Airing time: Saturdays, 11am
A community arts radio show that challenges the belief that the arts are exclusive.
Sugar Loafing Arts Cast is supported and sponsored by:
Sugar Loafing Arts Cast showcases the diversity of arts in Taranaki and beyond. Host Mikaela Nyman interviews artists, creative makers, writers and curators, and delves into art ideas and mediums, discussing a wide range of themes, such as decolonisation in New Zealand and Pacific art and literature, how to find inspiration, and the beauty of collaboration with other creative souls across art disciplines.
The fundamental idea of this podcast is to showcase arts and creativity and to inspire. Do you have a creative passion or want to share your ideas? Feel free to contact Mikaela on [email protected]
Podcasts
To download the latest episode: Click on the kiwifruit to go to the Sugar Loafing Arts Cast show page on the accessmedia.nz site:
Click on the title of an episode to listen
Trina (Mad Alice) Batten
This month's ARTspace is filled to the hilt with Alice Batten's vibrant and thought-provoking art
Duration: 00:51:35 | Date: 18 January, 2025
Volunteering New Plymouth in the ARTspace
Volunteering New Plymouth has taken over the ARTSpace in December, showing some gorgeous handicraft made by volunteers. Marie Riordan talks to Michelle Bent about how your contribution can change lives.
Duration: 00:56:43 | Date: 14 December, 2024
Nathan and Destine Hull
Mikaela talks with Taranaki metal sculptors, Nathan and Destine Hull, who have a passion for recycling metal into fantastical large-scale sculptures. The largest was twelve meters long!
Duration: 00:55:43 | Date: 7 December, 2024
Julia Chochola
Abstract artist Julia Chochola works on large scale canvases but started out as an abstract tattooist in Prague. Now she’s opened her own art gallery in New Plymouth.
Duration: 55:44 | Date: 30 November, 2024
Amy Sao Tui - Lalaga
Taranaki artist Amy Sao Tui combines wood and wool in her art that honours her Samoan ancestry. Check out Amy’s work and the spectacular tapa we discuss at the Lalaga: Le Hui Fono exhibition at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
Duration: 48:04 | Date: 23 November, 2024
TRANSFormation
Rainbow Youth have taken over the ARTSpace with TRANSformation, a group exhibition, this month! Benson, Nyrah, Evie and Wes talk art, Trans Week of Awareness, and the connection between life and art.
Duration: 52:48 | Date: 16 November, 2024
Simone Montgomery - Milliner
Mikaela talks hats and designs with fabulous textile artist, milliner and fashion designer Simone Montgomery from Port Chalmers.
Duration: 57:56 | Date: 9 November, 2024
Robyn Jacob - Mosaic Artist
It’s all about mosaic, busts and guitars with Taranaki artist Robyn Jacob this week on Sugar Loafing Arts Cast
Duration: 48:50 | Date: 2 November, 2024
Mikaela Nyman on Write Spot
Why creative residencies are important, and the question “Have you done what you planned to do?” is less interesting. Jeff Harford of OAR FM’s Write Spot puts Robert Burns Fellow Mikaela Nyman on the spot.
Duration: 26:55 | Date: 26 October, 2024
Amy Brennan
Mikaela talks to ceramic artist Amy Brennan, whose quirky soulful figurines invite the viewer into Amy’s enchanted world. Amy is also one of the artists on the Taranaki Arts Trail this year.
Duration: 50:16 | Date: 19 October, 2024
Derek Hughes
Taranaki photographer Derek Hughes talks about his life-long passion, art and craft.
Duration: 50:40 | Date: 14 October, 2024
Dave 'Tex' Smith
Digital artist and story-teller Dave 'Tex' Smith is exhibiting his portraits in the ARTSpace in the Top Town Cinema mall in October.
Duration: 00:48:44 | Date: 5 October, 2024
Adam Portraiture Award; Artists Speak
An artists’ talk with Adam Portraiture Award 2024 finalists Jana Branca and Maryanne Shearman, both live in Taranaki. Maryanne Shearman is this year’s winner with ‘Tuhi-Ao’.
Duration: 56:53 | Date: 28 September, 2024
Improv Taranaki
This week we take a deep dive into improv theatre with Phill Spear, founder of Improv Taranaki, in conversation with Toni Marie Smith, Hannah Taylor and Josh Gross.
Duration: 51:21 | Date: 21 September, 2024
Holly Fletcher
Holly Fletcher is the head librarian at Dunedin Athenaeum & Mechanic’s Institute, one of the oldest private libraries still in use. A book lover and a published poet, Holly discovered at a mature age that she was dyslexic.
Duration: 0:55:3 | Date: 14 September, 2024
Lesa Hepburn
Lesa Hepburn is a multi-disciplinary artist who uses botanical fibres, plants and recycled materials in her sustainable, low impact arts practice for her 2D and 3D works, installations and prints
Duration: 0:49:36 | Date: 7 September, 2024
Wendy Lawrence
“Sense Art is like painting a picture with words,” says Wendy Lawrence, who believes in accessibility to art for all. Wendy guides free Sense Art Tours at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre for visitors with hearing or vision impairments.
Duration: 00:43:04 | Date: 31 August, 2024
Rick and Rhiannon Wood
Pottery is the passion of father-daughter team Rick and Rhiannon Wood. Rhiannon just won the Supreme Award in the New Plymouth Potters annual exhibition.
Duration: 00:56:17 | Date: 24 August, 2024