The Oak Spring Podcast

What does Oak Spring mean when we say we host 'researchers'? All sorts of projects are encompassed by this title! Listen to this episode to learn about two Oak Spring researchers, Kathleen (Kat) Gutierrez and Lauren Cannady. Their projects are inspired by and utilize scholarly literature, oral histories as well as everyday conversations, and of course, the Oak Spring Library collection. Kat shares...

During this episode host Chris Stafford chats with two artists working in very specialized mediums. Goldie Poblador is an interdisicplinary artist who has been working in glass most recently. Chris and Goldie chat about Goldie's interest in glass, and the ecofeminist themes of her work. Later in the episode Chris interviews book binder, book maker, and book tool maker Brien Biedler. We hope you en...

Writers Victoria Kornick and Tess Taylor join Chris to talk about their creative writing projects. The natural world, plants, farming and gardening are all centeral to Victoria and Tess's practices, and in this episode each writer explores the roots of her interests and shares a bit about the current projects bringing them joy.  Victoria Kornick is is a writer from Virginia. Her poetry and persona...

In this episode of the Oak Spring Podcast Host Chris Stafford has conversations with Charlotte Lorick and Kandis (Kandy) Phillips about abundant bird populations at Oak Spring. Charlotte discusses Oak Spring's practices and the successes Oak Spring has had with a certain bird populations including bobolinks, kestrels and more. Kandy talks about her artist residency at Oak Spring, and the time she...

This episode focuses on the non-plant companions commonly found in gardens, namely fungi and insects.  Chris Stafford is joined by Dr. Brad Bolman, a recent Interdisciplinary Resident at Oak Spring, and Dr. Rea Manderino, Oak Spring's full-time Ecologist and Collections Specialist.  Brad's current research and forthcoming book explore the emergence of the field of mycology or the study of fungi an...

Host Chris Stafford is joined by Sir Peter Crane, the President of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, and Rachel Heslop, Senior Projects Coordinator at Oak Spring.  In separate interviews with Chris, Peter and Rachel discuss the origins of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation; some of the foundation's current projects and objectives, while also and shedding light on Mrs. Mellon's vision for the Oak Spr...

Host Chris Stafford is joined by ecologist, Michael Gaige, and artist, Elizabeth Webb. The two guests discuss their on-going projects and ways of interpreting the landscape.  Michael Gaige is an independent consulting ecologist based in upstate New York. His work explores the intersection of nature, culture, and history at the landscape level. Michael works with organizations, private landowners,...

The Oak Spring Podcast is the voice of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, Virginia. The monthly podcast discusses how the legacy of Mrs. Bunny Mellon is continued through its courses, workshops, residencies and other public events. Guests include artists, writers, scientists, researchers and alumni whose work has become an integral part of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation community. E...