Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Donna Seaman, Author and Editor

You're about to meet Donna Seaman, Editor of Adult Books at Booklist and award-winning author. Her passions for art and literature have always been connected - she's written numerous art books reviews, and has taken that a step further with "Identity Unknown: Rediscovering Seven American Women Artists". Basically ignored by the art world, Donna introduces us to these talented landscape painters, water colorists, sculptors, who, without recognition or nurturing, never stopped creating. Listen in as Donna shares their stories and her own.

Johanne Reid, Romare Bearden Foundation Co-Director

Johanne Bryant Reid managed to merge her business career with her passion for the arts. While working at Merrill Lynch as Manager of its Global Human Resources Department, she joined the Board of the Romare Bearden Foundation. After serving as primary fundraiser for 7 years, she was named co-director in 2009. The foundation was created in 1990 as a non-profit, aimed at preserving and perpetuating the legacy of this pre-eminent African/American artist. So the Reid/Bearden match makes perfect sense. He made art, she makes sure it lives on. Sit back and enjoy this engaging conversation.

Susan Fisher Sterling, Director of The National Museum of Women in the Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts, in Washington, D.C. is the only major museum dedicated solely to celebrating the creative contributions of women. Founded in 1987, NMWA not only champions women artists, it also directly addresses the gender imbalance in presenting art worldwide. Susan Fisher Sterling has been with the NMWA since 1988 when she was hired as an associate curator. In 2008, she was named Director. Susan has built her career and the stature of the museum around the message of equity for women through the example of excellence in the arts. Tune in as she shares what that's been like and what's in store as NMWA prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Jane Golden, Activist and Artist

Jane Golden is a powerhouse. An artist, visionary, activist, educator, author and expert on urban transformation through art, she is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. It began in 1984 as an anti-graffiti initiative and under Jane's direction has created more than 38-hundred landmark works of art. It is the country's largest mural program. We couldn't be more thrilled that she shares her story with us!

Agunda Okeyo, Comedian

Born in Nairobi and raised in both Kenya and New York City, Agunda Okeyo describes herself as a Pan-African New Yorker. A writer, producer, filmmaker and activist, Agunda is the creator and force behind the monthly production of "Sisters of Comedy: at Caroline's on Broadway. It's a 'who's who' of black women in stand-up. Agunda's written about race, gender, politics, culture and film for numerous publications including Salon, The Daily Beast, Indiewire's Women and Hollywood blog. This year she produced a benefit show supporting an Equal Rights Amendment aimed at assuring gender equality and also in 2016, was named a Progressive Women's Voices Fellow with the Women's Media Center.

Allison Orenstein, Photographer

Allison Michael Orenstein's love affair with a camera began when she was 15 and has been going strong ever since. The New York City-based portrait photographer's work has graced the covers and pages of "Vanity Fair," "Esquire," "People," "Vogue," "Elle," "New York" Magazine, "Art Forum," "The Wall Street Journal," "The Hollywood Reporter," "Billboard," and "Town & Country." She's photographed such notables as Chuck Close, Philip Glass, Stella McCartney, John Waters, Billy Crudup, Amy Schumer - the list goes on and on. Enjoy meeting and hearing from this passionate and very creative woman.

Anastasia Higginbotham, Children's Book Illustrator and Author

Meet and get to know Anastasia Higginbotham, writer, illustrator and creator of the children's book series, "Ordinary Terrible Things." It tells the stories of youngsters who navigate trouble with "their senses sharp and souls intact. Help may come from family, counselors, teachers and dreams, but it's the children who find their own way." Anastasia's first book, "Divorce is the Worst," published by the Feminist Press was followed by "Death is Stupid." Both books tackle very critical, sensitive topics and are must reads for both children and adults.

Liz Collins, Artist

Liz Collins is a New York City-based artist, textile, fashion designer and teacher who describes herself as process and materials-driven - working to create hard lines, graphic images and vibrating fields with explosions of color. Recognized internationally for her use of machine knitting to create groundbreaking clothing, textiles and installations, Liz has elevated the relevance of yarn and extended the use of textiles beyond the body - moving them into space and architecture. Enjoy this conversation with a very creative woman.

Robin Kahn, Artist and Curator

Meet feminist artist, curator and author Robin Kahn. Her paintings, drawings, sculptures, have been exhibited internationally since 1990, and can be found in the permanent collections of The Museum of Modern Art, The Smithsonian Museum of Women in the Arts, and the J. Paul Getty Museum, to name just a few. Robin says her artistic practice is committed to expanding the definition of art by exploring new strategies for engaging the public. To that end, she recently co-curated "The Value of Food: Sustaining a Green Planet." The exhibition, installed throughout the vast interior of Manhattan's majestic Cathedral of St. John the Divine, focused on food security, sustainability and accessibility. Her introduction to and relationship with food and art is a fascinating and inspirational one. Tune in and learn why.

Aleah Chapin - Revisited

This week we revisit our 2015 conversation with Aleah Chapin. The artist from Washington State, who currently lives and works in Brooklyn, calls a woman's body a map of her journey through life. She makes sure to capture that map accurately in her portraits, that will either shock you, take your breath away...or both. Experience her work for yourself - www.aleahchapin.com.