The Art Colony

Phil Jimenez, a celebrated comic book artist, shares his artistic journey and the influence of Provincetown on his work. Phil discusses his early inspirations from TV shows, comic books, and his dedication to breaking into the industry through comic conventions and persistent networking. He highlights major projects, including working on iconic characters like Wonder Woman and the X-Men, and trans...

This week, we interview Roddy Bottum, and explores topics such as Roddy's journey in 1980s and 1990s rock, his experiences with addiction and coming out as gay, and his new book which reflects his life and the cultural landscape of San Francisco during that era. They discuss his move to Provincetown, the magic of the town, and his ongoing musical projects. 

Action, Activism, and Performance with Jay Critchley

The Birthplace of American Theater with David Drake

Gaston interviews Sian Robertson, a distinct artist known for her unique style of cutting intricate designs out of maps. 

Comedian Kristen Becker shares her journey and experiences in the world of comedy and activism. Kristen discusses her roots in Buffalo, New York, and her career progression through comedy, including her start in Toronto and extensive tours in the Deep South. She recounts her move to Provincetown, the significance of queer representation in comedy, and her efforts to promote diverse voices through...

This week, Gaston talks to musician, singer, actor, all-around great guy, Jonathan Richardson. We more learn about his journey toward becoming a musician, and his arrival in Provincetown in the 2010s. In the second half of the interview, they talk at length about Jonathan’s new musical, “The Jack of Hearts Club,” which premiered to great acclaim at the Provincetown Theater in the fall of 2025, and...

In this episode, We interview Beth Faherty, an artist residing in Provincetown. Beth shares her story of moving from North Carolina to Nantucket and eventually settling in Provincetown. We discuss Beth's transition from writing to painting, her love for bright and joyful artwork, and how the loss of her twin brother influenced her artistic journey. Beth also talks about her experience at the Commo...

Grace Hopkins discusses the history and proliferation of art galleries in Provincetown. She shares insights about her father, an abstract expressionist painter and his unconventional methods in curating art shows. She recounts memorable incidents at HCE Gallery, including controversial exhibitions and humorous anecdotes such as an artist cutting out all works but his own. The discussion also touch...

In this episode of the Art Colony, Gaston interviews Regina Binder about her work in uncovering forgotten artists in Provincetown. Regina, who has lived in Provincetown for over 40 years, shares her efforts in expanding the definition of historical significance to include marginalized artists, particularly those from the LGBTQ community. She highlights her projects, including documenting dune shac...

Gaston and guest, Jim Bokker, discuss various off-season art activities, such as art classes, theater productions, and ongoing exhibitions like the Blanche Lazzell retrospective at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM). The conversation dives deep into Lzzell's life and work, particularly her contribution to the Provincetown Print and white-line woodblock printing. Jim Bocker provides...

Gavin Kennedy discusses his passion for the Fine Arts Work Center and his mission to connect contemporary emerging artists with collectors. He highlights the importance of contemporary art in fostering understanding, empathy, and storytelling. Kennedy appreciates the supportive nature of the current generation of emerging artists and believes that crises bring more art to the forefront.

In this episode, we discuss the development and achievements of drag artist Johnny Pirroni, also known as Delta Miles. Johnny  shares stories from his early career, his breakthrough in the drag scene, and the inspiration behind his performances. The dialogue delves into the challenges and rewards of a drag performance career, the differences between Provincetown and Puerto Vallarta audiences,...

Lesley Marchessault, Executive Director of The Commons, discusses the impact of The Commons on the artistic community in Provincetown. She reflects on her personal journey into art, starting from a childhood fascination with Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini portrait to her permanent move to Provincetown. The Commons serves as a collaborative and supportive space for diverse artists, fostering growth and i...

In this conversation, artist and scientist Mark Adams reflects on his journey in Provincetown, describing how his scientific background influences his art. He emphasizes the importance of observation in understanding nature, the role of poison ivy in dune ecology, and the community's response to the AIDS crisis. Mark teaches art by focusing on observation and the experience of nature, rather than...

In this episode of the Art Colony podcast, Gaston  speaks with Anastasia Egeli about her family's multi-generational artistic legacy in Provincetown. Anastasia shares her experiences growing up in an art-centric community, her family's association with notable artists, and the pressures and blessings of belonging to a renowned artistic family. She also reflects on her personal journey to find...

Gaston and guest, Jef Hall-Flavin, a theater director and researcher, discuss the rich history of Tennessee Williams in Provincetown. The conversation covers Williams' visits throughout the 1940s, his influential works such as 'The Glass Menagerie' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' and various legendary anecdotes, debunking myths about his time in Provincetown. They highlight the role of Provincetow...

In this episode of The Art Colony, Gaston talks with Sharon Polli, Executive Director of the Fine Arts Work Center (FAWC), as she opens up about her journey from working in arts and culture in New York City to her current role, leading an internationally renowned artist residency program that has been operating since 1968 on a historically significant site dating back to 1914. The conversation cov...

In this episode of the Art Colony podcast,  Gaston  interviews artist and portrait instructor Glenna Hartwell. Glenna shares her rich experiences and knowledge about the historical tradition of portrait making in Provincetown. Highlighting her journey from painting portraits on the streets in the 1970s to teaching at the Cape School of Art, Glenna discusses the influence of Henry Henchey...

In this episode of the Art Colony podcast, we talk about the art school that started it all, the one that put the Provincetown Art Colony on the map. Host Gaston Lacombe welcomes Rob Longley, artist, instructor, and board member of the Cape School of Art. Together they discuss the history and impact of the Cape Cod School of Art in Provincetown, founded by Charles Hawthorne in 1899, and its succes...

In this episode of The Art Colony , Gaston explores the artistry of drag with Jeffrey Robison, better known as Varla Jean Merman — one of Provincetown’s most celebrated performers. Far beyond wigs and sequins, drag in Provincetown draws on theater, music, comedy, costuming, and cabaret, forming a multidisciplinary art practice that has shaped the town’s identity for decades. Varla traces the evolu...

In this episode of The Art Colony , host Gaston Lacombe sits down with Laura Shabott, a pivotal figure in Provincetown’s contemporary art scene whose career has spanned three decades of creating, educating, and shaping the town’s creative identity. From her first job in a gallery to working and teaching in some of the town's most iconic art spaces.  Laura and Gaston get to "nerd out" about th...

In this episode of The Art Colony , host Gaston sits down with Christine McCarthy, CEO of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), for a lively and deeply personal conversation about the institution’s storied past, vibrant present, and ambitious future. From its founding in 1914 to its role as “the anchor of the Provincetown arts community,” Christine shares how the museum has preserved...

In this episode of The Art Colony , host Gaston  sits down with Michelle Axelson, owner of Provincetown’s legendary Womencrafts—a feminist and queer bookstore, art space, and community hub that has held its ground on Commercial Street for nearly fifty years. Michelle shares the store’s roots in the second-wave feminist movement, its enduring commitment to women’s and queer representation, and the...

In the debut episode of The Art Colony , Gaston sets the stage for a journey through Provincetown’s rich and colorful art legacy. As the oldest continuous art colony in the United States, Provincetown has drawn generations of artists, writers, performers, and visionaries seeking inspiration and reinvention at the tip of Cape Cod. Gaston shares a sweeping overview of the town’s transformation—from...