Plano Star-courier > News
Art and Soul found in a pod
By Stefanie Ackerman, Staff Writer
Albert Camus, a renowned author said, “Without freedom, no art; art lives only on the restraints it imposes on itself, and dies of all others.”
Plano resident Shelly Niebuhr has discovered a way for North Texans to experience the art of their own community members and used the tools of the Internet to reinvigorate the artistic scene.
Niebuhr began a once a month podcast, The Art and Soul of North Texas. The podcast is a half hour experience with a local artist, she said.
“I thought it was important before, but now I feel it is really important; not just for the artist, but for the community,” Niebuhr said. “I think the community is ready to hear from its local artists.”
She received an iPOD as a gift and found herself drawn to podcasts more than music. She enjoyed hearing the stories of people and what was happening.
Niebuhr had grown up in an artist world. She said her family didn’t watch much television, but gathered together singing and playing instruments. To her, the experience of coming together and expressing non-contrived ideas seems to be missing from our culture.
Niebuhr realized that although her and other artist friends were enjoying each other’s music, poetry and experiences, the rest of the community was missing out on what seems now to be a sub-culture of what humanity used to judge as culture.
“To move you beyond yourself, your local artists are taking that from the community and putting it into their art. Plus, I also believe we are all artists and in some form. Even having a garden can be an art form,” Niebuhr said. “When you hear from other artists it inspires you. I think that is really missing in our culture; we’re becoming machines and art can remove us from that.”
Her idea started to take form and six months later she figured out how to create a website and a podcast featuring local artists of all types, which launched Nov. 2006 with guest Marsha Webb, a singer, teacher, pianist with four solo albums.
“What I really hope by listening to the podcast the listeners can experience the art,” Niebuhr said.
On the Art and Soul website Niebuhr states the podcast are “inspiring conversations with ordinary people creating extraordinary art.”
The half hour broadcast, which she puts together on her personal time, conveys to audiences what is happening in their community through a different experience. After the first broadcast, she said things have taken off and she has guests booked through the summer of 2007.
This month’s guest featured guest is woman who creates her art from recycled materials.
The freedom of expression, Niebuhr said, is no longer limited to a few major record labels or galleries. Artists and art appreciators can enjoy it in many ways now.
For information about Art and Soul log onto www.artandsoulofnorthtexas.org.
Both iTunes and Google podcasts carry the show.
Contact staff writer Stefanie Ackerman at 972-398-4265 or sackerman@acnpapers.com.
Plano resident Shelly Niebuhr has discovered a way for North Texans to experience the art of their own community members and used the tools of the Internet to reinvigorate the artistic scene.
Niebuhr began a once a month podcast, The Art and Soul of North Texas. The podcast is a half hour experience with a local artist, she said.
“I thought it was important before, but now I feel it is really important; not just for the artist, but for the community,” Niebuhr said. “I think the community is ready to hear from its local artists.”
She received an iPOD as a gift and found herself drawn to podcasts more than music. She enjoyed hearing the stories of people and what was happening.
Niebuhr had grown up in an artist world. She said her family didn’t watch much television, but gathered together singing and playing instruments. To her, the experience of coming together and expressing non-contrived ideas seems to be missing from our culture.
Niebuhr realized that although her and other artist friends were enjoying each other’s music, poetry and experiences, the rest of the community was missing out on what seems now to be a sub-culture of what humanity used to judge as culture.
“To move you beyond yourself, your local artists are taking that from the community and putting it into their art. Plus, I also believe we are all artists and in some form. Even having a garden can be an art form,” Niebuhr said. “When you hear from other artists it inspires you. I think that is really missing in our culture; we’re becoming machines and art can remove us from that.”
Her idea started to take form and six months later she figured out how to create a website and a podcast featuring local artists of all types, which launched Nov. 2006 with guest Marsha Webb, a singer, teacher, pianist with four solo albums.
“What I really hope by listening to the podcast the listeners can experience the art,” Niebuhr said.
On the Art and Soul website Niebuhr states the podcast are “inspiring conversations with ordinary people creating extraordinary art.”
The half hour broadcast, which she puts together on her personal time, conveys to audiences what is happening in their community through a different experience. After the first broadcast, she said things have taken off and she has guests booked through the summer of 2007.
This month’s guest featured guest is woman who creates her art from recycled materials.
The freedom of expression, Niebuhr said, is no longer limited to a few major record labels or galleries. Artists and art appreciators can enjoy it in many ways now.
For information about Art and Soul log onto www.artandsoulofnorthtexas.org.
Both iTunes and Google podcasts carry the show.
Contact staff writer Stefanie Ackerman at 972-398-4265 or sackerman@acnpapers.com.
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