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Bangor's Alternative

Small City Big Arts

Small City Big Arts text over photo of downtown Bangor

Small City Big Arts is a series highlighting hardworking, talented artists in the greater Bangor Area produced and hosted by the New England School of Communications at Husson University.

Have a suggestion on who we should talk with next? We welcome your suggestions via email at whsn@husson.edu

Episode 16: Penobscot Theatre Company
Episode 15: Top Of The Nine
Episode 14: James Graham
Episode 13: Some Theatre Company
Episode 12: Zeraph Dylan Moore
Episode 11: Amanda Coburn
Episode 10: the Gratitude Flag Project
Episode 9: Rebecca Krupke
Episode 8: Launchpad
Episode 7: Jay Cochran
Episode 6: Thomas School of Dance
Episode 5: Kathi Smith
Episode 4: Sarah Walker Caron
Episode 3: Robinson Ballet
Episode 2: Zillman Art Museum
Episode 1: Bangor Symphony Orchestra

Episode 16: Penobscot Theatre Company

November 21st, 2020: When live events stopped, Penobscot Theatre Company brainstormed ideas on how to keep the spirit of live theatre alive in a whole new arena. With their 2020-2021 “Digitus Theatrum” season, the cast and crew at the historic Bangor Opera House have created unique online experiences that bring familiar faces (and some new ones) into your home.

Penobscot Theatre Company's Digitus Theatrum logo.
Small City Big Arts – Penobscot Theatre Company – November 21, 2020

Episode 15: Top Of The Nine

October 24th, 2020: An art gallery? An event space? An online venue for artists to showcase their work? Top Of The Nine, located in downtown Bangor is all those things and more.

photo of building front /  marquee for Top Of The Nine in downtown Bangor
Small City Big Arts – Top Of The Nine – October 24, 2020

Episode 14: James Graham

October 17th, 2020: In Aberrations and Apparitions, Maine author James Graham has published a collection of his stories that takes looks at Maine and Maine people through an eerie and fantastical lens.

Author James Graham
Small City Big Arts – James Graham – October 17th, 2020

Episode 13: Some Theatre Company

October 10th, 2020: Some Theatre Company has made a name for themselves in the Bangor for their unique and offbeat shows. With new pandemic safety measures in place they have returned to live performances in their new location in the Bangor Mall.

Small City Big Arts – Some Theatre Company – October 10, 2020

Episode 12: Zeraph Dylan Moore

June 20th, 2020: Mixed-media artist Zeraph Dylan Moore with with paint, canvas, fabric, and more to create stunning works that evoke industrial decay, archaeological artifacts, and processes of geologic change.

Works by Zeraph Dylan Moore
Small City Big Arts – Zeraph Dylan Moore – June 20, 2020

Episode 11: Amanda Coburn

June 6th, 2020: From enameling to cloisonné to even working with a crow foot, Amanda Coburn has been making custom jewelry pieces in the Bangor area for years in her studio space at Maine Jewelry & Art on Harlow street in Bangor.

3 pieces of jewelry art by Amanda Coburn.
works by Amanda Coburn
Small City Big Arts – Amanda Coburn – June 6, 2020

Episode 10: the Gratitude Flag Project

May 30th, 2020: While socially distancing, Bangor area artist and teacher Susan Bryand took her love of arts to the street…literally. Hear about the Gratitude Flag Project; what inspired it and how more than 100 others people are participating in showing their own gratitude while making art at the same time.

Gratitude Flag Project - Blue flag with project name
Small City Big Arts – the Gratitude Flag Project – May 30, 2020

Episode 9: Rebecca Krupke

May 9th, 2020: Rebecca Krupke’s art has been show in numerous exhibits and she’s painted from the US to Canada, to Venice, Italy. The Bangor area painter shares her passions, what she teachers her students, and how anyone can create art.

painting of old house roof
Painting by Rebecca Krupke
Small City Big Arts – Rebecca Kruple – May 9, 2020

Episode 8: Launchpad

May 2nd, 2020: What is an “Arts Incubator” anyways? We find out as we talk with Josh Gass and Meg Shorette of Launchpad, the Bangor area arts incubator behind events at Bangor Arts Exchange and the Grand, All Roads Music Festival, and more.

Launchpad logo of lightbulb taking off.
Small City Big Arts – Launchpad – May 2, 2020

Episode 7: Jay Cochran

April 25th, 2020: Some artists paint on canvas, while others use the human body. Mark Nason talks with Bangor area tattoo artist Jay Cochran about what inspires him and how he works with clients to bring their ideas to life.

tattoo of Deadpool's hand and Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet recreating the Run the Jewels logo
Tattoo by Jay Cochran
Small City Big Arts – Jay Cochran – April 25, 2020

Episode 6: Thomas School of Dance

April 18th, 2020: Kerilyn Kwiatkowski speaks with Cassie Pillsbury of Thomas School of Dance about their classes, events, and their new location on Union Street in Bangor.

Small City Big Arts – Thomas School of Dance – April 18, 2020

Episode 5: Kathi Smith

April 11th, 2020: Ryan Mains chats with artist and Husson University Assistant Professor Kathi Smith about Smith’s works, her own artistic practice, and her influences as a painter.

Kathi Smith standing in front of one of her paintings
Artist Kathi Smith
Small City Big Arts – Kathi Smith – April 11, 2020

Episode 4: Sarah Walker Caron

April 4th, 2020: Mikayla Rhodes speaks with published author Sarah Walker Caron to talk about her cookbooks, cooking, and how her dishes go from idea to published recipes.

Mikayla Rhodes speaks with Sarah Walker Caron
Small City Big Arts – Sarah Walker Caron – April 4, 2020

Episode 3: Robinson Ballet

March 28th, 2020: Kerilyn Kwiatkowski talks with Stevie McGary, Artistic Director for Robinson Ballet about the company’s work in bringing arts to the greater Bangor area and beyond through performances, classes, and more

Robinson Ballet dancer in studio
Robinson Ballet photo by Andrew Foster
Small City Big Arts – Robinson Ballet – March 28, 2020

Episode 2: Zillman Art Museum

March 21st, 2020: Ryan Mains sits down with Kat Johnson, Senior Museum Educator and Marketing Manager at the Zillman Art Museum (formerly the University of Maine Museum of Art). Learn about the museum’s exhibits, events, and how anyone can enjoy the art at their downtown Bangor location.

Photo of University of Maine Museum of Art entrance.
Small City Big Arts – University of Maine Museum of Art – March 21, 2020

Episode 1: Bangor Symphony Orchestra

March 15th, 2020: Nick Langile speaks with Brian Hinrichs, Executive Director for the Bangor Symphony Orchestra on the symphony’s events, direction, and plans for the future.

Nick Langile speaking with Brian Hinrichs of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra in the WHSN studios.
Nick Langile speaking with Brian Hinrichs of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra
Small City Big Arts – Bangor Symphony Orchestra – March 15, 2020