Interviews

September 23, 2022 by Elizabeth Johnson

Rebecca Segall on her first two years as Director at Gross McCleaf Gallery

In this Q&A, Elizabeth Johnson sits down with Rebecca Segall, owner and Director of Gross McCleaf Gallery.

August 4, 2022 by Tasso Hartzog

Beautiful beneath it all, underground comix from Reptile House, a conversation with Nick Bunch

Tasso Hartzog sits down with the editor of Reptile House comix, Nick Bunch, as the artist/editor is putting together Issue 10 of the comix. Among other things in this lively interview, Bunch talks about playing recordings of classical guitar music to serenade his printer.

August 2, 2022 by Alex Smith

Talking with ‘Black Vans’ artist James Dillenbeck about queer aesthetics, body positivity and superheroes

Alex Smith interviews his comic book partner, James Dillenbeck about the artist’s gorgeous illustrations for their joint series, “Black Vans.” Smith says James’s illustrations keep “the torch going for body-positive, fat inclusive art in such a powerful way.” The two also talk about queer aesthetics, and about making Black Vans’ queer, punk, super-hero characters undeniable.

June 22, 2022 by Morgan Nitz

Logan Cryer and Tim Belknap on their open-call show, “Now, One with Everyone!” at Icebox Project Space

Roberta and Morgan sit down for a Zoom with Logan Cryer and Tim Belknap about their wonderful open-call snapshot of Philadelphia’s art community in 2022. We talk of how the show idea came about, why it’s only 3 weekends long, (June 24, 25, and 26 is the last weekend to see it) and what surprised them about who showed up with their work and who didn’t.

June 13, 2022 by Elizabeth Johnson

From Switzerland, with love of art, Pentimenti’s Christine Pfister on her commitment to the future and loving her artists

In this first of a planned series of interviews with Philadelphia gallerists, Elizabeth Johnson talks with Pentimenti director, Christine Pfister, whose passion for art and artists fuels her 30-year old gallery in Old City.

June 8, 2022 by Tasso Hartzog

Cartoonist Nate Garcia on pursuing his life-long dream to draw comics full-time

Tasso Hartzog interviews Nate Garcia, who has been drawing and making comic zines since the first grade. Nate tells Tasso about moving to West Philly after graduating high school in Allentown to pursue his dream of being a comic book artist, working as a caricature artist to pay the bills, and his self-published anthologies and comic books!

April 15, 2022 by Susan Isaacs

Nanette Carter’s journey as artist, educator, and Anonymous was a Woman award winner

Susan Isaacs interviews artist Nanette Carter, whose journey includes years as an art educator, as well as 17 years as a full time professional artist sustaining herself through sales of her work. An amazing story. Nanette Carter is featured in a 2-person exhibit at Towson University now through April 23. Be sure to catch it is you’re in the Baltimore area.

March 11, 2022 by Roberta

Kristal Sotomayor on ‘Expanding Sanctuary,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Kristal Sotomayor is the subject of our fifth and final Added Velocity 2021-2022 spotlight interview series! Her project “Expanding Sanctuary” was first funded through Velocity Fund in 2020, and now with $15,000 in additional funding through Added Velocity, she will further her 26-minute documentary “about the campaign to end the sharing of the police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement led by Juntos and the Latinx immigrant community in South Philly.” Learn more below!

March 8, 2022 by Roberta

Diente and Sky Fo on “Choreto,” an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Diente and Sky Fo tell Artblog about ‘Choreto,’ their Added Velocity-funded follow-up to ‘Gente de Tierra’ (2020 Velocity Fund Project). ‘Choreto’ will use their $15,000 in funding for community infrastructure, resources, and education, such as community pantries and composting. Learn more in this post!

March 5, 2022 by Roberta

John Jarboe on “The Beardmobile,” an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Our third Added Velocity awardee spotlight is here! John Jarboe tells Roberta more about “The Beardmobile,” performance and protest unit on wheels; and their musical performance piece “Rose: You Are Who You Eat,” which they will perform at the Guggenheim in NYC on March 26th at 7:30PM!

March 3, 2022 by Roberta

Yaroub Al Obaidi on ‘Al Mudhif – A Confluence,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

Yaroub Al Obaidi, speaks with Roberta about their project “Al Mudhif – A Confluence” in this second Added Velocity awardee spotlight! Al Mudhif is a “a traditional Iraqi ceremonial structure made entirely out of phragmites reed.” With the $15,000 Added Velocity award, collaborators Yaroub Al Obaidi and Sarah Kavage will dismantle and document the structure after damage from Hurricane Ida.

March 1, 2022 by Roberta

Ana Cecilia Gonzalez on ‘Alumbra,’ an Added Velocity Spotlight Interview

January 10, 2022 by Deborah Krieger

Kelsey Halliday Johnson leads and advocates for the arts and social justice at SPACE in Portland, ME

Deborah Krieger interviews Kelsey Halliday Johnson, artist and current Executive Director of Portland, Maine’s SPACE (plus former Philly resident/ arts worker/ member of Philly’s DIY-alternative community). Kelsey is enthusiastically dedicated to her role at SPACE, a multi-disciplinary independent maker hub; in particular their grantmaking program, the Kindling Fund.

August 12, 2021 by Ashwin Suseendran

Karen Lauria Saillant, of International Opera Theater and The Fire, believes in unity, peace, and healing through music

Artblog Community Intern Ashwin Suseendran interviews “World Percussion for Peace” event organizer Karen Lauria Saillant. Both musicians, Ashwin and Karen share a heartfelt conversation about the language of music and its healing abilities. Be on the lookout for Karen’s upcoming projects– info in this post!