PERSPECTIVES: Artist Talks with Lavender Studios

Lavender Studios KC
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Each week we host a visual artist or creator and a musical guest to share their experience in the arts and to showcase their work. In this podcast you can listen to that conversation as well as the musical performances that were held in Kansas City’s favorite DIY Art and Music Venue held in a living room!

  1. 12 HRS AGO

    Nick May

    Nick May stopped by the studio to share his story and his love for music. While Nick’s education is in classical saxophone, his playing is very modern and progressive. His songs invoke question and connection almost as if it’s asking what if or why not? The way that he expresses his essence through the reed and into the soul is mesmerizing. He utilizes a lot of techniques that are very uncommon in the classical world, and he has this ability to really draw you in to focus and pay attention to every breath and key press. Nick also shared with us an unreleased track that we could not post but we will return to it as soon as it gets released. We’ll just say, not a dry eye in the house. Nick ended the session with a reminder, “music is meant to be played for and with people” and we couldn’t agree more! You can find more information about Nick and the I Exist Project at the links below. Nick’s Website Click here I EXIST PROJECT Click here

    29 min

  2. APR 13

    Gwynevere Buie

    The multi-disciplined visual artist Gwynevere Buie hung out with us on this wet and cold Sunday. She shared some of her portfolio and her processes for creating truly unique and fantastical pieces. While this artist talk was a first for her you can tell she is passionate about her art and her community. We can't wait to work with her again down the road. If you would like to see more of her work, check out the links below. Instagram Click here Website Click here

    32 min

  3. APR 13

    Charlie Cloud

    The ever so delightful Charlie Cloud swung by the studio on this rainy and cold Sunday to share their story and their songs about life and love. The word unrequited comes to mind. We met Charlie a long time ago and we are so excited to finally have them out. If you would like to hear more from Charlie and their upcoming projects, check out their socials below. Instagram Click here Patreon and Newsletter Click here

    37 min

  4. APR 10

    LOL Gator

    LOL Gator (Loyalty Over Love) stopped by the studio to share his story and his journey for the bag! This guy is the hardest working artist who is doing everything possible to make hip-hop his career and for that we tip our hat! You can find out more about LoL Gator at the links below. Instagram Click here YouTube Music Click here

    30 min

  5. APR 9

    Dwyane Golden

    Dwyane Golden hung out with us at the studio and showed us his musical chops and lyricism. He is a hip-hop artist from Kansas City, Missouri, grounded in faith, family, and truth. His music is a reflection of real life; raw, intentional, and rooted in purpose. With a deep connection to rap and a lifelong respect for lyrical honesty, Dwyane brings heart and conviction to every verse. For fans of authentic hip-hop with a message, Dwyane Golden is a name to remember. You can find Dwyane at the links below. YouTube Click here Instagram Click here All Streaming Platforms Click here

    23 min

  6. APR 9

    Hilari Holt

    The hilarious Hilari Holt stopped by the studio and shared her beginnings, her mission and her excitement about the future. Hilari is a Kansas City, Missouri born and raised multifaceted individual; from acting (Film, stage, commercial) to producing to writing, leading and comedic performing (specializing in improv comedy since 2016). She is the founder, executive director/producer of Black Comedy Fest KC, Kansas City’s first all encompassing (improv, stand-up & sketch) comedy festival centered on showcasing black comedic creatives l since 2024. Apart from career, Hilari is not a stranger to a board meeting (and speaking up in one) or community service projects and is a huge lover of & believer in all that Kansas City has to offer. We can't wait to collaborate and work with Hilari on upcoming projects and programs that she's working on behind the scenes. In this video you watch her short film, Black Up as well as an improv song writing session with Dwyane Golden and LOL Gator! You can find Hilari at the links below. Facebook Click here Instagram Click here Link Tree Click here

    1h 14m

  7. MAR 31

    Joshua James

    Joshua James stopped by the studio to share some tunes and his story about how he grew up in a large family in Arkansas but migrated to KC after college and hasn't looked back! From his soft Avett Brothers style folk singing to his Andrew W.K. type of live energy, one thing is for sure, Joshua James knows how to party! You can find out more about Joshua James on his socials and you can find him hosting The Wednesday Wave at Grinder's in the Crossroads. You can also follow his band Joshua James and The First Aid Kit performing all over Kansas City and Lawrence! Joshua's Instagram Click here The First Aid Kit Click here Wednesday Wave Click here

    36 min

  8. MAR 30

    Phil Dunn

    We invited multi-discipline artist Phil Dunn out to the studio to share his story and his art. This was an amazing talk that dug deep into where our vision and how our art comes to life. You can see Phil this 1st Friday at Apex Artspace with previous Perspectives alum, Justin Canja! April 3, 2026 5pm-8pm Apex Artspace (1819 Wyandotte Street, KCMO). A message from Phil, I am a self- taught artist. I graduated with a degree in film and video production in the early 90’s but I didn’t find painting until much later in life. I started painting and working with resin as a form of therapy. I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity early in my art career to work on several large scale projects around Kansas City for Society, The Uptown Theater and The Fall among others. I am drawn to the ambiguous nature of abstraction. There is a freedom to painting organically and letting the subject matter present itself to me through mark making. I consider myself a “blue collar” artist in that I value destruction as much as construction. I often use nontraditional tools such as masonry trowels, putty knives, scrapers and sandpaper, along with my brushes and palette knives. I try as often as possible to use materials taken from job sites of the construction jobs I work on. Scrap wood, doors, cabinetry, cardboard, anything that I can reclimate into a useful surface. Often, I finish my work in resin. Resin provides a crystal-clear finish that adds magnification and clarity. Resin makes the colors I use jump back to life giving the appearance of wet paint. I am open to all mediums in service to each particular piece I create, utilizing acrylics, inks, collage and found or repurposed objects I view art as a conversation. My work is a physical manifestation of seeking a connection. A connection to the natural world, the technological world, to myself and to each other. I enjoy creating work that has a meditative quality in that it often continues to reveal itself with prolonged viewing. My aesthetic combines elements of abstraction and surrealism. My love for abstraction is deeply rooted in the unspoken conversation between the artist and the viewer. Perception is uniquely individual and malleable…and fun to mess with. I have been exhibiting work professionally in the Kansas City area since 2019. I have been a resident artist at InterUrban Art house since June of 2025 and am currently represented by Smalter Gallery. Phil's Instagram Click here Smalter Gallery Click here InterUrban ArtHouse Click here MoD Gallery Click here

    1h 13m
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Each week we host a visual artist or creator and a musical guest to share their experience in the arts and to showcase their work. In this podcast you can listen to that conversation as well as the musical performances that were held in Kansas City’s favorite DIY Art and Music Venue held in a living room!

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