Toast to The Arts & Parks

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features musician and composer Rachel Mari Kimber, the National Parks Arts Foundation's Fall 2024 artist-in-residence at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. Rachel Mari Kimber is a musically creative artist from Wales, UK. She composes, sings, plays guitar and cello, orchestrates, harmonises, teaches, and produces, all from the heart. She also plays cello and sings for the band Black Forest Society, and also for Happy Joy Harmony. More: https://freeyourspiritheal.wixsite.com/love Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

In celebration of American Artists Appreciation Month and the upcoming National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860), this episode of Big Blend Radio's WORLD OF ART Podcast with artist Victoria Chick features photographer Tanya Ortega. Hear their discussion covering the Then & Now of Art and Artists in Parks and Public Lands. Talking about the history of art and artists in parks, VICTORIA CHICK is a contemporary figurative artist and early 19th/20th century print collector based in Silver City, New Mexico. Victoria spearheaded the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center . * Read her articles about artists in parks: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/art-history-in-national-parks-and-public-lands * Visit Victoria's website: https://victoriachick.com/ * Learn more about the Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ Talking about "the now" of art and artists in parks, TANYA ORTEGA is a photographer and the founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation. NPAF is the only nationwide non-profit providing Artist-in-Residence Programs (AiR), Workshops, Exhibits and Museum Loans uniquely in cooperation with National Parks, National Monuments, State Parks, World Heritage Sites and other park locations. * Learn more about NPAF: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ * Check out Big Blend Radio's Interviews with NPAF artists-in-residence: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/national-park-arts-foundation/ WATCH FOR BIG BLEND'S special digital retrospective publication featuring Victoria's articles and NPAF's artist interviews. It releases on Aug. 25, 2024 in honor of the National Park Service anniversary (Aug. 25, 1860). Subscribe to our Big Blend e-Newsletter to get your copy: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/join-our-newsletter/ Big Blend Radio's "World of Art" Show with Victoria Chick airs every 3rd Saturday. Follow the podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks Show with NPAF airs every 1st Friday. Follow the podcast: https://arts-parks.podbean.com/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "A Toast to The Arts & Parks" Podcast features National Parks Arts Foundation artists-in-residence Carissa "Lucky" Garcia and Chelsea Bighorn. Carissa “Lucky” Garcia is an Indigenous/Chicana writer, poet, performing artist, community organizer, anti-oppression educator and Indigenous Justice advocate. Her NPAF residency was in Chaco Culture National Historical Park in Northern New Mexico. Hear her initial interview about her writing and poetry, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/poet-carrisa-garcia-goes-to-chaco/ A mixed media artist, Chelsea Bighorn’s work is the result of her combining traditional Native American design with elements from her Irish American heritage. Her NPAF residency was in Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. Hear her initial interview about her art, here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/artist-chelsea-bighorn-in-saguaro-national-park/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation’s unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features Arizona writer Leah Newsom, the National Parks Arts Foundation's summer 2024 artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Leah Newsom was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and holds an MFA in creative writing from Arizona State University, where she now teaches creative writing. Her work has previously appeared/is forthcoming in "Conjunctions," "Ninth Letter," "Juked," "Passages North," and more. Her work has been supported by the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and the National Parks Arts Foundation. More at: http://www.leahnewsom.com/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features mixed media artist Chelsea Bighorn, the National Parks Arts Foundation's June 2024 artist-in-residence at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona. Chelsea Bighorn was born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. Her tribal affiliations are the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux tribes from Montana and the Shoshone-Paiute from Northern Nevada. Bighorn's work is the result of her combining traditional Native American design with elements from her Irish American heritage. Using this process, she tells her personal history through her art. Bighorn has shown her work at the Museum of Contemporary Native Art, SITE Santa Fe, The Balzar Gallery and her work is currently on display at The Center for Native Futures in Chicago, IL. She graduated with honors from The Institute of American Indian Arts in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts. More: http://www.chelseabighorn.com/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features Rick Makanaaloha Kia'imeaokekanaka San Nicolas (Kanaka Maoli) who returned for the fifth time as the National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Recognized as Ke Kumu Hulu Nui, meaning "Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai‘i," San Nicolas is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating this art form. Through his expertise and passion, he ensures that the traditions of feather lei making continue for generations to come. San Nicolas draws inspiration directly from the landscape of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, feeling a deep connection to the environment and its historical significance. He finds inspiration in the ancient Hawaiian featherwork tradition, particularly in the regalia worn by Hawaiian Royalty and warriors. This year Rick travels to Washington D.C. to present his featherwork for inclusion in the collection of the Museum of the Department of Interior as well as having it on display in the office of Secretary Deborah Haaland (Laguna Pueblo). He is also a consulting advisor in historical featherwork on the upcoming TV Series "Chief of War," starring Jason Momoa. More at: https://www.hawaiianfeathers.com/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation features Carissa "Lucky" Garcia, the Spring 2024 NPAF artist-in-residence in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Carissa “Lucky” Garcia is an Indigenous/Chicana writer, performing artist, community organizer, anti-oppression educator and Indigenous Justice advocate. She is a founding member of the La Resistencia publishing press and poetry collective amplifying LGBTQ+ voices of color. Carissa’s storytelling communicates ideas that focus on her experience as an Iraq War veteran, Native American culture, love, politics, and her appreciation for comic books and science fiction. Her work has been featured at the University of Missouri Latinx Graduate Program, Rhode Island School of Design, UMKC Women of Color Leadership Conference, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Flatland KC, Prescott College, Redline Contemporary Arts Center, Dairy Arts Center, Denver Art Museum, and on the streets all across America. Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Learn more about Chaco Culture National Historical Park at https://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the very first episode of Big Blend Radio's NEW "Women Making History" podcast featuring a Big Blend Radio "From the Vault" podcast of our "Parks & The Arts" show featuring Tanya Ortega, an accomplished photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF). Hear about the new podcast, Tanya's photography career and NPAF's unique artist-in-residence programs in national park units across the country. Check out Tanya's editorial Q&A about her photography: https://blendradioandtv.com/listing/photography-art-insider-tanya-ortega/ Listen to the Big Blend Radio Podcast Playlist of NPAF's Women Artists-in-Residence: https://soundcloud.com/bigblendradio/sets/npaf-women-artists Women's History within the National Parks Service: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/womenshistory/index.htm Follow this new Big Blend Radio "Women Making History" podcast: https://shows.acast.com/women-making-history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show features artist Diana Miller, the latest National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Diana lives on the island of Hawai’i near Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, combining her passion for art and environmental stewardship. Hear about her art, love of the park, and her advocacy for protecting native flora and fauna. WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/e8iaXSDMUqc Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show features Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who talks about the organization's unique month-long artist residencies in locations like Loggerhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and Chaco Canyon and Fort Union in Northern New Mexico. Hear about how these artist residency opportunities are perfect for artists of all mediums, from painters and sculptors to photographers, composers, writers, musicians, and more. NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Traveling musician and composer Ben Cosgrove returns to Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) to talk about his recent travels, artist residency experiences, and beautiful new album "Bearings." Cosgrove’s new album "Bearings" represents the latest chapter in a career that to date has included solo performances in 49 states (all but Delaware), as well as artist residencies and collaborations with Acadia, Isle Royale, Glacier, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Parks (NPAF), White Mountain National Forest, the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, Chulengo Expeditions, the New England National Scenic Trail, and NASA. To write the new record, Cosgrove relied on a novel and improvisation-focused compositional style that aimed to reflect the real experience of learning topographical space through movement. Keep up with Ben at https://www.bencosgrove.com/ Check out Ben's previous Big Blend Radio podcast while he was the NPAF artist-in-residence in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/composer-ben-cosgrove-in-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation's unique artist residency programs in parks across the country at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chihsaun Yang returns to Big Blend Radio's "Toast to the Parks & Arts" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) to talk about her new solo music and EP "Pearls" that was recently released as the electronic music duo ESCP with Bob Garrett. WATCH THIS PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/xjCE1xkVuqo Chihsuan Yang (Violin, Erhu, Piano), a native of Taiwan, began studying music at a very early age. Today, her renowned skill and eclectic versatility with the violin, erhu, and piano can be heard throughout the globe. From playing with Yo-Yo Ma and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, to Grammy Award winner David Foster and playing for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Chihsuan’s body of work spans across a multitude of genres and reaches beyond borders. More: https://chihsuan.com/ We first met Grammy nominated and award-winning musician Chihsuan Yang in 2021 when she was finishing her month-long NPAF artist residency in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. She will be returning to perform in Hawai'i in winter 2024. You can hear our first interview with Chihsuan here: https://nationalparktraveling.com/listing/hawaii-volcanoes-artist-in-residence-chihsuan-yang/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation’s artist residency opportunities in national parks at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) features music industry veteran Steffen Franz, founder of Independent Distribution Collective (IDC) which is celebrating 20 years of is a music marketing, distribution, and event production in San Francisco. WATCH THIS INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/OXSVvMCmtP8 IDC has produced hundreds of live events in and around the San Francisco Bay Area and has executed successful music marketing campaigns for a diverse array of independent labels and artists. IDC partnered with Illuminate The Arts and the SF Recreation and Parks Department to bring free live music to San Francisco, together hosting over 500 concerts across the city at venues including the Golden Gate Park Bandshell, GGP JFK Promenade, and Union Square. More: http://www.independentdistro.com/ NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On January 2nd, 2016, two musician's Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Hoff, The Bergamot, set out on a tour of all 50 states of America, spreading a message of unity through performing 265 shows and by inviting the curious to sign their message of unity on their station wagon known as The Unity Car. This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) features Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Hoff who talk about their journey that's showcased in their award-winning documentary "State of The Unity" that's out on digital release now! More: https://www.stateoftheunity.com WATCH THE PODCAST + TRAILER ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/9w_o1DykM9o NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Parks & Arts" Show features Tanya Ortega, photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who talks about the organization's unique month-long artist residencies in locations like Logegrhead Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, Hawai'i Volcano National Park, and Chaco Canyon and Fort Union in Northern New Mexico. Hear about how these artist resdency opportunities are perfect for composers, songwriters, lyricists, musicians, singers, and dancers. NPAF is a non-profit offering unique Artist-in-Residence Programs, Museum In-Loan Programs, and Workshops inspired by our National Parks, National Monuments, and World Heritage Sites. NPAF has supported over 300 programs, over 120 artists, and been the conduit for over a million dollars in artwork donations. Learn more: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's "Toast to The Parks & The Arts" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation features Leah Waybright, a life-long Her newest CD, “Dreamed” is out now and features members of Happy The Man, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Steely Dan. In this conversation Leah talks about her music, childhood in Gettysburg, and work in floral design and wildflowers, especially at The Wildflower Island at Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining, New York. The common thread that connects Leah's many professions is her role as a Storyteller. Hundreds of lectures and the wide variety of special floral programs she has presented for Garden Clubs and Civic Groups are the most obvious examples of her Storytelling. However, her ability to tell a compelling story is not limited to words. Despite the instrumental nature of her music, her unique approach to composition and instrumentation means that each vignette reveals an unfolding and ever-evolving story rich with meaning. As a steward of the Earth, Leah’s creativity and mindset benefitted from the pauses in older projects, and the development of new projects, but throughout she consistently creates new music through improvisation and then hones it with a nurturing process similar to the way she cultivates her beloved plants and wildflowers. More: http://www.leahwaybright.com/ Special thanks to the National Parks Arts Foundation for sponsoring this episode: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show, comics journalist Andy Warner discusses his work and third National Parks Arts Foundation residency in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Warner is a comics journalist and artist, whose comics range between journalism, documentary and memoir. He is the author of "This Land is My Land," "Spring Rain," the NY Times Best Selling "Brief Histories of Everyday Objects," and the YA history series "Andy Warner’s Oddball Histories: Pests and Pets." Keep up with Andy: https://www.andywarnercomics.com/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation and the organization's unique artist residencies: https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Follow Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast to The Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation, here: https://shows.acast.com/big-blend-radio-the-arts-and-parks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast To The Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) features Tucson Arizona-based singer-songwriter Lara Ruggles who talks about her music and creative process, and month-long NPAF residency in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Lara Ruggles is an activist, singer/songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and electronic music producer performing under the stage name “Sharkk Heartt”. Since 2011, Ruggles has released an EP, two albums, and four standalone singles both as Sharkk Heartt and under her own name. More: https://www.sharkkheartt.com/ Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation and their unique artist residenty programs at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast To The Arts & Parks" Show focuses on Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. FEATURED GUESTS: - Tanya Ortega, Founder of National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who discusses their unique artist residenty programs, one of which is at Hawai'i Volcanoes NP. More at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ - Elizabeth Fien, President & CEO for the Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) who talks about their various programs that support the park. More at: https://www.fhvnp.org/ Located on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Spanning over 500 square miles, this park boasts over 150 miles of hiking and biking trails, and showcases the results of at least 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution in the Hawaiian Islands. Designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is also a refuge for the island’s native plants and animals and a link to its human past. More: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Big Blend Radio's 1st Friday "Toast To The Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) features photographer Jim Schlett who discusses his photography and month-long NPAF artist-residency at Fort Union National Monument in Norther New Mexico. Learn more about Jim and view his work at https://photomanva.zenfolio.com/ Fort Union National Monument, located in Mora County near Watrous, New Mexico, was the largest frontier military post and supply center of the southwest. It also was the hub of commerce, national defense, and migration at the final stretch of the Santa Fe Trail. The richly evocative remnants of a post-civil war era adobe fort became a National Monument in 1954 under the Eisenhower administration. More at https://www.nps.gov/foun/index.htm Learn more about the National Parks Arts Foundation and their unique artist residenty programs at https://www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.