The Scene

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...

Mark Creter sits down with Patrick Mannle, Assistant Cultural Arts Technician, and Rex Bennett, Cultural Arts Superintendent at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, to talk about the upcoming production of Lost Girl, directed by Kimberly Belflower. Patrick reflects on his lifelong connection to theater—including performing at CPAC for the first time at just three years old—and shares why the awa...

Mark Creter sits down with April Haden, the creative force behind Artsy Fartsy Paint Studio on the Byrdstown Square. Haden shares how she built a space where local artists—from woodworkers to tattoo artists—can thrive, teach, and sell their work. From pottery wheels with no time limits to portrait painting, custom crafts, photography, and upcoming specialty classes, the studio offers something for...

Mark Creter sits down with 2’Live Bre to talk about his journey from a childhood split between the church and the streets, to finding purpose and power through music. He opens up about going on tour with Jelly Roll, the challenges of being a young artist in the industry, and staying true to himself in a world that often tries to mold you. With raw honesty, Bre shares the impact he hopes to make—th...

Mark Creter sits down with local author and Silver Falchion Award finalist Sean Mitchell for a fun and insightful conversation about his lifelong love of storytelling. From typing his first short stories with one finger to finally finishing a novel 30 years in the making, Sean shares how he let go of traditional writing rules and let his characters take the lead. He dives into the art of naming ch...

In this episode, Mark Creter sits down with Bill Kerr, conductor of the Cumberland County Community Band, to talk about the group’s journey and community spirit. Since its first concert on December 10, 2000, the band has brought free, family-friendly performances to the Upper Cumberland. Bill shares his background in music education and his passion for creating programs that musicians and audience...

What do underground newspapers, teenage mischief, and creative freedom have in common? This week, Mark Creter sits down with zine publisher Dorian Hribar to dive into the bold, expressive world of fan zines. From co-editing his high school paper to launching his own zine First Of Many, Dorian shares the rebellious roots and rich history of zine culture — where self-publishing meets raw authenticit...

In this episode, Mark Creter sits down with Tom Neckvatal of the Cumberland Woodturners to explore the craft and passion behind woodturning — or as Tom simply puts it, “We make things round.” Specializing in handcrafted bowls, vases, bottle stoppers, spoons, and more, Tom shares how his journey began in a high school shop class, guided by a teacher who instilled in him the fundamentals of craftsma...

In this episode, host Mark Creter sits down with Valerie Goetz from the Roaring River Cultural Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing art and culture to Gainesboro. Valeri shares how the organization first got started and talks about the role of art in easing stress, supporting mental health, and building focus. She also introduces listeners to The Art Mart explains what it offers, and gives...

On this weeks epiode of The Scene, we get to meet Mark Cramer, the professor of clarinet at Tech. He shares how his journey as a performer first began and what drew him to music. He talks about trying out different instruments before finding his place with the clarinet, and what that learning process was like. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at how he works with his students and helps them pu...