State of Art Podcast | Pueblo Heritage Museum: A New Chapter Begins Hosted by Bree Pappan | Presented by the Pueblo Star Journal

In this deeply insightful episode of State of Art, host Bree Pappan sits down with the new leadership team at the Pueblo Heritage Museum — an institution at the heart of Pueblo’s historical storytelling. As conversations swirl around the possible sale of the building that houses the museum and the Pueblo County Historical Society, this episode offers a timely and essential look into the future of one of Southern Colorado’s most important cultural assets.

Bree speaks with Dr. John Wendt, the museum’s new Executive Director, whose impressive background as an archivist and unwavering passion for history and preservation bring renewed energy to the institution. Also joining the conversation is Alexis “Lexi” Topping, Outreach Coordinator and Collections Assistant, whose journey from CSU Pueblo student to staff member illustrates the vital role young professionals are playing in shaping Pueblo’s cultural future.

Together, John and Lexi share their vision for the museum, current programming, and their commitment to community engagement through education, exhibitions, and the preservation of Pueblo’s stories — told through objects, photographs, and personal histories.

This episode is more than an introduction — it’s a call to action. At a moment when the museum's future is uncertain, this conversation invites listeners to engage, get involved, and consider how we as a community can protect and support the institutions that safeguard our shared heritage.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. Then join the conversation. Share your voice, support the museum, and help shape the future of history in Pueblo.

Contact the Pueblo Heritage Museum:

Dr. John Wendt, Executive Director (630) 247-1769 | director@pueblohistory.org

Alexis “Lexi” Topping, Outreach & Collections (719) 251-2047 | alexistopping22@gmail.com

#StateOfArtPodcast #PuebloHeritageMuseum #SaveLocalHistory #PuebloStarJournal #PuebloHistoryMatters #PreservePueblo

Podcast Host Intro: State of Art – Pueblo Film Fest Edition

Welcome to State of Art, the official podcast of the Pueblo Star Journal, where we celebrate the people and projects shaping the creative spirit of Southern Colorado. I’m your host, Bree Pappan, writer of the monthly State of Art feature in the PSJ.

Today, we’re focusing on one of the region’s most exciting cultural events — the Pueblo Film Fest, returning April 24–27, 2025. I’m joined by two dynamic voices from the festival’s Board of Directors: Kennedy Pugh and Chili Cilch. Together, we explore how this annual festival is building a cinematic bridge between Pueblo and the global film community.

We talk about the origins of the festival, what’s new this year, and how film can bring people together through shared stories and bold artistic expression. Whether you're a filmmaker, a film lover, or simply someone who believes in the power of community through art — this one’s for you.

And don’t forget! Tomorrow, April 19, is the Join or Die documentary screening and the official launch of ClubCon.org — a new initiative to bring together clubs and organizations across Pueblo. This free community event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center. Come be part of the conversation and discover how you can get involved!

Pueblo Star Journal Presents: Gimme Shelter – The Podcast Hosted by Gregory Howell | Featuring Chantal Woodyard and Molly Cotner

In this powerful episode, PSJ host Gregory Howell sits down with disability rights advocate Chantal Woodyard and journalist Molly Cotner to discuss Gimme Shelter: A Survivor’s Fight for Justice, the March cover story of the Pueblo Star Journal. With unflinching honesty, Chantal shares her journey of surviving childhood abuse, confronting institutional power, and dedicating her life to fighting for those the system has historically left behind.

Molly walks us through the reporting process behind the feature, while Chantal reflects on the emotional return to the Wyoming State Hospital and how the past still echoes into her advocacy today.

We are also thrilled to announce that Gimme Shelter, the television pilot based on Chantal’s story, has been selected as one of only five finalists out of 10,000 submissions for this year’s SeriesFest. The pilot will screen as part of the Pitch-A-Thon on Thursday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Sie FilmCenter’s H2 Maglione Theater in Denver.

This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a testament to survival, truth-telling, and the power of story to spark change.

🎧 Listen now and join us on the road to SeriesFest.

Photography is more than just capturing a moment—it’s about storytelling, creativity, and seeing the world through a different lens. In this episode of State of Art on the Voices of Pueblo Podcast, we sit down with members of the Southern Colorado Photography Society: Joel Ohlsen, David Russell Jr., and James Van Hoy. They share their passion for photography, the evolution of the SCPS community, and the incredible opportunities for photographers—both seasoned and new—to connect, learn, and showcase their work. From monthly competitions to dynamic photo outings, SCPS is keeping the art of photography alive in Southern Colorado.

As we celebrate Colorado’s Month of Photography, we explore the importance of artistic collaboration and the impact of photography as a storytelling tool. Our guests discuss the power of mentorship, the joy of sharing creative experiences, and how SCPS continues to foster a vibrant photography community in Pueblo and beyond. Whether you're behind the camera or simply an admirer of stunning imagery, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of visual storytelling.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Join or Die, a must-see documentary screening happening on April 19 at the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center. This event, hosted by the Pueblo Star Journal, will also launch ClubCon.org, a new platform designed to connect you with clubs and organizations in Pueblo. It’s free, it’s community-driven, and it’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger. Register now at ClubCon.org. If you enjoyed this podcast, the SCPS will have a booth at ClubCon and you will be able to talk to members at the event.

A huge thank you to Joel Ohlsen, David Russell Jr., and James Van Hoy for joining us on this episode and sharing their deep love for photography and community. Your insights and stories have shed light on the incredible work being done through the Southern Colorado Photography Society, inspiring both photographers and art enthusiasts alike. We appreciate your time, expertise, and commitment to keeping the art of photography thriving in Pueblo.

In this episode of Voices of Pueblo, host Gregory Howell welcomes the dynamic duo behind Morningstar Creations, Bryan Rivera and Dawn Armijo, to the PSJ Podcast Studio in Downtown Pueblo. Their nonprofit is transforming Pueblo’s parks and river trail systems with skateable art installations, offering youth new opportunities for movement, creativity, and community engagement.

Joining the conversation is Magnolia May, a dedicated advocate and creative consultant for Morningstar Creations, who has been instrumental in shaping their early development. Together, they discuss the inspiration behind the organization, the impact of skateboarding as both an art form and a life lesson, and the exciting Great Push Project at Vinewood Park, which is set to bring new skateable features to Pueblo’s South Side.

Through storytelling and passion, Bryan, Dawn, and Magnolia share their vision for creating inclusive, engaging public spaces where young people can thrive. Tune in to hear about their journey, the challenges they've faced, and their hopes for the future of skateboarding in Pueblo.

🎧 Listen now on Voices of Pueblo!

Welcome to the first episode of State of Art, a brand-new podcast from Voices of Pueblo, hosted by Pueblo Star Journal writer Bree Anne Pappan. This debut episode coincides with her February column, State of Art: Spotlight on Urban Sketchers of Pueblo, highlighting a group of dedicated artists capturing the essence of our city, one sketch at a time. Join us as we explore how these creatives bring Pueblo’s streets, architecture, and daily life to the page through on-location drawing, embracing the philosophy of seeing the world more deeply through art.

In this episode, Bree Anne sits down with three remarkable guests: Teresa Vito, co-founder of Urban Sketchers of Pueblo and a widely recognized painter; Bernice Barnes, an accomplished artist and active member of the group; and Marc Sabatella, a musician, educator, and urban sketcher who brings a unique perspective to the practice. Together, they share insights into the global Urban Sketchers movement, the inspiration behind their work, and how the Pueblo chapter has grown into a thriving community of artists supporting one another. They discuss the power of sketching as a way to document place and time, the welcoming nature of their collective, and why drawing on location fosters a deeper connection to the world around us.

Whether you're an artist, an art enthusiast, or someone who simply loves discovering new perspectives on Pueblo’s cultural scene, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the power of art to bring people together. Tune in to hear how Urban Sketchers of Pueblo are telling the story of our city, one drawing at a time.

Imagine traveling from Pueblo to Denver in just 11 minutes—shorter than a typical halftime break during a Broncos game! This is the future Swisspod envisions with their revolutionary hyperloop technology, now under development at PuebloPlex. Swisspod’s high-speed transportation system—powered by magnetic levitation and housed in a low-pressure steel tube—could redefine travel as we know it. And today, we’re diving into this incredible story on the latest Voices of Pueblo podcast! Andy Koen’s latest article in the Pueblo Star Journal breaks down Swisspod’s progress, including their record-breaking LIMITLESS prototype, which recently achieved the longest hyperloop test run to date. Pueblo is at the forefront of this cutting-edge innovation, connecting to a global movement that aims to redefine speed, sustainability, and the future of transportation.

Welcome to Voices of Pueblo! This week we begin our podcast feature of La Pura Verdad, a 4 episode series focusing on Machismo!

In this episode, we define gender and cultural norms and talk about what it looks like in our Latino/Hispanic households. We also talk about gender stereotypes and relationships.

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