Explore every episode of the podcast Free Admissions
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are Ghosts Real? | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:26:15 | |
October is all about the ghoulish, the seemingly scary, and the creepy-crawly. Mike McKee, Head of Installation and Production, delves into just a few of the ghost encounters he’s had during the three decades he’s worked at the museum. Then, Dany Chan, Associate Curator of Asian Art, explores the deeper meanings behind works in the collection that seem scary at first glance. Finally, Preventive Conservator Sarah Freshnock explains how she keeps creepy crawly creatures at bay to protect the museum’s priceless art objects. | |||
| What Does the Future Hold? | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:39:24 | |
This episode features three contemporary artists who have new work on view at the museum this year: Katherine Tzu-Lann Mann, Stephanie Mercedes, and Jackie Milad. We also introduce a new way visitors can engage with the Walters through our expanded volunteer program. Episode Segments
Artworks & Exhibitions mentioned: | |||
| What Defines Latin American Art? | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:41:21 | |
This episode explores the installation Latin American Art / Arte Latinoamericano with Ellen Hoobler, William B. Ziff, Jr., Curator of Art of the Americas, and Patricia Lagarde, Wieler-Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow. Then, artist Jessy DeSantis discusses their artistic practice and the creation of Cintli, Corn, Maíz (2020), on view in the installation. Episode Segments
Artworks & Exhibitions mentioned: | |||
| Do April Showers Really Bring May Flowers? | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:31:02 | |
This episode highlights two 19th-century paintings from the Walters Art Museum’s collection, with introspectives from photographer and performer Chris Jay, and Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- and 19th-Century Art. We also give flowers to the Walters Docent Program, sunsetting in Summer 2025. Finally, we speak with two longtime members of the Walters docent cohort about the impact of the program that’s been running for 50 years. Episode Segments
Related Links: | |||
| Can Books Kill? | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:27:30 | |
This episode highlights If Books Could Kill, featuring Lynley Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts, Annette Ortiz-Miranda, Conservation Scientist, and Abigail Quandt, Head of Books & Paper Conservation. We’ll also learn more about Hearts for Art with Teresa Norman, Audience Insights Analyst. Episode Segments
Artworks & Exhibitions mentioned: | |||
| The 90th Anniversary Episode | 03 Nov 2024 | 00:30:24 | |
This episode celebrates the Walters Art Museum’s 90th Anniversary and third-annual Day of Giving, featuring heartwarming narratives by our staff. Episode Segments
Links
Artworks & Exhibitions mentioned
| |||
| Ep. 5: Back to School | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:24:03 | |
This episode highlights Art and Process: Drawings, Paintings, and Sculptures from the 19th-Century Collection, featuring Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- & 19th-Century Art. Then, we’ll discuss historic school supplies with Adriana Proser, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quincy Scott Senior Curator of Asian Art, and Christine Sciacca, Curator of European Art, 300-1400 CE. Lastly, we’ll talk to Charlie Wolfe, Assistant Manager of School and Teacher Programs, about the curiosity and excitement of kiddos in school tour groups. Episode Segments
Links Learn more about Art & Process: Drawings, Paintings, and Sculptures from the 19th-Century Collection Artworks & Exhibitions mentioned: | |||
| Ep. 4: Objects of Curiosity | 03 Jul 2024 | 00:28:51 | |
This episode highlights Objects of Curiosity: What Will We Discover?, featuring Lisa Anderson-Zhu, Associate Curator of Ancient Mediterranean Art. We’ll also learn more about our viral sensation Fat Sparrow Netsuke with Angie Elliot, Terry Drayman-Weisser Head of Object Conservation. Episode Segments
Links Learn more about Objects of Curiosity: What Will We Discover? Artworks & Exhibitions mentioned:
| |||
| Ep. 3: Reflect & Remix | 13 May 2024 | 00:25:18 | |
In this episode of Free Admissions, Julia Marciari-Alexander, Andrea B. and John H. Laporte Director, details her favorite object in the collection. Meanwhile, curators Lynley Anne Herbert and Earl Martin walk us through the museum’s newest exhibition, Reflect and Remix: Art Inspiring Artists. Episode Segments 00:00 - Introduction 00:57 - The Melanchthon Watch with Julia Marciari-Alexander, Andrea B. and John H. Laporte Director of the Walters Art Museum 05:52 - Overview of Reflect & Remix: Art Inspiring Artists 07:29 - Interview with Lynley Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts, and Earl Martin, Deborah and Philip English Curator of Decorative Arts, Design, and Material Culture. 20:57 - Hidden gems from the 19th century collection with Aric Dietrich, Visitor Experience Associate 23:40 - Credits Related Links Reflect & Remix: Art Inspiring Artists Selections From the North American Collection: People and Places | |||
| Ep. 2: The Creative Power of Women | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:27:04 | |
In this episode of Free Admissions, we celebrate Women’s History Month. Discover the history of nearly 75 years of women leadership in the Walters Conservation Department from its director, Julie Lauffenburger. Learn about New on the Bookshelf: The Creative Power of Women from the exhibition’s curator, Lynley Anne Herbert. Episode Segments 00:00 - Introduction 00:45 - Overview of New on the Bookshelf: The Creative Power of Women, with Lynley Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall, curator of rare books and manuscripts 07:28 - Interview with Julie Lauffenberger, Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director of Conservation, Collections, and Technical Research 20:57 - Exhibition Title Testing with Roslyn Esperon, Manager of Evaluations and Audience Impact 25:08 - Credits Related Links New on the Bookshelf: The Creative Power of Women Walters Art Museum Conservation Window Across Asia: Arts of Asia and the Islamic World Plan your visit: https://thewalters.org/visit/guidelines/ Follow us on our socials: https://linktr.ee/thewaltersartmuseum | |||
| Ep. 1: Ethiopia at the Crossroads | 05 Jan 2024 | 00:23:52 | |
In the first episode of Free Admissions, we chat with the exhibition’s curator Christine Sciaccia about Ethiopia at the Crossroads, the first major art exhibition in America to examine an array of Ethiopian cultural and artistic traditions from their origins to the present day. Conservation Scientist Annette Ortiz introduces us to her unique officemates (aka, her go-to conservation equipment). Episode Segments 00:00 - Introduction 00:43 - Overview of Ethiopia at the Crossroads 04:32 - Interview with Christine Sciacca, Curator of European Art, 300–1400 CE 18:31 - Equipment in the Conservation Science Lab with Annette Ortiz, Conservation Scientist 21:55 - Credits Related Links Folding Processional Icon in the Shape of a Fan Plan your visit: https://thewalters.org/visit/guidelines/ Follow us on our socials: https://linktr.ee/thewaltersartmuseum | |||