We’re back with Season 2! On this episode of the Arts in Conversation, we sit down with the illustrious Misty Copeland. Misty Copeland is a ballet dancer for American Ballet Theatre, one of the leading classical ballet companies in the United States. Copeland was the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history. On this episode, we hear about Misty’s beginnings in dance, her transformative relationship with her mentor Raven Wilkinson and her journey with confidence in this sport. 

Links for this episode

• Learn more about Misty Copeland
• Learn more about the National Arts Club

How can we keep our lives interesting and creative? In our final episode this season, host Mitch Case introduces you to art therapist Megan Tuttle and artist and author Laurie Rosenwald. Tuttle shares her experiences providing therapy through art and the mental benefits of being creative. Afterwards, Rosenwald discusses her workshop series and book, How to Make Mistakes on Purpose, which helps participants/readers celebrate creativity and randomness. Finally, our summer intern Sydney heads outside the National Arts Club to ask passersby about their routines and how they stay creative. This is the final episode of our season. If you have been enjoying The Arts in Conversation, please subscribe and leave a review. Stay tuned for more!

Links for this episode:

Learn more about Laurie Rosenwald

Learn more about Megan Tuttle

In this episode, host Ben Harley introduces artists working in a variety of visual mediums. We begin this episode by sitting down with artist Halim Flowers, who discusses his journey from spending 22 years incarcerated to becoming a successful designer, visual artist, and poet. Later, we hear from two New York City printmakers. First up, printmaker Jeremy Ruiz talks about how printing differs from other artforms as a medium. After, artist Barbara Nessim shares how she has kept her artistic integrity throughout her six decade career as a visual artist. Finally, we hear a conversation between three of the National Art’s Club’s Artist Fellows: Chellis Baird, Jessica Frances Grégoire Lancaster, and JoAnne McFarland. These three talented artists discuss with one another their works, their journeys to get to where they are, and their experiences being a part of an artist community. 

In this episode, host Ben Hartley explores the world of fashion. Starting the episode, we hear from designer Anna Sui, senior critic-at-large for Washington Post Robin Givhan, fashion historian Dr. Valerie Steele, and fashion director & chief fashion critic at The New York Times Vanessa Friedman, as they share their thoughts on what fashion means to them. Later on, Elizabeth Semmelhack, the director and senior curator of the Bata Shoe Museum, discusses the history and culture of footwear. After, costume designer Raven Ong shares his experience designing costumes for shows in the Philippines and how he later brought his love for color to his work in the United States. Finally, we finish this episode with not one but TWO National Arts Club member profiles. First, Nina Urban tells us about her passion for dressing up. And lastly, co-chair of the fashion committee David Zyla tells us about his love for design.

For more information about our featured guests:

• Learn more about Anna Sui
• Learn more about Robin Givhan
• Learn more about Dr. Valerie Steele
• Learn more about Vanessa Friedman
• Learn more about The Bata Shoe Museum
• Learn more about Raven Ong
• Learn more about David Zyla
• Learn more about Bonnet Bash

In this episode, host Ben Hartley takes you inside the world of photography. You’ll hear from celebrated photographer Charles Johnstone about his recent works and what he considers to be “great photography.” Later on, we celebrate the life and works of legendary photographer Gordon Parks by sitting down with John Maggio, director and producer of the HBO film “A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks.” Maggio also discusses the continued work of the Gordon Parks Foundation. Finally, we finish this episode with a trip uptown, to visit National Arts Club member and illustrious photography collector Dr. Stanley B. Burns at the Burns Archive, home of more than a million historic and early photographs.

Show links

• Learn more about Charles Johnstone
• Learn more about The Gordon Parks Foundation
• Learn more about The Burns Archive

In this episode, host Ben Hartley introduces you to the people who make theatre great. You’ll hear from recent National Arts Club lecturer Motl Didner, Associate Creative Director of the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene, about the importance of dramatizing the jewish experience. Later, you’ll hear a conversation with playwright Matthew Freeman, who discusses how his plays grow from an idea to a full scale production being performed live on stage. After, we tune in to a recent National Arts Club author talk with the legendary Alan Cumming. Finally, this episode finishes with Tony Award-winning actress Lena Hall on her Broadway career. 

In our premiere episode, host Ben Hartley introduces you to the National Arts Club. He then takes you to a recent spectacular evening at the Club. Hear sounds from the glamorous Medal of Honor ceremony and later, we meet the honoree of the event, Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride. McBride shares how his career has shifted over the years, defines “jawn” for all you non-Philadelphians, and breaks down how bass serves a song. A special thank you to Arthur Barnes for making the event and this episode possible.

Welcome to The Arts in Conversation, presented by the National Arts Club! Here is a preview of what you can expect this season.