For this bonus episode officially ending Season 1 of the AW Classroom podcast, curator Kiara Cristina Ventura interviews artist Luis Santana for a discussion around his current solo exhibition, "As Time Stood Still," currently at the Mynt Gallery in Chelsea, NY till February 16th, 2022. Here, they speak about photography work in the NFT world, the process behind Santana's work, and his journey in combining the practices art and photography.    “As Time Stood Still,” curated by Luis Santana...

For the 20th episode of AW CLASSROOM podcast, we covered the NADA Miami 2021 art fair where we interviewed various artists and galleries about the works they are presenting. In order, we chatted with Danny Baez of Regular Normal Gallery, artist Melissa Joseph, artist Jeffery Meris with Fragment gallery, Dominique Clayton of Dominique Gallery, artist Amber Ahmad with Tone Gallery, Anthony Akinbola with False Flag Gallery, Chela Mitchell of Chela Mitchell Gallery, Graham Wilson of Swivel...

This 19th episode of AW CLASSROOM features an artist talk in tandem with our past August 2021 virtual exhibition, "Cocinando," led by the curator Kiara Cristina Ventura. This episode was recorded in August 2021 & features 4 of the artists included in the show: Cielo Felix Hernandez, Emmanuel Massillon, Estelle Maisonett, and Nicole Bello. Thinking of the kitchen as a space of gathering, cooking, experimenting, connecting and so on, the "Cocinando" exhibition relates the kitchen to the...

For the 18th episode of AW CLASSROOM, curator Kiara Cristina Ventura interviews artist TJ Shin about how they use their practices in science and art to speak on colonialism, the body, queerness, and identity. TJ Shin is a Canadian-Korean artist living and working in Los Angeles, California. Shin explores the porousness of bodily boundaries and the ceaseless movement of living processes, like fermentation, echoing the history of colonialism. They are interested in the history of conquest and...

For the 17th episode of AW CLASSROOM, we virtually sat with artist Khari Johnson Ricks and discussed what it means to have a multidisciplinary practice where one practice informs and supports another. In the interview, Khari speaks to the power of his work and practices being rooted in love, community, relationships, the body, and of course, Jersey Club dance and music.    _________________________   In his own words, here's a bit about artist Khari Johnson Ricks:   "I am an artist and DJ...

For the 16th episode of AW CLASSROOM, we virtually sat with curator Claire Kim and discussed what it means to navigate the art world with care and intention. In the interview, Kim breaks down highlights from her current exhibition, Un/Common Proximity, which is showing at James Cohan gallery NYC till August 13, 2021. The group show is a result of her recent fellowship with NXTHVN where she worked alongside all the artist residency fellows. More info on this exhibition here:...

For the 15th episode of AW CLASSROOM, Kiara Cristina Ventura interviews multidisciplinary artist and musician, Albany Andaluz. In the interview, Andaluz speaks about her identities and cultural backgrounds and how they result in multidimensional artworks. She also speaks on her nomadic experience moving to Mexico during the pandemic. Now temporarily based Dominican Republic, the artist ends the interview with an exclusive art performance just for us here at AW!  *FYI there are roosters in...

For the 14th episode of AW CLASSROOM, AW intern Abe Centeno interviews Bronx artist and educator, Sofie Vasquez. In the interview, Sofie talks about her journey being an artist from The Bronx, how she developed her skills, and also her part time practice in photographing the NYC wrestling scene.     .....    Sofie Vasquez (b. 1998) is an Ecuadorian documentary photographer born and raised in The Bronx, New York.  Her work has been featured in The New York Times and has been exhibited with...

For this special Vday drop, we are releasing a lovely interview with artist Aya Brown where we talk about her practice and how she paints and draws Black Women she loves. And we also discuss her love for Mary J. Blidge of course.   Aya Brown (b. 1995) is a Black and Japanese artist who was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Brown’s artistic practice is focused on documenting unseen people, with an emphasis on bringing visibility to queer Black and brown women. She’s always sought to...

For the 12th episode of AW CLASSROOM, we interview Jamaican-Canadian artist Tau Lewis about her self-taught journey and how she intentionally creates doll-like sculptures to embody spirit and connect to her ancestors.    Tau Lewis (b. 1993, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) employs arduous methods such as hand sewing, carving, and assemblage to build intricate sculptural portraits and quilts. A self-taught artist, her practice is rooted in healing personal, collective, and historical traumas through...

Today on AW CLASSROOM we center Carrie Mae Weems, "The Kitchen Table Series," 1990 and this work is important in the history of contemporary art, especially in the world of photography. Throughout the decades, Weems highlights and uplifts the narratives of black women in America.   The notes for this episode were wonderfully put together by AW intern, Abe Centeno.   AW CLASSROOM is a series of talks and art history classes highlighting the work of artists and creatives of color. Find out...

For the 10th episode of AW CLASSROOM, we center David Hammons' work "Bliz-aard Ball Sale," Cooper Square, New York, 1983.  The notes for this episode were wonderfully put together by AW intern, Abe Centeno. To see the full notes, research, and images for this episode, become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/ARTSYWINDOW. AW CLASSROOM is a series of talks and art history classes highlighting the work of artists and creatives of color. Find out more at ARTSYWINDOW.COM.   To support our...

For the 9th episode of AW Classroom, founder of AW, Kiara Cristina Ventura, takes us through works by artist Dread Scott. Particularly, we dive into how he changed US Law and uses the flag as a medium to make a statement about the historical foundation of the US and the overall discrimination against the black community within the US. AW CLASSROOM is a series of talks and art history classes highlighting the work of artists and creatives of color. Find out more at ARTSYWINDOW.COM. To...

For the 8th episode of AW Classroom, we talk to young art historian and curator Antoine Girard.   Arts professional and a cultural strategist, Antoine Girard is passionate about the arts and social change. Professional and scholarly interests include black visual culture, and inclusive engagement strategies. He earned his B.A. in Art History from Howard University. He began his work in the museum field working with The Broad and CAAM and most recently The Underground Museum.  His work in the...

Digital Space as Safe Space Panel Talk - Hosted by Latinx Project at NYU.   For this episode of AW CLASSROOM we feature the recording of the official Cyber Healing virtual panel talk led by founder of AW and curator Kiara Cristina Ventura joined by featured artists Florencia Escudero, Moréna Espiritual, Chloe Piñero, Gina Goico, and Catherine Feliz. The conversation centers around the featured works in the exhibition, how the digital world has informed their work, and served as a safe space...

Mel Luna and AW Founder, Kiara Cristina Ventura, sat down in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at Larissa De Jesús Negrón ‘s solo exhibition "Moving On" 2020 to talk about artistic process, abstraction of identity, and her unique journey.   Melanie Luna (IG: @ohmeluna ) is a young Dominican conceptual artist who is working with the figure in a unique way —stripping the figure of their skin thus stripping them of certain parts of their identity. She is constantly thinking of meshing the worlds between...

For the episode #5 of AW CLASSROOM, we virtually sit with curator and founder of the Mare Residency, Tiffany Auttrianna Ward, who focuses her work on artists of the African Diaspora and those of marginalized communities.   To support our podcast and the work we do, please donate to us at artsywindow.com and click the "donate" tab. Much love! Read here to learn more about our guest:  Tiffany Auttrianna Ward is an independent curator and cultural producer based between Baltimore and New...

For this episode of AW CLASSROOM, we talk to art advisor Chela Mitchell about her journey and how young artists of color can navigate their art market. She also gives advice to young art collectors and sheds light how the art market functions.    Chela Mitchell is an art advisor and founder based in New York who has extensive knowledge of the emerging contemporary art market. She has a deep appreciation of the industry, mainly supporting black and brown artists. She provides art advisory...

AW CLASSROOM PODCAST: INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST XIME IZQUIERDO UGAZ   For this episode, we talk to artist Xime Izquierdo Ugaz about their online archive, "se que fue así porque estuve allí," a commissioned project of El Museo's, ESTAMOS BIEN- LA TRIENAL 20/21. The digital archive expands on the artist’s ongoing series of photo portraits of their queer chosen family and features over forty images accompanied by text and audio testimonies. Along with talking about their journey, Ugaz also shares...

AW CLASSROOM PODCAST: INTERVIEW WITH LARRY OSSEI MENSAH For this episode, we are diving into Larry Ossei-Mensah’s curatorial journey and perspective on supporting artists early in their careers. Larry shares his eye for art and his advice for young artists. Larry Ossei-Mensah uses contemporary art as a vehicle to redefine how we see ourselves and the world around us. The Ghanaian-American curator and cultural critic has organized exhibitions and programs at commercial and nonprofit...

ARTSYWINDOW is pleased to present our first AW CLASSROOM Podcast episode featuring artist Eilen Itzel Mena where she talk to AW Founder, Kiara Cristina Ventura, about her upcoming solo exhibition in LA, how she navigates herself and her unique artistic practice that deeply involves spirituality.   Check out her solo her solo exhibition:  Inner Eye: Alignment, Perfection, Completion August 8, 2020 to September 5, 2020   Informed by abstract expressionism, surrealism, and practices within the...