Daniel Pfalzgraf, longtime preparator, curator and now gallery owner, sits down with Kate to discuss the seamless transition of Lexington’s beloved New Editions Gallery into its next chapter as Wheelhouse Art. Daniel recounts his two-decade journey through museum and gallery worlds, how mentorship and timing made gallery ownership possible, and the remarkable parallels between his Louisville and Lexington stories. Kate and Daniel touch on the significance of keeping commercial, for-profit galleries alive in Lexington and what it means for local and regional artists. Daniel shares plans for “Extended Family,” a welcoming group exhibition to introduce Wheelhouse Art to the city, and reveals his approach for blending established and new artists, hosting community-focused events, and entrusting local gallery manager with nurturing Lexington’s art ecosystem. The conversation highlights the strength of continuity, the promise of fresh vision, and the vital role of community in making art accessible and exciting.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html

Lori Meadows, Board Chair of Kentuckians for the Arts and former Executive Director of the Kentucky Arts Council, joins host Kate Savage to discuss the essential role of arts advocacy across Kentucky. Lori sheds light on the dramatic decline in state arts funding—from $4.5 million in 2001 to just $1.8 million today—ranking Kentucky 45th in the nation and second lowest in the South for per capita arts allocation. Together, Lori and Kate explore the challenges of uniting the state’s diverse creative communities, the economic impact of the arts sector, and the ways arts organizations serve broader community needs, from mental health to addiction recovery and veteran support. The conversation also touches on public misconceptions about the arts, the continuing need for collective advocacy, and the transformative power of creative engagement in healthcare and aging communities. Lori shares strategies for making the arts more visible and valued at every level, emphasizing the need to blend compelling data with personal stories in championing the arts across Kentucky.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html

Jim Clark, Executive Director of the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation, joins Kate Savage for a wide-ranging conversation about Ashland, the historic Lexington estate once home to Henry Clay. They discuss Ashland’s architectural evolution, the intentional landscape design echoing European traditions, and the site’s ongoing role as a gathering place for arts, culture, and community. The conversation also delves into Ashland’s layered history—including its legacy of slavery—and current efforts to address this past through initiatives like the forthcoming “Breath of My Ancestors” memorial by sculptor Vinnie Bagwell. Jim Clark shares insights on balancing preservation and progress, from contemporary sculpture installations to inclusive programming like the Traces Tour and the annual Candlelight holiday events, all aimed at keeping Ashland relevant and resonant for today’s audiences.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html

Keelan O’Sullivan, writer, curator, and executive director of Institute 193, joins host Kate Savage to discuss Casey Joiner’s exhibition "Housekeeping," a dreamlike photographic meditation on family, grief, and the architecture of memory. Keelan explains how Casey’s images—rooted in the experience of losing her father and inheriting the family home—balance personal specificity with universal resonance, offering moments of beauty within the landscape of loss. The conversation pivots to the story and mission of Institute 193, a nonprofit contemporary art gallery and publisher dedicated to amplifying artists from the modern South and supporting their careers beyond regional boundaries. Keelan details the gallery’s history, founding by Philip March Jones, and its role as an incubator for emerging and established Southern artists, as well as its vibrant publishing program that brings Lexington’s creative energy to a wider audience through books and archives. The episode closes with insights into the institute’s unique fundraising model, upcoming projects, and lasting impact on the arts landscape both locally and nationally.

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In my conversation with Jeremy Kisling we talk about the importance of creating a sense of belonging for young people at the Lexington Children's Theatre. Jeremy emphasizes the universal need for all individuals to find spaces where they can be authentic and free from societal expectations. The discussion also explores the role of theatre in personal development, community engagement and the future vision for the theatre's impact on youth. We also talk about the evolution of themes for young people and the substances of contemporary theatre for youth.
The Lexington Children's Theatre has been in existence for 87 years, Jeremy having been there for 24 of those years.
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He has been a recipient of the Sara Spencer child Drama Award and the Tom Behm Award from the Southeastern Theatre Conference.
In 1986 The state legislators demed Lexington Children's Theatre the State children's Theatre of Kentucky.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html

Joe Farrell, veteran director with a distinguished 60-year career, and actor Joe Gatton, well-known in the Lexington theater scene, join host Kate Savage to discuss their upcoming production of Conor McPherson’s "The Weir" at the Antagonist Theatre. The conversation explores the play’s haunting Irish folklore, its setting in a rural pub where ghost stories are shared to impress—and ultimately reveal—the inner lives of the characters. Joe Farrell and Joe Gatton reflect on their collaboration, the thrill of working in an intimate 60-seat space, and the challenges and joys of recreating Irish accents and atmosphere. The cast and creative team’s deep connection to the material promises a riveting and cathartic experience for Lexington audiences. Tickets are available online through Antagonist Productions, and listeners are encouraged not to miss this nuanced exploration of loneliness, vulnerability, and grace.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html

Dr. Vicki Bell, Professor of Music Theory at Asbury University, and Dr. Stephen Bolster, retired Chair of Music at Berea College, join host Kate Savage to share their story as newly appointed co-artistic directors of the Kentucky Bach Choir. Vicki and Stephen recount decades of collaboration, their combined musical backgrounds, and the unique advantages of co-directing a choir—such as sharing responsibilities, blending their skill sets, and diversifying the group's leadership. They discuss the upcoming Bachtoberfest fundraiser at West Sixth Barrel Room, which blends German food, drinks, and music in an effort to attract new, younger audiences, and detail the rigorous audition process and the multi-generational makeup of the choir. Vicki and Stephen explore the enduring influence of Bach, the choir’s mission to keep his works alive, connections to other composers, and even links to modern pop music. They also preview innovative season events such as the Bach Marathon and plans to support local charities through future performances—all underscoring the central power of music and community in their shared vision.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html

​Marina Ubaldi Ritter and Lucinda Zoe, members of the Carrot Cake Collective, join Art Throb host Kate Savage to talk about about their efforts to document the history and recipes of the beloved Alfalfa Restaurant in Lexington. The conversation explores the impact of the restaurant's closure during the pandemic, the importance of preserving its legacy, and the community that formed around it. They discuss the challenges of creating a cookbook that reflects the restaurant's unique culture, the significance of sustainability practices, and the role of art and creativity in building community.

The episode highlights the collective's mission to share personal stories and recipes while supporting local nonprofits Institute 193 and Moveable Feast through their fundraising efforts for the book.
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They share their personal stories, the zeitgeist of Alfalfa, and reflect on a bygone era.

The book: EAT YOUR CARROT CAKE - LIFE, ART, COMMUNITY AND COOKERY is not yet published but expected by the end of 2025-early 2026.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html