Arts Interview With Nancy Kranzberg

Bulrush STL is a contemporary dining and craft bar experience in the Grand Center Arts District just a short walk to the Fox Theater and Symphony. Two-time James Beard semi-finalist chef, Rob Connoley features contemporary foods rooted in Ozark cuisine. Their goal is to define Ozark cuisine by looking into the past – the origin story, so to speak, when the indigenous Osage people first encountered the immigrants and settlers, who also brought the enslaved into the region known as the Ozarks. This is a messy story. A story often filled with troubling histories – histories that aren’t ignored. Their focus is on the food and using our platform to give voice to the story tellers of the past. They look at how each of these cultures offered ingredients, techniques and traditions to what melted together to become what we now know of as Ozark Cuisine.  

Kirven Douthit-Boyd (Boston, MA) began his formal dance training at the Boston Arts Academy in 1999 and as a member of Boston Youth Moves under the artistic direction of Jeannette Neil and Jim Viera. Mr. Douthit-Boyd studied as a fellowship student at The Ailey School and on scholarship at the Boston Conservatory. He is a graduate of Hollins University where he earned an MFA in dance. ———  He began his professional career as a member of Ailey II from 2002–2004 and performed at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival as a member of Battleworks Dance Company in 2003. In June 2004, Mr. Douthit-Boyd joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing both nationally and internationally for 11 years. During his tenure with the company, he performed leading roles in works choreographed by Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Ron K. Brown, Geoffrey Holder, Jiri Kylian, David Parsons, Camille A. Brown, Ulysses Dove, Christopher Wheeldon, Hofesh Shecter, Twyla Tharp, Wayne McGregor and Ohad Naharin. He joined COCA-

Dr. Frances Levine has been appointed the Interim Executive Director for the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, the Museum. Dr. Levine will lead the Museum as it searches for a permanent Executive Director, to be selected in the coming months.  ------ “Although I retired a few short months ago, I could not pass up an opportunity to lead this incredible team and project,” said Dr. Levine. “I was struck by the impact of the building, the excellence of the Museum exhibits, and the promise of the work we can do together in the St. Louis region and beyond.”  -------   Dr. Frances Levine was the President and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society and Missouri History Museum from spring 2014 until summer 2022 when she retired. Dr. Levine led the successful reaccreditation of the Missouri Historical Society by the American Alliance of Museums in 2019, and the successful integration of the Soldiers Memorial Military Museum into the institutional organization of the MHS. Under her leadership, MHS received the

Carol Crouppen Schuchard has lived and worked as a studio artist in St. Louis for twenty five years – exhibiting work in galleries and museums in the U.S. and abroad. Her degrees include the University of Missouri, Columbia, and post graduate studies at Fontbonne College and Washington University. ——— Patrick Schuchard, in a vibrant, eclectic career for over forty years, is a painter, sculptor, portrait artist, muralist, architect, and designer.------ He has exhibited his paintings and sculpture in museums and galleries throughout the U.S. as well as Europe and Asia. His work also appears in major public, corporate and private collections throughout the U.S. and he is one of the most accomplished, sought after museum quality portrait artists working today. ——— He has designed and produced over a dozen large scale public projects and murals. He is a creator and consultant for light railsystems, community development, and artist housing as well as architectural projects throughout the U.S. and particulary enjoy

Larry Morris is the Director of Artists in Residency for the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. He is also the Vocalist/MC for St. Louis music legends, Illphonics. He stopped by to speak with Nancy about the program. The Kranzberg Arts Foundation has long been a major patron of the arts in St. Louis and is committed to aligning their resources to aid in and advance the flourishing renaissance of the arts in the St. Louis area. Growth in the local arts community is now more vigorous than ever, however, the shortage of affordable artists’ work and presentation spaces has been a clear obstacle in the path of our artists. In consideration of this problem and in support and recognition of St. Louis area artists, the Foundation  is redefining and expanding our short and long-term residency programs. ———  The Foundation hosts partnerships with over 150 arts organizations and presenters in the St. Louis region and provides an intersection of arts  venues and work environments that serve a full range of artistic processes.  —

Sarah Colby and Shevaré Perry, 2023 Visionary Award winners speak with Nancy about the awards and their lives. ------ The Saint Louis Visionary Awards is a 501(c)(3) organization that celebrates the numerous contributions and achievements of women who work in or support the arts in the greater St. Louis region. -------  The Saint Louis Visionary Awards is presented by an independent committee of women dedicated to promoting the arts in St. Louis. ------- From established working arts professionals and arts educators to emerging artists and community impact artists, each year's honorees are always truly "visionary". ------       

Jessica Hentoff, Artistic Executive Director of Circus Harmony, stopped by to talk about the mission and works of the organization. ------   Circus Harmony is a non-profit social circus organization that uses circus arts to motivate social change. By inspiring individuals and connecting communities with our circus education and entertainment programs, we have a positive impact on the St. Louis area and beyond. ——— Our programs teach valuable life skills like perseverance, focus, and teamwork. Learning circus with others teaches trust, responsibility and cooperation. Perhaps the most important experience we give our participants is the opportunity to meet and interact with children from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds than their own. ——— We believe the path to peace is a path of cooperation and communication. Teaching children from different neighborhoods how to stand on each other’s shoulders may seem like a strange way to take this path. But it’s the technique we use! Circus Harmony promot

Dawn Karlovsky, Founder and Director of Karlovsky and Company Dance and Yaseen Manuel and Marlin Zoutemn of New World Dance Theater speak with Nancy about their careers, as well as the collaborative dance presentation "Conversations" on March 24th and 25th of 2023. Karlovsky & Company Dance was established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in 2012 by its Founder and Artistic Director, Dawn Karlovsky. Prior, the company operated as Dawn Karlovsky & Dancers from 2004-2012. Since the inception of the company, the work of Karlovsky & Company Dance has been commissioned internationally with tours to France and South Africa, and nationally presenting in New York City, Minneapolis and Duluth MN, Tulsa, and San Francisco-Bay Area. Karlovsky & Company Dance aspires to connect with audiences through the art of dance, and to provide an experience for the viewer that evokes personal reflection. ——— Through the company’s investigative choreographic approach, Karlovsky & Company Dance reaches

The Rep is a live professional theatre company. Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre.----- Danny Williams became The Rep’s Managing Director in January 2022.  An experienced arts administrator, Danny has expertise in nonprofit accounting, senior management, and organizational development.  Prior to joining The Rep, Danny worked at The Public Theater in New York, where he served in various roles since 2006. Most recently, as Senior Director, Finance and Administration, he managed the daily and strategic financial operations of the $50 million nonprofit organization, successfully launched an organization-wide intranet, partnered with the development team to achieve fundraising goals, and collaborated on long-term financial planning

Grant Benoit, Director of Education for Craft Alliance, stopped by to talk about some exhibits and the institution. ------  Grant Benoit (American, 1990) is an interdisciplinary artist who observes notions of memory through printmaking, sculpture, and craft methods.  In his practice, Benoit combines traditional printmedia with installation and sculpture to reinterpret the mechanics of memory in more human ways through the lens of the domestic space. Through printing wallpaper, he works through ideas of domesticity, place, and memory through a print practice that speaks to printmaking's industrial beginnings. ------ He received his Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from Southern Illinois University in 2015, and his Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from Spring Hill College in 2012.  Benoit exhibits nationally and internationally, most recently being selected to exhibit work at the Printmaking Center of New Jersey, DEMO Project in Springfield, IL,  Williamson Museum in Wirral, England, and Spring Hill College in

Cbabi (pronounced Kuh-bob-bi) Bayoc is an internationally-known visual artist and illustrator residing in St. Louis, Missouri. His subjects include family, children, music and a bunch of other cool stuff designed with line, bold color and phunk!   Bayoc, whose birth name is Clifford Miskell, Jr., adopted his name CBABI (Creative-Black-Artist-Battling- Ignorance) during his time at Grambling State University (‘92-‘95). In 1997, a legal name change took place at the time of his marriage. Later, Cbabi would change his last name to BAYOC (Blesed-African-Youth-Of-Creativity) as something that could be shared with his future children.   His murals can be seen around St. Louis, and he did the album cover artwork for Prince's Rainbow Children.

Jessica Baran is a St. Louis, Missouri-based writer and curator interested in the interplay between art, place, and identity. She’s the author of three poetry collections, and her art reviews and essays appear regularly in publications such as Artforum and Art in America, among others. In 2021 she received an Arts Writers Grant for short-form criticism from the Andy Warhol Foundation to support critical writing about artists and exhibitions situated across the greater Midwestern region. In the summer of 2022, She conducted research on the People’s Art Center of St. Louis (1945-1965) with the support of a Divided City graduate research fellowship.------ Alongside her freelance writing, which has included an art column for the alt-newsweekly the Riverfront Times (2008-2012), she’s spent over a decade organizing exhibitions and programming at a range of independent and community-focused art spaces in St. Louis. From 2008-2011, she was the Assistant Director of White Flag Projects; from 2012-2016, she was the Dir

Carol Crouppen Schuchard, is an artist currently based in St. Louis, Missouri, lived and worked as a studio artist in St Louis for twenty five years – exhibiting work in galleries and museums in the U.S. and abroad. Her degrees include the University of Missouri, Columbia, and post graduate studies at Fontbonne College and Washington University. ------ Under the name of Boo Cat Projects Carol and her artist husband Patrick Schuchard have restored, renovated and designed dozens of historic landmark buildings. The Schuchards’ activities as painters and image makers center on the making, realization and uncovering peculiar beauty in the made object or built place. ------  

Bob Bennett, Artistic Director of Jazz St. Louis stopped by to talk with Nancy about the goings on at the institution.  For over 25 years, Jazz St. Louis has been the foremost presenter of jazz in St. Louis and throughout the region. We are dedicated to preserving the legacy of this musical genre. Hundreds of local and nationally renowned musicians, such as Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Harry Connick, Jr. and Al Jarreau have graced our stage. Our state-of-the-art Ferring Jazz Bistro has earned praise from artists and patrons alike as one of the best listening rooms in the country. Year after year, Jazz St. Louis strives to be the leader in showcasing unique and diverse jazz performers and preserves the shared cultural heritage embodied in jazz music through our educational programs. ------  

Karen Lucas, Curator of the High Noon Series at the High Low which is the Kranzberg Arts Foundation's literary arts cafe. The events are held in the listening room at the High Low. The Listening Room: A 150-person event space is dedicated to literary arts-focused content including poetry readings, storytelling, literary series, and book signings. Featuring state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment, a full-service bar, and a professional box office, the space is available for expanded gallery exhibitions, installations, traditional and chamber music, and special events.

Amy Shaw, President and CEO of Nine PBS, stopped by to speak to Nancy about her career and the happenings at the station. ----- After the sudden passing of Jack Galmiche on April 16 of 2019, Amy Shaw, Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer, was named interim president and chief executive officer. ------  After a nation search for a new president and chief executive officer, Amy Shaw was chosen for the Job. -----  Subjects covered include how locally produced and national shows work on the station, the new revamp of Living St. Louis, and the change of branding to Nine PBS. -----       

Mary Ann Srenco, a Trustee for the Kranzberg Arts Foundation stopped by to speak with Nancy about the Walls Off Washington project. -----  The Walls Off Washington features 20 thought-provoking murals by renowned local, national and international artists. The murals are painted on (and off) walls between Josephine Baker Boulevard and N. Leonard Ave. and behind KAF venues Sophie’s Artists Lounge and High Low. Walk-in hours for The Walls off Washington are 1pm to sunset, Wednesday through Saturday. ----- 

Colin Healy and Bradley Rohlf of Fly North Theatricals stopped by to talk about the company's works and programs. Colin Healy is a dog-owner based in the city of St. Louis who is also a composer, music director, and the artistic director of Fly North Theatricals. Starting at age 15, as a touring singer/songwriter with South Florida-based rock band The Republik, Colin's work as a recording artist spans five full-length studio albums -- three as a performer (Last Chance Planet, 2006; The Unexpected Answer, 2010; We Are The Wild Things, 2012), and two as a producer (The Gringo: Original St. Louis Cast Album, 2017; Seeing Other People: A New Musical Concept, 2021). 2012's We Are The Wild Things, was recorded at Adam Schlesinger (Fountains Of Wayne, Crybaby: The Musical) and James Iha's (Smashing Pumpkins) legendary Stratosphere Studios in New York and was produced by Brian Viglione (Dresden Dolls). Healy's body of studio work has been recognized by Billboard, College Music Journal and has received radio play nati

  Anna Lum, Poet and Co-Founder of Herding Cats Collective, stopped by to talk with Nancy about her life, career and poetry. ------ Anna Lum has taught Tai Chi since 1973. She evolved from computer programming to poetry/design. The Urge to Play God, published by MoonShadow Press led to performing her poetry nationally and internationally. St. Louis’ first Poet Laureate Michael Castro’s anthology “Crossing the Divide” includes her poem “Sitting Down for Yourself”. Volunteering excessively on numerous arts boards she was named St. Louis Woman of Achievement in cultural awareness in 2002. ----- She is also a co-founder of the Herding Cats Collective. ------

Stéphane Denève, Music Director of SLSO, stopped by to speak with Nancy about the goings on at the symphony. ------ Stéphane Denève is Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of the New World Symphony, and from 2023 will also be Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic. He recently concluded terms as Principal Guest Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Brussels Philharmonic, and previously served as Chief Conductor of Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (SWR) and Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. ------  Recognised internationally for the exceptional quality of his performances and programming, Stéphane Denève regularly appears at major concert venues with the world’s greatest orchestras and soloists. He has a special affinity for the music of his native France, and is a passionate advocate for music of the 21st century. ------