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In this program, Anne Kimzey, folklorist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts, travels to the Alabama Folk School at Camp McDowell near Jasper. She talks with Folk School director Megan Huston and potter Sandra Heaven about pottery making and other craft and music classes offered in this natural retreat setting.Rebroadcast of Steve Grauberger interviewing Kevin Nutt, of CaseQuarter Records talking about his research on early blues recording artist Ed Bell from Greenville, Alabama. His Tributaries article on the subject can be obtained at Alabamafolklife.org. Kevin can be heard weekly, online, at WFMU with his radio program Sinners Crossroads.This program is a rebroadcast of Steve Grauberger interviewing Stanley Smith, John Etheridge, and Bill Aplin, elected officers of the Sacred Harp Book Company (Cooper revision), includes Sacred Harp singing examples.Meagan Vucovich, summer intern for the Alabama State Council on the Arts, interviews Patti Hendrix Lovoy, director of VSA Arts of Alabama, along with Ali DeCamillis, art therapist, Dr. Rodney Tucker, director of the UAB Palliative Care Unit, Dr. Avi Madan-Swain, a Pediatric Psychologist/Neuropsychologist at UAB. The discussion focuses on VSA Arts of Alabama’s Arts in Healthcare program.
This is a repeat of Gina Clifford, director of Design Alabama, interviewing Cheryl Morgan, Professor at Auburn University and Director of the Center for Architecture and Urban Studies, about Your Town Alabama Workshop. Your Town Workshop is an intensive two-and-half day event that includes: lectures, case-study presentations, and interactive group problem solving scenarios involving community planning and design work in a hypothetical small town.This program is a rebroadcast of Joey Brackner interviewing Alabama's curator of historic song - Bobby Horton. Best known for his CDs of Civil War era music and membership in the popular band Three On a String, Mr. Horton also discusses his family's musical heritage and his work composing songs for numerous Ken Burns' documentary films. Bobby Horton was a recipient of a 2005 Governor's Arts Award.DesignAlabama was honored to have Thomas Hylton, of Save Our Land, Save Our Towns as a speaker at their 2008 DesignAlabama Mayors Design Summit. As a former newspaper, man, this Pennyslvania native and resident has turned a passion for a walkable world into a successful non-profit organization promoting walkable communites, downtown redevelopment and historic preservation. Join us during this radio program as we learn more about what individuals and communties can do to save our land and save our towns.Anne Kimzey, folklorist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts, interviews Birmingham photographer Mark Gooch about his career and his recent project documenting Alabama folk artists for the exhibition Carry On: Celebrating Twenty Years of the Alabama Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program. (click here for PDF)Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers' Forum, interviews poet and Gadsden, Alabama native Jake Adam York, whose collection A Murmuration of Starlings was recently published by Southern Illinois University Press. The book won the Crab Orchard Review Open Poetry Competition in 2007. Thompson talks with York about the elegies for slain civil rights workers and other individuals, including Emmit Till who was killed in Money, Mississippi, that comprise the collection. York's previous book, Murder Ballads, contains the first of these elegies, and he plans to continue the sequence through several more poetry collections. He teaches at the University of Colorado in Denver where he directs the undergraduate creative writing program.In this program Anne Kimzey, folklorist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts, interviews Jefferson County quilter Bettye Kimbrell about her work with 4-H Club students and their quilt exhibit at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Kimbrell is a 2008 recipient of a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum, interviews two writers who participated in the 3rd Annual Alabama Book Festival on April 19. Kate Gale, founding editor of Red Hen Press of Los Angeles, California, and Richard Goodman, author of French Dirt and The Soul of Creative Writing, also taught writing techniques and discussed publishing on April 18 at the inaugural creative writing workshop open to the general public as part of the Festival outreach.Yvette Daniel interviews Alabama Shakespeare Festival's Chief Operating Officer Michael Vigilant about upcoming events and his new play Bear Country. Also on this program is an interview with Elyzabeth Wilder about her new play Furniture of Home. Both plays were developed through the Southern Writers Project at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.Deborah Boykin interviews Mary and Bill Smith about their work in the Folk Arts Apprenticeship program.Part III of our Series on the Alabama Arts Education Summit held in Troy, Alabama February 21-23, 2008. Focusing on the essential link of communities and K-12 schools, Diana Green interview Dr. Lisa Stamps, principal at Gordo Elementary in Pickens County, about the partnerships she has developed to enhance the arts in her school, and how the Summit supported her efforts.Part II of our Series on the Alabama Arts Education Summit held in Troy, Alabama February 21-23, 2008. Focusing on the essential link needed between higher education and K-12 schools, Diana Green, arts in education program manager interviews Professor and arts educator Larry Percy, who hosted the Summit at Troy University in Troy Alabama. Mr. Percy discusses the potential for higher education to take a leading role in providing quality arts education in K-12 schools.Part I of a 4-Part Series on the Alabama Arts Education Summit held in Troy, Alabama February 21-23, 2008. The theme for this statewide conference was “Creating partnerships to ensure quality arts education in Alabama.” As an introduction to this series, performing arts program manager Yvette Daniel interviews the four partners that were instrumental in the planning and implementation of the Summit: Diana Green, arts in education program manager at the Council, Donna Russell, executive director of the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, Martha Lockett, executive director of the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts, and Sara Wright, director of academic innovative initiatives at the Alabama State Department of Education.Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum, interviews Ace Atkins and Rheta Grimsley Johnson, two authors who will be joining 70 others at the 3rd Annual Alabama Book Festival, April 19 in Montgomery’ Old Alabama Town from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.This weeks program features Georgine Clarke interviewing Dan Halcomb, Deputy Director of the Huntsville Arts Council. Subjects discussed deal with issues of Huntsville area arts organizations, educational programs and various attributes of this year's Panoply Festival, to be held April 25th the 27th, 2008.Jeanie Thompson, executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum, interviews Montgomery author Kirk Curnutt. Curnutt is a 2007 Literature Fellowship recipient from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. His novel called Breathing Out the Ghost has just been released from River City Publishing in Montgomery. Kirk Curnutt is the author of several scholarly works, most recently The Cambridge Introduction of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Coffee with Hemingway (an entry in Duncan Baird Publishers’ series of imaginary conversations with leading historical figures). He is also the author of a collection of short stories, Baby, Let’s Make a Baby, also from River City Publishing. He is a former finalist for both the Tennessee Book Award/Peter Taylor Prize and the Dana Literary Awards. Curnutt is a three-time consecutive winner of the Hackney Literary Award for short stories. Thompson speaks with him about the craft of writing, shaping the structure of a novel, and the relationship of an author’s mythic landscape to his work. This week, Joey Brackner, Director of the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture, interviews Anne Kimzey, folklorist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts.They discuss the state’s master artists whose craft and music traditions are featured in an exhibit titled Carry On: Celebrating Twenty Years of the Alabama Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program.Diana F. Green, arts in education program manager, visits with Vassie Welbeck-Browne and Malik Browne, after a performance of Langston Hughes: Emperor of the Muse, which was held for students at Demopolis High School on Friday, February 28th . Vassie & Malik are teaching artists from StoryTree Company, participating with the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts, as part of a Dana Foundation project. This project trains artists in the Black Belt region to partner with local schools to implement arts integration programs. Vassie and Malik work primarily in Greene County, where they have developed an anti-violence/conflict resolution drama program for high school students.This is a rebroadcast of executive director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum Jeanie Thompson interviewing Sena Jeter Naslund, 2000 Harper Lee Award Winner, Hall-Waters Award Winner and recent participant in last year's 2nd Annual Alabama Book Festival. Sena Jeter Naslund is the author of five novels, Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette , Four Spirits, Ahab's Wife; Or, the Star-Gazer, Sherlock in Love, and The Animal Way to Love, also two short story collections, The Disobedience of Water and Ice Skating at the North Pole. Naslund founded and directs the Spalding University Brief Residency MFA Writing Program in Louisville, KY and is Writer in Residence at the University of Louisville. She is currently the Kentucky Poet Laureate.This is a rebroadcast Anne Kimzey, Folklife Specialist for the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture, interviewing Sudha Raghuram a dancer in the Indian classical tradition of Bharatanatyam (Bah-rah-tah Nah-tee-yahm). She is a master artist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts' folk arts apprenticeship program. In the interview, Sudha describes this ancient dance form and tells about teaching it here in Alabama.For this program, Joey Brackner interviews David Johnson, director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, about the 2008 Induction Banquet and Awards Show presented February 22nd at the new Marriott Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Montgomery. Johnson discusses this year's award recipients and the talent to perform during the event. Musical examples are included.In this program, Visual Arts Program Manager Georgine Clarke interviews Mobile Museum of Art director Tommy McPherson. McPherson discusses the various collections and educational programs his museum has to offer the public. Also discussed are future exhibits and the museum's connection to the immediate community of contemporary artists in the Gulf Coast area.In this program, highlighting Black History Month, Steve Grauberger interviews actor and playwright Dr. Billie Jean Young, in Yantley Alabama, about her play Oh Mary Don't you Weep: The Margaret Ann Knott Legacy. Also interviewed is Choctaw, County educator and civil rights activist Carrie Mae Johnson. To help promote the 23rd Alabama Clay Conference, to be held this year at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa on February 8-10, this program is a rebroadcast of Georgine Clarke interviewing two Alabama ceramic artists who taught at the 21st Alabama Clay Conference. Larry Percy is on the Art faculty at Troy University. His work has been inspired by the time he has spent in the Southwest, particularly New Mexico. He talks about that influence of the land in his sculptural, vessel forms. He also discusses his ways of teaching at a college level. Scott Bennett owns Red Dot Gallery in Birmingham, where he produces his work and also teaches classes. As a relatively new Alabama resident, Scott talks about the strong clay community of artists in the state and also describes approaches to his own work.This program is a rebroadcast of Alabama shapenote music and its history in preparation for this year's Annual Capitol Rotunda Four-Book Shapenote Singing that will be held on Saturday, February 2nd. Due to a scheduling conflict, the singing will not be in the Capitol Rotunda but at the Alabama Department of Archives and History off of Union St between Adams and Washington in Montgomery. The singing will start at 9:30 am and end at 3Pm. The public is welcome to come and listen or sing. Afterwards, at 3pm, there will be reception for the exhibition "Carry On: Celebrating Twenty Years of the Alabama Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program" at the Alabama Artists Gallery located on the first floor of the RSA Tower at 201 Monroe Street. In this program Joey Brackner interviews storyteller Donald Davis and the Brundidge Historical Society's Johnny Steed about this year's Piddler's Storytellin' Festival that will feature Sheila Kay Adams, Kathryn Tucker Windham, Donald Davis and Andy Offutt Irwin. Included in the program are stories told by Donald Davis, Kathryn Tucker Windham and Andy Irwin.This program is a broadcast of a 1991 Radiovisions series that features bluesman Johnny Shines. Radiovisions is a production of Russell Gulley and the Big Wills Arts Council of Ft. Payne Alabama. The Radiovisions series of programs were initially released as audio cassettes. This particular program is a brief biography of the late Johnny Shines and his music.On this program Joey Brackner interviews Robert Moehr, Julia Brown and Jordan Phillips about documenting the personal narratives of WWII Veterans in DeKalb County, Alabama.This program features Christmas holiday music from the Mariachi Garibaldi storytelling of Kathryn Tucker Windham and the music of The Tribe of Judah, Bobby Horton and soprano Bessie Hunter-Shelton.Randy Shoults, Community Arts and Literature Program Manager for the Alabama State Council on the Arts, interviews Hannah Leatherbury, E-Services Manager for the Southern Arts Federation. Ms Leatherbury talks about the Southern Artistry program and other programs and projects offered by Southern Arts Federation to assist artist and arts organizations in the South.Arts in Education Program Manager, Diana Green, interviews Rosemary Johnson, executive Director of the Alabama Dance Council, about the Alabama Dance Festival which takes place over President’s weekend each January in Birmingham. This January, the Festival includes tracks for many age groups, a new community program entitled “Dance Across Birmingham” and performances by Bridgeman Packer Dance.Barbara Edwards, Deputy Director, interviews Cinque Cullar, Artistic Director for the Tribe of Judah. As a part of the Black Belt Arts Initiative, the Council sponsored a contemporary Gospel tour featuring the Tribe of Judah in Selma and Union Springs. The tour included an education component and a public performance. During this interview, Mr. Cullar offers his definition of Gospel music, talks about his work with the Tribe of Judah, and comments on the Black Belt Gospel Tour.High MP3
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In this program Steve Grauberger interviews musician and instrument maker Winky Hicks from Grove Hill, Alabama. Mr. Hicks received a Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to teach the art of bluegrass banjo to interested students. He discusses his method of teaching and performs a few musical examples on his banjo. Hicks also describes his craft of mandolin, guitar and banjo construction.
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Arts 4 Excellence 
is a school arts intiative sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. An Arts 4 Excellence school is committed to strong comprehensive arts programs across the curriculum. Arts classes spend equal amounts of time creating, performing and responding to art in order to develop the greatest understanding possible. Every member of the school community uses the arts in some way to enhance their own unique contribution to the learning community. Three schools in Montgomery County have begun the planning and professional development required for the program. Diana Green interviews Cathey Hendricks, Brenda Lindsey, and Deborah Clark who are principals at Carver Elementary, Vaughn Road Elementary and Brewbaker Intermediate schools, respectively. She also interviews Grace Quantock, a 5th grade teacher at Vaughn Road Elementary. Arts Council Executive Director Al Head interviews Representative Artur Davis at Cheaha State Park after Congressman Davis spoke to participants of the annual Bill Bates Leadership Institute. Davis discusses his fondness for reading and writing as well as his interest in community revitalization and the role of the arts in public education.Visual Arts Program Manager Georgine Clarke interviews Dale Lewis from Oneonta and Bobby Michelson from Birmingham, two artist fellowship recipients from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Fellowships are given annually for excellence of work and to assist with career development. These professional, full-time artists work with wood and are furniture builders. Discussions range from uses and types of wood to marketing, design, and ways of commissioning work. This rebroadcast is the second of two programs that Steve Grauberger interviews participants of the 2004 Alabama State Gospel Singing Convention about convention history, song writing and publishing, piano playing, and singing schools. Music examples are also included. This and the previous program is to help promote the 77th Annual Convention held November 9th and 10th, 2007 at Trinity Baptist Church in Oxford Alabama. For more information contact Lonnie Hilley at 256-237-5761 or email This rebroadcast is the first of two programs of Steve Grauberger interviewing participants of the 2004 Alabama State Gospel Singing Convention about convention history, song writing and publishing, and singing schools. Music examples are also included. This program is to help promote the 77th Annual Convention held November 9th and 10th, 2007 at Trinity Baptist Church in Oxford Alabama. For more information contact Lonnie Hilley at 256-237-5761 or emailIn this program Anne Kimzey, Folklorist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts, interviews mother and daughter quilters Mozell Benson and Sylvia Stephens of Opelika. They discuss their participation in the State Arts Council’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship program and share family memories of quilting and farm life in Lee County. Mrs. Benson also talks about her experience of being selected by Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction to have a quilt studio designed and built for her by college students. Mozell Benson is a nationally recognized quilter, having received a National Heritage Fellowship in 2001 from the National Endowment for the Arts.Each summer the Council sponsors the Bill Bates Leadership Institute, a retreat for arts professionals in the state. This gathering provides an opportunity for arts professionals to meet and to discuss broad issues and common interests. Barbara Edwards, Deputy Director of the Council, interviews Cary McQueen Morrow, a featured speaker for the 2007 Bill Bates Leadership Institute. Ms. Morrow is the Executive Director of the Center for Arts Management and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University. In the interview, Ms. Morrow shares information on the work of the Center for Arts Management and Technology and discusses trends in software applications and social networking technology.Visual Arts Program Manager Georgine Clarke interviews Claire Robitaille from Magnolia Springs and Christopher McNulty from Auburn, two artist fellowship recipients from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Fellowships are given annually for excellence of work and to assist with career development. Claire is a mixed media sculptor, using fiber techniques, metal and seed beads in her constructions. Christopher is on the faculty at Auburn University and produces drawings as well as wood sculpture. Discussions range from international exhibitions to concepts in creating art to ways of teaching.Barbara Edwards, Deputy Director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, interviews Keith Cromwell. Mr. Cromwell is the Executive Director of Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham and the Council’s 2008 Arts Administration Fellowship recipient. In this interview, Mr. Cromwell talks about his career as a professional theatre artist and the impact of the Arts Administration Fellowship on his career and Red Mountain Theatre.Visual Arts Program Manager Georgine Clarke interviews six student participants in the Council's annual Visual Arts Achievement Program. The Program provides a statewide exhibition competition in six districts statewide, culminating in an exhibition in the Alabama Artists Gallery in Montgomery. It also provides a portfolio jury review resulting in $500 college scholarships. Students interviewed on the program include three scholarship recipients as well as the best in show winner and the teacher of the year, all from Bob Jones High School in Madison. Also on the program are two scholarship recipients from BTW Magnet School in Montgomery. The Council considers Arts in Education Projects to be a highest priority.In this program Anne Kimzey, Folklorist with the Alabama State Council on the Arts, interviews Amita Bhakta a rangoli artist in Florence. An art that comes from India, rangoli are temporary designs drawn in rice flour and other materials to decorate the floors and courtyards of the homes in India. Ms. Bhakta, who is originally from India, received a Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant from the State Arts Council to teach rangoli to children in the Indian community in Florence as a way of passing on this tradition and connecting them with their cultural heritage.This program is the broadcast of a 1989 Radiovisions production. It features Charlie Louvin of the legendary Louvin Brothers of Sand Mountain. The program includes a narrative history of the Louvins as well as various recordings made by them. Russell Gulley and the Big Wills Arts Council of Ft. Payne Alabama produced the Radiovisions series that were released originally on cassette tapeThis program is a rebroadcast with Diana Green interviewing writer Peggy Denniston and photographer, Shelia Hagler, and two middle school students. Sheila Hagler is the Alabama State Council on the Arts 2007 Fellowship recipient for photography. An incredible photographer in her own right, Sheila partners with Peggy to encourage new photographers in Bayou La Batre, a shrimping community once ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. A selection of student work created after the storm traveled to Chicago as part of a project called Eyes of the Storm – a Katrina Hurricane Relief Effort, and subsequently entered the Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma.
