If you’re a longtime listener of our podcast, you already know NOT REAL ART strives to make art accessible to everyone—not just a privileged few. Today’s guest shares a similar mission: As the co-founder of ...
Podcast Episodes
Hear Artists tell their stories

WRDSMTH: The Street Artist Diving Into the Unknown [Podcast]
If you’ve spent any time in Los Angeles, you’re probably familiar with WRDSMTH. The street artist’s iconic stencil of a typewriter cranking out pages of inspirational text is almost as ubiquitous as the city’s traffic. ...
Victor Gonzalez of GRØSS Magazine: How To Stretch Your Resources [Podcast]
If you start an art publication from scratch with virtually no capital, prepare to get creative with your time and resources. Today’s guest, Victor Gonzalez, founded GRØSS Magazine fresh out of college with a gleam ...
Filmmaker Badir McCleary’s ‘Remote’: Making Public Art Accessible [Podcast]
Remote, Badir McCleary’s video series on public art, opens with an ambitious statement from the L.A.-based filmmaker: “In a world full of vibrant creativity and captivating stories, there are secrets waiting to be uncovered. From ...
Meet Alice, Mirror Artist: Reflecting Your Dreams at Burning Man 2023 [Podcast]
As you read this sentence, Black Rock City is preparing to welcome Burners home for another year of jaw-dropping art and all-night dancing in the desert. That’s right, Burning Man 2023 is upon us! To ...
Andrew Hosner of Thinkspace Projects: Spreading The New Contemporary Art Movement [Podcast]
Known for its emphasis on figuration, surrealism, and pop culture, the New Contemporary Art movement has roots in the irreverent, high-energy counterculture of the ‘90s. Largely self-supported and community-driven, the movement has slowly taken shape ...
NOT REAL ART 2022 Grant Winner Kiley Ames: Fragments of Perception [Podcast]
Our individual and collective histories are composed of fragments—bits of information we piece together in different ways. According to former professional athlete, multidisciplinary artist, and NOT REAL ART 2022 grant winner Kiley Ames, these fragments ...
‘The Art of Making It’ Film Review: How the Art World Lost Its Soul [Podcast]
Did you know that the US government spends just $5 per person per year on the arts? Or that over 50 countries have a Department or Ministry of Culture, but the US doesn’t? In fact, ...
Tex Hammond: Discovering Your Artistic Vision [Podcast]
It’s been said one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Today’s podcast guest, emerging artist Tex Hammond, transforms discarded items like wood, glass, Styrofoam, and cardboard into stunning works of art. “I want to learn how ...
Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq: Harnessing Creativity for Positive Social Change [Podcast]
What’s the best way to spark meaningful social transformation? Today’s guest, Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq, believes he has an answer: “If you are looking at social justice or equity or the environment, [creativity and empathy are ...
NOT REAL ART 2022 Grant Winner Jo-Ann Morgan: The Fiber Artist Paying Tribute to Victims of Violence [Podcast]
Some artists are rebels at heart. Today’s guest, Jo-Ann Morgan, found her inner iconoclast as professor emeritus of African American studies and art history at Western Illinois University. Jo-Ann is also a professional fiber artist ...
Badir McCleary: The Consultant Creating Opportunities for Artists To Be Seen [Podcast]
Some people are problem-solvers by nature. With 15 years of experience in the tech industry and a background in art business, today’s guest, Badir McCleary, knows how to fix nearly any problem the art world ...
Mary Lai: What It Means To Unlock Your Dreams [Podcast]
Pablo Picasso once said, “Everything you can imagine is real.” While the imagination is a powerful—and necessary—tool for artists, today’s guest believes success takes more than simply having a dream; it requires a solid game ...
Michael Massenburg: The Activist Who Believes ‘Artists Are the Voice of the People’ [Podcast]
If you’re a regular listener of the NOT REAL ART podcast, you’ll probably agree that art can educate, provoke thought, and elicit a wide range of emotions. Today’s guest believes that as long as an ...
NOT REAL ART 2022 Grant Winner Ellamaria Foley-Ray: ‘Come Home’ to Your Creativity [Podcast]
One essential trait that differentiates us from animals is creativity—you could say it’s what makes us human. Today’s podcast guest believes creativity not only cultivates connection, better health, and critical thinking but can also “help ...