Ali & Callie Artcast

Ep 209: Summer Concerts at Riverstone - Music is the Answer

Welcome to another music-filled episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast as we catch up with two familiar faces in North Idaho’s arts scene—Max Mendez and Ruth Pratt.

Our conversation begins with a preview of the 2026 Riverstone Concert Series, the beloved free summer music tradition presented by the Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance. Beginning July 9, the series returns to Riverstone Park with six evenings of live music, community connection, and summer fun in one of Coeur d’Alene’s favorite outdoor gathering places.

But this episode is about much more than a concert series.

Max shares details about his exciting new venture, Mendez Vocal Works, where he is helping singers of all ages develop confidence, technique, and artistic expression through personalized vocal instruction. He also celebrates a special milestone as he officially joins the Ali & Callie Artcast "5-Timers Club," making his fifth appearance on the podcast and proving once again that he’s always got a new creative adventure up his sleeve. @mendezvocalworks.com

Ruth talks about her latest musical journey as a member of the Tom Tucker Band, bringing her signature talent, energy, and love of performance to audiences throughout the Inland Northwest.

Along the way, we explore the power of live music, the excitement of new beginnings, and why both Max and Ruth continue to find fresh ways to connect with their communities through performance, education, and collaboration.

To learn more about the 2026 Riverstone Concert Series, view the lineup, sign up as a volunteer, or make a donation to help support this free community event, visit artsandculturecda.org

Join us for a lively conversation about music, mentorship, community, and the creative spirit that keeps North Idaho singing all summer long.

Ep 208: More Than Glass - The Remarkable Journey of Atsuko Kroetch

When we first invited stained glass artist Atsuko Kroetch to the podcast, we planned to talk about the stunning stained glass horses she created for the cupola of the Coeur d'Alene Historic Carousel. What we discovered was a story far bigger than art alone.

Born in China to Japanese parents, Atsuko shares an extraordinary life journey that spans continents, cultures, and pivotal moments in history. Her path took her from Asia to America, including a fascinating career as an airline stewardess during the Vietnam War. One of the most gripping moments of our conversation recounts her experience leaving alongside refugees on one of the last planes out as the war came to an end—a firsthand account of a historic moment that forever shaped her perspective on life, resilience, and gratitude.

This episode is a powerful reminder that every work of art has a story behind it, and sometimes the artist's journey is every bit as captivating as the work itself. Join us for an unforgettable conversation about history, immigration, perseverance, and the unexpected paths that lead us home.

And for more information about the Carousel, and the book Window to the World, stories about each of the eight horses designed by Atsuko and written by her friend Debbie Weiser, visit cdacarousel.com/stained-glass-windows/.

Ep 207: NIC's X-Lab Project - Learning Beyond the Classroom

What happens when curiosity, creativity, and collaboration come together to solve real-world challenges?

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Marita Diffenbaugh, Director of Innovation for the forward thinking X-Labs program at North Idaho College.

Marita shares how NIC X-Labs is creating a dynamic learning environment where students, faculty, community members, and industry partners come together to exchange ideas, tackle meaningful challenges, and build solutions through design thinking. More than a makerspace or classroom, X-Labs is a collaborative ecosystem where everyone is both a teacher and a learner.

We explore the power of empathy-driven innovation, the importance of relationship-building, and how active learning can unlock human potential. From fostering creativity and critical thinking to addressing community needs, X-Labs is helping shape a future where learning extends beyond traditional boundaries and meaningful change happens through collaboration.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about innovation, lifelong learning, and the remarkable possibilities that emerge when people come together with a shared purpose.

For more information about NIC X-Labs, visit nic.edu/x-labs/ and discover how innovation is taking shape right here in our community.

Ep 206: The Living Lake Project

Join us as we talk to Executive Director Abby Light and Program Coordinator Mary Hanlin and dive into the powerful vision behind the Living Lake Project, an inspiring new initiative through the Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance that brings artists, environmental leaders, and community voices together in support of Lake Coeur d’Alene and its watershed.

The Living Lake Project is a 15-month immersive artist fellowship connecting creativity with environmental stewardship, inviting artists from across Kootenai, Benewah, and Shoshone Counties to explore the history, science, culture, and future of our region’s most vital natural resource. Through collaboration, storytelling, and artistic expression, the project aims to make complex environmental issues more accessible, personal, and deeply human. 

We talk about the role of art in sparking awareness and dialogue, the importance of honoring Indigenous knowledge and local history, and how creative voices can help communities better understand and protect the waters that connect us all. From mining impacts and water quality challenges to public engagement and artistic collaboration, this conversation highlights how creativity can become a catalyst for stewardship and change. 

To learn more about the Living Lake Project and follow the artists involved, visit artsandculturecda.org or social media @livinglakeproject.

Ep 205: Coeur d’Alene’s new Modus Fine Art Gallery

Welcome to the story of Modus Fine Art Gallery, a new kind of creative space shaped by artists, for artists. Opening June 12 during ArtWalk, Modus Fine Art is a collective gallery where collaboration, experimentation, and artistic ownership take center stage.

Two of the owners, Chris Grubb and Maya Rumsey, talk about their new venture located in the former Art Spirit Gallery on Sherman in Coeur d'Alene.

Founded and run by five local artists—and supported by a wider collective of 22 working artists—Modus Fine Art brings diverse perspectives and mediums under one roof. Meet the five owner-artists leading the way: Sculptor Chris Grubb, painter Toby Keough, printmaker Hanna Kuhns, public art sculptor Sarah Thompson Moore, and potter Maya Melissa Rumsey.

Whether you’re curious about the creative process, the challenges and joys of running an artist-led space, or how a large collective gallery comes to life, this episode invites you into the heart of Modus Fine Art.

Visit modusfineart.com, as well as instagram @modusfineart, to learn more, explore upcoming events, and connect with the artists. Join us as we celebrate art, community, and the power of artists creating opportunity for one another.

Ep 204: Royally Ridiculous: Lake City Playhouse presents Once Upon a Mattress

Get ready for a royally fun night at the theater as Lake City Playhouse presents the beloved musical comedy Once Upon a Mattress! Director Marie Hunt teams up with Music Director Scott Michaelson to deliver a lively production packed with charm, wit, and Broadway-style flair.

Opening May 22 through June 3, this hilarious, heart-filled twist on The Princess and the Pea brings big laughs, bold performances, and unforgettable music to the stage. 

Whether you’re a longtime theater lover or just looking for a delightful night out, this fairy tale is anything but ordinary.

Tickets are available now at lakecityplayhouse.org. Don’t sleep on this one—happily-ever-after awaits!

Ep 203: The Village Bakery: Different Abilities, Shared Purpose

Step inside the heart of Hayden with this inspiring episode featuring The Village Bakery. Founder Dana Bellefeuille and her incredible team share how this beloved bakery is built on more than handcrafted breads and pastries—it’s built on people.

Dana talks about her intentional mission to hire adults with different abilities, creating meaningful employment, dignity, and a true sense of belonging. The team shares what it means to work in a space rooted in kindness, patience, and community, where everyone’s strengths are valued and celebrated. This is a heartfelt conversation about purpose, inclusion, and how one small bakery can make a big impact—one loaf, one smile, and one opportunity at a time.

For more information visit thevillagebakerycda.com or find them on Instagram and facebook.

Ep 202: Aspire brings Shrek the Musical to the Stage

Get ready to get ogre it!

We’re talking all things Aspire Community Theatre and their current production of Shrek with Executive Director Trigger Weddle and show director Abel Siemens. From fairytale fun to behind-the-scenes magic, they share what it takes to bring this larger-than-life musical to the stage.

Don’t miss your chance to see this fun-filled show for its last weekend at the Kroc. Tonight at 7:30 pm. Saturday and Sunday matinee shows at 2 pm. What a great treat for you and your family!

Donkey-approved. Family-friendly. Full of heart.

For tickets visit www.showpass.com/shrek-the-musical-2, and for more about what is coming, visit aspirecda.com.

Ep 201: Big Walls, Bigger Stories with Muralist Paige Reesor

For the third episode in our Arizona series, we head into the bold, colorful world of Phoenix-based muralist Paige Reesor, an artist turning everyday spaces into vibrant, story-filled experiences.

Known for her striking large-scale murals that blend realism with imaginative design, Paige shares how her journey began (quite literally) on the walls of her childhood home and evolved into a career transforming businesses, neighborhoods, and public spaces across Arizona. Her work is rooted in connection—each mural designed not just to beautify a wall, but to tell a story and spark something meaningful in the people who encounter it. 

We talk about her leap into public art, the power of “big ideas, big art,” and what it means to create work that lives out in the world—where art becomes part of daily life. From backyard commissions to collaborations with major brands and sports teams, Paige brings both precision and passion to every project. 

It’s a conversation about scale, storytelling, and the creative energy shaping Arizona’s visual landscape.

For more on Paige’s works, visit paigereesor.com.

And congratulations Paige on a baby girl, Alessia Sondra, born April 8. An artist in the making!

Ep 200: A Double Take with Podcaster, Joshua Kotzen

In the second episode of our Arizona series (and our 200th episode!), we step into a creative mirror with Phoenix-based video podcaster Joshua Kotzen, whose videocast is known as The Baby J Show.

This is a dual podcast experience: we’re recording Joshua as he records us. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at storytelling from both sides of the lens, where conversation, camera, and curiosity all intersect.

Joshua creates in a space where audio meets visual, crafting content that’s as engaging to watch as it is to hear. We talk about his journey into video podcasting, the art of capturing authentic moments on camera, and how this evolving medium is reshaping connection and creativity.

It’s a layered, dynamic conversation—one that reflects the very heart of podcasting today: collaborative, immediate, and alive.

As part of our Arizona series, this episode highlights a different kind of artist—one who doesn’t just tell stories, but builds a space where they unfold from every angle.

Check out Joshua’s YouTube page @joshuakotzen911