Southcoast Artists Index

In Episode Six, our Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Don Wilkinson, painter/art writer. Don is an important part of Gallery X and contributes his memories to the Gallery X Documentation Project! He's one of the earliest Gallery X members and an integral part of the gallery's formation and growth into a New Bedford and overall South Coast creative community institution. Don's art articles have appeared in Artscope Magazine, Art New England, The Standard-Times, The Providence Journal, Ceramics Ireland Magazine, and currently, as the Chasing the Muse arts columnist for The New Bedford Light, is a free, nonprofit, nonpartisan digital news outlet for the South Coast. PHOTO CREDIT: Don Wilkinson   About Gallery X The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community. This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community. The Artists Index offers listeners up-close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app, including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

In Episode Five, our Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with John Neiman, AKA Screamin' Johnny Neiman. John is an important part of Gallery X and the Gallery X Documentation Project! He's one of the founding members of Gallery X. John has served in many capacities as an active member, an integral part of the everyday operations, and in all aspects and projects, from hanging work to helping set up musical productions. John is also a member of the musical Pumpkin Head Ted. The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community. This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community. The Artists Index offers listeners up-close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app, including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

In Episode Six, Dave Reis speaks with internationally renowned, award-winning jazz musician and centenarian, Terry Gibbs, via Zoom from Australia! Terry Gibbs, was born Julius Gubenkon in 1924. The renowned American jazz vibraphonist and band leader is 101 years old! According to his Wikipedia page, Gibbs has performed or recorded with many of the greatest names in Jazz, including  Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Alice Coltrane, Louie Bellson, Charlie Shavers, Mel Tormé, and Buddy DeFranco to name just a few. "I am the oldest bebopper alive!” proclaims 93-year-old Terry Gibbs, according to an article in Jazz Times, "This forefather of the jazz vibraphone may well be right; age-wise he beats out his closest competitors, including Roy Haynes (92), Jimmy Heath (91), Lee Konitz (90) and Sheila Jordan (89). Certainly, few musicians of any age can top his ability to whip up a storm of excitement on his instrument." The Artist Index's jazz documentarian and Jazz Podcast Series host, Dave Reis, spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host, among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM, which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, began as our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154 and In-Focus Podcast 181. He returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center. There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his ten-part Jazz Podcast Series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center. Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app, including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer, and APPLE PODCASTS   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

Welcome, John Irwin, a Tiverton, Rhode Island, artist. His studio is in The Handkerchief Factory, which is located in Warren, Rhode Island. Tiverton, by the way, is a part of the South Coast.  John has been painting for almost 50 years. He is a Special Education teacher at East Providence High School and teaches art at his studio and several other venues. John Irwin paints landscapes and portraits in oil and acrylic. He enjoys painting from life but, increasingly, also from memory. For the last half a dozen years, he has been teaching art, and he says, "I think it has made me a much better artist." John Irwin emphasizes drawing and experimentation with his students. He is interested in depicting emotion and feelings in his private work.  John spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, recently about his passion, his life, and his journey as an artist. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   John Crawford Irwin Studio Address: The Hankerchief Factory 569 Main Street. #121 Warren, Rhode Island 02885 401-639-2037   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Linktree | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!    

Welcome, Mwalim (AKA Daphunkee Professor AKA Morgan James Peters), who has been studying music since he was ten years old. He is formally trained in classical, jazz, and is a fourth-generation musician on his mother's side. Mwalim's first instrument was the viola, and he performed at Carnegie Hall with an orchestra before he was 14. He also started studying piano and composition with his grandfather, the noted jazz arranger, band leader, and producer for Southern Records and Decca Records, Allan Nurse. Mwalim went to the Music & Art High School (LaGuardia) in New York City, and later earned his BA in Music and an MS in Film from Boston University. He earned an MFA in Writing from Goddard College. Mwalim spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, recently about his passion, his life, and his journey as an artist. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. Representative Work OUT OF THE WOODS (Black Squirrel Version) LET OURSELVES GO 7 GHOSTS THIEF IN THE NIGHT 01-7 CANDLES GEMINI - BY THEMSELVES   Mwalim - Daphunkee Professor (Morgan James Peters) New Bedford, Massachusetts 02746 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Linktree | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!    

Welcome, South Coast newcomer and the owner-operator of an already local institution, Fairhaven Frets, Bryon Knight. One of our newest friends, supporters, and collaborators. He began his musical career at age 11 and wanted to know more about how instruments were built. Bryon began “hanging around” a shop where a master fiddle maker was producing hand-made violins, violas, cellos, and a few guitars. He "swept the sawdust just to be near the old luthier and glean technical tidbits that would prove to be valuable later in my life." He also began playing in bands and eventually started touring regionally. Did we mention that Byron was from Arkansas and that he also had a 25-year career in television production, producing programs for ESPN, Fox Sports, The Discovery Channel, and The Outdoor Channel? He moved on to join the largest music retailer in the world, Thomann/Sweetwater Sound. After the devastating loss of a friend, he was encouraged by Little Rock Frets, which, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, was the largest string instrument repair shop in the state. His wife, Frances, is a New England Native and wanted to return "Home," and so they did and came to Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where Fairhaven Frets came into existence in 2019. Byron Knight spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, this past April, about how he "always played music and worked on instruments - mostly for the pure love of the art". This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   Bryon Knight Fairhaven Frets 105 Sconticut Neck Road Fairhaven MA 02719 508-433-3738   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!  

This is the May AHA! episode - our tenth - in our continuing series of livestream podcasts from Play Arcade co-hosted by our podcast partner and friend Adam Katz. We invited David Walega and guests from our earliest podcasts, Jill Law, and Michael Pietragalla to join us this month. In fact, Michael was our very first guest on Episode 2. Jeff Wotton and Ron Fortier did the first or intro Episode 1 podcast. Max Wickemeyer The Artists Index's new volunteer deveelopment director, Catherine Carter (Episode 57 and  Episode 102), Dan Cooney (Episode 29) our very first sponsor, and Kat Knutsen (Episode 73, Episode 131, and Episode 180), one of our staunchest supporters were there! John Wojtowocz also dropped by. The topics ranged as per usual. Our guests were invited to help us celebrate over 200 podcasts and counting, and to  remind us of our earliest days. It all jappened on Thursday, May 8th (from 6 to 7:30 pm.). They joined podcast host Ron Fortier to relate and swap stories about our wonderful South Coast creative Community and New Bedford, the world-famous, historic New England seaport. Also discussed was the experience of being a part of one of the largest and continually growing creative communities in Massachusetts. A community now being assisted by the long awaited arival of South Coast Rail. The Living Room at Play Arcade is "an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community. Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer and APPLE PODCASTS   * David Walega  featured and additional photos credit   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

Welcome, South Coast native, America's Master Mentalist, and our friend, Jon Stetson, to our 206th podcast! Jon was our guest during the height of the pandemic when we recorded his visit on Podcast Number 67. A lot has happened in the World since we last spoke with him. In case you didn't know, Jon inspired the CBS hit television series “The Mentalist”. Stetson blends the art of Mystery with the study of Psychology, the predictability of human nature, and the power of intuition. According to Jon, “Imaginations are wowed, stretched, and captured, as thoughts are revealed and minds are being read.” This all takes place with Jon's intriguing games of mind-to-mind contact. As his billing touts, “The Stetson Experience is intelligent, interactive, sophisticated fun.” Jon says he began, "the study of the mystic arts at a very early age and has been blessed to receive formal training from some very gifted and proficient mystics, intuitives, shamans, and healers." He has performed for five U.S. Presidents, the King of Sweden, and the Royal Family of Monaco. He has appeared on several major television networks and made hundreds of corporate and celebrity appearances, Jon Stetson spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, once again last summer, about his study of the mystic arts and interactions with some of the greatest mystics and shamans. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. Jon Stetson Fairhaven MA 02719 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!    

This is the April AHA! episode - our ninth - in our continuing series of livestream podcasts from Play Arcade co-hosted by our podcast partner and friend Adam Katz. We opted for an open mic evening this month and our guests were Sarah Mulvey Ferreira, The Artists Index Podcast host Scott Bishop, Denn Santoro, and Max Wickemeyer. We covered a bunch of topics last Thursday, April 10th (from 6 to 7:30 pm.) Our guests joined podcast host Ron Fortier to relate and swap stories as working artists about this wonderful world-famous, historic New England seaport, and the experience of being a part of one of the largest creative communities in Massachusetts. It all happened at in the Living Room at Play Arcade "an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community. Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer and APPLE PODCASTS   * Scott Bishop  featured photo credit   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

Welcome, Max Wickemeyer to our 205th podcast! Max is also known as Max Harris Wickemeyer or, by his professional name Max H. Wickemeyer. We were introduced to Max by our friend and early podcast guest, Dan Cooney, the co-owner of Heavenly Spirits and our first sponsor. Max said that I described him as a polymath and that, "only time will tell" if, what I said was accurate. He started taking music lessons at 7 years old including trumpet, drums, and then guitar at 12. He's continued playing ever since and was a trio member of a hobby rock group, which according to AI Overview, is a group, "whose members play music primarily for enjoyment and personal satisfaction, rather than for professional gain or career advancement.  It's a group that enjoys the creative process of making music together, often focusing on the camaraderie and artistic expression rather than commercial success." The group performed for charities and was called The Turlebackband. Max says they got together in 2003 and played together until 2017. He was a collaborator and not a frontman. His role was bass player and very occasional harmony. According to Max, "I also helped keep the group glued socially. Max Wickemeyer's other artisanal experiences and executions include carpentry, painting, plaster, metalwork, fine furniture, and picture frames. He is a long-time landscape gardener and his other hobbies include yoga, forest walks, biking, and roaming places including neighborhoods of my most recent residence, the South Coast. He's also been a volunteer land steward for Nature Conservancy. He spent 37 years in the insurance industry and retired to, "only seek an understanding of the cosmos." He has one daughter and two grandchildren. Max Wickemeyer spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, last summer, about his passions, his interests, and his new life after relocating to the South Coast. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   Max H. Wickemeyer New Bedford MA 02740 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!  

Welcome Andrew Tedesco, also known as Bad Andy Art.  He is a contemporary artist. Andrew was born and raised in Massachusetts. He focuses on the narrative of storytelling through the methods of portraiture and working with the figure and its interaction with space. Andy works primarily with traditional techniques in drawing and painting while "imbuing them with aspects of street art and non-conventional materials."  He is concerned with expressing the elements of stories, "as we are all vessels of our narrative and the narratives of others we carry within us." Andrew Tedesco spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, last summer, about his passion, his practice, and his journey as an artist. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   Andrew Tedesco Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!    

Welcome Tammi Meehan LMHC, artist and clinical therapist. Tammi is originally from Boston and studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City. From there, she went on to the University of Paris at the Sorbonne in France and later received a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art in 1993. Sixteen years later, Tammi returned to school and received a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology from Cambridge College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2019, Tammi Meehan integrated her counseling and painting practices. As a Clinical Therapist, her interests in Jungian Psychology, Neuroscience, Quantum Physics, and Spiritualism are recognizable influences. Her daily meditation practice is the mainspring of her current work and represents eclectic integrations of conceptual methodologies, cosmic symbolism, archetypal visions, and stylistic diversity. Tammi Meehan spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, last summer about her passion for color and texture using acrylic and oil paint, oil stick, dry pigment, charcoal, and graphite to create surfaces that flirt with the viewer to touch. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   Tammi Meehan Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!    

Welcome Tracy Barbosa, a local glass artist. She is the owner-operator at Duende Studio and a Community Development TDI Fellow Attleboro at MassDevelopment. Tracy is a multi-media artist and community organizer. She has a bachelor's degree from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. (AKA MassArt) Tracy was involved with organizing the Love the Ave initiative in New Bedford's North End. Her artwork is in private and public collections all over the world. Tracy Barbosa began working with glass in 1997 at MassArt in Boston. Shortly after she began working at John Lewis Glass assisting with glass projects such as the OK City Memorial in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and at One World Trade (One World Trade Center) in New York. Her most recent work, "Equinox," is an integrated glass elevator tower that will be featured at the New Bedford MBTA South Coast Rail Station, Barbosa is dedicated to designing unique and inspiring environments for public transit users. On this podcast, Tracy Barbosa speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing mission in equity-based collaborative public art and community-building projects across New England. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   Tracy Sylvia Barbosa New Bedford, Massachusetts 02745 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!  

Welcome to the Lost Artists of Fairhaven Podcast Series hosted by Scott Bishop! The series focuses on the artists who once lived, worked, or were born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. The town was and continues to be called home to many now-historical artists who were forgotten or unsung in their day. This focused series of podcast episodes presented by The Artists Index brings you informative conversations with historians, family members, friends, or acquaintances who once contributed to Fairhaven as Visual, Performing, Literary, or Culinary Artists as well as the supporters, and cultural impresarios of this remarkable corner of the South Coast's creative community. Scott speaks with The Millicent Library's director, Kyle DeCicco Carey * about Lillian Allen Dexter. She was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on August 29, 1871.  She graduated from New Bedford High School in 1889. From there, she then went on to study at the Cooper Union School in New York City, where she earned a certificate in Pen and Ink Illustration from the school's Women's Art Department in 1893. During the 1890s, Dexter traveled to various locations between Massachusetts, New York, and West Virginia visiting, parks and Civil War battlefields, where she sketched flowers and other botanicals. In the late 1890s, she lived in Washington, D.C., with her uncle, the clerk of the US Senate Finance Committee. While there she worked for the American Rose Company, creating commercial art. After leaving Washington, Dexter settled in Marion, Massachusetts where she remained until her passing on July 13, 1928. The Millicent Library archival collections include many of her watercolors and pen-and-ink drawings. If you have any further knowledge, memories, or documentation on this artist, please contact us! Check back here for the latest episodes... THIS SERIES IS SUPPORTED IN PART with a grant from the Fairhaven Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state Agency.   * Kyle DeCicco-Carey has appeared on: Podcast Episode 132  – William Bradford Podcast Episode 133 – Lemuel Eldred Podcast Episode 146 – Robert Swain Gifford Podcast Number 152 – Charles Henry Gifford Podcast Episode 161  – Albertus van Beest  

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the March AHA! episode in our continuing series of livestream podcasts from Play Arcade co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz. This month's theme was a repeat of February's: I AM NB - Storytyelling Series. Thursday, March 13th (from 6 to 7:30 pm.) invited guests joining podcast host Ron Fortier were, once again, Max Wikermayer, The Artists Index's Man On The Street. Also joining us was our friend, America's Master Mentalist Jon Stetson, whose career was the inspiration for the CBS hit television series “The Mentalist”. We swapped stories of life experiences! It all happened in the Living Room at Play Arcade "an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Our guests offered their views, opinions, and great conversational skills on a variety of subjects. Jon also mentioned his new, soon to be released book, the Art of Knowing. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community. Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer and APPLE PODCASTS   * Leia Onofrey featured photo credit   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

Welcome to this special episode! Its our 200th podcast episode since Podcast Episode 1 was dropped on April of 2019. The first podcast was an overview of what we hoped to accomplish. It was followed by Podcast Episode 2 featuring artist and craftsman, Michael Pietragalla, who owns and operates Floating Stone Woodworks, a custom furniture shop in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Michael was our very first of nearly 300 overall podcast guests. In this podcast, The Artists Index's podcast editor, Ryan Nunes, takes the podcast host seat to introduce and speak with Co-Founders Jeff Wotton and Ron Fortier. He also introduces our very first corporate sponsor, Dan Cooney of Heavenly Spirits.  Ryan's guests also include a video visit from Jeff Angeley, our traditional music podcast host and an in-studio visit with Dave Reis, our Jazz Podcast Series host, Sean FitzGerald, our Gallery X Documentation Project Podcast Series host, and Scott Bishop our multiple podcast episodes and series host including the new (in the works) Fairhaven Artists Podcast Series. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. CLICK HERE for the YouTube video of this episode. Here is a list of all of our podcast guests:Adam Gomes | Albertus van Beest | Alison Wells | Allie Copeland | Alyssa Botelho | Autum Liv Cyr | Barbara Healy | Ben Jones | Ben Martinez | Beth Ann Gallagher | Bob Williamson | Boston Maki/Mark Carvalho | Brandon Cabral | Brian Cass | Butch McCarthy | Candice Lee Heald | Candida Rose | Carl Simmons | Carol Way Wood | Carolyn Dlouhy Walega | Catherine Carter| Charles Hauck | Charles Henry Gifford | Chloe Costa | Chris Camarao | Chris Donovan | Chris Page | Christine Maiato FitzGerald | Chuck Boucher | Dan Cooney | Dan Logan | Dana Smith | Dave Reis | David Baggarly | David Dauer | David Mello | David Prentiss | Dena Hayden | Denn Santoro | Diane Conlon | Don Burton | Don Hoaglund | Don Wilkinson | Donna Dodson | Donna Gagnon | Dr. Michael Rocha | Drew Furtado | Earl White | Eden Soares | Elyse Laurelle Demarest | Eric Baylies | Eric Hart | Ethan de Aguiar | Everett Hoagland | Filipe Miguel | Fitzcarmel LaMarre | Frank C. Grace | Greg Abate | Heather Stivison | Helen Granger | Hendrick Hernandez-Resto | Immuter | Jack Maravell | James Bobrick | James L. Murdock | Jane Ferris Richardson | Jason Smith | Jeff Angeley | Jeffrey Wotton | Jennifer Gillooly Cahoon | Jeremiah Hernandez | Jill Law | Jim Charette | John Fernandes | John Harrison | John Jameson | John Walker | Johnny Gwynn | Jon Stetson | Judith Klein | Karen Langford Chace | Kat Knutsen | Kathi Chase | Kayla Conner | Keith M. Francis | Kate Frazer Rego | Kevin ‘Dempt' Jose | Kevin Grant | Kyle DeCicco-Carey | Lasse Antonsen | Laurie Wolfe | Lean Camara | Lemuel Eldred | Lindsay Compton | Lindsay Mis | Lowell Thompson | Lyn Dillies | Mal Oliveira | Marcia Hales | Margaret ‘Peggi' Medeiros | Margo Connolly-Mason | Margo Vaulterra | Marina Dawn Wells | Mark Barry | Mark Furtado | Mark Gleicher | Mary Monteiro | Mason Terra | Matt Shimala | Matthew Beall | Mercy Bell | Michael Lapides | Michael Morris | Michael Pietragalla | Michael Rose | Michael Walden | Milena Rodrigues | Milton Brightman | Molly O'Leary | Nancy Hayes | Naomi Slipp | Neal Weis | Neenah Cruz | Nicholas Yellenti | Nick LeBlanc | Pam Hoss | Pat Coomey Thornton | Patrice Tiedemann | Patricia A. Thomas | Patti Rego | Paul Bielatowicz | Paul Pedulla | Peggy Call-Conley | Peter Andrade | Peter Pereira | Phillip J. Mellen | Putnam Murdock | Quinn Sullivan | Ralph Hickok | Randy Swann | Rhonda M. Fazio | Richard Connor | Richard Walega | Ricky Gagnon | Robert Brodesky | Robert M. Dec | Robert Swain Gifford | Roger Andrews | Roger Kizik | Ron Fortier | Roy Rossow | Ryan Rooney | Rylan Brenner | Sam Babineau | Sara Folger | Sarah Athanas | Sarah Donner | Sarah Mulvey | Scott Bishop | Seaglass Theater Company | Sean FitzGerald | Sean McCarthy | Seth Rainville | Sheila Oliveira | Stephen Remick | Stephen Rogers | Steve Berger | Susan Hauck | Taylor Hickey | The Jethros | Tim McDonald | Tobey Eugenio | Todd Salpietro | Tom Short | Trajic Montalvo | Troy Hendriksen | Wanda Medina | Wendy Goldsmith | Wendy Hall | William Bradford | William C. Kennedy | William Kendall | William Perry | Yaniv Dinur | Ymelda Rivera Laxton | Zachary White Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

Welcome Diane Conlon, AKA Diane Arlene Conlon, a Swain School of Design alum from Newport, Rhode Island. Graduating from Swain in 1980, she attended S.M.U. – Southeastern Massachusetts University, today the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in pursuit of a Master of Arts in Education. After a year there, she left the program. In 1989 she was among 20 other Swain alumni founding members of Gallery X and was elected their Secretary. Then, in 1994, she moved to Brooklyn to work on her MFA at Brooklyn College and graduated in 1996. Diane stayed in New York City and worked as an Art Specialist for a Catholic elementary school in Queens until she retired in 2009. She then moved back to Rhode Island and taught drawing at the Newport Art Museum. She has continued her pursuit of the Arts and Education. Diane has many books on American history and decided to create a collection of American art books. It is reflected in her work and what she feels is meaningful and beautiful. Diane Conlon is currently focused on painting landscapes of the Land Trusts because, as she exclaims, “they are so WILD!” On this podcast, Diane Conlon speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey as an artist.  This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   Diane Conlon Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the February AHA! episode in our continuing series of livestream podcasts from Play Arcade co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz. This month's theme was: I AM NB - Storytyelling Series. Thursday, February 13th (from 6 to 7:30 pm.) invited guests joineing podcast host Ron Fortier were Max Wikermayer, The Artists Index's Man On The Street along with friend, returning podcast guest, and South Coast professional storyteller Karen Langford Chace AKA Storybug, Alyssa Botelheo, and Costume designer and our soon to be newest podcast host, Claudia Nagalha in the Living Room at Play Arcade "an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Our guests offered their views on the importance and power of storytelling in its various forms as well as the importance of the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community. Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer and APPLE PODCASTS Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

Welcome Milt Brightman to this special episode. Milt, who was our guest on Podcast Episode 17, speaks about his late friend, Swain School of Design classmate, and fellow artist, the late Eric Hart.  Eric was the very first person Milt met when he attended the Swain School of Design. They attended their first class in the sculpture building behind the Rodman House - the William Rotch Rodman Mansion - in 1972 . In this podcast, Milt Brightman relates how he, "approached the front of the building... I saw stacks of boxes, which turned out to be clay, and a male student with long flowing blond hair. I asked him what's going on and he said, 'help me move these boxes inside'. After we had done so and the class started and ended, I thought I had someone in this sea of strangers to talk to, but he just ignored my approach and moved away to the next class." Milt continues, "The way we ended up as friends was through a third party, Dave Peloquin, who found out I liked sword and sorcery art work and started talking to me. As it turned out, he and Eric Hart were rooming together. On my many visits to their apartment, that, by the way was filled with Swain students in other apartments inside the same building. Eric warmed up to me eventually but had a stronger bond to Dave at the time. I believe it was in our sophomore year that Dave, who was a very good artist in his own right, had to drop out of Swain due to personal reasons. From that point on, it was just me and Eric working together." "In our Junior and Senior years we shared a studio together in the Melville (Building) and our bond grew much stronger. Many times we abandoned our classmates on landscape painting excursions and went off on our own to paint. Yes, we got some flack for that but we were young and arrogant and making the progress in our work that we hoped to make, so we continued along in the same way all the way to graduation." "When Eric left, we made the usual promises that people make to stay in touch, but in our case we did, through letter writing and I begain to make excursions to Connecticuit (where Eric moved to) on a yearly basis. Eric also came back to Massachusetts on occasion and we always, had painting as our connection. We drank and spoke of old times, but that was after day long excursions into the landscape to paint in oils, watercolors and drawings. Our friendship lasted right to the end when he passed away, and I will never forget him. Every time I start to draw or paint he is always there with me, and will be so always." On this podcast, Milt Brightman speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his friend Eric Hart, their lifelong friendship, and their journey as artists.  This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.   Eric Palmer Hart | PAINTER  According to Milt Brightman, he lived at a number of locations in Connecticut. He moved to Uncasville, Connecticut on the shore of Haugton's Cove. It was his second studio and was adjoined to the house. He moved to Groton, Connecticut just before he died in October of 2023.   Milt Brightman 75 Clara Street New Bedford, Massachusetts 02744 508-965-6048 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other   Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

Welcome, Kevin Grant, a Fairhaven performer and the son of an art teacher and a biology teacher who studied piano as a child.  As a teenager, Kevin also had some vocal training through various local theater productions. While at Boston University, he studied English and Eastern Philosophy. Kevin Grant works professionally as a supply chain specialist. He enjoys cooking, reading, skateboarding, sledding, and hiking in the White Mountains. His other likes include hurricanes, blizzards, cats, and boxing. Kevin and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Meaghan and Jack as well as two cats named Harry and Squeaker and one deceased fish, Stanley (“Stan the Man”). Kevin's favorite bands include those he has played in and others such as The Brain Dead Geniuses, Cereal Toys, Merrick, GASKILL, Expose Human Sharks, The Hidden, The Judo Heirs, Iron Oak, Blackhouse, and WIRE LINES. He has occasionally performed with The Northern Skulls. On this podcast, Kevin Grantspeaks with The Artists Index's Fairhaven Artists podcast host, Scott Bishop, about his continuing journey and music mission. This episode was recorded at Scott's recording studio in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. Offering listeners up-close-and-personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered donating. THIS PODCAST IS SUPPORTED IN PART with a grant from the Fairhaven Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state Agency.    Kevin Grant Fairhaven, MA 02719   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp

In Episode Four, our Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Christine Maiato FitzGerald, his wife, and the Gallery X Documentation Project's master scanner! Christine, who is also an artist, was our guest on Podcast Episode 88. She has scanned the varied contents of the Gallery X archives, folders, and file boxes dating from 1990 to 2008 (18 years), including over 100 news articles, nearly 200 exhibition posters, and many postcards, pamphlets, programs, newsletters, and booklets. But wait, there's more! Christine has also scanned dozens of miscellaneous advertisements, awards, certificates, and other items. Her efforts and dedication while scanning Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents spanning 34 years. The documents include news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more. Once scanned, these records, including the remaining 17 years (2009-2025) will be archived and mined for information specific to the artists who have exhibited their work or performed at New Bedford's oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery. They will be included in The Artists Index searchable database project. The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community. This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community. The Artists Index offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

A three-part mini podcast series hosted by Ron Fortier about the New Bedford Film Festival and its celebration of authentic cinematic stories, the cultivations of bold storytellers, and the new champions of the city's growing creative economy. The growing festival is hosted in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts. The festival is committed to a shared vision of “spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short and feature films, episodic pieces, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.” The Artists Index's editor, Ryan Nunes, joins Alyssa Botelho, and Ethan de Aguiar.

A three-part mini podcast series hosted by Ron Fortier about the New Bedford Film Festival and its celebration of authentic cinematic stories, the cultivations of bold storytellers, and the new champions of the city's growing creative economy. The growing festival is hosted in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts. The festival is committed to a shared vision of “spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short and feature films, episodic pieces, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.” The Artists Index's editor, Ryan Nunes, joins Alyssa Botelho, and Ethan de Aguiar.

Here's another podcast in the continuing coverage and support of The New Bedford Film Festival. It celebrates authentic cinematic stories, cultivates bold storytellers, and champions the city's growing creative economy. It takes place in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts.  The festival is committed to their shared vision by, “spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short and feature films, episodic, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.” Listen to podcasts announcing the latest festival news and promoting the festival, its organizers, and associates here...

In Episode Two, Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Susan and Charles Hauck. Charles, or Chuck, as he is better known, was one of our earliest podcast guests. Susan/Sue/Suzy Hauck is married to Chuck. Chuck, who is originally from Toledo, Ohio studied sculpture and received his BFA from the Swain School of Design. Sue is a self-taught artist. She has often worked in the decorative arts fields in various capacities. She also served as the Administrative Director of Gallery X for over a decade. Sean and Susan and Chuck discuss the the history of Gallery X and the first phase of The Gallery X Documentation Project. The project's agenda focuses on scanning Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents spanning 34 years. The documents include news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more. Once scanned, these records will be archived and mined for information specific to the artists who have exhibited their work or performed at New Bedford's oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery. The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community. This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community. The Artists Index offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the sixth in our series of livestream podcasts. The November AHA! was our second impromptu evening and open mic invitation to the South Coast's poets to help celebrate with us on Thursday, November 14th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Once again, our livestream podcast was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade. Our November AHA! Guests who joined us (Max Wikermayer and Ron Fortier) in the bar area at Play Arcade included Kate Frazer Rego. She was our podcast guest on Episode 83 and Episode 147. Kate also read a couple of her poems. It was the first live poetry reading on our AHA! podcasts! We also had an impromptu and very refreshing visit from Taber Academy students Ryan O'Donald and Hudson Flynn, who told us about their experiences in pottery class at Taber. These articulate young men encouraged two of their fellow students, Blake Appleton and Matty Levesque to join us. Their art instructors, Tricia Smith and Leslie Brannigan,  joined in soon after. They offered their views on the local art scene, the Taber art curricula and the importance of the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. Once again, it was loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation. Play Arcade is "an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app, including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer, and APPLE PODCASTS  

In Episode Five, Dave Reis speaks with internationally renowned, award-winning jazz musician Greg Abate, a saxophonist, flutist, and composer. He's traveled the globe on his musical tours. After finishing his education at Berklee College Of Music in the mid-70s, Greg Abate went on to play lead alto saxophone for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years. Abate formed his group Channel One in 1978. It became a New England favorite and offered him an opportunity to play tenor sax from 1986-87 with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under the leadership of Dick Johnson. He was recently ranked number three in the Downbeat reader's poll for alto sax.  The Artist Index's jazz documentarian and Jazz Podcast Series host, Dave Reis, spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host, among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, began as our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181. He returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center. There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his ten-part Jazz Podcast Series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center. Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app, including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer, and APPLE PODCASTS

In Episode Two, Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Zachary White, the executive director of Gallery X. Zachary majored in photography and minored in printmaking while attending the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Sean and Zachary discuss the first phase of The Gallery X Documentation Project, with an agenda to scan Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents spanning 34 years. The documents include news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more. Once scanned, these records will be archived and mined for information specific to the artists who have exhibited their work or performed at New Bedford's oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery. The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community. This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community. The Artists Index offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

Welcome Peggy Call-Conley, a local artist who earned her BFA in Art Education from Southeastern Massachusetts University, today the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in 1972. Her early exposure to the arts in Boston and her solace in nature in rural Middleborough (AKA Middleboro) Massachusetts, deeply influenced her artistic journey. Peggy has spent 35 years teaching art in private and public schools while residing in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Her watercolor paintings are inspired by the natural beauty and coastal landscapes she encounters. She aims to capture the energy and tranquility of these scenes, focusing on subtle color changes, contrasting light, and the unique shapes of shadows. Her work is characterized by its ability to evoke, as she relates, "a strong sense of place and momentary harmony with nature." Peggy's artistic process involves painting on location, allowing her to authentically convey the essence of her subjects, whether it's the serene coastal views or intricate architectural details. On this podcast, Peggy Call-Conley speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey and mission to share her art and her love of teaching. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered donating.

In Episode One, Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host, Sean FitzGerald, speaks with The Artists Index co-founder, Ron Fortier, about the new Gallery X Documentation Project. It is the first phase of a larger agenda to scan Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents including news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more. The scanned documents will be archived and later mined for information specific to the artists who have had their work exhibited or who have performed at New Bedford's oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery. The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and it continues to be a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community. The eight episode podcast series supports the overall project, provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will record the discoveries made and also reach out to listeners and anyone who seeks information about a historical or contemporary artist from the creative community of the South Coast who may or may not be found in the new community digital archive dedicated solely to Gallery X. Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered making a donation.

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the fifth in our series of livestream podcasts. The October AHA! was an impromptu evening and open mic invitation to the South Coast's musicians. They came out and we all celebrated on Thursday, October 10th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Once again, our livestream podcast was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade. Our October AHA! Guests who joined us in the Living Room at Play Arcade included our musician friends and musicians we met for the first time who are now friends.  It was an embarrassment of riches. We had a blast! So much so, that we had to rotate our guests. Kat Knutsen and her Long Swan band, Mike Heffernan and Ryan Burke were there. Hendrick Hernandez - Resto was there with KT Lee and Kelly Ann Fernandes from Roots Run Wild - THERE'S MORE - Swain alum Dan Cooney and cofounder of Heavenly Spirits, our very first corporate sponsor along with his friend and now our new friend Max Wikermayer. Sean FitzGerald and The NB Rude Boys made an appearance. Christine Maiato FitzGerald, the newly elected President of Gallery X  also joined us. I hope we didn't leave anyone out. They all sat down with The Artists Index's co-founder and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their contributions to and views on the local music scene and its impact on the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. Once again, it was loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation. Play Arcade is "an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered donating or becoming a sponsor.  Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/share-support/

Welcome Elyse Laurelle Demarest, an emerging artist whose fledgling practice is based out of the Co-Creative Center in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts. Elyse lives in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts with her young son, Luke. Elyse Demarest her art business as Elyse Laurelle Artworks out of the Co-Creative Center. She paints, sells art, and teaches watercolor and acrylic classes throughout the South Coast. Her artwork is locally inspired, primarily by the area's proximity to the New England coastline and harbors Elyse Laurelle Demarest grew up in metro Detroit and moved to New England to pursue her PhD and a teaching position at the University of Rhode Island. After leaving academia and going through a divorce, she became a single mom. Elyse found a new home in the creative community of the South Coast as well as a place to pursue her art career. Elyse Demarest speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey and mission to share her art and her love of teaching. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered donating or becoming a sponsor.  Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/share-support/  

Welcome Eden Soares (Eden Nelson Brandao Soares) who is a multi-talented multimedia artist. He has worked hard to sharpen his skills and ability to quickly and accurately, as he relates, "create proofs from their visions in a professional timely manner." Eden has demonstrated his gratitude from continuous referrals and recommendations from his satisfied customers and clients. His creativity on many different levels has allowed him to, "create simple or elaborate corporate or complex designs that are eye-catching, very marketable, brand-based and strategically laid out." He gives his art (product and service) the attention it deserves with an image that reflects value, professionalism, and, most importantly, the buyer, customer, or client. Eden Soares speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his continuing journey and mission to share his art and culture. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered making a donation.  Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/  Consider donating, or becoming a sponsor.   

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the fourth in our series of livestream podcasts. The September AHA! celebrated AHA! @ 25 on Thursday, September 12th from 6 to 7:30 pm. and was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade. Our September AHA! galaxy of guests included Dave Reis, our Jazz Podcast Series podcast host, Ymelda Rivera Laxton, the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Community Projects at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, artist extraordinaire Kat Knutsen, Christina Maiato Fitz Gerald, our Gallery X Documentation Project Scanner, and the newest podcast host of our newest, soon to be premiered Gallery X Documentation Project Podcast Series, Sean FitzGerald. They all sat down with The Artists Index's co-founder and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their contributions to and views on the September AHA! theme - Aha! @ 25 and its impact on the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. Once again, it was very loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation. The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the third in our series of livestream podcasts. The September AHA! celebrated 25 years! This podcast was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade.  Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/  Consider donating, or becoming a sponsor. 

Welcome to our first cookbook author and culinary artist Milena Rodrigues, who was also, unbeknownst to me, my neighbor in Buarcos, Figueira da Foz, Portugal. Yes, a small world indeed! Milena is a first-generation American and daughter of Portuguese immigrants from Figueira da Foz. Her parents and sisters immigrated to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1966. In the early 1970s, Milena Rodrigues and her family moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Milena always stayed connected to her family's roots. She spent her summers in Portugal since the age of one. Milena Rodrigues grew up enjoying and loving everything Portuguese, including the food. However, as she states, "I am not a chef and never had any professional training in cooking. I enjoy cooking good homemade food for my loved ones." In 2013 she began sharing recipes on her Facebook page called For the Love of Portuguese Food. She had always dreamt of writing a Portuguese cuisine cookbook in English because she realized there were very few then. Milena's Facebook page marked the beginning of her writing her cookbook come true, which she published in 2017. Milena Rodrigues speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey and mission to share her culinary heritage. They also reminisce about their experiences living in Buarcos, Figueira da Foz, Portugal. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered making a donation. 

Welcome Drew (Andrew) Furtado, a South Coast Massachusetts Emmy Award-winning visual storyteller. Since 2005, Drew has produced photo, film, and web content for South Coast schools and nonprofit organizations. He currently leads the New Bedford Whaling Museum's communication and marketing efforts. Drew Furtado has transformed how the Museum reaches its potential audiences through digital platforms. Through his digital work, including films like Restart 2020, photography, and illustrated posters, he champions the positive stories of New Bedford and Fall River. Before his association with the New Bedford Whaling Museum, he spent 10 years building the media arts program at Fairhaven High School. His students have received over 30 New England and three national student production awards. Many of his students can be seen throughout the South Coast pursuing their careers in film and communications. Drew (Andrew) Furtado has a master's in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and studied at New England Institute of Technology's media arts program. Drew speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his continuing journey in photography, film, and web content. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered making a donation. 

In Episode Four, Dave Reis speaks with his friend and jazz-inspired poet Everett Hoagland, "...an inventive and highly politicized poet... driven as much by the rhythms of jazz, as it is by the cultural, psychological, and historical weight of racial division." (1) Hoagland is an emeritus professor of English at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Everett Hoagland was also the first poet laureate of New Bedford, Massachusetts (1994–1998) and is our guest on the fourth of our ten podcast episodes in The South Coast Artists Index Jazz Series hosted by Dave Reis. This first-ever series is underwritten and brought to you by Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound. Jazz podcast series host Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181 and returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center. There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new Jazz Podcast Series. Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered making a donation.

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the third in our series of livestream podcasts. The August AHA! celebrated Summer in the Seaport on Thursday, August 8th from 6 to 7:30 pm. and was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade. Our August AHA! galaxy of guests included Dena Haden, one of our first podcast guests and the Program Director for the Co-Creative Center in New Bedford, Margo Saulnier the Director of Creative Strategies and Arts-Based Initiatives at New Bedford Creative, Rhonda M. Fazio, a maker/dyer and self-described Environmental Alchemist and the owner/operator of Dyer Maker Studio and Interwoven, and Jessica Bregoli, a sculptor, artist, event planner, the Seaport Art Walk, curator, and landscaper.  They all sat down with The Artists Index's co-founder and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their contributions to and views on the August AHA! theme – Summer in the Seaport and the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast as well as the importance of Art in our lives at the local level. Once again, it was very loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation. Play Arcade is “an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food…” and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. We would love you dearly if you would consider making a donation to The Southcoast Artists Index. 

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. We would love it if you considered making a donation. 

Listen in on the Southcoast Artists Index Podcasts and read the Articles for up close, personal, and informative conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.   Enjoy the show? Consider making a donation. 

Welcome to the third of the ten podcast episodes in The South Coast Artists Index Jazz Series hosted by Dave Reis. This first-ever series is underwritten and brought to you by Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound. Jazz podcast series host Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181 and returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center. There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new Jazz Podcast Series. In Episode Three, Dave Reis speaks with his friend John Harrison, local Jazz legend, Berklee College of Music graduate, and retired professor of music at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - College of Visual & Performing Arts.  

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the second in our series of livestream podcasts. The July AHA! celebrated Kids Rule on Thursday, July 11 from 6 to 7:30 pm. and was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade, "an old-school 80's style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." Play Arcade offers over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Our July AHA! guests were Roger Andrews the originator of Sketchy GO ichie, his former student and now associate Ashlianna Felix, Tracy Furtado Chagas, and Kris Motta from Dream Out Loud Center. AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown. Roger Andrews, Ashlianna Felix, Tracy Furtado Chagas, and Kris Motta spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about kids, young people, and the importance of art in their lives. It was very loud and noisy with all of the arcade games but we still had great conversation. It was totally worth it! Roger Andrews, Ashlianna Felix, Tracy Furtado Chagas, and Kris Motta spoke with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about kids, young people, and the importance of art in their lives. It was very loud and noisy with all of the arcade games but we still had great conversation. It was totally worth it! If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community. Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

Welcome Phillip J. Mellen (Podcast Episode 61 and Podcast Episode 53. He studied fine art at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts. Phillip later went to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia in 1999. He graduated in 2003 and returned to Massachusetts in 2006. He became an active member of the South Coast's creative community. Phillip J. Mellen is an active both as a poet, and visual artist. He presently resides in Taunton, Massachusetts where he was from originally. In 2011, Phillip started Ahtcast an independent art podcast. He has interviewed many local, national, and international artists. He also exhibits his artwork locally, nationally, and internationally. Phillip's work is in private art collections in the US and internationally. He also has had his published with Anomaly Poetry and has been published in a collaborative art catalog featuring internationally recognized painter, Sabine Tress. Phillip speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, along with co-collaborator Kat Knutsen (Podcast Episode 73, Podcast Episode 131, and Podcast Episode 180) about Could Not Have Done It Without You, a 14-member collaborative poetry, music, and art project album. This episode was recorded at our home base and recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at  Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Phillip J. Mellen Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram  | Bandcamp Listen in on the Southcoast Artists Index Podcasts and read the Articles for up close, personal, and informative conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond. Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/    Consider making a donation https://theartistsindex.com/donate/ 

Live from PLAY Arcade in New Bedford on AHA! Night 06.13.24. Podcast host Ron Fortier sits down with several guests as we record our first live performance on AHA! Night.  Learn more about The Southcoast Artists Index at https://theartistsindex.com/  Love the show? Consider making a donation, we appreciate your support. https://theartistsindex.com/donate/ 

Welcome to the second of the ten podcast episodes in The South Coast Artists Index Jazz Series hosted by Dave Reis. This first-ever series is underwritten and brought to you by Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound. Jazz podcast series host Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181 and returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center. There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new Jazz Podcast Series. In Episode Two, Dave Reis speaks with his friend Neal Weiss, a Jazz aficionado, the Jazz Podcast Series Underwriter, and sponsor of the Jazz Mural in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in downtown New Bedford by Kat Knutsen. Neal Weiss is also the founder of Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound. Learn more about the Jazz Series by visiting The South Coast Artists Index.

Welcome Lindsay Mis, artist and the director of DATMA, the Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute. DATMA presents contemporary art with the convergence of design, art, and technology through exhibitions, performances, and education and engagement for all ages and cultural backgrounds in the South Coast region and beyond. It was established in 2016 and launched in 2018, DATMA was founded to enhance the evolving dynamic cultural and economic life of Southcoast Massachusetts. As an exhibitor of public art, DATMA collaborates with the business and education sectors of the region to expand public awareness, bringing new cultural assets into the mix. Lindsay speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about DATMA and its purpose and journey. This episode was recorded at our home base and recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at  Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Listen in on the Southcoast Artists Index Podcasts and read the Articles for up close, personal, and informative conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond. Please consider making a donation. 

The South Coast Artists Index Jazz Series hosted by Dave Reis is brought to you by The Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound.  On episode one Dave Reis takes a trip down memory lane and recounts the lives and careers of the artists featured on The Jazz Mural in downtown New Bedford by Kat Knutsen.  Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. That's right, he was one of the original DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became WUMD radio station, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. Learn more about the Jazz Series by visiting The South Coast Artists Index. 

Welcome clay artist/potter/ceramicist, Wendy Joy Goldsmith. She graduated with a BFA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she also graduated with a MAT (Masters of Art Education). Wendy also attended workshops at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Coastal Maine where she studied with Jack Troy and Bernadette Curran. She also has participated in various workshops at the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill in Truro, Massachusetts. Wendy Goldsmith was an art teacher at Friends Academy in Dartmouth, Massachusetts for 33 years. Her pottery is mostly hand-built.  She likes experimenting with hand-carved stamps or found objects for printing or impressing texture. Wendy strives to integrate both function and beauty into her work and her inspiration comes from nature and the interpretation from her imagination.  She has been a creator and made art since childhood. She majored in printmaking in art school but also took ceramics classes and stayed with clay, using printmaking techniques in her process. Wendy speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her art, life, and journey. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Our home base and recording studio is located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!   Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in, or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. The Artists Index is sponsored in-part by Heavenly Spirits who invite you to celebrate the art of life. Enjoy this podcast? Consider making a one-time small donation to help support our mission.

Welcome back David "Dave" Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, who was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. Dave returns once again and this time it's as the host of our first-ever podcast series. Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. That's right, he was one of the original DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became WUMD radio station, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. This podcast, Podcast Episode 187, offers a little background into an upcoming and remarkable opportunity to learn about the phenomenal, historic, and impactful jazz community with its deep roots in the Cape Verdian community of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Jazz in the South Coast is still thriving and continues to make history. Local businessman Neal Weiss, a jazz aficionado, entrepreneur, and the founder of the Fiber Optic Center is underwriting this ten-part jazz podcast series. There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new jazz podcast series. Stay tuned for The Fiber Optic Center's Jazz Podcast Series with your host Dave Reis, which launches later this month. The Artists Index wants to say thank you in advance of the series launch to the Fiber Optic Center for underwriting this series and helping us to continue our mission. We have been featuring the makers, creators, and performers of the South Coast's local arts and culture scene for quite some time, and producing podcast series has been on our list. Neal Weiss is also the sponsor of the Jazz Mural created by Kat Knutsen who has been our guest on Podcast Episode 73, Podcast Episode 131, and Podcast Episode 180. Neal is also the founder of Whaling City Sound, which Dave will tell you all about! Dave Reis has always wanted to promote Jazz musicians. WUMD signed off around noontime on a Monday in June of 2017 after 42 years of broadcasting. According to a Fall River Herald article, on “May 1, the Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of UMass Dartmouth's 9,800-watt WUMD (89.3 FM) radio license to Rhode Island Public Radio...” Jazz was and continues to be Dave's passion. He grew up in a house with Jazz musicians and taught a class with former Southcoast Learning Network. The Artists Index co-founder and host, Ron Fortier talks to Dave Reis about his new series and lots more. The Artists Index continues using Zoom and occasionally at our studio at the Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. Our home base and recording studio is at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The whole concept of The Artists Index and our journey is still in the making and very organic. If you would like to be a guest or, have a suggestion, please let us know! Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. The Artists Index is sponsored in part by Heavenly Sprits who invite you to celebrate the art of life.  Enjoy this podcast? Considering making a one time small donation to help support our mission. 

Welcome, Ymelda Rivera Laxton, the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Community Projects at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Ymelda is the newest addition to the Whaling Museum's staff.  She is a museum professional. Ymelda has worked at various cultural institutions in Washington, California, Texas, and Massachusetts. She has always been interested in cultural agency and representation in museums. As the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Community Projects, she brings her experience, love, and appreciation of community storytelling in all of its forms. Ymelda Rivera Laxton is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and credits the amazing cultural arts community there for fostering her love and enthusiasm for museums. She resides in Rhode Island with her husband, daughter, and their beagle mutt named Beemo. Ymelda speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her broad scope of experience and its importance to her new position at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Our home base and recording studio is at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index, offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community. Our In-Focus podcasts feature artists who talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community's economy, promotion, and cultural agenda. If you enjoy this podcast please consider making a donation. https://theartistsindex.com/donate/ 

Welcome Hip-Hop Artist, Trajic Montalvo (Andres Alexander Montalvo). He was born in Miami, Florida, and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts because, as he says, he was, "surrounded by death by the time I was an early teen and found a way to get through my everyday struggles and pains. Trajic fell in in love with music. He has continued to write and rap at every chance he is presented with. Today he is releasing music consistently on all platforms. He also provides music videos on YouTube & more. As of late, he has been donating clothes and merchandise from his We Attire By Trajic Montalvo (WABTM) brand at PACE (People Acting in Community Endeavors) in New Bedford, Massachusetts while hoping to be more involved with the city and the surrounding communities. Trajic's stage name is a testament to his early teenage years and is a testament to his immersion in hip-hop writing, rapping, and recording. His releases are found on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. His journey which started in adversity and has brought him to secure a space in hip-hop has been embraced by his adopted community. And although there have been challenges, his passion for music has never faltered. Trajic continues to be successful and carve out a niche in the South Coast's vibrant and expanding hip-hop scene. He was recently featured on 24HIP-HOP. Trajic speaks with The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his art, life, and journey. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests' schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.  Our home base and recording studio is located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.