The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
The Truth In This Art with Rob Lee Each week, Rob Lee sits down with artists, cultural leaders, and community builders to get straight to the point: how their work shapes people and places. Recorded in Baltimore but tuned in worldwide, the show cuts through buzzwords and PR fluff to share clear, practical insights on creativity, identity, and impact. With 800‑plus episodes in the archive, expect sharp questions, honest answers, and real stories that show why art—and the people behind it—matter. Subscribe for fresh conversations that connect local voices to global ideas and leave you seeing culture in a new light. If you're seeking genuine conversations about art, social impact, and the stories behind influential work – from painting and music to activism and community building – join the community. Subscribe now to The Truth in This Art: it's more than a podcast, it's a vital connection, linking diverse cultural perspectives from around the world. Connect with us at @truthinthisart for updates and more.
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Baltimore-based artist and designer Elijah Trice returns to talk about growth, storytelling, and painting the everyday with dignity and joy. Since our last conversation in 2022, Elijah has expanded his practice beyond hyperrealistic portraiture to explore themes of childhood memory and creative freedom. We recorded thi
If you’ve ever danced your heart out at a sold-out basement party or streamed a late-night DJ set on your phone, you’ve felt the pulse of Kotic Couture’s world. In this episode, Baltimore Magazine’s 2023 Best Local Artist shares how she swapped rap verses for turntables, co-founded one of the city’s most inclusive mont
Ceramic-based artist and educator Ara Koh returns to The Truth In This Art for her second conversation with Rob Lee. Known for her layered clay paintings and material-intensive installations, Ara shares how her practice has deepened through repetition, research, and unexpected cracks—both literal and metaphorical. In t
#39 – Can Museums Stay Open-Minded? Porosity, Power & Possibility | Jessica Bell Brown
Curator, writer, and executive director of the ICA at VCU Jessica Bell Brown returns to reflect on her evolving leadership at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. In this conversation, we talk about openness as a strategy, the role of listening in shaping institutions, and what it mea
Guggenheim Fellow, artist, producer, and educator Kokayi returns to unpack the layers of sound, storytelling, and being a vessel for cultural memory. Since our first conversation, Kokayi has pushed deeper into multidisciplinary work—blending sound design, improvisation, code, and community-building. This conversation t
#37 – Can Archives Shape What’s Next? Upton Mansion and a $16M Vision | Savannah Wood of Afro Charities
Artist, educator, and Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood joins to reflect on legacy, growth, and leading one of Baltimore’s most ambitious cultural preservation efforts. Savannah has overseen major milestones—most notably, the $16M redevelopment of the historic Upton Mansion, future home of the Afro-Americ
