The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
The Truth In This Art with Rob Lee Each week, Rob Lee sits down with artists, cultural leaders, and community builders to get straight to the point: how their work shapes people and places. Recorded in Baltimore but tuned in worldwide, the show cuts through buzzwords and PR fluff to share clear, practical insights on creativity, identity, and impact. With 800‑plus episodes in the archive, expect sharp questions, honest answers, and real stories that show why art—and the people behind it—matter. Subscribe for fresh conversations that connect local voices to global ideas and leave you seeing culture in a new light. If you're seeking genuine conversations about art, social impact, and the stories behind influential work – from painting and music to activism and community building – join the community. Subscribe now to The Truth in This Art: it's more than a podcast, it's a vital connection, linking diverse cultural perspectives from around the world. Connect with us at @truthinthisart for updates and more.
Episodes
Baltimore’s own DJ and producer James Nasty returns to share how stepping away from substances sparked new clarity, how he built Ecstatic Dance Baltimore into an inclusive, sober dance movement, and why guiding crowds through music remains his driving passion—from late-night club sets to substance-free floors.
- Finding clarity through sobriety: how stepping away from alcohol renewed his love for DJing and sharpened his c...
Abstract neurographic artist Ayiana Viviana shares how reconnecting with Puerto Rico, battling inner struggles, and choosing self-trust transformed her art—and her life—with new courage, clarity, and creative depth.
- How a return to Puerto Rico—and a visit to an Indigenous site—recharged her spirit and creativity
- Neurographic art as emotional release: painting through pain, grief, and unseen feelings
- Listening to the secon...
Contemporary figurative painter Xenia Gray unpacks how post-Soviet Siberia, spiritual retreats, and life in D.C. converge in canvases that pulse with raw feeling.
- Growing up in 1990s Siberia—creating a protective “shell” and turning to art for what words couldn’t say
- Finding her visual voice later in life: mixed media, unseen faces, and the recent pivot to vivid greens
- Camino de Santiago, Vipassana silence, and yoga—how p...
Founder and director Tony Gittens returns with the inside story of steering the Washington DC International Film Festival—now in its 39th year—through last-minute venue shake-ups, budget poker with distributors, and a mission that never changes: bring global cinema to everyone in the nation’s capital.
- Losing a flagship theater six weeks out—and the scramble to secure a new home without busting the budget
- Balancing buzz t...
Visual artist Alexi Abi returns to talk new work, new influences, and what it takes to stay visible in Washington’s competitive arts scene.
- How her Lebanese heritage and years in the Caribbean shape today’s bold color fields
- Building momentum since her last visit—grants, gallery shows, and a pivot toward larger canvases
- Balancing three lanes: studio practice, teaching, and arts advocacy
- Tips for navigating D.C. galleries a...
Designer Jerrill Sankey (formerly “Creative King”) returns to talk evolution—name change, sharper focus, and bigger ambitions.
- 90s music videos and Vogue tear‑outs that still shape his color and form
- Turning a one‑man label into Jerrill Sankey Headwear—process, pricing, perseverance
- Artistry × craft: why materials and fit matter as much as concept
- Reading today’s fashion scene—trends to skip, moves that last
Co‑Executive Director Ariel Shelton returns to map out how CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia functions as a co‑op for creatives—and why that matters right now.
- From co‑founding Arts Administrators of Color Network to leading CultureWorks
- Turning fiscal sponsorship, shared services, and workspace into real‑world leverage for artists
- Lessons Philly can steal (and avoid) from Detroit and D.C. cultural scenes
- Honest talk on na...
President & CEO Chad Helton lays out how Baltimore’s flagship public‑library system is reinventing itself for a 21st‑century city.
- Small‑town roots to big‑city stacks—what shaped his collaborative leadership style
- Building a “library for everyone”: equity, free access, and programs that change lives
- Community engagement that goes beyond books—tech hubs, social‑service partners, street‑level outreach
- Roadblocks (funding...
Founder & editor-in-chief Natasha Magino is back to break down how The Vibe Room spotlights under-represented DMV talent—and why the new art-book series is her biggest swing yet.
- From frustration to platform: launching The Vibe Room in 2017 on a $35K salary and a lot of grit
- Bouncing back after the pandemic valley—re-growing the team and pulling 200-person turnouts again
- The art-book pivot: fewer essays, more visuals,...
Chicago-raised, Baltimore-based Terry Thompson returns to chart the evolution from his “Alien Conversations” dreamscapes to a bold new series of vein-laced canvases—while still dropping four-hour house sets on Europe’s airwaves.
- Mixing oils, collage, and heavy black “veins” that pump energy through his latest figures
- How military structure (and DJ crate-digging) keep the studio schedule razor-sharp
- Bouncing between 12-pai...
In this episode of The Truth in This Art, I welcome back Baltimore-based sculptor Sebastian Martorana. We discuss the evolution of his career over the past few years, including his work on notable projects like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in DC and carvings at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Sebastian shares how these experiences have shaped his artistic process and the tools and techniques he uses. We als...
On this episode of The Truth In This Art, I'm excited to share my conversation with Philippa Pham Hughes, a social sculptor, educator, speaker, and writer who designs spaces for honest conversations across political, social, and cultural differences. We explore Philippa's work and her approach to fostering meaningful connections, drawing from the arts and humanities to create these spaces.
We explore Philippa's journey i...
In this episode of The Truth in This Art, I welcome back creative entrepreneur Melissa Hunter Davis to the podcast. Melissa is the founder of Sugarcane magazine, a Black art and culture media company known for its commitment to recognizing Black culture's global influence and the rise of Black visual art, music, dance, design, and literature.
We explore Melissa's journey as a creative entrepreneur and the vision behind Suga...
On this episode of The Truth In This Art, I'm excited to share my conversation with Lex Marie, a DC-based multidisciplinary artist whose powerful work I've been eager to explore for years. Lex creates compelling paintings, sculptures, and installations that reflect personal experiences and deeply resonate with the African diaspora, often using everyday and reclaimed materials.
We explore Lex's creative process, from her ...
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I welcome Roxanne Sauriol Hauenherm, a self-taught Montreal-based artist whose captivating paintings of female figures have garnered international recognition. We explore her journey as a self-made artist and single mother, discovering how the birth of her daughter ignited her passion for painting and became the driving force behind her career. Roxanne shares her meticulous artisti...
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I chat with media personality and author LaDawn Black. We discuss her journey from Baltimore's airwaves to New York's legendary WBLS, highlighting her expertise in building engaged audiences through radio and beyond. LaDawn shares insights into her successful writing career, including her top-selling relationship guides and her award-nominated novel, emphasizing the importance of a...
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, we explore the heart of Baltimore's art community with Martha Robichaud, a passionate art educator and the driving force behind Meander Art Bar, a vital art space Baltimore. Discover how Martha cultivates a thriving creative community Baltimore through accessible art Baltimore and impactful community art projects Baltimore. We delve into her unique journey, from growing up immersed...
In this episode of The Truth In This Art, I welcome back Alex Madaus, an entrepreneur and visionary dedicated to bringing the healing power of nature indoors. Alex is a biophilic interior decorator and biophilic designer, and the owner of Cultivated Studios,, a Baltimore-based biophilic design studio located right here in Baltimore.
We explore Alex's impactful work, examining the world of biophilic interior decoration and b...
In this episode of The Truth in This Art: Run It Back, I welcome back mixed media artist Caitlin Gill to the podcast. Caitlin is the Exhibition and Program Director at Maryland Art Place (MAP) and a member of the all-female arts collective Gossip Girl Collective.
We delve into Caitlin's artistic practice, which explores themes of patriarchy, gender, and the invisibility of female labor through thought-provoking sculptures a...
On this episode of The Truth in This Art, I welcome 2024 RAMW Pastry Chef of the Year, Rochelle Cooper, from The Duck and The Peach, La Collina, and more. We start with her story, looking at her early kitchen memories and the moments that made her want to work in pastry after culinary school. Then, we talk about how she creates, discussing how memories and childhood flavors inspire her desserts. Next, we look at her daily ...
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