Open Studio

In 1867, professors at the newly formed land grant university in Kentucky assembled a museum as an instructional aid for faculty teaching geology, zoology, and botany. Gradually, “curiosities” were added to the natural science holdings including paintings, garments, and weapons from various cultures. Museum curator Dr. Rachel Hooper talks with Tom about a retrospective exhibit bringing together ar...

In 2019, the regional arts organization, South Arts, launched the Southern Prize for Visual Arts program to spotlight outstanding and meaningful work by visual artists from 11 member states, which Kentucky is among them. One artist from each state was selected as a state fellow and their works were evaluated by an independent panel for consideration for the $25,000 Southern Prize. Lexington based...

Last month, the film Other Houses made its Lexington premiere at the 12 Lions Film Festival. This film was produced in Lexington and features many local cast members. Today on Open Studio Tom Musgrave goes behind the scenes with Katarina Stoykova, who has the lead role, and Thomas Sutherland, who co-directed.

This week on WUKY's Open Studio Tom Musgrave welcomes illustrator, graphic designer, comic book artist and graphic novelist Justin Stewart. He talks about his superhero origin story with art, the challenges of the kind of storytelling that he does, and what makes Kentucky such a good setting for these stories.

2026 is the 50th anniversary for the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts and Tom welcomes back Mark Shanda, Dean of the college, to talk about how it plans to celebrate this milestone, as well as how the college has evolved in five decades and where it's going from here.

Woodford Theatre's third and final weekend of Footloose runs October 2nd through the 4th. Executive Artistic Director Daniel Ellis joins Tom to talk about this show and the rest of the season.

An exhibit that explores visual art as a mode of spirituality is opening September 18th at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington. Co-curator Melissa Bright joins Tom Musgrave to talk about this free exhibit, which is part of Lexington Art League's Gallery Hop.

This week on WUKY's Open Studio, Tom Musgrave gets a preview of this year's Festival Latino de Lexington from organizers Francie Chassen-Lopez and Betty Abdmishani of the Foundation for Latina American Culture and Arts which puts on the festival in cooperation with Lexington Parks and Recreation.

Saturday's From the Front Porch Jazz series in Lexington's East End represents a homecoming for Michael Cruse. In addition to being an accomplished jazz musician, arranger, composer and educator, Michael is also a jazz at Lincoln Center performing artist and a headliner at Dizzy's club in New York city. He's also collaborated with Wynton Marsalis among others. In this week's Open Studio, Tom Musgr...

This week on WUKY's Open Studio, Tom Musgrave talks with Lyric Theatre executive director Christian Adair about the history and mission of the venue as well as a number of upcoming community events.

With a new school year upon us we're revisiting a conversation Tom Musgrave recently had with Austin Vahle, the Arts Magnet Coordinator & Curriculum Coach for the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Harrison Elementary. It's a dynamic, lottery-based magnet school where creativity, collaboration, and academic excellence thrive. VPAA offers a full spectrum of arts programming, including band, danc...

The Lexington Art League's annual Woodland Art Fair is one of Central Kentucky's largest free cultural events; with food and drink, musical performances throughout the weekend, and nearly 200 of the nation's finest artists. This year's event, August 15 &16, marks the fair's 50th anniversary. Tom Musgrave gets a preview from LAL assistant director Faville Donahue.

This week on WUKY's Open Studio Tom talks with Soreyda Begley, the new president of Casa De La Cultura Kentucky. The local arts group helps U.S. born Hispanic and Latino children connect with their ancestry and culture through workshops, dance performances and other community-wide events. Begley says priority 1 and 1a includes finding a permanent headquarters for the organization.

This week on WUKY's Open Studio, Tom welcomes in Lexington native and newly minted Pulitzer prize winning feature photographer Jahi Chikwendiu. He talks about his early days at the Herald Leader and his now 25 year career at the Washington Post. Jahi was named winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Photography for a powerful series of images he made for the Post last year.

GreenRoom Exchange creates international cross-cultural experiences, bringing artists and musicians from other countries to work with local artists, expanding our understanding of their cultures, enriching our community. Co-founder Lee Carroll joins Tom to talk about the program’s upcoming event 'Windows to the World' featuring Zach Brock and Vishnu R from India on July 26 at the Apiary.

This week on Open Studio WUKY membership and marketing director, Robert Hansel joins Tom to talk about the mission behind the WUKY Gallery; including how the station goes about recruiting local artists for the space.

Tom's guests this week are Lucy Jones, founder of the Harry Dean Stanton Fest, which is July 10th through 12th in Lexington, and multiple award-winning actress, Sean Young, joining in over Zoom, who is part of the roster of guests coming to town to celebrate Kentucky native and acclaimed actor Harry Dean Stanton.

When the Lexington Philharmonic takes the stage next Friday for its annual patriotic concert celebrating Independence Day, it will be opening its 65th season here in central Kentucky. Tom Musgrave welcomes newly re-signed music director and conductor, Melisse Brunet, and executive director, Brooke Raby, for a preview of coming attractions.

Rachel Shane, department chair and professor of arts administration in the UK College of Fine Arts, has received the 2026 William B. Sturgill Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to graduate education at the University of Kentucky. She talks about the various programs on offer with host Tom Musgrave.

A Lexington musical tradition is opening one week from tonight. Produced by University of Kentucky Opera Theater, It's a Grand Night for Singing is Kentucky's longest running Broadway review. And it's running from next Friday June 12th through Sunday June 21st at the Singletary Center for the Arts on UK's campus. Tom Musgrave talks with Dr. Tedrin Blair-Lindsay, a member of the UK Opera Theater fa...

Dr. Gary Anderson, is wrapping up 35 years as the founding conductor and musical director for the Lexington Chamber Chorale. He talks about his long musical journey and previews what's scheduled to be his final concert as leader of the choral group on Sunday June 7 at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate.

Brittany J. Green closed out her season as composer in residence with the Lexington Philharmonic. Prior to the world premiere of a new work “Black Dandelions” featuring the poems of Crystal Wilkinson, she talked with Tom Musgrave about her experiences and future career goals.

The University of Kentucky School of Music closed its academic year in grand fashion with a Celebration Weekend at Singletary Center for the Arts. It also marked the final concert for longtime choral activities director Jefferson Johnson who will retire this June. He talks about arriving at UK in 1995 and the maturation of the choral program over that span. Johnson says he plans to continue as art...

For more than 87 years, Lexington Children’s Theatre has been a safe, inspiring home for young people and families. To continue serving the Commonwealth, their historic home of 25 years on Short Street needs critical updates. This week on Open Studio Tom Musgrave talks with LCT Development Director Ashlee Collins to talk about their long history and new 'Building Dreams' capital campaign in honor...

The Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Harrison Elementary is a dynamic, lottery-based magnet school where creativity, collaboration, and academic excellence thrive. The program, now in its second year, offers a full spectrum of arts programming, including band, dance, music, orchestra, theatre as well as digital art forms. Tom Musgrave talks with Arts Magnet Coordinator & Curriculum Coach Aust...