Artclectic New England

For May, I thought it might be time to bring a little fun to this quarantine situation, so I reached out to the Providence Improv Guild. I first learned about PIG at my first Pecha Kucha event held in the PIG rehearsal space. The event was aptly titled “When Pigs Fly,” a saying that feels somewhat less comical now that the impossible seems to happen each day. But let’s take a break from the neverending sad type of craziness and learn about the happy type of craziness of the Providence Improv Guild. Back in 2012, a group of local improvisers looking to create a more cohesive community for other improv groups and improv enthusiasts around Providence started the Providence Improv Guild. The Guild is a school and performance space for improv and sketch theater and is currently located in the Southside Cultural Center at 393 Broad Street in Providence. They teach four levels of improv classes, do workshops for businesses, students, or any group that wants to build up their “so-called ...

I started doing this podcast about a year ago and it was created to celebrate…spotlight…and elevate the variety of incredible arts, culture, lifestyle, and beauty found here in New England. One of the reasons I moved to RI – sight unseen – was due to what I discovered about Providence: an abundance of arts, culture, and the humanities and all of those things are important to all who live here. My goal is to explore and share some of my discoveries with you. On Episode #12, local stand-up comic, Kristen Ferreira shares her musings about living the new now…I’ll also be sharing some music by local musician, Steve Volkmann… another 7 & 7 with a local podcasters Brian and Christina – hosts and producers of Old Roommates , and, a new segment from foodie, Jenny Currier . But first, my conversation with Erika Smith.  She has been exploring the Ocean State and has shared her discoveries on her blog, I {Heart} Rhody . If you want to read up on some of Erika’s discoveries, be sure ...

To kick off April (and my first post on Artclectic New England ), I decided to reach out to one of the oldest arts organizations in the Creative Capital. As the gallery manager told me, " The Providence Art Club was founded in February of 1880 to ‘promote art culture’ in the City of Providence and beyond. Founded by six women and ten men, we are the first organization of our kind to be jointly founded by men and women and to include women as full and equal members from the start. We also count the noted African American artist Edward Mitchell Bannister among our founders. The Club is home to three gallery spaces, two classrooms, a café, and fifteen individual private artists’ studios.” The Providence Art Club is still home to many artists in the state and host new exhibitions every three weeks (totally free and open to the public) and have various classes and workshops available for the accomplished artist and those just starting. I was able to speak to Michael Rose, the ...

Hello and welcome to Artclectic New England – this is Episode #11 -- it’s a program not about a particular style but a celebration of many…I’m your host, Dennise Kowalczyk.   When I moved to RI from OR in 2018, I was over the moon to discover a community filled with arts, culture, lifestyle and adventure.  This podcast was created to celebrate…spotlight…and elevate the variety of incredible arts, culture, lifestyle, and beauty found here in New England. One of the reasons I moved to RI – sight unseen – was found in that research. Arts, culture, and the humanities are as important as sunshine and refreshing air to breathe to many who live here. It is my intention to explore and share some of my discoveries with you – the listener – so thanks for tuning in! On today’s show, Maureen Taylor of Oldpvd.com shares some background on the  iconic structure, Temple of Music, and local stand-up comic, Kristen Ferreira shares her musings about living the new normal…I...

I am pleased to share that Lulu Amirault will be joining me in providing some expanded coverage of arts, culture, humanities, and lifestyle for my podcast, Artclectic New England ! She will be reaching out to various organizations and individuals to conduct blog interviews. Please join me in welcoming her and thanking her for her willingness to help spread the good news about our thriving arts community here in the Ocean State and beyond! "At heart, Lulu is a pop culture and online media enthusiast. She's always had an interest in online media, from scrolling the Instagram explore page for hours on end to creating social strategies for local businesses to writing for the national publication Her Campus. As a fan of classics and media communications, she has an affinity for recognizing the ancient patterns in our modern culture (and could talk about this for hours). In her free time, she loves to bullet journal, read fiction, and spend way too much time scrolling Twitte...

Hello and welcome to Artclectic New England – this is Episode  #8  – and it’s a program not about a particular style but a celebration of many…I’m your host, Dennise Kowalczyk. This podcast was created to celebrate…spotlight…and elevate the variety of incredible arts, culture, lifestyle, and beauty found here in New England. Thanks for listening! On today’s show, Maureen Taylor of Oldpvd.com shares some nostalgia for a beloved Providence store and local stand-up comic, Kristen Ferreira shares her musings…I’ll also be sharing some music by Birdsongs of the Mezosoic…..But first, my interview with April Brown. She is a cultural historian here in Providence, born in Rhode Island, and the program director of the Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading event. The Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading is taking place on February 2 - 1 pm - Providence Career Technical Academy - 41 Fricker Street - Providence, RI Next up, WTF – that is, What the Ferreira – it is a ...

On today’s show, a chat with Carrie Taylor with the Lippitt House Museum, two new segments: Maureen Taylor of Oldpvd.com shares some information about all things Providence and local stand-up comic, Kristen Ferreira shares her musings…I’ll also be sharing some music from local band, Alec K. Redfern and the Eyesores…..But first, my interview with lifestyle blogger, Patty J. We met in the What Cheer Writers Club studio to talk about all things Rhode Island. She’s a local with a passion for the Ocean State…. You can connect with Patty’s adventures by visiting her website – pattyj.com. It is also the place you go to connect with all of her social media channels. Next up, a new segment: WTF – What the Ferreira - Kristen Ferreira, local comic and cat lover, who will give us some insights about apartment life… Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective and the person behind Oldpvd.com is also new contributor to Artclectic New England. This month, another yummy bit of Providence history. Sh...

Hello and welcome to Artclectic New England – this is Episode #6 – and it’s a program not about a particular style but a celebration of many…I’m your host, Dennise Kowalczyk.   This podcast was created to celebrate…spotlight…and elevate the variety of incredible arts, culture, lifestyle, and beauty found here in New England. Thanks for listening! On today’s show, a chat with the Charna Ethier – owner and operator of the Providence Perfume Company…Anita Crackinstuff returns with her fun shenanigans, if you know what I mean…two new segments: Maureen Taylor of Oldpvd.com shares some background at a local landmark and local stand up comic, Kristen Ferreira shares her musings…music from local musician, Allyse Callery….. But first, my interview with local author, Amy Lewis.   The two of us met through Frequency Writers and, as it turns out, we are both members of What Cheer Writers Club – so Rhode Island. I love it.   Amy is a bit of a renaissance woman.   She is...

·         An interview with Maureen Taylor of Photo Detective and oldpvd.com .   Maureen has been enjoying solving mysteries around old photos for years and has been called the ‘nation’s foremost photo detective’ by The Wall Street Journal. She is based in Providence and recently, launched a mapping site of historic properties in Providence. You can learn more about Maureen, her work with photos, her site about historic homes in Providence, and her podcast by visiting maureentaylor.com . ·         The Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island has been a space for community offerings since the mid-1900s.   Today, it looks to be the “go to” location for an eclectic assortment of arts, culture, and community celebrations.   Recently, Richardson Ogidan, the executive director of the center, and the newly appointed program director, Taylor Jackson, joined me in the studio at What Cheer Writers Cl...

I finally made it to my very first Gallery Night in Providence and it didn't disappoint! Gallery Night has been going strong for over two decades and it is FREE of charge.  A core group of dedicated volunteers manage all the details and each third Thursday of the month (from March through November), its all about the arts in Down City. You can take one of the trolley tours or stroll around and explore a walking tour. You can also take the bus (with a Gallery Night button). New this year is an accessibility tour that is completely wheelchair accessible.  And, get this:  every gallery and museum in Providence is FREE. My friend, Lisa, and I jumped on the first trolley tour of the night at 5:30 which offered a look at some of the historical perspectives in Providence. The guided tours include a very knowledgeable guide.  There were about 30 of us in a very comfortable trolley that picked us up at One Regency Plaza (you can park in the lot) and delivered us to P...

This podcast was created to celebrate…spotlight…and elevate the variety of incredible arts, culture, lifestyle, and beauty found here in New England. On today’s show, the phenom known as Anita Crackinstuff returns with Don’t Save the Laughter for After...a new segment about local history, and a song by local band, Belly . But first, an interview with Sokeo Ros of Everett Company Stages School. He serves as the Co-artistic director and director of hip hop program. Everett is a multi-disciplinary performance arts incubator. It includes a Company, Stage and School, with a group of artists who create, perform, teach and mentor students. The school explores complex social issues through a combination of theater, dance, music and video. At the heart of the organization is the belief that the arts can transform lives across cultures, generations, and economic backgrounds, and create a more just, equitable and joyous future. Anita Crackinstuff. She is Big Nazo's most loyal fan, ...

Podcasting is a great way to share information, whether it has a local or global perspective.   If you have just starting producing your show – or you are thinking about launching one – this is going to be a very helpful session for you! I have over two decades’ experience in the world of radio and producing other audio content.   A few months ago, I launched an audiozine called Artclectic New England. It spotlights arts, culture, and lifestyle in the region.    You can listen to it here:   https://soundcloud.com/artclectic-new-england This two class session will feature tips and tricks on how to rock your podcast because it is all about the planning, the execution, and the distribution so you can share it with the world.   Here are some of the things we will be talking about: interview prep, working with a co-host, creating an editorial calendar, creating a script – just to name a few. The cost is $30 for both classes – that’s it! And, I’ll eve...

I attended a really fun event at AS220 Industries back in April: DRINK + INK!  It is a ticketed event at the space that provides supervised access to some of their equipment to make things and, of course, there is wine (plus some tasty snacks). I was familiar with the general scope of offerings made by the arts organization  which includes a performance space and gallery along with classes.  I had an impressionable conversation with their community membership manager, Edwige Charlot, that led me to sign up for my very first class: Intro to Letterpress (the special discount I received from attending the social event helped, too!). A class on letterpress had been on my bucket list for quite a few years now, so I was pleased as punch to see that my June schedule aligned with the date the two-part class was taking place. I had a great time with the other attendees learning how to make a plate to make my very first letterpress art.   If you have in a s...