Creative Cafe

This week on Creative Café on WKZO, Kristen Chesak sits down with Reverend Millard Southern III—pastor of historic Allen Chapel AME Church, accomplished trumpeter, scholar, and community leader. Together they discuss the powerful connection between music, faith, democracy, and community, including Rev. Southern’s work bringing world-class cultural experiences to Kalamazoo such as a recent appearan...

Dive into the underwater world with Kalamazoo artist Jean Stevens on this week’s Creative Café! Inspired by more than 30 years of diving and snorkeling, Jean’s vibrant coral reef paintings capture the mystery, beauty, and wonder of life beneath the surface. Jean joins Kristen to talk about her current exhibition in the Arts Council’s Westin Gallery, how travel and nature have shaped her work, and...

Meet the new leader of Fontana Chamber Arts! On this week’s Creative Café , Kristen Chesak welcomes internationally acclaimed pianist and educator Sophié van der Westhuizen, Fontana’s new Executive and Artistic Director. Hear about Sophié’s journey as a performer and educator, what drew her to Fontana, her vision for the organization’s next chapter, and what audiences can look forward to in the ex...

This week on Creative Café, Kristen Chesak sits down with Marvinetta Woodley-Penn to discuss a series of community screenings of the award-winning documentary Natchez . The film explores Natchez, Mississippi, a community shaped by the cotton trade and slavery that today relies heavily on antebellum tourism. Marvinetta shares why she brought the film to Kalamazoo and how the screenings and communit...

This week on Creative Café, Kristen Chesak sits down with Phoebe of Fauna Stitch, a licensed taxidermist, sculptor, and mixed-media artist whose work blends nature's whimsical and macabre sides. Phoebe shares how she first discovered taxidermy, how the craft influences her artwork, and how sustainably sourced natural elements, thrifted finds, and foraged materials become part of her creations...

This week on Creative Café , Kristen Chesak previews September Art Hop and the special Art on the Vine celebration with Devon Yeider, aka Dev iLL, Jucari Ivens, aka ZootMando, and Art Hop Director Kim Shaw. Hear about the artists bringing their creativity to the Vine Neighborhood, the businesses that make the district unique, and the return of the Salvador Troli , helping Art Hoppers explore stops...

On this week's Creative Café , Kristen Chesak talks with Emma Master of the Edison Neighborhood Association, residency facilitator Sabine Ledieu, and participating artist Stacy Koviak-Davison of Psoma Designs about the Edison Market Gallery Artist Residency. Supported through an Arts Fund of Kalamazoo County grant, the residency brings artists and neighborhood residents together to create pub...

This week on Creative Café , Kristen Chesak welcomes Kim Shaw , and Tim Culver for a conversation about the Otsego Jazz Ensemble , one of southwest Michigan's longest-running community big bands. Learn how the ensemble has been bringing musicians together for nearly 40 years, what audiences can expect from their August 23 Concerts in the Park performance, and why this group continues to delig...

Who inspires our arts community? Who deserves to be recognized for the impact they've made? Join Kristen Chesak on the next Creative Café as she welcomes 2025 Community Medal of Arts recipient Brad Wong and Jeremy Koch of Farmers Alley Theatre , who accepted the 2025 Epic Award on the theatre's behalf. Having both nominated others and been honored themselves, Brad and Jeremy share why re...

Join us for a fascinating conversation about Survival of the Species , an upcoming exhibition opening August 7 at the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Artist Randy Walker, curator Linda Rzoska, and Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw will discuss the powerful imagery behind the exhibition, its exploration of environmental themes, and a unique collaboration with Photosynthesis Community poets...

Join host Kristen Chesak for a conversation with mixed media artist MtnWoman Silver and Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw. After relocating to Kalamazoo from Oklahoma City, Silver found more than a new place to paint—she found a creative community through Kalamazoo Art Hop and her Artist in Residence program at Kalamazoo City Centre. Hear the story behind her first live Art Hop painting, The...

We welcome acclaimed soprano Svetlana Stone to share the story behind her debut classical album, My Favorite Things . Learn how an Arts Council KADI grant helped bring this ambitious multilingual recording project to life, hear about the creative journey from concept to completion, and get a preview of what's next as the album prepares for release. Join us for an inspiring conversation celebr...

We celebrate the 40th Black Arts Festival with special guest Janine Seals, Executive Director of the Black Arts & Cultural Center. Learn about the festival's rich history, its impact on our community, and what you can experience at this year's celebration in Bronson Park. Whether you're a longtime attendee or planning your first visit, you won't want to miss this conversati...

This week, Kristen Chesak welcomes acclaimed Kalamazoo photographer Fran Dwight and Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw for a preview of July Art Hop. Hear Fran share stories from her decades behind the camera, learn about her upcoming exhibition in the Westin Gallery, and get the inside scoop on what to expect during Art Hop's Continuum-themed celebration of creativity. Originally aired...

Join Arts Council Programs Director Kim Shaw and new Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Amy Williams as they discuss this year's celebration in Bronson Park, featuring a two hour concert by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, family activities, food and beverages, and a spectacular drone show more than a year in the making. Don't miss this conversation about music, community,...

Listen to Brad Jensen, Sandra Shaw, and Danny Lopez as they share the story behind one of Southwest Michigan's favorite jazz ensembles, talk about the enduring appeal of big band music, and give us a preview of their upcoming Concerts in the Park performance. Originally aired on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in  Kalamazoo, MI.  Creative Cafe is a program of the...

Today on Creative Café, we welcome Maya James, artist, author, and founder of A Black Artist’s Path , a creative development ecosystem supporting Black artists in building sustainable and liberated careers. We talk about the vision behind the program, an upcoming Mackinac Island residency, and The BAP Collection , a powerful traveling exhibition bringing this work to life through art, film, and co...

Kristen Chesak and Kim Shaw of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo talked with Val Birch, Carolyn Fink, and Kaitlin Gotcher - artists involved in this year's Art on the Mall Festival.  We discussed the uniqueness of presenting artwork outside, the challenges of weather, and the sense of community created by participating in an open-air festival.  Originally aired on Saturday, June 6 at 8 am...

This week on Creative Café, we preview Art on the Mall as it celebrates its 40th anniversary in downtown Kalamazoo. Hear from Kim Shaw of the Arts Council and Jennifer Prenkert Hudson of Sounds of the Zoo as they share what to expect from this vibrant, artist-filled weekend. From a diverse lineup of regional artists to live music throughout the day, discover why this free community event continues...

On this episode, Kristen Chesak sits down with Reverend Millard Southern III—pastor of historic Allen Chapel AME Church, accomplished trumpeter, scholar, and community leader. Together they discuss the powerful connection between music, faith, democracy, and community, including Rev. Southern’s work bringing world class cultural experiences to Kalamazoo such as a recent appearance by jazz legend W...

This week on Creative Café on WKZO, Kristen Chesak welcomes back purpose driven hip hop artist Slym Beno along with Kalamazoo DJ, host, and entertainment entrepreneur DJ Certified. Together, they discuss the power of creativity to inspire change through two exciting initiatives: Bars for a Cause: A Mic for Meals Initiative at Glow Hall, a benefit concert supporting local meal programs and raising...

On this episode we welcome Garrett Jones, the new Executive Director of the Stulberg International String Competition. A seasoned arts leader and accomplished musician, Garrett shares his journey to Kalamazoo, what excites him about leading one of the world’s premier string competitions, and how this year’s event is shaping up. We will also take you inside the competition itself, including what au...

This week on Creative Café, we’re joined by Christopher Keener, owner of Glow Hall in downtown Kalamazoo, a new all-ages space for music, art, and creative community. From group singing to live shows and youth programs, discover how Glow Hall is bringing people together through creativity. Originally aired on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Creati...

This week on Creative Café, we sit down with Kalamazoo-based artist, architect, and salon owner Drue McPherson. We explore his thesis work, House, Human, Home , and the powerful ideas behind his Pinkwashing project, examining how identity, storytelling, and design shape the spaces we live in. Originally aired on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 8 am on WKZO 590 AM and 106.9 FM. Creative Cafe is a progr...

This week on Creative Café, we continue our conversation with Drue McPherson and are joined by Kim Shaw from the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Learn more about the Lavender Home Project and get a preview of Drue’s upcoming exhibition in the Westin Gallery during the May Art Hop, themed PLAY. Originally aired on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 8 am on WKZO 590 Am and 106.9 FM Creative Cafe is a pr...