Artists Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco and M. Kristine Fisher began producing their local television show, “ARTWaves” on 1623 Studios as the pandemic began. The pair just celebrated six months on the air.
Artists Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco and M. Kristine Fisher began producing their local television show, “ARTWaves” on 1623 Studios as the pandemic began. The pair just celebrated six months on the air.
In the early spring of 2020 lockdown set in, the leadership of 1623 studios sought to find a way to support the arts remotely through their local TV and online footprint. What evolved was a unique member show called Cape Ann ARTWaves co-produced and hosted by Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco and M. Kristine Fisher.
The show launched in April and in its first episode took a snapshot of seARTS and Rocky Neck to understand how they pivoted to respond to their communities. From that point on, the show has tapped into 22 other artists from all strata of the arts community.
For centuries, artists have been at the crossroads of major historic events. The 2020 pandemic has been, by far, the greatest such event in the lives of many of us and Fisher and Ganim-DeFalco say it’s important to capture the response of the arts community during this time. Their show provides a vehicle to have this dialogue in a conversational, informal setting, direct from the artists’ homes and studios.
As artists themselves, the co-producers are well-acquainted with many artists and their interviews are intended to go deep with an informed point of view and at the same time make it easy and fun for the artists to tell their story.
“Through seARTS and the Wearable Art programs, I have spent twenty years working with artists and have also been on my own artistic journey during this time. Most of us are highly motivated by the anticipation of an exhibit or event. Losing these opportunities left a huge gap in the arts ecosystem. However, for many it’s been a wonderful time to re-charge and reflect and this is coming to light in our interviews,” said Ganim-DeFalco.
“Anticipating the interview gave me purpose, something artists have difficulty with during the pandemic. All my art shows were abruptly cancelled. Exposure is key,” said painter, Joan Bediz.
Fisher brings a rich background to the show.
“As a working artist and former executive director of the Marblehead Arts Association, I have a unique understanding into the complexities that go into keeping my art practice and the greater creative economy alive during these unprecedented times. Each interview offers insight into artists ’journeys, inspirations, and important gallery activity. This exposure is critical for the creative community who count on media exposure more than ever to share and sell their work.”
Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco and M. Kristine Fisher are champions of the arts community on Cape Ann and beyond. Jacqueline and Kristine have both served on the Board of seARTS and have led arts programming and promotion for over twenty years.
To date, Cape Ann ARTWaves has featured artists covering the genres of painting, photography, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, glass, the experimental arts the majority are working from Cape Ann or with a close connection through their exhibitions or personal history. Their memberships cross over many of the local art associations including Rocky Neck, North Shore, Rockport, seARTS, the Cape Ann Artisans, and some are in the permanent collection of the Cape Ann Museum. Among the more well-known artists, the hosts have interviewed Jeff Weaver, Chris Williams, Linda Holt, Nella Lush, and Ruth Mordecai. Many, however, are slightly under the radar and this presents a unique opportunity to tell their stories.
