Pop of Culture

This week, we speak with Barrett Smith from Steep Canyon Rangers ahead of their performance at the Muncie Three Trails Music Series. He tells us what it's like as a touring musician, and why the band decided to release a live album. Also in this episode: local musician Jess Jones talks about his songwriting career and performs a set in the IPR studios; and we have the next meeting of our Book Club...

This week, we take you behind the scenes of the David Owsley Museum of Art's annual Art in Bloom event. We'll talk to three of the florists interpreting artwork for this year's event: Sharon Grubbs (Foister's Flowers & Gifts), Marnie Tupling (Wasson Nursery), and Julie Harman Vance (Buck Creek in Bloom). We'll also get the full lineup of this year's Muncie Three Trails Music Series from series...

This week, a bouquet of artistic options: we talk to Kelly McVey, cofounder and Executive Director of the Indiana Peony Festival—coming up Saturday 5/17; we have an extended conversation with Jason Kindred and Tommy Miller from Void King about their new concept album; and we'll ask retired educator Vernon Bedel, "What Are You Working On?"

This week we learn about stained glass (artist and business owner Erica Markley), we hear a new single (returning musician Dana Powell), and we ask multimedia artist Lynette Whitesell about what she’s working on!

This week we talk to the creator of the viral series "Beautiful Luxurious Muncie™." The delightful Stevie Hahn tells us how his character Ray Toffer came to be, what his creative process is like, and how he feels about his portrayal of Muncie. Also in this episode: Nancy Carlson reflects on a documentary she executive produced 25 years ago, we listen to a "Beautiful Thing," and assemblage artist S...

This week, we spring back into our archives with some of our favorite plant-themed interviews! We visit Cat Dyeak at her greenhouse to learn about the art of Bonsai, PBS creator and host of "Life in Bloom" tell us about his life in the flower trade, and Anne Maddox gives us the details on her incredibly detailed ecosystem paintings.

This week, we talk Tiny Desk: Fort Wayne band SUN.DYLE shares the song they entered into the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest, and NPR's Anamaria Sayre gives us details on the new Tiny Desk Radio! We'll also ask furniture artist Connie Beaty to take us through her process, and we'll listen back to our interview with Indy 500 winner's wreath florist Julie Harman Vance.

This week, we sit down with visiting artist Justin Favela, who tells us about why he started covering cars and buildings like piñatas. Also in this show: we take you to the floor of the Indiana Artisan Marketplace to check in with the artists representing East Central Indiana, Thomas Ouellette reports on a new exhibit put together by—and celebrating—women, and we get up-to-date with all the events...

In this encore edition of Pop of Culture, we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews: crime fiction novelist Lori Rader-Day joins us to talk about her process (or lack thereof) and where her ideas come from; Tracy Burns is a rug hooker making detailed works with fiber; and Dana Powell is a Canadian musician now residing Indiana who shares tracks from her debut album.

This week, we talk to the team responsible for creating "Groove," a dance performance at the intersection of West African traditional dance and hip hop. Professors Jenn Meckley and Emmanuel Cudjoe explain how they work with their dancers and what they hope the audience takes away. Then, in our continuing Conversations Between the Coasts, founder and CEO of Discovering Broadway Joel Kirk explains w...

This week, we step behind the camera with photographer Ronn Brown; he's guest-curated a selection of photographs at the David Owsley Museum of Art. We'll ask about how his career in Hollywood led him back to Muncie, how he approaches a photography session, and some of his favorite photos in the DOMA collection. Also in this episode: the Indianapolis Public Library celebrates African American artis...

This week, we learn about bookbinding from Rai Peterson. She expounds on her love of paper and how bronze metals made their way into her covers! Also in this episode: internationally renowned banjo player and producer Alison Brown gives us news on her album with Steve Martin (she'll play Pruis Hall on March 8), woodturner Dennis Whitted explains how the piece of wood he's working on tells him what...

This week, artists at the peak of their craft: the Ball State Studio Band sneaks us into rehearsal as they prep for gigs around East Central Indiana, NPR's Linda Holmes tells us about her latest novel "Back After This," Sally and Lyn Fierce bring their songwriting skills to the "The Songwriter Sessions" at First Thursday in Muncie, and arts educator Carol Burt talks about what she's working on in...

Pop of Culture is off this week, but not before we catch up with our co-host Jen Blackmer. Jen is directing "POTUS" in Strother Theatre at Ball State University, and she gives us insight into the process of meeting a tense political moment with humor. Then, we'll hear our interview with trucker and musician Long Haul, recorded before the release of his new album last year.

It's another action-packed week! Local musician Jerry Barker joins us to share original music (and talk about building the confidence to perform that music for others). Tracy Burns explains the art of rug hooking (and brings examples). And we meet Carly Acree-King, Executive Director of MadJax Maker Force in Muncie (and learn what's inside their building).

It's Pop of Culture's 50th episode! This week, we peek behind the Tiny Desk: NPR producer Bobby Carter gives us last-minute details on the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest. Sculptor and professor Michael Lorsung takes us on a tour of his recent exhibit. We step inside a Muncie greenhouse to learn about the art of bonsai from Cat Dyeak. And we speak to one of the stars from Muncie Civic Theatre's production...

This week, we sit down for an extended conversation with Ann Johnson, owner of former Muncie arts business F.B. Fogg. She talks about what "Fogg" meant to her and the East Central Indiana artist community, and what she hopes to see in that community moving forward. We'll also speak to retired Muncie Public Library Director Akilah Nosakhere, who's starting a new community gathering spot on the east...

This week, we're listening back to some of our favorite interviews from last season. Silk painter and business owner Carrie Wright talks to us about how she grew her business and lessons she learned along the way. Muralist Holly Sims explains how she goes from concept to color on a wall. And John Morris brings some of his work to our studio to answer the question, "What Are You Working On?"

This week, we're joined by the delightful J Schwanke, PBS host of "Life in Bloom." He tells us how he was born to be a florist, why everyone should pick up flowers at the grocery store, and why he brought his show to Muncie! We also talk to musician Dana Powell about the effort it took to create her new debut feature-length album "Your Love Is Enough."

It's a new season of Pop of Culture from IPR! We're starting off by visiting the largest planetarium (by dome height) in the state of Indiana: the Charles W. Brown Planetarium in Muncie! Planetarium Director Dayna Thompson takes us behind the control panel to demonstrate how they put on a show for 20,000 visitors a year. We'll also talk to an avid volunteer about cultural opportunities in East Cen...

Pop of Culture explores the vibrant cultural tapestry of East Central Indiana. Join hosts Jennifer Blackmer, Michelle Kinsey, and Dr. Kara Duquette as they delve into regional arts, showcase local events, and engage in insightful conversations with artists and curators. From small business spotlights to in-depth art analyses, Pop of Culture aims to amplify the voices of Indiana's artistic communit...