This is the August AHA! episode of our continuing series of podcasts from Play Arcade, co-hosted by our podcast partner and friend, Adam Katz. Our guests included Max Wickemeyer, The Artists Index's new volunteer development director, and Kat Knutsen (Episode 73, Episode 131, and Episode 180), as well as painter Mason Terra.

The topic was about connections and networks, and community. Our guests joined podcast host Ron Fortier to relate and swap stories about our wonderful South Coast creative Community and New Bedford, the world-famous, historic New England seaport.

The Living Room at Play Arcade is "an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food..." and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

Every artist has a story! Listen in to all of our up-close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast's remarkable creative community.

Podcasts are also available on your favorite media app, including Amazon Music / iHeart Radio / Libsyn / Podcast Page / Spotify / WebPlayer, and APPLE PODCASTS

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Welcome, Adrian R. Tió, a former Professor of Fine Arts in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He was also a former dean at the College. Tió received his fine arts training from Temple University (BA ‘74), the University of Cincinnati (MFA ‘79), and his post-baccalaureate study at the Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy (‘75-76).

He resides in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Adrian Tió has exhibited nationally and regionally, in drawing, painting, and printmaking for over 40 years. Tió maintains the Hare of the Dog Press & Studio in New Bedford, Massachusetts, at the north end Hatch Street Studios.

Adrian spoke with The Artists Index co-founder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier. They discussed his art, heritage, life, and his time and experiences at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

Adrian Tió

Mattapoisett, MA 02739

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ALSO AVAILABLE ON: YouTube

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If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!

Welcome, Zarla Ludin, a design strategist, product enthusiast, and sometime artist. Her career has focused on helping businesses—such as Sonos, Amazon, and iRobot—connect their creative teams with clear narratives and organizational goals.

Zarla has also partnered with municipalities, including the City of Boston, to shape service innovations and reflect on design practice. She is now channeling her love for storytelling and product development into her artistic side.

After she began prioritizing her art practice, she was surprised by how few art supply stores exist in Massachusetts—outside of big-box chains, options are scarce.

Zarla Ludin launched The Spare Studio in 2024 to address this gap with a second-hand art supply store that extends the life of creative materials and invites the creative community and community-at-large to "reimagine what’s possible with what we already have." She is officially an art supply retailer.

Zarla spoke with The Artists Index co-founder, documentarian, and podcast host, Ron Fortier. They discussed her passion, heritage, life, and developing journey as a art supply rescue retailer. This episode was recorded at our recording studio at Spectrum Marketing Group at Howland Place in New Bedford.

Zarla Ludin

Scituate, MA 02o66

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Linktree | Other

ALSO AVAILABLE ON: YouTube

Please consider donating whatever you can to ensure that our mission continues as we document the legacies of South Coast Artists.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!