Marjorie Barrick Museum Podcast

Brian Martinez, a Las Vegas artist, discusses his artistic journey, starting with a fascination with graffiti in middle school and evolving into a focus on visual art and portraiture. He aims to have a solo show every year until age 30, having already completed seven. His current work, "Cosmic Chicano," blends psychedelic thought with Chicano art, reflecting his Mexican heritage and personal experiences. Martinez's installation "Floreo" at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art features a human figure hidden behind a bouquet of flowers. His upcoming exhibition at New Woo on September 6 will include murals and individual paintings.

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art radio show featured artist Jeannie Hua discussing her work in the exhibition "Living Here," which runs from June 20, 2025, to December 20, 2025. Hua's artwork, "Meditation," uses digital video to expand mainstream narratives about the American Civil War. She emphasized the importance of being uncomfortable to grow as an artist. Hua also shared her journey from being a criminal defense attorney to pursuing an MFA at the Art Institute of Chicago, highlighting the support from her husband. She discussed her experiences at residencies and the joy of meeting fellow artists.

The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art's "Bus to Barrick" program provides free bus transportation for K-12 students from CCSD schools to the museum. The program includes tours and workshops related to current exhibitions. Davey Parks and Sara Odam, both docents, discuss their experiences guiding students through the exhibitions, emphasizing the importance of adapting to different age groups and fostering creativity. They highlight the value of engaging with students' interpretations and encouraging their artistic expression. The program aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of art by making it accessible and meaningful.

Sapira Cheuk, an ink artist influenced by her multicultural background, discussed her work and career challenges. Born in Hong Kong, she now blends traditional Chinese calligraphy with Western ink techniques to represent her immigrant experience. Cheuk shared her journey of pursuing art despite family opposition, eventually revealing her passion to them. She highlighted her current exhibition, "Transmitting Figures," at the Oaks Park Art Center and upcoming shows at CSN in 2026. Cheuk also detailed the Nevada Arts Council's grants and professional development opportunities, including a $3,000 project grant and a $5,000 fellowship. She emphasized the importance of planning and security in balancing...

In this episode, hosts Leilu Hernandez, Davey Parks, and Deanne Sole discuss the dynamic workshops and artistic opportunities offered at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, including hands-on activities like cyanotype dyeing and crochet. They highlight how these programs bring the community together, making art accessible to all, regardless of experience. The conversation delves into personal artistic journeys, the intersection of film and art, and the inspiration drawn from curating exhibitions. With a focus on inclusivity, collaboration, and creativity, the episode celebrates the museum's role in fostering a vibrant art culture in Las Vegas. 

Join host Katie B Funk in a captivating discussion with artist Krystal Ramirez, whose work is featured in the "Contemporary Ex Votos: Devotion Beyond Medium" exhibition at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art. Krystal shares her artistic journey from Las Vegas, her inspirations, and the creative processes behind her large-scale installations. She delves into the challenges of creating and transporting her intricate pieces, balancing the business and creative sides of her practice, and her aspirations for the future. Discover how her devotion to her craft is reflected in her work, blending aesthetics with deep, thought-provoking narratives. 

Dive into the vibrant world of zines with the A4 Zine Club as they discuss their passion for self-published magazines, their origins, and the diverse community surrounding them. From punk-inspired aesthetics to personal narratives, discover the creative process behind making and sharing zines, the history of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art's zine library, and where to find these unique creations in Las Vegas. Whether you're a seasoned zine-ster or a newcomer curious about this underground art form, join the conversation and explore the boundless creativity of zine culture.

Join Deanne Sole and Martin Hackett on a captivating exploration of art, food, and memory in this episode of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art radio show. Delve into the spoken word piece by artist Katie B. Funk, as Deanne reads and discusses the deeply personal themes woven into her work. From nostalgic childhood memories of nachos to the synergy between performance art and intimate spaces, discover how local artists intertwine their experiences with food, family, and storytelling. Explore the intersections of theater, visual arts, and performance as they reflect on the multifaceted nature of human expression and connection.<...

Inspired by The Emotional Show, MFA students ¡Katie B Funk! and Bailey Anderson talk about the powerful emotions that come with the practice of making art. 

In this episode we chat with Isabelle Bellinghausen, the Executive Director of Poetry Promise Inc., and the poet Charlene Stegman Moskal, one of the organization’s Teaching Artists. They talk about the importance of connecting poets to the local community. “You can really see the difference in the students after they go do a live reading because they realize, I can make a life out of this. I can become a full-time artist,” says Bellinghausen.  

In this episode we spoke with Modern Desert Markings co-curators, Katie Hoffman and Hikmet Sidney Loe. How did the exhibition begin? Who made that row of altered maps in the WorkShop Gallery? Listen in as the curators tell us more about the aims of the exhibition, outlining the role of Loe’s students and explaining the significance of Southern Nevada’s historic Land Art.

Interviewers: LeiAnn Huddleston, D.K. Sole
Interviewees: Katie Hoffman, Hikmet Sidney Loe

Modern Desert Markings: An Homage to Las Vegas Area Land Art was on view at the Marjorie Barr...

In this episode we talk to The Neon Museum’s latest artist-in-residence, Thomas Putzier, and its Arts Programs Manager, Joanne (JK) Russ. Putzier comes to Las Vegas from his home base in Minneapolis. What is it like for a Las Vegas newcomer to “experience the city through making art”? What is he planning to do with the Stardust sign? And what can he tell us about his Circle of Introspective Agency, the hot pink community engagement installation that appeared in the Marjorie Barrick Museum’s West Gallery for a single day in January?  Listen in and find out. Plus, Russ talk...

In this episode we talk about manifestations of Black connective energy with Kristina Kay Robinson and Erica Vital-Lazare. Robinson is an artist and writer based in New Orleans, while Vital-Lazare is a Las Vegas writer, scholar, and curator of exhibitions like the Barrick’s Seeing/Seen as well as the popular Obsidian and Neon: Building Black Life and Identity in Las Vegas. They’ve been working together on a new project that brings together the multimedia ethos of Robinson’s Afrofuturist creation, Republica: Temple of Color and Sound — on view at the Barrick in Notes for Tomorrow — and Vital-Lazare’s research i...

In today’s episode we talk to performance artist Yasmina Chavez and Aluminati metal caster Micah Haji-Sheikh about the legendary late Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta. Chavez and Haji-Sheikh both took part in a sequence of Mendieta-themed activities at the Barrick Museum in mid-2022. Why is an artist who died in 1985 still such an inspirational presence? How do you build your own performance around her ideas? How do you stay safe when you're handling hot liquid metal? And who are the Aluminati? Find out with us.

Interviewers: LeiAnn Huddleston, Emmanuel Muñoz

Interviewees: Yasmina Chavez, Micah Haj...

In this episode we talk about the importance of environmental mindfulness with two curators from Spirit of the Land, an exhibition that celebrated the East Mojave landscape around the sacred mountain known as Avi Kwa Ame. Spirit of the Land was on view at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art from March 25 to July 23, 2022. Kim Garrison Means and Mikayla Whitmore tell us what it was like working with rural communities to create their exhibition, how it feels when they hear people refer to their beloved desert as a wasteland, and why you should never decorate wild juniper trees with...

You may have visited the Barrick Museum before but have you met our team? In our very first episode, we introduce ourselves. Find out what it's like to work in an academic art museum, hear about our strangest phone calls, and discover who on staff is the office prankster.

Interviewer: Dan Hernandez

Interviewees: Chloe Bernardo, Paige Bockman, Lauren Dominguez, Tracy Fuentes, LeiAnn Huddleston, Alisha Kerlin, Emmanuel Muñoz, Deanne Sole.

To learn more about the museum please click the link, UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art 

Photo | Josh Hawkins/UNLV Cr...