Crystal Bridges, the Momentary and OZ Art partner on digital series featuring artists, makers, communities and cultures
Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) today launched OZCast, a weekly, online variety show featuring artists and creatives.
“OZCast offers an entryway into the arts through powerful works, masterful storytelling and illuminating behind-the-scenes footage,” said Allyson Esposito, CACHE executive director. “The pandemic has had devastating effects on our local artists and creative communities. CACHE launched OZCast to support and celebrate artists during these trying times and give them a platform to showcase their work and collaborate with other artists on a national stage.”
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Momentary and OZ Art will partner with CACHE to support OZCast with programming, communications and curation of local and national artists.
The series is supported by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation and will explore varying themes and showcase at least four artists weekly throughout 2020.
Mario Troncoso, 10-time Emmy award-winning filmmaker, documentarian and founder of Doc Society, relocated to Bentonville from Austin, Texas to direct the series. The series is edited and animated by Northwest Arkansas-based multimedia artist Lisa Marie Evans. A team of four local filmmakers are assisting with production.
The first episode will showcase a wide range of creativity across Northwest Arkansas, featuring hip-hop by Jeremiah Pickett as Baang, experimental visual vignettes by Carolyn Guinzio, instrumental music by Christian Serrano-Torres, spoken word poetry by Noelia Cerna, traditional dance by The Noble 8 Lion Dance Group, basket weaving by Terry Gibson and an artist conversation with Alan Rodriguez on his mural honoring Vanessa Guillen.
In total, more than 75 local, regional and national artists will participate, contributing video works, performances, visual arts, creative processes and immersive technology. Content will be created both online and in the community, serving as a bridge into re-opening physical spaces and highlighting venues, public spaces and natural settings throughout the region.
Both local and national artists expressed excitement about participating in OZCast.
“Working with OZCast has inspired and encouraged me to keep developing my craft in ways that ring true to me,” said choreographer and dancer Robyn Jordan. “I have found the value of connecting to like-minded people and leaning into the places that stretch me for the better.”
“As artists based in Houston, it is an honor to be invited to take part in this project alongside so many Arkansas-based artists as well as other national colleagues,” said interdisciplinary artists Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin. “Like most artists, the pandemic arrested all of our projects indefinitely, and this opportunity has given us a marvelous chance to make a short piece we think is going to guide the way we continue to work in Northwest Arkansas.”
“Having spent most of my life in Northwest Arkansas building my interests and skills in the arts, I am honored to have the chance to tell the story of my fellow NWA artists,” said filmmaker Evan Alvarado who is assisting with the production of the series. “I’m excited for what OZCast brings to Northwest Arkansas by giving a platform to our local creatives, including many of those that are off the radar or underserved.”
Weekly episodes can be found at www.ozcast.art beginning on Wednesday, October 28 starting at 3 p.m.
