Ryan and Roberta discuss the Midweek News on Artblog Radio, with short, quippy commentary and highlights of upcoming events and exhibitions we're excited about. Give a listen and come back for more! Useful news, news you need!

Ryan and Roberta debut the Midweek News Podcast of Artblog Radio, with short, quippy commentary and highlights of upcoming events and exhibitions we're excited about.

In this 36-minute podcast conversation, Logan Cryer speaks to rod jones ii about his transition from college athlete to art student, themes of identity and ancestry in his artistic practice, and his recent exhibition at InLiquid 'What Are We Claiming?'

Pedro Ospina is an artist, educator and the Founder and Director of Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden in North Philadelphia’s Norris Square section. Born in Bogota, Colombia, and raised in New York City, Ospina lives and works in Philadelphia, now, creating beauty and community through his great talent, can-do skill set, and a very big heart. He’d like nothing better than to have you visit Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden and participate in the group sharing of art and food.

Roberta interviewed the three Summer Artists in Residence about their ten-week stay at GoggleWorks, which ends in early August. The three loved the shared studio at the facility as well as the shared townhouse provided for the live-in residency, and found they could spread their wings with new materials in the multi-faceted arts facility and garden. This lively conversation, sponsored by GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, took place on Zoom, and is 35 minutes long.

In a 32-minute podcast, Roberta talks with nationally-known artist Justin Favela about his recent show at Paradigm Gallery, which, like much of his work involves creating piñatas that subvert the genre to comment on issues in the world relating to treatment of Latinos and indigenous peoples, both historically and contemporaneously.

Logan Cryer sits down for a 30-minute conversation with Zoë Rayn Evans, the new Executive Director of University City Arts League (UCAL)! Zoë tells Logan about her vision for UCAL- one that maintains the integrity and honors the tradition of the arts center, but makes its programming more accessible to the community. Zoë Rayn Evans also tells Logan about running Caldera Magazine, and her prior roles at Friends of Rail Park and the Penn Museum.

Anne Ishii is a writer, editor, translator and the Executive Director of Asian Arts Initiative (AAI). As the leader of an important arts center serving the AAPI community, Anne is a big part of Philadelphia's arts ecosystem. Roberta talks with Anne about her new role hosting of arts and culture documentary series, "Movers and Makers," featuring regional artists and arts organizations. Anne and Roberta had a great 35-minute conversation that will introduce you to a fascinating, important and under-known leader in Philadelphia arts.

Logan Cryer interviews Chelsey Luster-- a curator and artist exploring topics like race, gender, and sexuality-- about their newest curation, "Wading: When the Water Rises," on view this Friday, Feb. 11, at Vox Populi thru March 13. Chelsey's advice for other young artists of color is to protect themselves and never forget how much institutions gain from their ideas, representation, and diversity.

Roberta interviews Eric Battle, artist and Art Director of the new book, “BLAM! Black Lives Always Mattered,” a graphic novelization of the life stories of 14 Black Philadelphians, illustrated by 12 illustrators and comics artists with connections to Philadelphia. The large hard-back book with many full-color pages is a project of Temple University Library's Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection. The book will be delivered to the city’s high school students and, in time, available to the public.

Roberta interviews artist and photographer Terrell Halsey about his project interviewing, recording and photographing Philadelphians from all over the city about how they would make their neighborhoods better. The physical manifestation of the project, the exhibit, "Call Home," at ImPerfect Gallery, was a collaboration with Nina "Lyrispect" Ball, who added poetic prose and exhibited poetry. The interview is 33 minutes long.