Ali & Callie Artcast

Ep. 73: Lillian Dodson, Abstract Artist

Born in Detroit, Lillian Dodson has done some amazing things in her long life, including being a part of the New York art scene for 55 years. She met and married Stanley Twardowicz, a painter and art instructor who inspired her to paint. Stanley introduced her to the "Abstract Impressionists" of the day, including Jackson Pollack, Mark Rothko, Franz Kline and Willem de Kooning. She got to be part of these incredible artists' regular meetings at a pub in Grenich Village, talking about anything other than art.

Lillian and Stanley both taught art at the prestigious private school, Hofstra University. Lillian went on to explore pottery, felting (particularly the most amazing hats), and loves being experimental. She is an absolutely fascinating character as she causes us to become completely absorbed in her experiences.

Lillian has lived in North Idaho for the last eight years near her two sons, both creative in their own way.

Ep. 72: Yvonne Johnson, Executive Artistic Director for the Spokane Valley Summer Theatre

The Pacific Northwest is so lucky to have Yvonne Johnson at the helm of the Spokane Valley Summer Theatre. Her talent and professional management base extends from artists performing on Broadway, the West End and regionally across the country. 

We were very excited to speak to Yvonne about her latest adventure, the new Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center which just broke ground in August. Yvonne and her team were able to raise the money to create this $48 million state-of-the-art performing arts center for use by the entire region. The 59,000 square foot facility will house a 475+ seat Main Stage Theatre, a 200-seat flexible Studio Theatre, an Acting Conservatory for area youth, as well as event/business meeting space. 

Yvonne just recently received Washington's 2022 Governor's Arts & Heritage Award for her contribution to the arts, and her amazing ability to sustain the performing arts during the pandemic.

Don't miss the upcoming "A Big Band Christmas" December 16-18 at University High School in Spokane. There are only four performances, so get your tickets early.

For more information about Yvonne, the Spokane Valley Summer Theatre, event tickets, and the new performing arts center, visit https://www.svsummertheatre.com/

Ep. 71: Leah Allison, Revelstoke’s Big Eddy Glass Works owner/artist

Leah is the owner and head glass blower at Big Eddy Glass Works. She has been working with glass for over 18 years and in 2018 she opened her own studio in Revelstoke, B.C., Canada. She fell in love with the art of glass blowing her very first time trying it out and absolutely knew it was what she was going to do for the rest of her life. She interned at the Seattle Glass Blowing Studio where she had the opportunity to study with renowned glass blower, Dale Chihuly.

Ali & Callie were fortunate enough to catch up with Leah after a very busy weekend of LUNA Fest in Revelstoke, as Leah was not only involved in setting up an elaborate temporary exhibit, but also involved with a permanent installation in one of the "alleries" - art galleries in the alleys. You can hear about the challenges of working with glass, especially when collaborating with a metal artist!

Find out more about the Big Eddy Glass Works at bigeddyglassworks.ca. And check out the Ali & Callie Facebook page for photos and a fun video of Leah at work.

Ep. 70: Ariel Hill, Indiginous Revelstoke Artist

Ariel Hill is a native artist hailing from the Six Nations and Wikwemikong First Nations. Hill received her BFA (glass major) from the Alberta College of Art + Design in 2017 and a certificate in Jewelry from the Kootenay School of the Arts in 2013. 

Her work is a reflection of her environment and the intersection between elements of the natural world and how it relates to human experience. Honoring the visual beauty and fine details that exist within nature, her current body of work 'Sediment | Sentiment' is an exploration of geological formations and how these layers of diversity, material and time can be reflected in the lives of those who walk up on them.

And we also talk a bit about Revelstoke's LUNA Festival that we attended September 23-25. An absolutely magical weekend immersed in the arts, put on by artsrevelstoke.

For more on Ariel’s work visit arielkhillstudios.wixsite.com/akhglass, or instagram at @akh_studios.

For more on the LUNA Festival visit lunafest.ca

 

Ep. 69: Whine with Ali & Callie, part 2

A continuation of the conversation with Krista and Robby French, this episode really focuses on his music, and we were lucky enough to have him play the guitar and sing a couple of his original songs.

Ep. 68: Whine with Ali & Callie, part 1

A great conversation over wine and music with Krista and Robby French in their new establishment, Stylus Wine and Vinyl, the new wine shop in Coeur d'Alene with an extensive collection of albums, about 2800 in all. Hear about Krista and Robby's dream made into reality, and the fun everyone has talking about wine, a variety of records, and this restaurant/bar that features it all.

Stylus Wine and Vinyl opened in May 2022, and has been a hit to the local community. If you are visiting Coeur d'Alene, we highly recommend you check it out.

You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, or visit styluswineandvinylbar.com

Ep 67: Dahn Pham, CDA Symphony Music Director

Danh Pham, the new Coeur d'Alene Symphony Music Director, Maestro, and musician, is also the Conductor of the WSU Symphony Orchestra, and Director of Bands at Washington State University. In addition to directing the WSU Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, he conducts the WSU Opera and Musical Theatre, and teaches Instrumental Conducting and Symphonic Literature courses.

What a refreshing conversation in Danh's office on the WSU campus in Pullman. He is a talented, humble man who encourages creativity in his collaborative approach to the "core" standards as well as the new compositions by living composers. 

Don't miss this Saturday's performance and the NIC Schuler Auditiorium. Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 pm. Tickets and more information can be found at cdasymphony.org.

Ep 66: Abby Light, A&C Program Coordinator

Meet Abby Light, the newest team member for the Arts & Culture Alliance who is bringing great creative ideas to our community, including the Free Little Art Gallery (on the corner of 6th and Garden). Growing up this area, she attended the University of Idaho and received her degree in Art, and she brings a wealth of experience in programming from her tenure at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary. And she has her own art she explores. You can find her website at abbylight.com.

For more information about the Arts & Culture Alliance programming, visit artsandculturecda.org/program-overview

Ep. 65: Erin Lanigan, Gizmo - CDA’s Makerspace

Gizmo is one of Coeur d'Alene's hidden treasures! And Erin Lanigan is leading the way to growing this amazing creative space and getting the word out to the community.

IT’S A PLACE WHERE CREATIVE PLAY IS DONE BY EVERYONE, FROM PRE-K THROUGH GRAY! 

With their theme "Empowering through doing," Gizmo-CdA builds creative confidence and curiosity ​through programs that give all people access to tools, technologies, and mentors.

Gizmo could be described as many things, but first and foremost, Gizmo is a makerspace where art, design, tools, and technology are connected by the hands and minds of those in our community. 

Founded in 2014 by Barb and Marty Mueller, Gizmo has been making waves in the community since its inception. Starting with 2600 sqft on 4th Street, they brought life to a vision of CDA 2030; a local  non-profit, community based organization set to guide the creation of a shared vision for the future of the Coeur d’Alene area. 

Arrange to take a tour, become a member, and learn to create things you never dreamed you could do.

For more information, visit gizmo-cda.org.

 

Ep. 64: Stu Cabe, edutainer

Stu Cabe is The Ovation Company…standing up for what is right and good! Standing for a positive school environment, Stu has changed the lives of so many kids lives in the company's 23 years. He brings his acting and his education background together, which is why he refers to himself as an "edutainer."

Stu Cabe’s Keynote presentation can be summed up in two words; “Be Nice”. His ability to weave rich, vibrant and profound stories around his simple “be nice” concept is the sole reason his presentation has captivated hundreds of thousands of students nationwide.

He is also Callie's husband.

Find out more about the Ovation Company at ovationcompany.com