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.

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JoEllen Wilhoite, Director of Corporate and Annual Giving at the Nest, along with artist and illustrator Pam McDaniel and singer-songwriter Buffy Lawson, discuss their heartwarming collaboration on the children’s book "The Nest We Built," launching June 16 at Arts Place. Jo Ellen talks about the Nest’s holistic mission to prevent abuse and neglect, and how the idea for the book was inspired by nature and community at Duncan Park, paralleling the cooperative spirit found both in wildlife and the Nest’s work. Pam describes how the natural setting and the symbolism of the nest guided her illustrations, and Buffy shares how she was moved to tears by the story, leading her to create a song that seamlessly weaves together with the book. The team explains how a QR code connects readers to the music, why all proceeds benefit the Nest’s free family programs, and how the project not only raises vital funds but also inspires children and grown-ups alike to contribute their unique gifts—whether perfect or not—towards building a stronger, more compassionate community.

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Vanessa Becker Weig, co-founder and Executive Artistic Director of Voices Amplified, and Rylie Sudduth, rising senior at the University of Evansville and Associate Producer, discuss the ambitious first Voices Heard Women’s Theatre Festival in Lexington, themed “Reclamation.” Vanessa explains the festival's origins, its mission to reclaim and amplify women’s stories, and provides an in-depth look at events including the comedic musical Disenchanted, the multicultural TikTok Short Play Festival, and the workshopping of Borden, a new musical centered on Lizzie and Emma Borden. She details community partnerships, the festival's inclusive approach, and the importance of local engagement to the festival’s sustainability. Rylie shares her own journey from Girl Project participant to assistant director, reflecting on the empowering impact of combining theater with activism and the challenges and rewards of collaborative, non-profit theater making. Both guests highlight the vital role of the arts as agents of change, and the unique energy, connection, and joy sparked by this bold new festival.

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When Tom Willis first encountered the Icarus myth, it felt like a warning to him: don’t fly too close to the sun. But then he thought - what if instead, it’s a call to leap into the unknown? That’s the heart of his new ballet, Icarus in Heat, where the fraught relationship between a father and son is explored, and how those big leaps can be necessary for growth.
Podcast host Kate Savage explores these themes with both Tom and Yan Martinez, the choreographer, as well as the creative process behind this contemporary ballet, its personal significance, and the innovative storytelling techniques used to reimagine the myth of Icarus. Yan and Tom talk about blending music, visual arts, and dance to convey complex themes of risk, father-son relationships, and societal influences.

Icarus In Heat is a bold, all-male contemporary ballet the reimagines the myth of Icarus in the charged space between father and son. Where desire is inherited, escape is a construction and fire is not just a warning, but an inevitability.
It will premier May 15-17 at Transylvania University in Haggin Auditorium.
TICKETS: www.transy.edu/calendar/event/icarus-in-heat-a-contemporary-ballet

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In this engaging interview, Willie Davis discusses his innovative novel Honeysuckle Season, which uniquely recounts a single incident through 12 diverse perspectives. The conversation with host Kate Savage, explores the book's creative format, influences, and the power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of events. The different voices in the book reflect the subjective nature of truth, and how personal and regional identities influence storytelling.
Willie Davis is the winner of the James Baker Hall Award 2025 for this book that was published by Accents Publishing of Lexington, KY.
Willie Davis's writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Kenyon Review, Salon, storySouth, and The Berkeley Fiction Review, amongst other places. He is the winner of The Willesden Herald Review (judged by Zadie Smith) and the Katherine Ann Porter Prize (judged by Amy Hempel). He teaches English, Journalism, and Creative Writing at Kentucky State University. He is the author of the novel Nightwolf and the short story collection I Can Outdance Jesus.

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Allison Lankford has overseen the Gatton Park project for more than a decade. In addition to raising the money necessary to build the park, with more than $55 million secured, Allison led the planning related to the design, programming, revenue model and governance structure for the future park. The team broke ground in August 2023 and opened to the public on August 23, 2025.
In conversation with host Kate Savage she explores the development and future plans of Gatton Park, a unique independent nonprofit park in Lexington, Kentucky.
More specifically they talk about the upcoming Bloom at Gatton Park event featuring the stunning Peonies art installation by a French collective called TILT, local community activities, and the park's commitment to public art. The intent of this event is to combine international art with local talent to create a vibrant spring experience.
More information is available on their website wwwgattonpark.org/events

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