Toast to The Arts & Parks

57:47

Comedian Ben Miller – Volcano: A Science Comedy Special

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/10/03

What happens when a comedian walks into a volcano? In this return visit on Big Blend Radio's "Toast to the Arts & Parks" Show with the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), Lisa D. Smith catches up with stand-up comedian Ben Miller, the scientist-turned-comedian who became the first stand-up comedian ever selected as an NPAF artist in residence, at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in February 2023.That month on the Big Island, spent learning from volcanologists, entomologists, archeologists,

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44:31

Gettysburg: Art, History & America's Stories

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/07/04

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg National Military Park, its enduring artistic legacy, and the vital role artists play in preserving America's history.As part of the ongoing Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective, Tanya explores how artist residencies help interpret the stories, landscapes, and emotions that make Gettysburg one of America's

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40:14

Getting to Know Tanya Ortega: Art, Parks & Creative...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/06/06

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), discussing the ongoing NPAF Retrospective project that celebrates a decade of artist residencies, creative partnerships, and inspiring stories from national parks across America.In this engaging conversation, Tanya reflects on the impact artists have had on parks and surrounding communities over the past ten years, sharing how the residency program has

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49:43

Cracked Nut Creatives: Multimedia Art & Music at...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/05/01

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features members of Cracked Nut Creatives, current National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) artists-in-residence at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.Blending classical music, multimedia storytelling, and environmental awareness, the artists explore the powerful relationship between music, nature, and place. Through their residency experience, they share how volcanic landscapes, natural soundscapes, and cultural heritage influence

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61:26

Art, Heritage & Wilderness: Exploring Chaco Canyon...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/04/06

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who shares insights into the organization’s NPAF Retrospective digital magazine while exploring the cultural and natural significance of Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Aztec Ruins National Monument in Northern New Mexico.In this engaging conversation, Tanya reflects on her personal experiences in these remarkable Southwestern landscapes,

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41:59

Photography, Inclusion and the Power of National Parks

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/03/06

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features travel photographer Houston Vandergriff and his mother Katie Vandergriff, who recently served as artists-in-residence at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park through the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF).Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Houston is a passionate travel photographer who has visited all 50 U.S. states, over 30 countries, and countless destinations around the world. Houston also happens to have Down

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30:38

Celebrating Art and Artists in America’s Southwest...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/02/07

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show celebrates the 93rd anniversaries of Death Valley National Park and Saguaro National Park, while spotlighting the impact of artist residencies through the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF).As part of the first installment of the Big Blend Radio NPAF "Artists in Parks" Retrospective, Tanya Ortega (NPAF Founder) and Lisa D. Smith (Big Blend Radio) explore how artists-in-residence draw inspiration from desert landscapes, dark

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54:05

Art, Parks & Legacy: The NPAF Retrospective with...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2026/01/03

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), who joins us to discuss Big Blend Radio’s NPAF Retrospective Digital Publication—a year-long celebration spotlighting 10 years of artist interviews connecting art, national parks, and public lands.The Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective (2016–2026) celebrates a decade of conversations with NPAF artists-in-residence while also honoring major milestones,

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56:16

Dancer and Choreographer Artis Olds in Hawaii...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/12/06

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Artis Olds, acclaimed dancer, choreographer, arts educator, and the November 2025 National Parks Arts Foundation Artist-in-Residence at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.Artis—whose dynamic career includes touring globally with Step Afrika! and the iconic Broadway and international productions of STOMP—shares the deep cultural roots of stepping and gumboot dance, exploring how these rhythmic traditions serve as powerful

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56:34

Art, History & Honor: National Parks Arts Foundation

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/11/08

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show highlights the powerful connection between art, nature, and military history through the work of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF).From painters and poets to filmmakers and chefs, the NPAF’s artist residency programs welcome diverse creatives into America’s national parks, where they interpret stories that honor veterans, women in military history, and the resilience of communities shaped by service and

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76:21

Queen Esther on Gettysburg, Resilience, and Her Album...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/10/03

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts & Parks” podcast celebrates National Arts & Humanities Month with Queen Esther, who completed a National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) artist residency at Gettysburg National Military Park in 2020.Queen Esther reflects on her artistic journey, the emotional impact of her Gettysburg residency, and the themes of her upcoming album Blackbirding. The conversation delves into the historical significance of Gettysburg, the concept of

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46:18

Tijuana Ricks and Anthony Pirro: Artists-in-Residence...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/09/06

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday “Toast to The Arts & Parks” Show features Tijuana Ricks and Anthony Pirro, who recently completed a National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) artist-in-residence program at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.Known for her roles in Billions and Marvel’s Luke Cage, Tijuana is an acclaimed actress, writer, and director. Her partner, Anthony, brings a unique perspective as an education leader, genomics researcher, along with a background in creative production

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36:54

Photographer William Bretzger in Gettysburg

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/08/22

In honor of American Artists Appreciation Month, Big Blend Radio revisits an archived interview with photographer William Bretzger, originally featured in 2017 as part of our ongoing coverage of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) and its unique artist-in-residence programs. Bretzger shares insights from his time at Gettysburg National Military Park, where he has been photographing for over 20 years.In this inspiring conversation, he reflects on the immersive nature of his residency, the

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47:20

The Living Canvas: Art, Parks, and the Unfolding...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/08/01

Join us for a special episode of Big Blend Radio’s "Toast to The Parks & Arts" as we celebrate American Adventures Month and American Artists Appreciation Month. We're joined by acclaimed photographer and visionary, Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF).Tanya shares her passion for the deep connections between artists and national parks, highlighting how NPAF's unique artist-in-residence programs are crucial for interpreting and sharing the cultural and historical

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28:04

Rachel Mari Kimber’s Desert Soundscape: Birds Follow...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/07/03

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Arts & Parks” podcast features a follow-up conversation with musician and composer Rachel Mari Kimber, the National Parks Arts Foundation’s Fall 2024 Artist-in-Residence at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona.Rachel discusses her new single, “Birds Follow Dry Riverbed,” a soulful piece inspired by the desert landscapes and experiences during her residency. She shares insights into her creative process, the emotional and healing power of

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53:08

The Artistic Connection to National Parks

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/06/06

This episode of Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show celebrates Great Outdoors Month with Tanya Ortega, acclaimed photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF). NPAF leads the way in establishing unique, month-long artist-in-residence programs in national parks across the country.In this inspiring conversation, Tanya shares how art acts as a catalyst for change and preservation, and how artists help deepen the cultural and emotional value of our

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58:32

Artist Residency Programs in Hawai'i National Parks

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/05/03

Join this special episode of Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show, featuring Tanya Ortega, acclaimed photographer and founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF). In honor of Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Tanya shares inspiring stories and insights about NPAF’s exclusive month-long artist residency programs at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and Haleakalā National Park on Maui.These fully supported residencies are open to artists of all

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50:03

Mother-Daughter Artist-in-Residence Duo in Dry...

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/04/23

In celebration of National Parks Week, we're revisiting this Big Blend Radio interview with landscape artist and soft pastelist Beth Williams, and her daughter, Hailey Williams who is a writer and poet.The very first pair of mother and daughter artists chosen for the National Parks Arts Foundation's artist-in-residence program, they spent September 2019 immersed in their artistic and environmental endeavors, on a pristine, isolated island at Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys. Beth is

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42:24

Pianist Hunter Noack in Haleakala National Park

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/04/19

Featured for National Parks Week: We revisit this 2017 Big Blend Radio interview with classical pianist Hunter Noack who shares his experience as the inaugural artist-in-residence at Haleakalā National Park through the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF). From performing in volcanic landscapes to composing music inspired by nature and Māori mythology, Hunter’s residency explored the deep connection between art and wild places.Located on Maui, Haleakalā is known for its dramatic crater, cinder

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58:50

Artist Lakin Epaloose in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Toast to The Arts & Parks ·

2025/04/05

Artist Lakin Epaloose joins Big Blend Radio’s 1st Friday” Toast to The Arts & Parks” Podcast to talk about his paintings, photography, fashion design, and being the latest National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence for Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Lakin Epaloose, a painter and cultural bearer of the Zuni Tribe, works at Grand Canyon National Park in the cultural demonstration program. From 9:30am-1:30pm, on April 19, 2025, Lakin will offer a hands-on painting demonstration that

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