The Scene

On this episode of The Scene podcast, Carol Ventura joins the show talking about her Craft History book and the non-profit organization Art and Craft Studio and Home. She speaks on where the inspiration to begin the non-profit came from, and the variety of arts & crafts classes they hold. As well as speaking on her non-profit organization, she also goes into detail on tapestry crochet and her back...

Aesthetically pleasing yet still useful is the name of the game for functional pottery! On this episode of The Scene podcast, Mark Creter is joined by Kelsey Smith of High Low Studios to discuss a variety of topics relating to functional pottery. She explains how she found her passion for educating others on the world of pottery, and how that passion transformed into her business High Low Studios....

Joe Clark, James Alder and Jennifer Dodson-Creter joins Mark to bring a new theater production company among other things into public discussion for the first time! They discuss this, along with including their current collaboration on Stravinsky's ballet "Right of Spring", which will be performed at the Cookeville Children's Theater June 25-27th. Tune in to learn more about theater production, St...

On this episode of The Scene podcast, Mark Creter is joined by Charles Long and the Oklahoma cast! They discuss the upcoming play 'Oklahoma', highlighting the choice that went into picking Oklahoma and all of the hard work that went into preparing the play. Get in depth with the characters and story, as well as learning about the exciting upcoming event that's been brewing for a long time. Shows b...

On this episode of The Scene podcast, Mark Creter is joined by special guest Isabel Cohen. She dives into her journey from Germany to the Upper Cumberland, and how art helped push that journey into fruition for her. In addition to detailing her journey from Germany to the UC, Cohen also shines a light on her artistic journey. She details the inspiration behind her artistic endeavors over the years...

On this episode of The Scene, Mark Creter is joined by guests Larry Newgent and Hayden Mattingly as they discuss the upcoming Community Sings Dylan Event. They dive into Bob Dylan’s catalogue of music, highlighting their favorite time periods and sounds from the artist. Additionally, they share information about the upcoming event happening on June 1st at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center and...

Mark sits down with George Peckinbaugh٫ founder of Wind Chimes By George٫ discussing his journey into creating wind chimes and all the intricacies needed to make them and their iconic sounds. He shares how he found a passion in such a unique craft, and how he plans to move forward with the endeavor. George also highlights his past, sharing his inspiring story that ultimately lead to him finding hi...

In this episode of The Scene, Mark Creter sits down with musician and producer duo Alicia and Don Archer to explore Alicia’s journey into music—from picking up her first guitar at 16 to finding inspiration in artists like Jewel, Whitney Houston, and Ella Fitzgerald. Alicia shares her deeply personal creative process, her love of poetry, and how songwriting often flows onto the page in a matter of...

In this episode, Mark sits down with Rick Brown of Wooden Treasures TN to explore how a late start in woodturning grew into a passion-driven craft. Rick shares how he taught himself using a lathe and online resources, eventually showcasing his work at local pop-up events. He reflects on the influence of his grandfather, the beauty found within natural wood grain, and why he chooses reclaimed wood...

In this episode, Mark Creter sits down with Gale Latuszek of Art By Gale to explore how art became both a passion and a path to healing. After years working in animal care and facing significant health challenges, Gale found comfort in painting—starting with a neighbor’s dog and growing into deeply personal pet portraits, many of which serve as meaningful memorials. She shares how emotion shapes h...

From science to sawdust, this artist found her passion in an unexpected place! Mark sits down with Alexandra Mavrikis, a resident artist at the Craft Center, as she reflects on her two-year journey and what comes next as her residency winds down. From building her first (not-so-perfect) table in Los Angeles to running a restoration business, Alexandra shares how woodworking completely reshaped her...

Fast-paced comedy, big personalities, and nonstop chaos—this show brings the laughs! Mark Creter sits down with Eleni Fragopoulos, director of Rumors at Tennessee Tech’s Backdoor Playhouse, to talk about bringing this high-energy production to life. From her journey into theater to balancing roles as a director, actress, and teacher, Eleni shares the passion behind her work and what makes this cas...

For 28 years, the Appalachian Center for Craft has thrown open its doors — and this is the ONE day you can see this incredible campus in all of its glory! Mark chats with the talented Ashley Lusietto about the 28th Annual Celebration of Craft, her love of puppetry, and how art can tackle serious topics while keeping things lighthearted and powerful. From live demos and performances to galleries, f...

What started as a few local musicians gathering on a farm has grown into one of the most unique music festivals in the Upper Cumberland region. Carter Muncy, operations manager for Hippie Jack's Music Festival, joins the show to share the story behind the event and how it all began with founder Jack photographing artists across Appalachia. Those connections eventually led to jam sessions on the fa...

Voice instructor Diane Pulte from Tennessee Tech’s School of Music joins us to talk about why teaching and mentorship mean so much to her—and why she loves the students and colleagues she works alongside every day. From growing up in a house full of music in 1970s Ohio to earning her doctorate at The Ohio State University and juggling multiple adjunct roles before landing in Cookeville, Diane shar...

What started as a retirement dream has turned into one of the most inspiring musical groups on the Cumberland Plateau! Mark Creter sits down with Dana Beal, founder and executive director of the Plateau Women’s Chorus, now nearly 60 voices strong and spanning ages 15 to 82. Dana shares how her lifelong career in teaching and vocal music helped shape the chorus and its wide-ranging sound, from Cold...

Mark Creter sits down with Troy D. Smith—local author, Tennessee Tech history professor, and former student of Mark's—for a conversation that traces Troy’s unexpected path to becoming a published writer. From waxing floors at a K-Mart in Tullahoma and reading westerns on slow shifts, to discovering that words captured his imagination better than art, Troy shares how his voice took shape. He talks...

Hidden right here in the Upper Cumberland is a place where clay, creativity, and community collide. Mark sits down with Jim Wysolmierski from the Appalachian Center for Craft to talk about curating exhibits, teaching intro to art, and the powerful journey that shaped his thesis and artistic voice. Plus, get the scoop on what’s happening now at the Dogwood Gallery and why the Craft Center is a true...

Voice instructor Diane Pulte from Tennessee Tech’s School of Music joins us to talk about why teaching and mentorship mean so much to her—and why she loves the students and colleagues she works alongside every day. From growing up in a house full of music in 1970s Ohio to earning her doctorate at The Ohio State University and juggling multiple adjunct roles before landing in Cookeville, Diane shar...

Megan Mertsock of Good Neighbors Community Theatre takes listeners inside a vibrant community theatre that’s connecting audiences across multiple counties. She shares her lifelong passion for theatre, highlights upcoming productions like the musical The Little Mermaid in April, and discusses exciting initiatives such as Coffee and Conversations, school partnerships for set design, and artisan craf...

Mark Creter sits down with the team behind the production of Our House, including director Prudence Van Aalten, along with Hannah Rockensock, Chris Margraves, Kendall Smith, and Landon Plemons. They share what it’s been like bringing this show to life and the work that goes on behind the scenes. Prudence also talks about her experience directing and what makes Our House such a special production....

Mark Creter sits down with Gus Creter, reporter and managing editor of the Tennessee Tech Oracle. Gus talks about getting his start in journalism in high school, his long-running music column, and what it’s like leading a student newsroom. He also shares why he believes this is an important time for quality journalism and what that means for the future of reporting. Listen To The Scene Podcast Tod...

Looking to tap into your creative side? This weekend on The Scene, Mark Creter sits down with Mary Mae Smith, owner of Art Jam in Cookeville. In this conversation, you'll find out why art isn’t about being perfect—it’s about finding yourself. Mary also highlights some upcoming events that she will be taking part in. From chocolate festivals to painting with Highland cows, this conversation proves...

Mark Creter sits down with Laurie Crawford, retired teacher and fourth-generation farmer, to talk about her new children’s book Hope On the Farm. Inspired by her own granddaughter’s visits to their Tennessee dairy farm, Laurie brings real farm life to the page just as she once brought stories to life for her students. She shares how the book came together—from collaborating with her illustrator to...

Mark Creter talks with Angela Witzell from Dogwood Exchange, a unique retreat center that has evolved from a retail shop into a creative getaway focused on the arts. Angela shares how discovering art during a difficult season—sparked by her grandmother’s quilting—opened the door to exploring nearly every style she could get her hands on. She highlights the retreat’s flexible offerings, from overni...