Ali & Callie Artcast

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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

The Ali & Callie Artcast heads to the Southwest in the first of a three-part Arizona series, spotlighting creatives whose work is deeply connected to community, story, and spirit.

In this episode, we sit down with Phoenix-based silk artist MJ Okawa, whose luminous pieces capture the movement, texture, and quiet power of the natural world. Blending traditional Japanese silk painting techniques with a contemporary, expressive style, her work radiates color, light, and emotion—each piece a celebration of nature’s rhythms.

With more than 20 years as a Visual & Performing Arts Specialist and educator, and as Producing Artistic Director of Copperstar Repertory Co. and Artworks, MJ brings a rich, multidisciplinary perspective to her art and her community.

We talk about the transformative power of art, the influence of the Arizona landscape, and creating work that invites reflection, connection, and joy.

For more information about MJ’s art, visit MJOkawa.com or find her on social media @mjokawaart.

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Chris Grant, Former Orchestra Manager of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony to talk about an exciting season ahead. From upcoming performances and special events to the vision behind this year’s programming, Chris gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the Symphony continues to bring world-class music to North Idaho.

We explore what audiences can expect this season, how the Symphony balances tradition with fresh, engaging repertoire, and the ways they’re connecting with the community through music. Whether you’re a longtime concertgoer or new to the symphony experience, this conversation offers a deeper appreciation for the artistry, passion, and planning that go into every performance.

Tune in for a lively and inspiring discussion about music, community, and the power of a great live performance.

For information on their upcoming events and fundraiser “Blazing Fiddles” visit cdasymphony.org.

In this episode of the Ali & Callie Artcast, we sit down with Karin Wedemeyer, founder and Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, to explore her vision for this dynamic and deeply valued cultural hub in downtown Sandpoint.

Karin shares the Conservatory’s origin story and how it has grown into an international school of performing arts rooted in a classical framework while remaining open, inclusive, and community-focused. We talk about what it means to offer accredited programming alongside a mission that emphasizes collaboration, cultural exchange, and artistic excellence.

From the very first notes of a beginner to the refined mastery of advanced performers, the Conservatory’s dedicated faculty inspires students of all ages and backgrounds to discover, and deepen, their musical talents. This conversation highlights how music education can build confidence, connection, and a lifelong love of the arts, welcoming everyone from the very young to the very old.

To learn more about classes, performances, and upcoming events, visit sandpointconservatory.org.