Laverne Zabielski, Lexington poet, writer, and fiber artist, joins host Kate Savage to discuss her deeply personal new chapbook, "Disbelief," which traces a 20th-century life marked by both joy and tragedy, including the loss of her son and her daughter’s battles with addiction. She reflects on the transformative power of journal writing, the act of crafting experience into art, and the courage it takes to share untold family stories across generations. Laverne also shares how her evolution from hair designer to fiber artist intertwined with her literary pursuits, and explains how turning to color and technique in her studio became a method of coping and healing. She details her participation in the Carlton Wing retrospective, creating a “wisdom staff” from found objects and her signature silk scraps—a testament to collaboration, memory, and artistic resilience. Throughout, Laverne advocates for women to write and honor their stories, illuminating how art offers sanctuary and the possibility of renewal.

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Drew Barr, acclaimed director of new, modern, and classical plays known for his work on Broadway and internationally with productions such as War Horse, joins Kate Savage to discuss his latest project: directing Harvey Fierstein’s Casa Valentina for the Act Out Theatre Group in Lexington. Kate Savage delves into Drew Barr’s background, prolific career, and previous challenging productions like Angels in America, before turning to the story and context of Casa Valentina—a play about a group of cross-dressing heterosexual men and their wives who find community at a secret Catskills resort in the early 1960s. Drew Barr unpacks the fascinating, hidden history that inspired the play, the layered challenges of bringing its complex characters and mysterious tone to life, and the importance of representation and inclusivity in community theater. The conversation highlights the fearless mission of Act Out Theatre, the dedication of cast and crew, and the unique, ongoing need for vibrant, challenging theater in Lexington.

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Artist Stacey Chinn-Hart discusses her conceptual art exhibition 'Recreation,' exploring themes of identity, vulnerability, and transformation through personal and powerful works. Host Kate Savage delves into Stacey's creative process, the significance of her pieces, and the emotional journey behind her art.

Stacey R. Chinn (Chinn-Hart) is a Lexington, Kentucky-based visual artist, designer, educator, and entrepreneur whose interdisciplinary practice spans sculpture, ceramics, fiber, painting, jewelry, and found-object assemblage. She earned her MFA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1998 and her BFA from the University of Kentucky in 1994. Working fluidly across media, Chinn creates psychologically and materially layered works that explore identity, memory, labor, vulnerability, contradiction, and transformation through the use of porcelain, fiber, reclaimed materials, and found objects.

Her work has been exhibited locally, regionally, and nationally and featured in exhibition catalogs and publications, including Sculpture and FiberArts magazines. In addition to her
studio practice, she has served as a curator, gallery director, juror, panelist, public speaker, mentor, and educator. She has held adjunct faculty appointments at the University of Kentucky, Georgetown College, Eastern Kentucky University, and Bluegrass Community & Technical College, and has taught at the Bluegrass Arts Center, The Living Arts & Science Center, and Redwood Cooperative School.

Previously, Chinn owned MADEky, a working studio and retail gallery in Lexington’s Historic Distillery District. Alongside her fine art practice, she has worked professionally as a graphic designer for the last decade. She currently designs and creates contemporary functional ceramics and jewelry under her brand, Lil Crow.

Her current show is at the Lexington Art League at Loudon House until 17th July 2026.

For more and to connect with us, visit https://www.artsconnectlex.org/art-throb-podcast.html