A Toast to The Arts

Spring Exhibits at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun: Unseen Stories & Sacred Traditions

In this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Tales of Ted DeGrazia" Podcast, we spotlight the exciting new spring exhibitions at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum in Tucson, Arizona. The conversation explores the cultural, spiritual, and landscape-driven works of renowned Southwest artist Ted DeGrazia, highlighting rarely seen pieces now on public display.
Opening with a special reception on Friday, January 30, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., the new exhibits include “DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians,” “Ted DeGrazia’s Unseen Landscapes,” and the annual Lenten presentation of “The Way of the Cross.” Executive Director Lance Laber shares insight into DeGrazia’s prolific career, the importance of cultural preservation through art, and the gallery’s role as a National Historic Landmark dedicated to Southwest history and heritage.
NEW EXHIBITS INCLUDE: * DeGrazia Paints the Seri Indians: Featuring more than a dozen paintings documenting the Comcaac (Seri) people of coastal Sonora, Mexico, many shown publicly for the first time. On display through Sept. 2, 2026.
* Ted DeGrazia’s Unseen Landscapes: Watercolors, ink drawings, and oil paintings of the Sonoran Desert and beyond, some hidden in storage for more than 70 years. On display through Sept. 2, 2026.
* The Way of the Cross: Fifteen original oil paintings depicting the Passion of Christ, including the Resurrection as the fifteenth station, accompanied by DeGrazia’s recorded narration. On display through May 28, 2026.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum is a 10-acre historic landmark designed and built by the artist himself, housing thousands of original works that reflect the people, landscapes, and cultural traditions of the Southwest. Learn more: http://www.degrazia.org 
New Tales of Ted DeGrazia episodes air every 4th Sunday. Follow the podcast: https://ted-degrazia.podbean.com 
This episode also airs on Big Blend Radio’s “Big Daily Blend,” “Way Back When,” and “Toast to The Arts” podcast channels. Explore the Big Blend Radio Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

The Art of Guitar Care with Joey Stuckey

On this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Music Talks with Joey Stuckey," Joey—Macon, Georgia’s official Music Ambassador—dives into the essentials of guitar care and instrument maintenance. From proper setup and cleaning to understanding how environment, wood, and age affect tone, this solo episode offers practical insight for musicians at every stage.
Joey explains why regular maintenance matters, how working with a luthier can extend an instrument’s life, and why every guitar develops its own character over time. The conversation also explores alternate tunings, playability, and the lifelong journey of shaping your personal sound. Whether you’re a working musician or a passionate hobbyist, this episode highlights the importance of caring for your instrument so it can perform at its best.
Joey Stuckey is an award-winning blind musician, producer, recording artist, guitarist, and Macon, Georgia’s official Music Ambassador. Known for his Southern rock and blues roots, Joey is also the owner of Shadow Sound Studio and a passionate educator dedicated to sharing the power of music.Learn more: https://www.joeystuckey.com/  

Rediscovering The Long Way Home: Steven Lawrence on Film, Music & Cultural Legacy

In this insightful Big Blend Radio conversation, acclaimed film producer Steven Lawrence talks about the newly restored documentary "The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded (2026)" — a rollicking portrait of Soviet underground rock legend Boris Grebenshchikov and a vivid celebration of the cultural exchange between East and West. 
Steven shares behind-the-scenes stories from the film’s restoration, the legacy of director Michael Apted, and why this remarkable film — newly preserved and expanded with a powerful epilogue — is resonating today.
Also highlighted, is the 22nd MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation, where The Long Way Home will be screened Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 PM at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, with an in-person introduction by Steven Lawrence and editor Susanne Rostock. Discover the significance of this international festival dedicated to film heritage, why preservation matters, and how audiences can experience cinema’s past and present.
👉 Get tickets and full festival details: https://www.moma.org/calendar/film/5879  
👉Visit: https://www.thelongwayhomefilm.com/ 

Evolution of Art Materials: Paint — From Minerals to Modernity

In this episode of Big Blend Radio’s "World of Art Podcast," artist and art historian Victoria Chick continues the Evolution of Art Materials series with a colorful deep dive into paint.
The conversation explores the historical evolution of paint, from ancient mineral pigments and plant-based dyes to modern synthetic options. Victoria explains how early binding agents such as egg yolk and milk were used, the role of glazes in oil painting to enhance depth and luminosity, and how limitations in materials often sparked creative breakthroughs.
The episode also examines the relationship between art, science, and technology, comparing traditional painting techniques with digital art creation and emphasizing why understanding art materials is essential in education and creative practice.
Listen to last month's episode (Bristles & Brushes) and read Victoria’s article on the Toast to The Arts Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/bigblendarts/p/evolution-of-art-materials  
MORE TO EXPLORE* Victoria’s Portfolio: https://victoriachick.com/ * World of Art Podcast: https://worldofart-victoriachick.podbean.com/ * Southwest Regional Museum of Art & Art Center: https://www.southwest-art-museum.org/ 
As part of National Creativity Month, this episode also appears on Big Blend Radio’s "Toast to The Arts" and "Big Daily Blend" podcast channels. Discover more: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Author Michael G. Colburn: Asylum Murders

Author Michael G. Colburn joins Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts” show to discuss his Lady Black Mystery Series and the inspiration behind his gripping historical novel, "Asylum Murders."
In this engaging conversation, Colburn shares his journey from a successful business career into fiction writing and explores how real historical events — including the disturbing history of 19th-century asylums — shape his storytelling. Set in Australia in the 1800s, "Asylum Murders" blends mystery, suspense, and historical truth as investigator Lady Edith Black uncovers conspiracy, abuse of power, and long-buried secrets within the asylum system.
The discussion also dives into Colburn’s research process, the challenge of writing from a female perspective, and how creativity — including walking — fuels his writing. The episode highlights how books invite readers to co-create meaning, spark imagination, and examine the darker corners of history through fiction.
🔗 Visit: https://michaelgcolburn.com/ 
🎙️ Part of our National Book Blitz Month programming, this episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio's "Big Daily Blend" and "Way Back When" Podcast Channels. Explore the Network: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

James Michael Dorsey: Award-winning Author & Explorer

As part of our Book Blitz Month programming, award-winning author, explorer, photographer, and cetacean specialist James Michael Dorsey joins Big Blend Radio to share stories from a lifetime of global exploration. Hear how writing, photography, and storytelling serve as artistic tools for cultural preservation. From crafting personal travel narratives to documenting oral traditions, this episode celebrates literature, narrative craft, and the role of creative expression in giving voice to disappearing cultures.
Having traveled through 60 countries, Dorsey discusses his work documenting remote cultures, endangered languages, and oral traditions, as well as his experiences studying and interacting with whales in some of the world’s most remote marine environments.
He reflects on the urgency of cultural preservation, noting that when the last speaker of a language is lost, an entire library of knowledge disappears. From encounters with the Hadzabe people of Tanzania to time spent observing cetaceans, this conversation explores storytelling, responsible travel, and the deep connections between humans, wildlife, and place.
🔗 Learn more about James Michael Dorsey, his books, and work:http://www.jamesdorsey.com/ 

Author Nancy Bernhard: The Double Standard Sporting House

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Books & Authors” Show with Books Forward, airing on the second Wednesday of the month, features author Nancy Bernhard, who discusses her novel "The Double Standard Sporting House." The episode also celebrates National Books Blitz Month, spotlighting powerful stories that illuminate overlooked voices and hidden histories.
Set in 19th-century New York, "The Double Standard Sporting House" explores women’s history through a bold and revealing lens — examining the societal constraints placed on women, the influence of Tammany Hall, and the stark double standards that shaped women’s lives. In this engaging conversation, Bernhard sheds light on how brothels became one of the few paths to financial independence for women, while also addressing the intersections of race, gender, power, and survival.
The discussion dives into the realities faced by women navigating restrictive laws, limited rights, and moral judgment, while also touching on burlesque as social satire, reproductive autonomy, and why sex workers’ voices have so often been excluded from historical narratives. Thought-provoking and timely, this episode connects past struggles to ongoing conversations about women’s rights today.
🔗 Episode & Author Links✍️ Author Website – Nancy Bernhard: https://www.nancybernhard.com/ 📚 Books Forward: https://booksforward.com/ 🎙️ Explore the Big Blend Radio Network where this episode aired on the "Toast to The Arts," "Way Back When," "Women Making History" and "Big Daily Blend" Podcast Channels: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

Glendora: Isabelle Armand on Her Mississippi Delta Documentary

"A moving testament to the Mississippi Delta, Glendora reveals how the bonds of family and home transform structural scarcity into profound community resilience." Nancy J. Reid, Big Blend Radio
In this episode of Big Blend Radio, filmmaker, cinematographer, and writer Isabelle Armand discusses her feature documentary GLENDORA, an intimate, five-year collaboration with a small African-American community in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. 
Created with—and by—the people who live there, GLENDORA captures daily life through personal testimonies and shared rituals such as birthdays, graduations, weddings, funerals, and community gatherings. Isabelle shares how sound, atmosphere, and visual storytelling play a vital role in transporting viewers into the town, revealing both its challenges and its deep cultural richness.
Music emerges as a powerful thread connecting generations in Glendora, from church hymns and gospel traditions to local rappers creating their own music videos. The town’s cultural identity is also rooted in Delta blues history, as Glendora is the birthplace of the son of legendary bluesman Sonny Boy Williamson, reflecting a legacy of music as expression, memory, and resilience.
The conversation further explores the importance of historical context and collective memory. Glendora is part of the Civil Rights Trail, and it is also where Emmett Till was murdered in 1955—a defining event that continues to shape the town’s identity and the broader understanding of racial injustice in America.
GLENDORA makes its World Premiere at DWF: NY 2026, screening Friday, January 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM at Regal Union Square in New York City.
Visit: https://glendora.my.canva.site/ and https://danceswithfilms.com/glendora/