Podcast
Four Corners Arts Forum
Hosted by Margy Dudley · EN
Who knew that the small mountain town of Durango had such an active art scene! Four Corners Arts Forum features art that is visual, performance, literary, musical, corporal, culinary, and art that you may not have thought of as art. Host Margy Dudley finds remarkable stories of creative and dedicated artists who have long lived at the corners of our minds, and brings them to the center of our conversations.
38episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Local artists donate handmade bowls to raise money for Manna Soup Kitchen's fundraiser.
Feb 2500:29:03Tap to summarizeToday I'm excited to be speaking about an upcoming event for Manna Soup Kitchen called Empty Bowls Fundraiser creating an opportunity for artists to generously support food insecurity. Joining me in the studio is Joseph Kuzma, Development Director for Manna and Ally Bloom a local artist, potter and educator who is working in partnership with Manna Soup Kitchen to bring the global Empty Bowls movement to Durango, Colorado. For the event local potters donate their handmade bowls and Manna's culinary team will fill them with soup and bread. You have the option of buying the beautiful custom made bowls by artists such as Lisa Pedolsky and Deb Rogers or simply coming to make a donation to the organization which addresses so many important needs in our community. This fundraiser will be happening at 5pm on Sunday March 1st at 11th Street Station located at 1101 Main Avenue in Durango. There will be live music as well. To learn more about this fun and important event you can visit the website at mannasoupkitchen.org
Transcribe →
Learn about the new OddBall Theatre Company bringing more unique and exciting theatre to Durango!
Feb 1700:30:05Tap to summarizeDurango's art scene has continued to grow and become more exciting each year and that includes theatre! Joining me in the studio this morning are Dallas Padovan, Zachary Chiero, Tara Demmy and Conor Sheehan all local professional actors who will be talking about the new theatre company they are creating in town called the OddBall Theatre Company with the mission of enriching the cultural life in our community and across Colorado. There will be opportunities for community members to collaborate with industry professionals through performances, classes and workshops. Dallas is Artistic Director, Zachary is Associate Director and Tara and Conor bring their amazing performing and teaching skills. This year they will introduce the community to OddBall with two to three small productions and look to the future in expanding to a full season of professional theatre. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram @oddballtheatrecompany.
Transcribe →
Mandy Irons and Tara Demmy of Merely Players Theatre Company talk about the upcoming production of Silent Sky.
Feb 900:29:23Tap to summarizeJoining me in the studio are two very talented Durango locals Mandy Irons and Tara Demmy both with the Merely Players Theatre Company. We're talking about the upcoming production of Silent Sky, a play written by Lauren Gunderson which is based on the true story of the life and discoveries of astronomer Henrietta Leavitt in the early 1900s at a time when women battled for recognition in a man's world. Mandy is directing the play with her incredible vision bringing the story to life on stage. She has directed and acted in many other Merely Players productions and in addition to all this she is a Minister at Christ the King Lutheran Church and sings in the Durango Women's Choir. Tara Demmy is playing the lead role of Henrietta Leavitt bringing her talents as comedian, teacher and historian to yet another Merely production. Tara has also co-created 5 shows with the award wining theatre company Tribe of Fools based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Merely Players has been bringing high quality theatre to the Durango community since 1994 when it was founded by Mona Wood-Patterson and her husband Charles Ford. Silent Sky begins this Friday February 13 and runs through Sunday February 22nd with six evening performances at 7pm and two matinees at 2pm. These performances are always popular and although the shows are sold out you can join a wait list online or come 30 minutes before a show to grab an extra ticket! The Merely Underground is located at 789 Tech Center Drive, in Durango, Colorado. For more information on current and upcoming shows you can visit the website merelyplayers.org.
Transcribe →
Thom Chacon, a Durango local and an award winning actor, musician and songwriter will be performing on Friday February 13th at The Indigo Room at iAM Music.
Feb 200:29:37Tap to summarizeJoining me on the program today is the multitalented Durango local Thom Chacon. Thom is an award winning actor, musician, songwriter and screenwriter as well as local fly fishing guide. As musician he regularly tours in Europe and in 2025 he released his most recent CD called Lonely Songs for Wounded Souls which was recorded live in Italy in 2021. He won Best Actor in a Short Film at the 2025 SISFA Film Festival of Southern Colorado for his leading role in the movie Ghostown. Thom was also a finalist for best screenplay at the Santa Barbara International Screenplay awards for the short screenplay Borderland. Today we'll also be talking about an exciting upcoming event where you can see Thom perform and hear his music at the Indigo Room at iAM Music on Friday February 13 at 8pm. Tickets are available at iammusic.us. Cost is $25 in advance and $28 the day of the show. To find out more about Thom you can visit his website at thomchacon.com.
Transcribe →
Mary Fuller, owner of the Turquoise Raven Art Gallery in Cortez, Colorado speaks about the artists she works with and the community art scene in Cortez.
Jan 3100:29:14Tap to summarizeJoining me in this episode is Mary Fuller, owner of the Turquoise Raven Art Gallery in Cortez, Colorado. Mary is originally from Wisconsin where she received a degree centered around textile and interior design from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In her late 20s she went back to University and received a teaching degree, doing her student teaching in England and then returning to the US to take a job in Shiprock, New Mexico. She found teaching to be a creative career in shaping the class environment and creating the curriculum. Mary has lived in Cortez since 1993 and opened the gallery in 2021. Not only does the Turquoise Raven Art Gallery highlight the Fine Artwork of many professional artists in the region and beyond but she also exhibits work by the unhoused population in a program she founded called "No Fixed Abode". Through art she supports marginalized communities including the homeless, immigrants and the queer community in and around Cortez. Turquoise Raven Art Gallery is located at 104 East Main Street and to find out more you can visit the website at turquoiseravenartgallery.com
Transcribe →
In this episode I speak with Denise Leslie owner and publisher of Arts Perspective Magazine, an independent arts and culture magazine for Southwest Colorado.
Jan 2100:29:46Tap to summarizeIt's my pleasure to be speaking with Denise Leslie, owner and publisher of Arts Perspective Magazine, an independent arts and culture magazine for Southwest Colorado. The magazine produces a free weekly digital newsletter called Eye on the Arts which connects the reader to artists and creatives in the region. There will also be an annual spring print edition coming out in late April in partnership with Ballantine Communications highlighting music, theatre, film visual arts and creative place making. When Denise is not working on the magazine she is teaching ukulele classes at the Stillwater Music school or doing freelance PR and marketing work with her company Hideaway Marketing, Denise encourages people to stop by her office which is located in the Smiley Building at 1309 East 3rd Avenue. You can find out more by visiting her website at artsperspectivemag.com.
Transcribe →
In this episode I speak with Beth Lamberson Warren the new Executive Director of the Durango Arts Center about the exciting year ahead in 2026.
Jan 1200:29:22Tap to summarizeJoining me in the episode today is Beth Lamberson Warren the new Executive Director of the Durango Arts Center. Beth is a long time Durango local having lived in the area for 43 years and is known by many as an experienced grant writer, fundraiser and community engagement professional. She spent many years leading KSUT Public Radio and the Adaptive Sports Association. Beth received a Masters in political science with a focus in non-profit management in 2007 from the University of Colorado in Denver. In this episode we talk about all of the exciting events happening in 2026 at the Durango Arts Center, a non-profit supporting and promoting the visual and performing arts in our community. The Arts Center is located at 802 East 2nd Avenue and can also be found online at durangoarts.org
Transcribe →
Join me for a conversation with Durango's professional musician and luthier Bruce Allsopp.
Jan 900:29:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Bruce Allsopp a professional musician and luthier known in the region for his dedication to doing quality work in repairing all kinds of stringed instruments. His first job as a luthier was in Boulder, Colorado at OME Banjos at which time he also found himself playing guitar or banjo with many bands in the area. After moving to Durango he opened his own retail music store called Canyon Music Woodworks where he sold musical instruments as well as providing repair services. He continued to play music in Durango founding bands such as the Stillhouse Junkies and the Badly Bent. Although he has closed Canyon Music he still works as a professional luthier in his workshop called The Luthier at the Smiley Building at 1309 East 3rd Avenue here in Durango.
Transcribe →
Join me for a conversation with Dahlia Coats co-editor-in-chief of Images Magazine, Fort Lewis College’s Journal of Creative Work.
Feb 27, 202500:29:31Tap to summarizeIn this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Dahlia Coats a college student here who is co-editor-in-chief of Images Magazine, Fort Lewis College’s Journal of Creative Work By The Students, For The Students. Dahlia is in her junior year and is an English major with a minor in writing which is her passion. The magazine is published twice a year both in the Spring and the Fall highlighting essays, poetry, paintings, photography, collage and just about any art form. The majority of the submissions are sent in by current students but include some alumni as well providing a space for creative expression. The theme of the current issue is MUSE and each semester there is a new theme generating new ideas. With a dedicated Design Team and Editorial Team as well as a Faculty Advisor the group produces an interesting and thought provoking publication. Local support comes from the Associated Students of Fort Lewis College and the Financial Allocation Board, the English Department, Art and Design Department, an Advisory Board, KDUR radio station, Maria’s Bookshop, the Durango Public Library and individual supporters. The magazine has been published for over 50 years and continues to thrive! You can follow them on Instagram @flcimages.
Transcribe →
Join guest host Bryant Liggett for a conversation with Durango based musician Joshua Mendrala.
Feb 11, 202500:30:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode guest host Bryant Liggett station manager of KDUR radio speaks with Durango based musician Joshua Mendrala. Making music under the name Ragged Oak, they speak about the new Ragged Oak record, making music on a budget, and why collecting records/cassettes is better than streaming!"
Transcribe →