Institute (think World Beat at Riverfront Park each summer), Mako Hayashi-Mayfield. At that time she was producing a kimono exhibit for the institute and I thought it would be the perfect time to touch base with her about the art of kimono.

(REBROADCAST) On this morning's Talking about Art I interview local author Ezra Sandborn along with his acting-agent Juliette Jessop. Ezra has written the first of what will be a four-book series called the Legacy of Vinge. The first book of the series is titled: Seph-The Reflection of Divinity. 

Today's show was a re-broadcast of the show I aired on Feb of 2020. You can now find it on the archive site to listen/link/download at achor.fm/jz89. That was Salem author Peter Sandel as he just got through launching his first of trilogy of books in the Rimrock series. And again this was a re-broadcast so any mention of events. Times and dates are of course invalid.

Today's broadcast is all about this year's Salem Reads and the artists of Salem Reads particularly 4 of those artists. As part of the parade of events put on by Salem Reads we have the artists of Salem Reads. Essentially local artists read or listen to Noah's Born a Crime and based on their impressions of the book or of specific circumstances or scenarios that they read, they create works of art that interpret their inspirations. There are several artists whose work will be on display through the month of February but on today's broadcast I'd like to highlight and feature the work of 4 specific contributing artists: John      and Judy Mohney, Dayna Collins and Caroline Lehl.

January is kind of the kick off month for Salem Reads.      Salem Reads 2023, like prior years, is a community reads project that      invites everyone in Salem to read the same book, take part in discussions,      and enjoy related programs each year during February. The Salem Public      Library Foundation sees Salem Reads as an opportunity to increase the      Library’s visibility, and act as a catalyst to bring the community      together for discussions relevant to our time.

This      year the chosen book is titled Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. Born a Crime      is available to read (or listen to) in English and Spanish in preparation      for Salem Reads, February 2023. In addition, multiple copies of the eBook      and eAudiobook are available to download and enjoy on the cloudLibrary and      Libby apps.

I'll      be featuring the book and Salem reads on the 4th Friday Talking about Art.      But in the meantime I'm re-airing the interview I did with the author of      the 3rd year book titled Good Morning Midnight by Lilly brooks-Dalton.      During that broadcast I also have guest artists who were part of the      Artists of Salem Reads event. This is where artists read the book and then      create their own artistic expressions which then went on display at the      Library through the month of February. Here you go.

A Christmas Message 2022.

As of the beginning of December and through until December 31st, Artists in Action (AIA) has on display at the Elsinore Framing and Fine Art Gallery their 20th annual "Something Red" event. It is a collection of some 89 images by 44 artists and each one features the color red in one fashion or another. 

Something Red is AiA’s crown jewel annual event! It's where they invite Oregon visual artists, working in any style or medium, to create compelling art that features true RED as a focal point or primary color in the composition. Artists may submit up to three pieces and each one is juried in or out for the event. Something Red is open to all AIA members as well as non-members. The entry fee is discounted if you are a member so it would be a good time to consider becoming a member since Something Red is only one of several yearly events that AIA produces.

Mary Lou Goertzen who is nearing 90 years and lives in the small town -village really, of Deadwood Oregon. Mary Lou's story is an intriguing one of a life of artistry that took her from her simple Mennonite-influenced beginnings in Kansas to the glittering realms of every major retail department store across the country. I'll bet that many of you listening right now perhaps unknowingly decorated your Thanksgiving table yesterday with her art.

Today’s broadcast is a journey through the mid-Willamette Valley to discover all the new shows and events trending during the Holiday Season. It’s here that patrons will find those unique and special gifts of art made by artists up and down the valley. PLUS...How Thanksgiving came to be the 

third Thursday of November.

 After a two year hiatus, This is the second and last weekend for the 16th annual Philomath Open Studio Tour.  They invite you to stop by and see what they've been up to over these last two tumultuous years. Visit them in the participating wineries and their studios, where they create with paint, pencil, pastels, fabric, glass, fiber, wood, clay, metal, photos, and jewelry.

See and buy the artists’ work, discover how it is made and what inspires it. This is a free, self-guided event at 10 locations in and around Philomath that features 23 unique artists. 

They've planted Distinctive yellow Tour signs along the roadways to keep you on track. Go to their website, http://www.philomathopenstudios.com/ to download a brochure and map.

A side note about COVID here: I'd recommend you grab a few masks just to keep with you. Since you'll be welcomed in the artists homes and studios some may request utilizing a mask.

Hello you're listening to a special broadcast by KMUZ: Talking about Art. I'm your host Joel Zak. Local artist George Johansen, printmaker, teacher, painter died at the age of 94 over this past October weekend, Talking about Art is making this special broadcast available. This is an interview local artist and founder of T/Art, Eric Wuest conducted with George for broadcasting in July of 2015.

Here is a re-broadcast of an interview with 3 of 14 authors who produced the book, Behind Colorful Doors. Behind Colorful Doors is a compilation of 14 short stories written by these selected authors. The reader is transported to several countries over the span of three centuries. These escapades are brimming with imagination and insight, revealing discoveries behind each colorful door.

 I've got a re-broadcast coming up. It was aired in June of 2021 and features local Salem author Will Cook. He had just released his 4th book in the Driftwood Mystery series: Dungeness and Dragons. But more on that in just a moment… As of Thursday at precisely 6:02 PM we officially crossed over the astronomical line of demarcation from Summer into Fall. Good bye Summer of '22 and hello Fall.

Good morning, it's the 2nd, Friday of September, 9 I'm your host Joel Zak and right now you're listening to Talking about Art.   September! September already. Back to school, crickets chirping in the evening and we're approaching that incredible time of year: Indian Summer. A great time to order some take out and head for the park. Have you ever noticed those iconic take out containers? There's an art behind their design you know. Yes, there is. Go to the T/A FB page for examples.

For the many thousands of you who attended the Salem Art Fair in July after a forced absence for these last two years, you may likely have met an artist displaying an incredible variety of runners, mats and rugs. That was weaving artist Steve McGrath with Jam Jar Looms. I was immediately struck by his work but it took me a while to fully understand what it was that captured my attention. Steve approached me and began to chat about what I was seeing and slowly the beauty, the intricacies and the incredible workmanship and attention to detail began to emerge. 

On a beautiful summer weekend like we have in front of us we have every opportunity to discover new art shows and shows that should have seen already but you haven't quite gotten around to it -perhaps the needs of your garden got in the way or kayaking called - but now some of these important shows are reaching their final days and you can't miss 'em.

Vacations, volcanoes and snapping selfies is a dangerous combination. PLUS... On a beautiful summer weekend like the one that's right in front of us, we are sorely tempted to take in the incredible variety of art events that have exploded in the Valley this July. So jump in the car, roll down the windows and let's get going…ART EVENTS IN THE VALLEY

An old Salem summertime favorite is back and alive; The Salem Art Fair. Yes after a two year hiatus and much hand wringing, patient anticipation, not to mention a devastating ice storm along with cultural issues, the Salem Art Fair continues its some 70 year history come the 3rd weekend in July…Ahhh but there's more to this year's re-opening than what meets the eye. Changes are afoot.

I interview Matthew Boulay. Matthew is the executive director of the Salem art association and an artist himself. He holds a PhD in Sociology and Education from Colombia University and is a self-confessed writer of really bad poetry. I had the opportunity to chat with Matthew a couple weeks ago and got to know a bit about him as the director of Salem Art and an as artist himself. I thought I'd first share his remarks with you on today's program and then secondly move into the other subject at hand, the re-opening of the Salem Art Fair.

We're coming up on July 4th, our Independence Day. When do you think our American flag first began to fly over US soil? 1776 right? And who created the first flag with its stars and stripes? Betsy Ross right? Well maybe not so. More on that in just a bit,

Some words have incredible impact. Take the word, Indelible. It means Unable to be forgotten; memorable. Impossible to remove, erase, or wash away; permanent. There is a new exhibition in Salem and it's at two locations, the new Level 2 Gallery on the 2nd floor of the Salem Convention Center and its companion exhibition location at the Art Hall in the main branch of the Salem Library. The exhibition is called Indelible; artist portraits by Diane Beals.

Even in a small town like Salem there are deep roots that stem back to the fact that it rose from Native American Calapooya land and that in the 1850's and forward it was a local crucible for issues of slavery that were reflected nationally which went on to devolve into the Civil War. But here it involved Asahel Bush, newspaper founder and journalist, yes that Bush, as in what is now the city of Salem's own Bush House, the Bush Barn Art Center and Bush Park. But there's a deeper story.

I ran across an interesting story about how an Italian agronomist discovered clues to long lost fruits and other produce as Italy's biodiversity changed over time. Where did she find those clues? Renaissance art.

I thought this was supposed to be Spring! You know, sunny skies, warmer weather, and rainy days less than winter. But no, it seems Spring only shows its head briefly amidst a torrent of days and days of rain upon cold, icy rain. But artists prevail regardless and for that matter artists are likewise opportunistic. If ice and hail come- so be it. There's beauty to be found in ice. To brutally paraphrase Robert Frost's poem: Fire and Ice: Ice is nice and will suffice. Alright so what beauty can be found in ice?   I've got a story about that…

So your small town which once relied on forest products is dwindling as the young population move away to large cities for better opportunities. Sound familiar? Sounds like some of the small cities up in the Santiam Canyon area doesn't it?

PLUS art events and openings in the Mid-Willamette Valley

Yes a new gallery right in the heart of downtown Salem. The reason you might have missed it is because well, that's part of the story on this morning's show. and I hope that once you've heard the why's and wherefores' about this new gallery that you'll want to make plans for your first visit.

In the heart of Rome there sits a small, three-story unassuming building that is passed by every day by hundreds of tourists. You and I could walk by and be completely oblivious to knowing that inside there are thousands upon thousands of art that spans back centuries, through WW2 and the Nazis and through the rise of China in the art market. And each and every piece of art stored here has one thing in common: a criminal background. What is that all about?

My bet is that most of you listening have been around the art world for a while and enough to maybe know a good thing - or suspect a good thing, when you see it. Suppose you bought a painting on the mere hunch that it was far more valuable than what others thought it was? What would happen when you tried to prove it?

On this morning's show we focus on this year's Salem Reads choice of book by author Ruth Ozeki, A Tale for the Time Being (a title that can be read two ways but really has only one meaning). It's a novel that warps time and vaults through the 20th century to present day. All of the characters' timelines run in parallel and yet on different planes simultaneously in an often confusing warp and weft of space and distance.

(https://www.facebook.com/TalkingAboutArt)
The year is 1939 and you are living in Paris. The dreaded rumors that have been swirling throughout the city for weeks have now been verified. The Nazi German army will be invading Paris within mere days and soon will be on your very doorstep. What will you do? Where will you go? Sound familiar? I've posted images on the Talking about Art FB page that relate to a little something I came across a while ago. (https://www.facebook.com/TalkingAboutArt)

I thought I would send out to you a Christmas message as I did last year. Perhaps we have a new tradition in the making! So this show will be relatively brief.

Have you ever wondered when the first decorated Christmas tree came into existence? How did one of the most beloved Christmas traditions come to be? I'll toss out that possibility in just a moment…

On today's show I will be highlighting most if not all of those galleries and stores that are featuring local artist's work on display and available for sale --- probably many of you listening have work out in the public right now and on display.

Today's show is all about the new show called Native Salem opening today at Salem Art with Dr. David G. Lewis. WHAT IS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH? National Native American Heritage Month is a month-long observance in the US in celebration of the cultures, contributions, and lives of people with Native American heritage.

You can't keep good artists down. No, not even during a year like this. Today I highlight two events that illustrate this fact. One takes place in the small town of Philomath and the other example is rooted in the country of Sudan in northeast Africa.

I was going to air a new program but KMUZ has changed the website and I can neither download nor listen to archive programs until the tech folks bring it all back on line. So this will be a shorter program this morning. I'll be announcing what's going on in the Valley as it relates to gallery shows and art events.