FolkArtwork and Friends is the brainchild of Adam Oestreich, who started an Instagram account years ago and is now curating self-taught art exhibits across the country. This podcast is a deep dive into some of my favorite folk, outsider, visionary, and self-taught artists, and a conversation with some of my friends in the field about how they got their start, which artists inspire them, and which roadside attractions their children went to kicking and screaming but actually loved.
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Mini-sode: Back to school with Dismas Hill
Episode 14
Monday, August 24, 2026 • Duration 40:52
I'm back at school! And there's no better way to kick that off than catching up with one of my favorite former students, Dismas Hill. We chatted about school during a pandemic, growing pains in high school and becoming more mature, prison art, as well as some of our favorite action films of all time, like "Hobo With a Shotgun".
Be sure to come see FolkArtwork Collective in real life at Mainframe Studios on Friday, September 4th for "First Friday" from 5pm-7pm.
Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
Chapters
(00:00:02) - Back to School
(00:02:00) - Folk Artwork in Friends
(00:03:16) - Folk Artwork & Friends: Dismas Hill
(00:04:55) - How I Learned To Love My Students
(00:07:21) - A lot of my art was made in prison
(00:09:42) - "The Punch" in Art class
(00:13:38) - Grow Up: One Thing I'll Never Forget
(00:15:43) - Teaching Recruitment
(00:19:29) - Tubi Film Review
(00:21:20) - Brawl on Cell Block 99
(00:25:33) - Steve Harris on Heist Movies
(00:27:56) - Nicholas Cage on His Face Off
(00:31:41) - Is The Goonies PG-13?
(00:33:46) - A Chat With My Former Students
(00:37:41) - Folk Artwork & Friends: A Year in the Life
13: Affsoongar makes powerful art during war
Episode 13
Friday, August 7, 2026 • Duration 51:06
Iranian self-taught artist Affsoongar joins in conversation from Tehran, Iran, to talk about outsider art inspiring her to make art after dropping out of architectural school, growing up in Iran, not seeing strong female heroes, making art during war, and the bittersweet emotions of having artwork at the Outsider Art Fair but not being able to enjoy it due to living in a digital blackout.
Support Affsoongar by following her on Instagram @affs00ngar, buying digital prints of her work, and spreading her story far and wide.
Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
12: "Narrow" Larry Harris + Art Environments
Episode 12
Friday, July 17, 2026 • Duration 01:01:13
In the twelfth episode of the FolkArtwork and Friends podcast, I talk to my good friend and art environment extraordinaire, "Narrow" Larry Harris. I can't remember the first time I met Larry, but I've been going to his website, narrowlarry.com, for years as he has been documenting, scouring maps and encyclopedias, and more to find any and every art environment possible in the United States.
We talk about how his work as an architect influenced his love for these self-taught environments, including his visits to The Orange Show and Watts Towers, which led him to build a replica of the towers, now housed in the collection of the Kohler Museum.
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
Chapters
(00:00:00) - Folk Artwork: Season One
(00:00:34) - Art Environment Summer
(00:03:13) - Larry Harris in the Flesh
(00:03:44) - Interviewing Joe Farb Hernandez
(00:09:22) - Interview with Narrow Larry Harris
(00:11:41) - Eco-living and the environmental movement
(00:17:50) - Seymour Rosen on The Garden of Eden and Spaces
(00:23:43) - Watts Towers: My First Trip to the Towers
(00:25:07) - The Architecture of Blue Ruin
(00:27:52) - The Story of the Watch Towers
(00:31:27) - Talking the pyramids
(00:32:55) - How to Build a Scale Model of the Watts Towers
(00:37:54) - Frank Lloyd Wright on Dr. Charles Smith's Art Tours
(00:44:11) - The Art Environments
11: Ricky Boscarino of Luna Parc
Episode 11
Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 59:27
In the eleventh episode of the FolkArtwork and Friends podcast, I am extremely thrilled to be joined by the one and only Ricky Boscarino of Luna Parc. I met Ricky a few months ago, and was blown away by his generosity to share the story of his one-of-a-kind art environment, and walk me through it for a video tour (check out YouTube!) on a bright and beautiful New Jersey day.
Plus, we talk about the moment he knew this home would be his forever home, his days at NYU film school, traveling across the world, the importance of keeping his home a museum for people to visit forever and ever, and he shows me his final resting place where he plans to be buried... after he turns 106.
In the tenth episode of the FolkArtwork and Friends podcast, I kick off art-environment summer with the one and only, Jo Farb Hernández, Director Emerita of SPACES (Saving and Preserving Arts and Cultural Environments) and Professor Emerita at San José State University. Joining me from her home in Spain, we talk about all the incredible work she has done in that country to find and document almost one hundred art environments through the years.
Plus, we talk about her first art environment visited, the work she's done with Salvation Mountain, and the importance of Watts Towers, stories of visiting the artists who make these one-of-a-kind environments, as well as the weirdest thing she can remember seeing at an art environment, and what we can do to continue to document and advocate for these spaces.
Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more
Subscribe to the "This Week in Outsider Art" Newsletter on Substack
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
Chapters
(00:00:00) - Art Environments: Architectural Fantasies
(00:05:46) - Bob Dylan on Living in Texas
(00:08:02) - The Director Emerita of Spaces
(00:08:35) - Samuel Hall: Art Environments in Spain
(00:15:09) - Singular Spaces: Exploring the Exhibition
(00:15:34) - The Surprising Realities of Spain
09: Bill Miller + "Self-Made" Exhibit (Pt. 2)
Episode 9
Friday, June 26, 2026 • Duration 46:53
In the second part of the ninth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am pleased to be joined by self-taught artist Bill Miller, whose linoleum works of art are on display in the latest exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum, "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists."
Bill joins me to talk about his search for a very large studio, due to his very large piles of linoleum, which he uses in his artworks. We talked about his upbringing in Pittsburgh’s Industrial Arts Co-op, making art out of recycled materials, showing his work at the Outsider Art Fair, and the story behind creating two album covers for the late Frank Zappa. Then, we dine out on some of our favorite music to listen to while making art, I brag about being named the teacher with the best music at my school, and why Paul McCartney keeps texting us.
Plus, Bill Miller wants your linoleum! Bill's artwork is made entirely of linoleum, and he has a giant warehouse to store it. So if you have some you want to donate, he'll take it off your hands! Go to www.billmillerart.com or www.billmillerwantsyourlinoleum.com and get in touch with Bill so he can take your linoleum off your hands and use it in a piece of art. Or follow Bill on Instagram at @billmillerart.
Learn more about "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists" at www.folkartmuseum.org and follow the American Folk Art Museum on Instagram at @afamuseum. If you're in New York City, visit the American Folk Art Museum open Wednesday–Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. -- admission is always free.
Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more
09: Valérie Rousseau + American Folk Art Museum (Pt. 1)
Episode 9
Thursday, June 18, 2026 • Duration 55:42
In the ninth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am honored to be joined by Valérie Rousseau, the Curatorial Chair and Senior Curator of 20th-Century & Contemporary Art at the American Folk Art Museum. Valérie joins me to talk about what led her to a career in curating self-taught artwork, which included growing up with two grandfathers who were both renowned in Canada, one for their work as an ethnobotanist and the other a wood carver. We talk about how the organization and the classification of art and nature as a kid led to curating, the works of art she remembers as a kid that will always stay with her, and then a discussion about the latest exhibit she co-curated with Suzie Oppenheimer at the American Folk Art Museum, "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists," on view now until September 13th. Plus, I didn't jinx the Knicks!
Learn more about "Self-Made: A Century of Inventing Artists" at www.folkartmuseum.org and follow the American Folk Art Museum on Instagram at @afamuseum. If you're in New York City, visit the American Folk Art Museum open Wednesday–Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. -- admission is always free.
Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
08: Ryan Ward + Ralph Fasanella
Episode 8
Friday, May 1, 2026 • Duration 01:02:17
In the eighth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am pleased to catch up with my good friend Ryan Ward of The Ruffed Grouse Gallery. Ever since I was first mistaken for Ryan at the Outsider Art Fair in 2024, we hit it off, and he's been a great mentor and friend as he helps me navigate this world of outsider art. I talk to Ryan about his relationship with art growing up as a kid in rural Pennsylvania, spending tons of time outside, discovering artwork by Purvis Young and Jimmy Lee Sudduth that catapulted him into the world of self-taught and outsider art, as well as purchasing his first work while in grad school. Plus, we talk about our time at the Outsider Art Fair, the artist Little Walt Dog, discovering a piece of art created by Jerry Saltz, and the future of the outsider art world.
Then, in celebration of May Day, a look at the life of self-taught artist Ralph Fasanella, whose large, detailed works depicted urban working life and critiqued post-World War II America.
Follow Ryan Ward and The Ruffed Grouse Gallery on Instagram at @ruffed_grouse_gallery, and check out their latest gallery in Narrowsburg, New York, titled "Out Of Hand And Foot: Tanner Simon | Charles Farless" on display until June 14th.
Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
If you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on May 1st from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in our studio and showcasing some of the artwork from the Outsider Art Fair, including works by Kay Le Seelleur Ara, Reneesa Mccoy, Jackie Bradshaw, Pam Puck, and more!
Chapters
07: Pam Puck + CC
Episode 7
Friday, March 6, 2026 • Duration 55:42
In the seventh episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I had a delightful conversation with self-taught artist Pam Puck. I've known Pam for a few years now and have always been blown away by their sculptures, but I've never really had a chance to get to know them personally. I talk to Pam about getting her start with ceramics in a kids' pottery class, teaching English in Italy, growing up watching 'Rosemary's Baby', and being, well, as she put it, "a creepy kid". Plus, I learn about how her talented artist husband's work inspires them, living in a cave for a period of time, as well as the excitement of showcasing artwork at this year's Outsider Art Fair.
Then, with the recent bombings taking place in Iran, an excerpt from "Empty Chairs", an exhibit by Fiuz Gallery and Outsider Inn Gallery featuring one-of-a-kind artworks by Iranian self-taught artist Alireza Asbahi Sisi, also known as CC.
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
See you in a few weeks in New York City for the Outsider Art Fair AND if you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on March 6th from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in our studio and selling artwork for self-taught artist James Ash.
Chapters
(00:00:01) - Farm Folk Artwork & Friends Podcast
06: Barry Colpitts + Maud Lewis
Episode 6
Friday, February 6, 2026 • Duration 51:07
In the sixth episode of FolkArtwork and Friends, I am absolutely honored to talk with Nova Scotia's own Barry Colpitts, folk artist and wood carver, who creates some of the most magnificent works of art in North America. Thanks to Audrey Sanford of Black Sheep Gallery for setting this up, I get to sit down with Barry and hear about his beginnings, including his lack of relationship to art when he was younger, his start in wood carving while working as a prison guard, some of his "racy" mermaid carvings when he was in his twenties, plus he brings his one of a kind Prayer Helmet Whirligig to show off.
Plus, you can't really talk about folk art from Nova Scotia without talking about one particular artist, so please enjoy a little deep dive into the life and work of the one and only Maud Lewis.
Follow Black Sheep Gallery on Instagram at @blacksheepfolkart and check out their gallery at https://www.blacksheepart.com/
Follow @folkartwork on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more
Visit folkartwork.art to shop self-taught art by emerging contemporary artists
AND if you are in the Des Moines area, come to the Mainframe Studios "First Friday" event on February 6th from 5pm-8pm to see me hanging out with Ashley Mary in her beautiful studio and selling artwork for self-taught artist James Ash. PLUS, Noel Hatfield's exhibit "Unsung Heroes" at Wake Up Iowa Coffee opening Saturday, February 7th!
Chapters
(00:00:00) - This is a prayer helmet
(00:00:17) - Folk Artwork & Friends: Exciting News!
(00:04:19) - Folk Artist Barry Kolpitz in Nova Scotia
