“artZONE” Volume 2 on KACV March 1st

The second installment of KACV’s artZONE will premiere on March 1. This time around the show includes three different kinds of artistic expression: photography, the written word and music.

“Beowulf”, the Old English epic has captured the imaginations of its readers for centuries includeing that of author and poet, Donald Mace Williams. On December 12, 2010, “artZONE” was there when Williams read his narrative poem, “Wolfe” to an audience at the Carson County Square House Museum in Panhandle, Texas. “Wolfe” is an updated take on “Beowulf”, set during the early days of cattle ranching on the High Plains. Staying true to the time and meter of the original,Williams offers a suspenseful and engaging adaptation with a more familiar setting: the early days of cattle ranching on the High Plains. See “Wolfe”in its entirety at www.kacv.org/artzone, Be sure to let us know what you think.

Art is all Around

There are so many reasons to love the Texas Panhandle, and the fact that we live among the talent we do is yet another.

The person behind you in the check out line at the grocery store enjoys fresh produce, and they are also an award winning poet. The guy who held the door open for you at the post office is a brilliant pianist or the couple sitting in front of you at church creates sculpture works out of metal.

When I interviewed James Gardner and Doug Storey at the recent FASO concert, they both noted the wealth of talent found right here in Amarillo and the surrounding communities. You don’t have to travel to Dallas or New York City to see quality art, you can find it easily here at home. And, if you can’t make it to an opening, a poetry reading or concert performance you can watch it on “artZONE”. Our goal, here at KACV, is to bring our viewers a sampling of what is out there in the arts community. With “artZONE”, we want to give everyone access to the abundant talent and creativity living and working here at home. Watch “artZONE” on TV, on your computer or on your mobile device, then become a part of the art and join us on Facebook.

Take a look at these clips from the recent FASO concert the KACV crew shot last September. Capturing expressive moments for all of us to share…”artZONE” is there.

The Art of the Matter

The best part of my job as producer here at KACV is that there is always something new to learn. A few months ago, the term,” heritage seeds” meant nothing to me, but now I know they are used to grow a garden like the Native Americans planted around what is now Perryton, Texas.
(Watch kids from Peryton ISD as they plant an Indian Garden)

The KACV production crew is also hard at work gathering interviews from local Dust Bowl survivors. We’ll conduct interviews at the studio here on the AC campus on October 22nd. Then, in the coming months, we will travel to Dalhart, Perryton and Guymon to gather more stories.
(Pauline Durrett Robertson talks about her memories of the Dust Bowl)
While busy learning about the Dust Bowl and Indian gardens, we put the final touches on our program that aired last August, “Ben Konis: The Artist’s Artist”.
As we move into Fall, we will continue to focus on the arts in the Panhandle. Our newest program, “ArtZone” will focus on art in our region including but not limited to visual art, music and the written word. The KACV production crew will capture events as they happen for later broadcast as well as for the internet. We think art is important and we know there is a lot of it right here. Who else can bring it to you than KACV-TV? Look for “ArtZone” in December.

Living the Dream

When you watch the newest locally produced KACV program, “Ben Konis: The Artist’s Artist”, You will see more than just the beautiful art executed by Master pastelist Ben Konis. You will also hear the story of a man who got to do exactly what he wanted to do and lived his life without compromise. He was someone who “had it all”. He knew it and he was grateful for it.

Be sure and watch the premier of “Ben Konis: The Artist’s Artist” on August 26th at 7 on KACV-Tv(channel 2.1) and explore this wonderful story of gumption, talent and beautiful, beautiful art.
Go to the KACV-TV YouTube site and watch a clip where Jinni Konis talks about the early years. Ben was not established yet and money was really tight.

In A Word

There are many words that describe Master pastelist, Ben Konis. Bold, brilliant, charismatic, colorful all come to mind, but as we gather interviews for KACV’s newest locally produced program about Konis, the word “prolific” jumps to the top of the list. He was prolific, not only with his own work, but also with his ability to spread his knowledge and talent from person to person. Ask around, and chances are you or someone you know has taken or knows someone who has taken a class or workshop from Mr. Konis. Former students and friends of Konis from all over the country have sent emails and letters to us here at KACV and we have interviewed 3 local artists who studied under him. See what artists Len Slesick, Amy Winton and Yvonne Sangster have to say about their friend, teacher and mentor, Ben Konis.

Visit our You Tube page at: http://www.youtube.com/user/kacvtv

Earth, Wind and Art

One of the coolest things about working for publick television is the variety of subjects we get to explore. Over the spring and summer, the KACV production crew will (among other things) travel to Perryton, Texas to document the progress of an Indian Garden, gather interviews with area Dust Bowl survivors and aquaint ourselves with the work of a prolific local artist.

The next KACV local production set to hit the air in September is the long awaited program featuring the life, art and influence of Ben Konis. He painted the Southwest and along the way made an impact on the lives of those he encountered.

If you knew Ben or were one of his students, I would like to hear from you. Feel free to email me with your impressions and stories about Mr. Konis.

One Night Only

I am always a little bit nervous when a new KACV local program airs for the first time. I think of the scene in “The Muppet Movie” when the film goes off the reel in the middle of the show. Mass chaos ensues, but then they get things rolling again. I know nothing like that is going to happen, but I still hope that the audience is happy at the end of the program and that they take a minute to take in the abundant talent found right here in the Texas Panhandle. All of us here at KACV are honored to bring it to you. Remember, it's “Polk Street Jazz: One Night Only” on KACV-TV channel 2.1 - premiering March 1. Enjoy the show!