The Art of It All

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you…without a dope beat to step to! (Word to Timbaland!) But I'm so glad to be back and to get things started, I'm kicking it solo. On this week's episode you'll hear a little bit about what you can expect from the show going forward. I also share my perspective on the recent defunding and dismantling of federal arts, cultural, and education agencies. To close, I leave listeners (and myself!) with a few questions around the art we create and how it reflects the world around us. Read below to visit the sources referenced throughout the episode, and other resources. Update: Senior leaders and other employees, including all ten directors who oversee grants across various disciplines of the arts, left the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) the week of May 5th, 2025. Read more here:Protect My Public MediaInside Harvard's lawsuit against the Trump administration : NPRTrump signs executive actions on education, including efforts to rein in DEITrump sets sights on national African American history museumUrge Congress to Save IMLS and NEH (For museums, staff, and board members)Arts Directors Exit the National Endowment for the Arts  Follow the show on IG at @theartofitallshow and follow the host at @dariasimoneharper! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe. Sharing an episode with a friend never hurts either;)

Welcome back to another episode of The Art of It All! This week, I caught up with phenomenal artist and educator Melly about her journey from social justice activism and organizing to her role as a pop star practicing what she calls 'artivism'. We also dig into her personal ethos of championing Black queer feminist futures and chat about the message behind her powerful debut single titled 'Dirty Girl'. Thanks for tuning in! Follow host @dariasimoneharper  on IG and the show at @theartofitallpod! Check out Melly's Instagram and website!  STREAM MELLY'S DEBUT SINGLE 'DIRTY GIRL' HERE! Read additional coverage on the 'Dirty Girl' release via Outfront Magazine. View Melly's video, 'Exodus,' which we discussed throughout this episode! This conversation was recorded on June 15th, 2022, ahead of the release of 'Dirty Girl' on August 26th, 2022.

Welcome back to The Art of It All! On this week's episode, I caught up with multimedia artist Audrey Lyall about her background in fashion design, and the inspiration behind her fabulous mixed media paintings, from early 2000s style trends, to the beauty supply store. We also discussed how her paintings explore different beauty traditions from around the globe, and how she's been able to create her own world through her artistic practice. Thanks for tuning in! Check out Audrey's Instagram and website!  Want to check out the articles we mentioned this week? Read them here:A New Generation of Black Women and Nonbinary Gallerists by Jasmin Hernandez for ArtsyThe New Bend Nods to Gee's Bend but Strays From Quilting by yours truly for Hyperallergic Also a big shoutout to Phillip Collins x Good Black Art, who we! This conversation was recorded on March 3rd, 2022.

Welcome back to The Art of It All! This week's episode is a throwback to an interview I had a few months back with the incredibly talented painter Jewel Ham. We discussed some of the influences and messages behind Jewel's captivating paintings, as well as her debut solo curatorial project called Wrist Game, and more!Follow Jewel Ham on Instagram at @whateverjewel. Fun fact, Jewel is represented by our previous guest, Cierra Britton Gallery (@cierrabrittongallery)!Check out her collaboration with Good Black Art via their Instagram; there's a still a limited number of works available for purchase.Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @dariasimoneharper!Thanks for tuning in! *This episode was recorded on 08/05/2021*

Thanks for tuning in to this week's episode, featuring art curator, advisor, and gallery director, Cierra Britton! Follow Cierra on Instagram at @vivalacie and her gallery at @cierrabrittongallery! Check out the Cierra Britton Gallery website for more info, and donate to the Cierra Britton Gallery fundraising campaign. Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @dariasimoneharper! 

Thanks for tuning in this week! Follow Polly Irungu on Instagram at @pollyirungu and on Twitter at @pollyirungu! Follow Black Women Photographers on Instagram at @blackwomenphotographers, and check out the website here! Click here for more info about the first annual Black Women Photographers Grant Fund. Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @dariasimoneharper! This conversation was recorded on June 18th, 2021.

Thanks for tuning in! Follow Basil Kincaid on Instagram at @basilkincaid and check out his website here!Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @harpisbazaar!

Thanks for tuning in! Follow Jasmin Hernandez on Instagram at @gallerygurls. And check out the Gallery Gurls website!Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @harpisbazaar!

Follow Ariel Dannielle on Instagram at @byaridannielle. And check out more of her work on her website!Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @harpisbazaar!

Follow Antwaun Sargent on Instagram at @sirsargent, and on Twitter at @sirsargent.Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @harpisbazaar!This conversation was recorded on March 08th, 2021.

Follow Lauren Jackson Harris on Instagram at @ljacksonharris and follow her org at @blackwomeninvisualart!Follow host Daria Simone Harper for show updates and more at @harpisbazaar!

Welcome to “The Art of It All,” a new podcast about art, culture, and identity. Join host Daria Simone Harper each episode for conversation with emerging and established artists and cultural workers of color who are setting the standard in their industries. Stay tuned!