Explore every episode of the podcast Southcoast Artists Index

Welcome Diane Conlon, AKA Diane Arlene Conlon, a Swain School of Design alum from Newport, Rhode Island. Graduating from Swain in 1980, she attended S.M.U. – Southeastern Massachusetts University, today the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in pursuit of a Master of Arts in Education. After a year there, she left the program.

In 1989 she was among 20 other Swain alumni founding members of Gallery X and was elected their Secretary. Then, in 1994, she moved to Brooklyn to work on her MFA at Brooklyn College and graduated in 1996. Diane stayed in New York City and worked as an Art Specialist for a Catholic elementary school in Queens until she retired in 2009. She then moved back to Rhode Island and taught drawing at the Newport Art Museum.

She has continued her pursuit of the Arts and Education. Diane has many books on American history and decided to create a collection of American art books. It is reflected in her work and what she feels is meaningful and beautiful. Diane Conlon is currently focused on painting landscapes of the Land Trusts because, as she exclaims, “they are so WILD!”

On this podcast, Diane Conlon speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey as an artist.  This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

Diane Conlon

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other

Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the February AHA! episode in our continuing series of livestream podcasts from Play Arcade co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz. This month's theme was: I AM NB - Storytyelling Series.

Thursday, February 13th (from 6 to 7:30 pm.) invited guests joineing podcast host Ron Fortier were Max Wikermayer, The Artists Index's Man On The Street along with friend, returning podcast guest, and South Coast professional storyteller Karen Langford Chace AKA Storybug, Alyssa Botelheo, and Costume designer and our soon to be newest podcast host, Claudia Nagalha in the Living Room at Play Arcade "an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Our guests offered their views on the importance and power of storytelling in its various forms as well as the importance of the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community.

Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer and APPLE PODCASTS

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram 

Welcome Milt Brightman to this special episode. Milt, who was our guest on Podcast Episode 17, speaks about his late friend, Swain School of Design classmate, and fellow artist, the late Eric Hart.  Eric was the very first person Milt met when he attended the Swain School of Design. They attended their first class in the sculpture building behind the Rodman House - the William Rotch Rodman Mansion - in 1972 .

In this podcast, Milt Brightman relates how he, "approached the front of the building... I saw stacks of boxes, which turned out to be clay, and a male student with long flowing blond hair. I asked him what’s going on and he said, 'help me move these boxes inside'. After we had done so and the class started and ended, I thought I had someone in this sea of strangers to talk to, but he just ignored my approach and moved away to the next class."

Milt continues, "The way we ended up as friends was through a third party, Dave Peloquin, who found out I liked sword and sorcery art work and started talking to me. As it turned out, he and Eric Hart were rooming together. On my many visits to their apartment, that, by the way was filled with Swain students in other apartments inside the same building. Eric warmed up to me eventually but had a stronger bond to Dave at the time. I believe it was in our sophomore year that Dave, who was a very good artist in his own right, had to drop out of Swain due to personal reasons. From that point on, it was just me and Eric working together."

"In our Junior and Senior years we shared a studio together in the Melville (Building) and our bond grew much stronger. Many times we abandoned our classmates on landscape painting excursions and went off on our own to paint. Yes, we got some flack for that but we were young and arrogant and making the progress in our work that we hoped to make, so we continued along in the same way all the way to graduation."

"When Eric left, we made the usual promises that people make to stay in touch, but in our case we did, through letter writing and I begain to make excursions to Connecticuit (where Eric moved to) on a yearly basis. Eric also came back to Massachusetts on occasion and we always, had painting as our connection. We drank and spoke of old times, but that was after day long excursions into the landscape to paint in oils, watercolors and drawings. Our friendship lasted right to the end when he passed away, and I will never forget him. Every time I start to draw or paint he is always there with me, and will be so always."

On this podcast, Milt Brightman speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his friend Eric Hart, their lifelong friendship, and their journey as artists.  This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

Eric Palmer Hart | PAINTER 

According to Milt Brightman, he lived at a number of locations in Connecticut. He moved to Uncasville, Connecticut on the shore of Haugton's Cove. It was his second studio and was adjoined to the house. He moved to Groton, Connecticut just before he died in October of 2023.

Milt Brightman
75 Clara Street
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02744

508-965-6048

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Other

Please consider donating whatever you can to help and assure us in our mission to continue documenting the legacies of South Coast Artists.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

Welcome, Kevin Grant, a Fairhaven performer and the son of an art teacher and a biology teacher who studied piano as a child.  As a teenager, Kevin also had some vocal training through various local theater productions. While at Boston University, he studied English and Eastern Philosophy.

Kevin Grant works professionally as a supply chain specialist. He enjoys cooking, reading, skateboarding, sledding, and hiking in the White Mountains. His other likes include hurricanes, blizzards, cats, and boxing. Kevin and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Meaghan and Jack as well as two cats named Harry and Squeaker and one deceased fish, Stanley (“Stan the Man”).

Kevin's favorite bands include those he has played in and others such as The Brain Dead Geniuses, Cereal Toys, Merrick, GASKILL, Expose Human Sharks, The Hidden, The Judo Heirs, Iron Oak, Blackhouse, and WIRE LINES. He has occasionally performed with The Northern Skulls.

On this podcast, Kevin Grantspeaks with The Artists Index’s Fairhaven Artists podcast host, Scott Bishop, about his continuing journey and music mission. This episode was recorded at Scott's recording studio in New Bedford.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

Offering listeners up-close-and-personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered donating.

THIS PODCAST IS SUPPORTED IN PART with a grant from the Fairhaven Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state Agency. 

Kevin Grant
Fairhaven, MA 02719

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp

In Episode Four, our Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Christine Maiato FitzGerald, his wife, and the Gallery X Documentation Project's master scanner!

Christine, who is also an artist, was our guest on Podcast Episode 88. She has scanned the varied contents of the Gallery X archives, folders, and file boxes dating from 1990 to 2008 (18 years), including over 100 news articles, nearly 200 exhibition posters, and many postcards, pamphlets, programs, newsletters, and booklets. But wait, there's more!

Christine has also scanned dozens of miscellaneous advertisements, awards, certificates, and other items. Her efforts and dedication while scanning Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents spanning 34 years. The documents include news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more. Once scanned, these records, including the remaining 17 years (2009-2025) will be archived and mined for information specific to the artists who have exhibited their work or performed at New Bedford’s oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery. They will be included in The Artists Index searchable database project.

The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community.

This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community.

The Artists Index offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

A three-part mini podcast series hosted by Ron Fortier about the New Bedford Film Festival and its celebration of authentic cinematic stories, the cultivations of bold storytellers, and the new champions of the city’s growing creative economy. The growing festival is hosted in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts.

The festival is committed to a shared vision of “spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short and feature films, episodic pieces, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.” The Artists Index's editor, Ryan Nunes, joins Alyssa Botelho, and Ethan de Aguiar.

A three-part mini podcast series hosted by Ron Fortier about the New Bedford Film Festival and its celebration of authentic cinematic stories, the cultivations of bold storytellers, and the new champions of the city’s growing creative economy. The growing festival is hosted in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts.

The festival is committed to a shared vision of “spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short and feature films, episodic pieces, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.” The Artists Index's editor, Ryan Nunes, joins Alyssa Botelho, and Ethan de Aguiar.

A three-part mini podcast series hosted by Ron Fortier about the New Bedford Film Festival and its celebration of authentic cinematic stories, the cultivations of bold storytellers, and the new champions of the city’s growing creative economy. The growing festival is hosted in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts.

The festival is committed to a shared vision of “spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short and feature films, episodic pieces, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival.” The Artists Index's editor, Ryan Nunes, joins Alyssa Botelho, and Ethan de Aguiar.

In Episode Two, Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Susan and Charles Hauck. Charles, or Chuck, as he is better known, was one of our earliest podcast guests. Susan/Sue/Suzy Hauck is married to Chuck.

Chuck, who is originally from Toledo, Ohio studied sculpture and received his BFA from the Swain School of Design. Sue is a self-taught artist. She has often worked in the decorative arts fields in various capacities. She also served as the Administrative Director of Gallery X for over a decade.

Sean and Susan and Chuck discuss the the history of Gallery X and the first phase of The Gallery X Documentation Project. The project's agenda focuses on scanning Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents spanning 34 years. The documents include news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more. Once scanned, these records will be archived and mined for information specific to the artists who have exhibited their work or performed at New Bedford’s oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery.

The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community.

This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community.

The Artists Index offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the sixth in our series of livestream podcasts. The November AHA! was our second impromptu evening and open mic invitation to the South Coast's poets to help celebrate with us on Thursday, November 14th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Once again, our livestream podcast was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade.

Our November AHA! Guests who joined us (Max Wikermayer and Ron Fortier) in the bar area at Play Arcade included Kate Frazer Rego. She was our podcast guest on Episode 83 and Episode 147. Kate also read a couple of her poems. It was the first live poetry reading on our AHA! podcasts!

We also had an impromptu and very refreshing visit from Taber Academy students Ryan O’Donald and Hudson Flynn, who told us about their experiences in pottery class at Taber. These articulate young men encouraged two of their fellow students, Blake Appleton and Matty Levesque to join us. Their art instructors, Tricia Smith and Leslie Brannigan,  joined in soon after.

They offered their views on the local art scene, the Taber art curricula and the importance of the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. Once again, it was loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation.

Play Arcade is "an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app, including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer, and APPLE PODCASTS

In Episode Five, Dave Reis speaks with internationally renowned, award-winning jazz musician Greg Abate, a saxophonist, flutist, and composer. He's traveled the globe on his musical tours.

After finishing his education at Berklee College Of Music in the mid-70s, Greg Abate went on to play lead alto saxophone for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years.

Abate formed his group Channel One in 1978. It became a New England favorite and offered him an opportunity to play tenor sax from 1986-87 with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under the leadership of Dick Johnson. He was recently ranked number three in the Downbeat reader's poll for alto sax. 

The Artist Index's jazz documentarian and Jazz Podcast Series host, Dave Reis, spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host, among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.

Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, began as our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181. He returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center.

There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his ten-part Jazz Podcast Series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center.

In Episode Two, Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host Sean FitzGerald speaks with Zachary White, the executive director of Gallery X. Zachary majored in photography and minored in printmaking while attending the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Sean and Zachary discuss the first phase of The Gallery X Documentation Project, with an agenda to scan Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents spanning 34 years. The documents include news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more. Once scanned, these records will be archived and mined for information specific to the artists who have exhibited their work or performed at New Bedford’s oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery.

The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers. Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and is a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community.

This eight-episode podcast series supports and documents the overall project and provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will reach out to listeners and anyone seeking information about historical or contemporary artists from the South Coast's creative community.

The Artists Index offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of South Coast's creative community. Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

Please consider donating to, sponsoring, or underwriting our podcasts and programs. This and other podcasts are available on The Artists Index and your favorite media app including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer / APPLE PODCASTS

Welcome Peggy Call-Conley, a local artist who earned her BFA in Art Education from Southeastern Massachusetts University, today the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in 1972. Her early exposure to the arts in Boston and her solace in nature in rural Middleborough (AKA Middleboro) Massachusetts, deeply influenced her artistic journey.

Peggy has spent 35 years teaching art in private and public schools while residing in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Her watercolor paintings are inspired by the natural beauty and coastal landscapes she encounters.

She aims to capture the energy and tranquility of these scenes, focusing on subtle color changes, contrasting light, and the unique shapes of shadows. Her work is characterized by its ability to evoke, as she relates, "a strong sense of place and momentary harmony with nature."

Peggy's artistic process involves painting on location, allowing her to authentically convey the essence of her subjects, whether it’s the serene coastal views or intricate architectural details.

On this podcast, Peggy Call-Conley speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey and mission to share her art and her love of teaching. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered donating.

In Episode One, Gallery X Documentation Project podcast host, Sean FitzGerald, speaks with The Artists Index co-founder, Ron Fortier, about the new Gallery X Documentation Project. It is the first phase of a larger agenda to scan Gallery X‘s entire collection of documents including news clippings, posters, flyers, photographs, and more.

The scanned documents will be archived and later mined for information specific to the artists who have had their work exhibited or who have performed at New Bedford’s oldest continually operating cooperative art gallery. The gallery was founded in 1990 and is a contemporary, cooperative art gallery of visual, performing, and literary artist members and volunteers.

Gallery X has served as an incubator for emerging artists and it continues to be a venue for established artists. It is a platform for local artists, performers, and creatives of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to showcase their talents as an integral part of the South Coast‘s community.

The eight episode podcast series supports the overall project, provides historical and background information about the gallery and the progress made to date. The Gallery X Documentation Project will record the discoveries made and also reach out to listeners and anyone who seeks information about a historical or contemporary artist from the creative community of the South Coast who may or may not be found in the new community digital archive dedicated solely to Gallery X.

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered making a donation.

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the fifth in our series of livestream podcasts. The October AHA! was an impromptu evening and open mic invitation to the South Coast's musicians. They came out and we all celebrated on Thursday, October 10th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Once again, our livestream podcast was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade.

Our October AHA! Guests who joined us in the Living Room at Play Arcade included our musician friends and musicians we met for the first time who are now friends.  It was an embarrassment of riches. We had a blast! So much so, that we had to rotate our guests.

Kat Knutsen and her Long Swan band, Mike Heffernan and Ryan Burke were there. Hendrick Hernandez - Resto was there with KT Lee and Kelly Ann Fernandes from Roots Run Wild - THERE'S MORE - Swain alum Dan Cooney and cofounder of Heavenly Spirits, our very first corporate sponsor along with his friend and now our new friend Max Wikermayer. Sean FitzGerald and The NB Rude Boys made an appearance. Christine Maiato FitzGerald, the newly elected President of Gallery X  also joined us. I hope we didn’t leave anyone out.

They all sat down with The Artists Index's co-founder and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their contributions to and views on the local music scene and its impact on the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. Once again, it was loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation.

Play Arcade is "an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered donating or becoming a sponsor. 

Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/share-support/

Welcome Elyse Laurelle Demarest, an emerging artist whose fledgling practice is based out of the Co-Creative Center in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts. Elyse lives in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts with her young son, Luke.

Elyse Demarest her art business as Elyse Laurelle Artworks out of the Co-Creative Center. She paints, sells art, and teaches watercolor and acrylic classes throughout the South Coast. Her artwork is locally inspired, primarily by the area's proximity to the New England coastline and harbors

Elyse Laurelle Demarest grew up in metro Detroit and moved to New England to pursue her PhD and a teaching position at the University of Rhode Island. After leaving academia and going through a divorce, she became a single mom. Elyse found a new home in the creative community of the South Coast as well as a place to pursue her art career.

Elyse Demarest speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey and mission to share her art and her love of teaching. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered donating or becoming a sponsor. 

Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/share-support/

Welcome Eden Soares (Eden Nelson Brandao Soares) who is a multi-talented multimedia artist. He has worked hard to sharpen his skills and ability to quickly and accurately, as he relates, "create proofs from their visions in a professional timely manner."

Eden has demonstrated his gratitude from continuous referrals and recommendations from his satisfied customers and clients. His creativity on many different levels has allowed him to, "create simple or elaborate corporate or complex designs that are eye-catching, very marketable, brand-based and strategically laid out."

He gives his art (product and service) the attention it deserves with an image that reflects value, professionalism, and, most importantly, the buyer, customer, or client.

Eden Soares speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his continuing journey and mission to share his art and culture. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered making a donation. 

Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/ 

Consider donating, or becoming a sponsor. 

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the fourth in our series of livestream podcasts. The September AHA! celebrated AHA! @ 25 on Thursday, September 12th from 6 to 7:30 pm. and was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade.

Our September AHA! galaxy of guests included Dave Reis, our Jazz Podcast Series podcast host, Ymelda Rivera Laxton, the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Community Projects at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, artist extraordinaire Kat Knutsen, Christina Maiato Fitz Gerald, our Gallery X Documentation Project Scanner, and the newest podcast host of our newest, soon to be premiered Gallery X Documentation Project Podcast Series, Sean FitzGerald.

They all sat down with The Artists Index's co-founder and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their contributions to and views on the September AHA! theme - Aha! @ 25 and its impact on the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. Once again, it was very loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation.

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the third in our series of livestream podcasts. The September AHA! celebrated 25 years! This podcast was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade. 

Learn more at https://theartistsindex.com/ 

Consider donating, or becoming a sponsor. 

Welcome to our first cookbook author and culinary artist Milena Rodrigues, who was also, unbeknownst to me, my neighbor in Buarcos, Figueira da Foz, Portugal. Yes, a small world indeed! Milena is a first-generation American and daughter of Portuguese immigrants from Figueira da Foz.

Her parents and sisters immigrated to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1966. In the early 1970s, Milena Rodrigues and her family moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Milena always stayed connected to her family's roots. She spent her summers in Portugal since the age of one.

Milena Rodrigues grew up enjoying and loving everything Portuguese, including the food. However, as she states, "I am not a chef and never had any professional training in cooking. I enjoy cooking good homemade food for my loved ones." In 2013 she began sharing recipes on her Facebook page called For the Love of Portuguese Food.

She had always dreamt of writing a Portuguese cuisine cookbook in English because she realized there were very few then. Milena's Facebook page marked the beginning of her writing her cookbook come true, which she published in 2017.

Milena Rodrigues speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her continuing journey and mission to share her culinary heritage. They also reminisce about their experiences living in Buarcos, Figueira da Foz, Portugal. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered making a donation. 

Welcome Drew (Andrew) Furtado, a South Coast Massachusetts Emmy Award-winning visual storyteller. Since 2005, Drew has produced photo, film, and web content for South Coast schools and nonprofit organizations. He currently leads the New Bedford Whaling Museum's communication and marketing efforts.

Drew Furtado has transformed how the Museum reaches its potential audiences through digital platforms. Through his digital work, including films like Restart 2020, photography, and illustrated posters, he champions the positive stories of New Bedford and Fall River.

Before his association with the New Bedford Whaling Museum, he spent 10 years building the media arts program at Fairhaven High School. His students have received over 30 New England and three national student production awards. Many of his students can be seen throughout the South Coast pursuing their careers in film and communications.

Drew (Andrew) Furtado has a master's in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and studied at New England Institute of Technology's media arts program.

Drew speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his continuing journey in photography, film, and web content. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered making a donation. 

• In Episode Four, Dave Reis speaks with his friend and jazz-inspired poet Everett Hoagland, "...an inventive and highly politicized poet... driven as much by the rhythms of jazz, as it is by the cultural, psychological, and historical weight of racial division." (1) Hoagland is an emeritus professor of English at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Everett Hoagland was also the first poet laureate of New Bedford, Massachusetts (1994–1998) and is our guest on the fourth of our ten podcast episodes in The South Coast Artists Index Jazz Series hosted by Dave Reis. This first-ever series is underwritten and brought to you by Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound.

Jazz podcast series host Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.

Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181 and returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center.

There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new Jazz Podcast Series.

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered making a donation.

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the third in our series of livestream podcasts. The August AHA! celebrated Summer in the Seaport on Thursday, August 8th from 6 to 7:30 pm. and was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade.

Our August AHA! galaxy of guests included Dena Haden, one of our first podcast guests and the Program Director for the Co-Creative Center in New Bedford, Margo Saulnier the Director of Creative Strategies and Arts-Based Initiatives at New Bedford Creative, Rhonda M. Fazio, a maker/dyer and self-described Environmental Alchemist and the owner/operator of Dyer Maker Studio and Interwoven, and Jessica Bregoli, a sculptor, artist, event planner, the Seaport Art Walk, curator, and landscaper. 

They all sat down with The Artists Index’s co-founder and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their contributions to and views on the August AHA! theme – Summer in the Seaport and the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast as well as the importance of Art in our lives at the local level. Once again, it was very loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation.

Play Arcade is “an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food…” and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

We would love you dearly if you would consider making a donation to The Southcoast Artists Index. 

Welcome Roger Andrews, a South Coast Massachusetts artist and New Bedford native. Roger is a world-class freelance concept artist with over 20 years of experience in freelance advertising art and toy and game product design. His clients have included Hasbro, Google, Mattel, Subway, Puma, Rovio, Wayfair, Sony, Toyota, and Disney.

Roger Andrews also developed an online video media presence with his always informative, educational, and entertaining SketchyGOichie YouTube channel for artists of all ages.  The course teaches drawing techniques, philosophy, and how to improve skills and approaches to art and design.

Roger last visited with us as part of The Artists Index - July AHA!, one of a series of livestream podcasts recorded at our livestream partner, Play Arcade in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. 

Roger speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his continuing journey as a freelance advertising artist and SketchyGOichie. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

We would love it if you considered making a donation. 

Welcome Mason Terra, a South Coast Massachusetts abstract oil painter. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, and graduated from Westport High School. Mason went on to study archaeology at Bridgewater State University.

Mason Terra's passion since childhood has always been drawing. His architect father was a big influence. Doodling constantly, he created characters inspired by movies and games. Despite not taking any art classes, Mason continued to draw through high school and started researching contemporary painters in his senior year.

Although studying the subject at Bridgewater State University, it was during the pandemic that he realized archaeology was not his true passion. Creating works of art, on the other hand, was! After the pandemic, he switched his major at Bridgewater State University to studio fine arts and has continued to paint ever since.

He has had his work published and has been represented in gallery exhibits. Mason is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructor.  and has been for almost 8 years. He trains every week and finds parallels between painting and Jiu-jitsu.

Mason speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his continuing journey as a painter. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at  Howland Place in New Bedford.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Mason Terra

Westport, Massachusetts 02790

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram  

Listen in on the Southcoast Artists Index Podcasts and read the Articles for up close, personal, and informative conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome to the third of the ten podcast episodes in The South Coast Artists Index Jazz Series hosted by Dave Reis. This first-ever series is underwritten and brought to you by Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound.

Jazz podcast series host Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.

Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181 and returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center.

There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new Jazz Podcast Series.

In Episode Three, Dave Reis speaks with his friend John Harrison, local Jazz legend, Berklee College of Music graduate, and retired professor of music at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - College of Visual & Performing Arts.

The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the second in our series of livestream podcasts. The July AHA! celebrated Kids Rule on Thursday, July 11 from 6 to 7:30 pm. and was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade, "an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..."

Play Arcade offers over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Our July AHA! guests were Roger Andrews the originator of Sketchy GO ichie, his former student and now associate Ashlianna Felix, Tracy Furtado Chagas, and Kris Motta from Dream Out Loud Center.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

Roger Andrews, Ashlianna Felix, Tracy Furtado Chagas, and Kris Motta spoke with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about kids, young people, and the importance of art in their lives. It was very loud and noisy with all of the arcade games but we still had great conversation. It was totally worth it!

Roger Andrews, Ashlianna Felix, Tracy Furtado Chagas, and Kris Motta spoke with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about kids, young people, and the importance of art in their lives. It was very loud and noisy with all of the arcade games but we still had great conversation. It was totally worth it!

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community.

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

Welcome Phillip J. Mellen (Podcast Episode 61 and Podcast Episode 53. He studied fine art at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts. Phillip later went to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia in 1999. He graduated in 2003 and returned to Massachusetts in 2006. He became an active member of the South Coast's creative community.

Phillip J. Mellen is an active both as a poet, and visual artist. He presently resides in Taunton, Massachusetts where he was from originally. In 2011, Phillip started Ahtcast an independent art podcast. He has interviewed many local, national, and international artists. He also exhibits his artwork locally, nationally, and internationally.

Phillip's work is in private art collections in the US and internationally. He also has had his published with Anomaly Poetry and has been published in a collaborative art catalog featuring internationally recognized painter, Sabine Tress.

Phillip speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, along with co-collaborator Kat Knutsen (Podcast Episode 73, Podcast Episode 131, and Podcast Episode 180) about Could Not Have Done It Without You, a 14-member collaborative poetry, music, and art project album. This episode was recorded at our home base and recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at  Howland Place in New Bedford.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Phillip J. Mellen

Taunton, Massachusetts 02780

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram  | Bandcamp

Listen in on the Southcoast Artists Index Podcasts and read the Articles for up close, personal, and informative conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

The Artists Index has partnered with AHA! and, kicked off the first of a series of livestream podcasts. The June AHA! celebrated PRIDE Month and was hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade, "an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." Play Arcade offers over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Our guests were Andrew Pollock, the president of The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network, who helped us coordinate with our guests which included artist Herby Thompson, farmer Sarah Cogswell, the Co-Founder/Owner at Cluck and Trowel, and chef and horseman, Jim Mercer.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

Andrew Pollock, Herby Thompson, Sarah Cogswell, and Jim Mercer spoke with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about PRIDE and the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to the creative community of the South Coast.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community.

NOTE: Live from PLAY Arcade in New Bedford on AHA! Night was recorded on 06.13.24 - our first live performance on AHA! Night. 

Love the show? Consider making a donation, we appreciate your support. https://theartistsindex.com/donate/ 

Welcome to the second of the ten podcast episodes in The South Coast Artists Index Jazz Series hosted by Dave Reis. This first-ever series is underwritten and brought to you by Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound.

Jazz podcast series host Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.

Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181 and returns once again as the host of our first-ever ten-part jazz podcast series underwritten by the Fiber Optic Center.

There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new Jazz Podcast Series.

In Episode Two, Dave Reis speaks with his friend Neal Weiss, a Jazz aficionado, the Jazz Podcast Series Underwriter, and sponsor of the Jazz Mural in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in downtown New Bedford by Kat Knutsen. Neal Weiss is also the founder of Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound.

Learn more about the Jazz Series by visiting The South Coast Artists Index.

Welcome Lindsay Mis, artist and the director of DATMA, the Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute. DATMA presents contemporary art with the convergence of design, art, and technology through exhibitions, performances, and education and engagement for all ages and cultural backgrounds in the South Coast region and beyond.

It was established in 2016 and launched in 2018, DATMA was founded to enhance the evolving dynamic cultural and economic life of Southcoast Massachusetts. As an exhibitor of public art, DATMA collaborates with the business and education sectors of the region to expand public awareness, bringing new cultural assets into the mix.

Lindsay speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about DATMA and its purpose and journey. This episode was recorded at our home base and recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at  Howland Place in New Bedford. 

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index also uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Listen in on the Southcoast Artists Index Podcasts and read the Articles for up close, personal, and informative conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Jazz podcast series host Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. He was one of the original longtime DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became radio station WUMD, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.

Dave Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. and In-Focus Podcast 181 and returns once again as the host of our first-ever podcast series. Our thanks to local businessman Neal Weiss, the founder of the Fiber Optic Center, a jazz aficionado, and entrepreneur, for underwriting this ten-part jazz podcast series.

There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new jazz podcast series.

In episode one Dave Reis takes a trip down memory lane and recounts the lives and careers of the artists featured on The Jazz Mural in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in downtown New Bedford by Kat Knutsen, which was also sponsored by Neal Weiss’s Fiber Optic Center and Whaling City Sound. Kat has been our guest on podcast episodes 73, 131, and 180.

Learn more about the Jazz Series by visiting The South Coast Artists Index. 

Welcome clay artist/potter/ceramicist, Wendy Joy Goldsmith. She graduated with a BFA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she also graduated with a MAT (Masters of Art Education).

Wendy also attended workshops at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Coastal Maine where she studied with Jack Troy and Bernadette Curran. She also has participated in various workshops at the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill in Truro, Massachusetts.

Wendy Goldsmith was an art teacher at Friends Academy in Dartmouth, Massachusetts for 33 years. Her pottery is mostly hand-built.  She likes experimenting with hand-carved stamps or found objects for printing or impressing texture. Wendy strives to integrate both function and beauty into her work and her inspiration comes from nature and the interpretation from her imagination. 

She has been a creator and made art since childhood. She majored in printmaking in art school but also took ceramics classes and stayed with clay, using printmaking techniques in her process.

Wendy speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her art, life, and journey. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Our home base and recording studio is located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in, or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

The Artists Index is sponsored in-part by Heavenly Spirits who invite you to celebrate the art of life.

Enjoy this podcast? Consider making a one-time small donation to help support our mission.

Welcome back David "Dave" Reis, AKA David Domingo Reis, who was our guest on In-Focus Podcast 154. Dave returns once again and this time it's as the host of our first-ever podcast series.

Dave Reis spent nearly 26 years as a Jazz radio show host among his many other accomplishments. That’s right, he was one of the original DJs who worked at the former WUSM which became WUMD radio station, 89.3 FM, on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth campus.

This podcast, Podcast Episode 187, offers a little background into an upcoming and remarkable opportunity to learn about the phenomenal, historic, and impactful jazz community with its deep roots in the Cape Verdian community of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Jazz in the South Coast is still thriving and continues to make history.

Local businessman Neal Weiss, a jazz aficionado, entrepreneur, and the founder of the Fiber Optic Center is underwriting this ten-part jazz podcast series. There is no better host for this series than Dave Reis, a walking, talking jazz encyclopedia and local legend himself. Dave grew up surrounded by and hanging around with many of the jazz greats he will be presenting his new jazz podcast series.

Stay tuned for The Fiber Optic Center’s Jazz Podcast Series with your host Dave Reis, which launches later this month. The Artists Index wants to say thank you in advance of the series launch to the Fiber Optic Center for underwriting this series and helping us to continue our mission.

We have been featuring the makers, creators, and performers of the South Coast's local arts and culture scene for quite some time, and producing podcast series has been on our list. Neal Weiss is also the sponsor of the Jazz Mural created by Kat Knutsen who has been our guest on Podcast Episode 73, Podcast Episode 131, and Podcast Episode 180. Neal is also the founder of Whaling City Sound, which Dave will tell you all about!

Dave Reis has always wanted to promote Jazz musicians. WUMD signed off around noontime on a Monday in June of 2017 after 42 years of broadcasting. According to a Fall River Herald article, on “May 1, the Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of UMass Dartmouth’s 9,800-watt WUMD (89.3 FM) radio license to Rhode Island Public Radio...”

Jazz was and continues to be Dave's passion. He grew up in a house with Jazz musicians and taught a class with former Southcoast Learning Network. The Artists Index co-founder and host, Ron Fortier talks to Dave Reis about his new series and lots more.

The Artists Index continues using Zoom and occasionally at our studio at the Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. Our home base and recording studio is at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The whole concept of The Artists Index and our journey is still in the making and very organic. If you would like to be a guest or, have a suggestion, please let us know!

Offering listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Listen to the artists talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

The Artists Index is sponsored in part by Heavenly Sprits who invite you to celebrate the art of life. 

Enjoy this podcast? Considering making a one time small donation to help support our mission. 

Welcome, Ymelda Rivera Laxton, the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Community Projects at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Ymelda is the newest addition to the Whaling Museum's staff.  She is a museum professional.

Ymelda has worked at various cultural institutions in Washington, California, Texas, and Massachusetts. She has always been interested in cultural agency and representation in museums. As the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art & Community Projects, she brings her experience, love, and appreciation of community storytelling in all of its forms.

Ymelda Rivera Laxton is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and credits the amazing cultural arts community there for fostering her love and enthusiasm for museums. She resides in Rhode Island with her husband, daughter, and their beagle mutt named Beemo.

Ymelda speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about her broad scope of experience and its importance to her new position at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Our home base and recording studio is at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The Artists Index, offers listeners up close and personal conversations with the artists, supporters, and cultural impresarios of our creative community.

Our In-Focus podcasts feature artists who talk about their work, backgrounds, passions, dreams, and accomplishments.  Also featured are those who work in or manage the creative community’s economy, promotion, and cultural agenda.

If you enjoy this podcast please consider making a donation. https://theartistsindex.com/donate/ 

Welcome Hip-Hop Artist, Trajic Montalvo (Andres Alexander Montalvo). He was born in Miami, Florida, and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts because, as he says, he was, "surrounded by death by the time I was an early teen and found a way to get through my everyday struggles and pains.

Trajic fell in in love with music. He has continued to write and rap at every chance he is presented with. Today he is releasing music consistently on all platforms. He also provides music videos on YouTube & more. As of late, he has been donating clothes and merchandise from his We Attire By Trajic Montalvo (WABTM) brand at PACE (People Acting in Community Endeavors) in New Bedford, Massachusetts while hoping to be more involved with the city and the surrounding communities.

Trajic's stage name is a testament to his early teenage years and is a testament to his immersion in hip-hop writing, rapping, and recording. His releases are found on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. His journey which started in adversity and has brought him to secure a space in hip-hop has been embraced by his adopted community.

And although there have been challenges, his passion for music has never faltered. Trajic continues to be successful and carve out a niche in the South Coast's vibrant and expanding hip-hop scene. He was recently featured on 24HIP-HOP. Trajic speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about his art, life, and journey. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Our home base and recording studio is located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, to Podcast Episode 184 featuring John Walker and Putnam Murdock. They are friends and a singer-songwriter team who also work together as playwrights. John has, as he describes, "some experience writing screenplays" and Putnam is a seasoned singer-songwriter and teacher.

Putnam Grafton Murdock has performed throughout the US and is a middle school music and theatre teacher at  Friends Academy in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. They have completed one stage play “A Friend’s One Man Show” and are working on another play incorporating Putnam’s music background. The play, however, is not a traditional musical.

As of this podcast episode recording, “A Friend’s One Man Show” has been through one table reading at Friends Academy in 2021 and a staged reading at Moses Brown High School in Providence, Rhode Island in 2023. Their creative process has evolved since they began writing together in the fall of 2019 before the pandemic. When the pandemic started, they discovered they could meet more often online.

John Daniel Walker is a California State University, Northridge graduate and a transplanted Fairhavenite from San Diego, California. According to John, "While the platform was a bit impersonal at first, we took the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to the creative process which, supplemented our therapy sessions that were no longer taking place." The process has allowed them to take time, revise, and edit often. it also allowed the duo to include their most honest selves in the characters.

According to the friends and playwrights, while publication is a dream for the play, their goal has been to create and steep themselves in the process of writing. As a touring artist, Putnam started as a professional musician with the Colorado rock and roll band Chief Broom. He was the frontman. The group achieved a slot on the 1997 H.O.R.D.E tour, appeared in festivals at Red Rocks Amphitheater and sold out venues throughout the western United States.

After graduating with a songwriting degree from Berklee School in Music in 2002, Murdock launched a solo career and has since traveled across the country performing with artists such as Martin Sexton, Taj Mahal, Ben Taylor, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Kaki King. Putnam Murdock describes his music as being steeped in old-time folk, country, and blues.his songwriting presents an honest voice of Americana music. As a one-man band or a full ensemble, the intimacy remains obvious in his contemporary sonic collages or classic ballads. His fourth studio release, "Long Time To Make Old Friends, was recorded at Bunker Studios in 2022.

John Walker and Putnam Murdock speak with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their collaboration and interests.. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Our home base and recording studio is located in Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, once again, Alyssa Botelho from Podcast Episode 175 and Ethan de Aguiar, from Podcast Episode 173. They have teamed up to create the New Bedford Film Festival - which, "celebrates authentic cinematic stories, cultivates bold storytellers, and champions the city’s growing creative and diverse economy."

The festival will take place in New Bedford (as of this posting) in the South Coast of Massachusetts from April 18 to 21, 2024, their inaugural year. The New Bedford Film Festival event sites are at the New Bedford Ground Work and the New Bedford Creative offices. There will be multiple screening areas. The New Bedford Film Festival offers local filmmakers the unique opportunity to showcase their films as well as simultaneous, panels, and networking events.

During the evening segments, the festival features the "Story in a Frame" for filmmakers to take the opportunity to share a screenshot from their project and engage in lively discussions.

The New Bedford Film Festival celebrates authentic cinematic stories, cultivates bold storytellers, and champions the city’s growing creative economy. NBFF takes place in the vibrant city of New Bedford on the South Coast region of Massachusetts. Alyssa and Ethan say that the festival is committed to their shared vision by, "spotlighting the diverse human experience through cinematic storytelling such as short & feature films, episodic, music videos, documentaries, and PSA shorts through a yearly film festival."

Throughout the day, the New Bedford Film Festival invites you to, "explore New Bedford's downtown small business scene where the filmmakers will be offered discounts and promotions when presenting their official NBFF badge." The opening events will be held at the state-of-the-art New Bedford Whaling Museum theater, with an Academy Award-style closing ceremony held at Steeple Playhouse on the last day of the festival.

And as they say, there's more! The NB48: Filmmaking Challenge Challenge!  event is held in collaboration with the New Bedford Film Festival and sponsored by UMass Dartmouth. It aims to highlight the beauty and diversity of downtown New Bedford as the perfect setting for film narratives.

The challenge is a great opportunity to showcase the thriving independent film scene in the New Bedford area and connect with like-minded local filmmakers, actors, and volunteers. Alyssa Botelho and Ethan de Aguiar speak with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, once again, about their new and highly successful festival collaboration.

The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. The home base and studio of The Artists Index are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Chris Page, an artist and painter who spent most of his adult life in the Amherst-Northampton area of Massachusetts. Chris just recently moved to Somerset and has a studio in the Hatch Street Studios in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

His work, although grounded in abstract painting is as he says, "based on walking and being present in the landscape." Chris Page is currently walking the area of Horseback Beach and Gooseberry Neck in Westport, Massachusetts as a specific exploration. He is especially interested in wave rhythms and seaweed accumulation formations and their space-making patterning.

His work involves both painting and photography. Chris often starts with a photograph and overpainting it. His paintings begin as primarily gestural mark-making followed by scraping to form his images. Visit the Notebook section on his website to see his most recent work

Chris speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about painting in general and his painting practice. This episode was recorded with Zoom. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

Our home base and recording studio is located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford.  If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, once again, Jeff Angeley from Podcast Episode 122 and Chris Camarao, from Podcast Episode 135. They have teamed up to create the New Bedford Roots & Branches Festival - Everything Acoustic By and For the People!

Their inaugural year was last July (2023) with a promise to bring, "a new kind of acoustic music festival... to downtown New Bedford!" The Festival is, according to their website, "a free, one-day, acoustic music festival by and for the people." It is free to all and it is devoted to ensuring the various diverse folk communities of the city are represented on the performance schedule.

New Bedford Roots & Branches Festival aims to have a positive impact on the downtown New Bedford community by hosting local and regional performers of true traditional music, indie folk, acoustic roots rock, contemporary songwriting, and other compositional and exploratory acoustic music. The Festival will continue to work its successful agenda this July by working in direct collaboration with its fiscal sponsor, Downtown New Bedford Inc.

The New Bedford Roots & Branches Festival featured unique indoor “stages” on small downtown business locations, which included Calico, the Pour Farm Tavern, April Evans Beauty Salon, and Destination Soups. Each venue functioned as a unique listening concert while simultaneously bringing attendees directly into the showrooms of their supportive and vibrant downtown business community. Outdoor traditional music performance areas such as Wing’s Court also hosted performances in the heart of downtown New Bedford.

The festival's co-founders,  Jeff Angeley and Chris Camarao speak with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, once again, about their new and highly successful festival collaboration.

The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. The home base and studio of The Artists Index are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, once again,  painter/muralist/art instructor, and production artist on Loving Vincent, Katherine “Kat” Knutsen! She has been our guest on In-Focus Podcast Number 73 and last time, she spoke with our intrepid Indie Music Host – Scott Bishop about her musical side In-Focus Podcast Number 131!

This time, she speaks with The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, once again, about her background, passions, and future. She is a whirling dervish of great energy, who since childhood, has always loved working with her hands.

Kat had survived asthma and brain cancer growing up, and she seems always to be living her best life and spreading her enthusiasm wherever she goes and sharing it with whoever needs it. Her health challenges initially led to her studying nursing but she quickly learned it wasn’t for her during the clinical portion of her education.

She left the nursing field and was serendipitously introduced to the Fine Arts by a friend in her sociology class. Kat Knutsen was drawn into the Arts when she witnessed her, "...soon-to-be painting professor turn magic into a rational process. Something in me lit up!”

Ever since then, Kat continued to learn about art, refine her skills, techniques, and approach, and go on to teach others. She engages with her students in the art-making process and continues to reflect and interpret the events that happen around her. She is currently featuring live figure drawing sessions under the heading of Anatomical Artisanry in her Kilburn Mill studio.

The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. The home base and studio of The Artists Index are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on  The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Mary Monteiro, who says she, "was not exposed to art growing up so I latched on to the only creative endeavor I had been exposed to, sewing."  After high school, her interest in creating with fabric led her to pursue a degree in fashion design.

It was well-intentioned but short-lived. After her first foundation drawing class at S.M.U. (Southeastern Massachusetts University) which evolved into the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Mary Monteiro, had found her true passion. Her desire to learn more led her to an apprenticeship with a painter in Providence and later with an illustrator.

Mary Monteiro started her freelance illustration career at 26 and worked in book publishing, giftware design, and fashion. She had also discovered meditation. "Art and spirit are natural companions and have been guiding forces for me, she says, I traveled to India to deepen my understanding of meditation."  Mary is now at a stage in life when all the "busy work" is done.  She now focuses all her energy on bringing the spirit into her life and onto the canvas. Mary Monteiro hopes that her art can bring people to that centered place within them.

The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, talks with Mary Monteiro, about her background, passions, and future. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

The home base and studio of The Artists Index are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on  The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome Fairhaven native, Beth Ann Gallagher, film buff, historian, and the founder of the film and television blog Spellbound with Beth Ann (2008).  The blog offers, "featured productions and creatives that often come from the silent and classic film eras, but not entirely."

Beth Ann expanded her coverage to include contemporary film and television in 2020. She is an admitted lifelong film fanatic and TV viewer and attributes it to, "growing up an only child in wintry New England" which, might have made her more susceptible to their lure.

She moved back to her hometown after becoming a mother in midlife. This past summer of 2023 in partnership with the Millicent Library, she founded the classic film club, South Coast Cinemaniacs. Since 2008, Beth Ann has been blogging about classic films on Spellbound with Beth Ann. She is a member of the Classic Movie Blog Association.

Beth Ann was inspired by her Portuguese heritage in 2019 when she co-founded the Luso World Cinema Blogathon, which celebrates the contributions of Lusophones and their descendants to film. Her film writing has appeared in a wide range of publications such as in the Toronto Silent Film Festival programs, Turner Classic Movies' Backlot, Discover Rio Vista Magazine, and the Indicator Series' Columbia Noir #4 boxed set.

But wait, there's more! Beth Ann is a former Flywheel Arts Collective booker and a former electronic music events DJ. She was the first woman general manager at the fabled and now defunct WSMU at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where she graduated from the University with a BA in English Literature & Writing Communications.

The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, talks with Beth Ann Gallagher about her background, passions, and future. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Pam Hoss, aka Pamela L. Hoss, who often uses herself as a vehicle of expression. According to her, "Some of my portraits are intimate investigations, while others, using full body postures, are theatrical large-scale narratives. Both elucidate my life as a woman in the roles I have played as a daughter, mother, artist, teacher, and wife."

Self-portraiture has allowed Pam Hoss to uncover what could not easily be perceived. Documenting the past with the present, she looks at herself through the lens of time, with a conscious awareness of age, gender, and loss.

Pam Hoss studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and graduated in 1984. Pam moved to New Bedford in 2005 to obtain affordable studio space. She and Scott Currier were married at the Seamen's Bethel in 2008 and bought a historic home in 2011. Pam taught figure drawing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for thirty years, influencing close to 1900 students. She retired in 2018.

Since 1984 Pam Hoss has maintained studios in large warehouse spaces and 2021 moved her studio into the first floor of her New Bedford home where she continues to paint portraits and flowers from the gardens we grow.

The Artists Index’s cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, talks with Pam Hoss, about her background, passions, and future. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

The home base and studio of The Artists Index are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on  The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Patricia A. Thomas, aka Patty Thomas, performer, director, writer, and teacher. Throughout her career, Patty has directed theatre and music projects in many communities and different parts of the world. As the artistic director and co-founder of Culture*Park Theatre, along with Rebecca Schade, she has fostered new and emerging plays and playwrights, curating and presenting nearly 400 short plays for the Short Plays Marathons.

Patty is the author/editor of Two Portuguese-American Plays, which features her full-length play, Through a Portagee Gate, adapted from the memoir by Charles Reis Felix. Patricia began her acting career at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI, and has been a member of the Actors’ Equity Association since 1985. She is the current co-editor, of The Culture*Park Short Plays Marathons: An Anthology of Plays, 2002-2023, and founder and director of the Uncommon Lunch Presents Culture*Park Short Plays!, a touring program, and the director of Midnight, Foc'sle, Moby Dick, and Moby Dick M.

The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, talks with Patty Thomas, about her background, passions, and future. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

Our home base and studio are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Alyssa Botelho a writer, director, producer, and actor. She was born and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Her passion for unearthing untold stories from the past and breathing life into them through the art of filmmaking is what drives her to create.

Alyssa's style is a blend of suspense, mystery, and existentialism. It's all woven together with a thread of humor that provides a multi-dimensional richness to her narratives. She first learned filmmaking at Fairhaven High School and went on to the University of Rhode Island where she graduated in 2021 with a 4.0 GPA. Alyssa Botelho also garnered the University Academic Excellence Award in Film/Media, and the Dean's Excellence Award in Management.

A decorated filmmaker, Alyssa Botelho's achievements have been celebrated on both the state and national levels, with a notable emphasis on her "Best Director" and "Best Short Fiction" awards from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - New England Colleges/Universities Chapter (commonly referred to as “Student Emmys”). Her latest film project is Sweet Freedom, a film revolving around the incredible true life of Polly Johnson, a legendary abolitionist who lived and fought for freedom in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The Artists Index's cofounder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier, talks to Alyssa Botelho about her background, passions, and future. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

Our home base and studio are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on  The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

20 Patterson Brook Road

West Wareham, MA 02576 

508 947-9973

Welcome, Troy Henriksen, a New Bedford native, is a self-taught visual artist, writer, and musician who has been living and working successfully in Paris, France since 1998.

Troy Henriksen is known for his colorful, bold, and optimistic paintings. He has over a thousand collectors and is represented by Galerie W Paris. He has written three books; New Man New Identity (Critéres Editions France ), Let’s Get Wasted (Galerie W Editions, Paris ), and The Journey Of Johnny Vincent (Beacon Publishing group N.Y.C. ).

He is also an established songwriter with French Fries Records ( Paris) and Universal Music. He performs his music with two groups, The Bowling Team (Rock) and Troy And The Human Condition (Folk) plays guitar and is the lead singer.

Here's an excerpt from The Journey Of Johnny Vincent. As a child, he had two dreams. One was to be a fisherman and the other was to be an artist. As Troy Henriksen says, he lives on the edge, the edge of it all.

The Artists Index’s all around host, Scott Bishop, talks to Troy Henriksen about his background, and his varied passions. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

Our home base and studio are located at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest on  The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Ethan de Aguiar, who self-describes as a self-proclaimed artrepreneur.  He is a New Bedford native and an experienced filmmaker. Ethan de Aguiar focuses on the art of storytelling and brings the essence of the subject matter to life with cinematic visuals that create a unique experience for audiences.

He has built long-term working relationships with notable local organizations such as New Bedford Creative, Destination New Bedford, DATMA, the SouthCoast Community Foundation, YMCA Southcoast, Viva! Fall River, and the Fabrics Art Festival, to name a few. Recently, Ethan's short documentary film, Love Letters for New Bedford has been an official selection for at least 11 film festivals.

Most notably, Ethan de Aguiar won "Best Documentary" at the Portuguese International Film Festival as well as the Block Island Film Festival. He is currently working on a pilot episode for a "mockumentary-style" comedy series called Pickleball Is Life as Director of Photography, Co-Director, and Editor.

The Artists Index Indie Podcast Host, Scott Bishop, talks to our guest about their background, passions, and career. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially for those who no longer live in the South Coast of Massachusetts. Our home base and studio are at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford. If you would like to be a guest or, have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Paul Bielatowicz, born in Burnley, Lancashire, England. As a child, he was obsessed with gymnastics, but around the age of 7, he began expressing an interest in playing the guitar. Paul Bielatowicz's dad had always played guitar and the two would often sing songs together. His parents bought him a child-sized nylon-strung acoustic guitar for Christmas and he started taking classical guitar lessons.

He has now spent the past two decades recording, playing, and touring with some of the biggest names in progressive rock. When the COVID-19 pandemic stopped all touring, Paul Bielatowicz turned his attention to composing an immersive prog-rock soundtrack for Nosferatu, the 1922 classic silent horror film. This unique show features a live band performance of the full score played in sync with the movie, plus two additional LED screens for multimedia onstage guest performances from some of the biggest names in classic and progressive rock.

The Artists Index Indie Podcast Host, Scott Bishop, talks to Paul Bielatowicz about his background, passions, and career. The Artists Index uses Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially for those who no longer live in the South Coast of Massachusetts.

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Eric Baylies of the Baylies Band, a local music performer who's been associated with Bad Motherfucker, Temple Of Bon Matin, Club Math, Free Jazz Now, Psychedelic Jazz Trio, and Minibeast with Peter Prescott of Mission Of Burma.

He's toured with Pere Ubu and performed with Wire, Weird Al Yankovic, Macaulay Culkin's Pizza Underground, Godsmack, Staind, Carnivore, Lizzie Borden, Ralph Nader, Vanessa Carlton, Swans, Blue Oyster Cult, Psychic TV, Andrew WK, Volcano the Bear, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Thurston Moore, Shellac, and many others.

Eric went to the  Ashley School in New Bedford, Massachusets, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Harvard. Eric has run with the bulls in Pamplona and worked in the New Bedford Public School system and he's not sure which is more dangerous. He has released four books: the memoir HEROIN'S RAINBOW, the poetry/lyrics collection TALKING LIKE A MAN WITH A PAPER ASSHOLE and two psychedelic surrealist novels DEATH TAKES AN ACID TRIP and COLD AS A WITCH'S CUNT. He has written for the Boston Hassle, Boston Noise, Motif, New Bedford Guide, and Fairhaven Navigator.

The Artists Index Indie Podcast Host, Scott Bishop, talks to Eric Baylies about his background, passions, and career. The Artists Index continues using Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially for those who no longer live in the South Coast of Massachusetts. Our home base and studio is at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.

Welcome, Donna Gagnon, Artist, and Painter, AKA, Donna Sylvia Gagnon, who as a child was always interested in drawing, so much so that her parents sent her to the Swain School of Design summer program classes. After graduating from Fairhaven High School, Donna attended S.M.U. (Southeastern Massachusetts University), now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where she majored in Visual Design. Donna Gagnon then worked at various advertising agencies, printers, and civil engineering firms.

One of her favorite jobs, she says, "...was working with the New Bedford Public Schools Superintendant of Art in their Performing Arts Program with Ron Fortier, who was the project director." The program was subsidized under the C.E.T.A. (Comprehensive Employment Training Act) and,  "...the team developed a puppet show to teach New Bedford’s history to students and tourists."

Upon retirement, Donna began pursuing and focusing on her painting again. People Places, and Pets are her main subjects. She works in the traditional realistic style and is always searching for light and shadow to bring subjects to life. Donna Gagnon's work has been shown around the South Coast, Providence, and Boston and is in several collections around the country. This past April, she was. "delighted that my exhibit at the Wamsutta Club sold 14 paintings! I feel lucky to live in this area among so many talented artists."

The Artists Index co-founder and host, Ron Fortier, talks to Donna Gagnon about her background, passions, and their time at C.E.T.A. in the seventies. The Artists Index continues using Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules and to allow them to remain in the comfort of their homes, especially for those who no longer live in the South Coast of Massachusetts. Our home base and studio is at Spectrum Marketing Group in Howland Place in New Bedford

The whole concept of The Artists Index and our journey is still in the making and very organic. If you would like to be a guest or, have a suggestion, please let us know!

The In-Focus Podcasts are up close and personal conversations with the makers, performers, supporters, and cultural impresarios of the remarkable creative community of South Coast Massachusetts including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Westport, and beyond.