Beyond the Art

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Beyond the Art

Podcast with artists, influences and changemakers across the Native American artworld.

Beyond the Art is a podcast about the Native American / Indigenous art world. In each episode we speak with art leaders, influences and change-makers in the Native American arts, from artists to museum directors and everyone in between. We discuss their experiences, the communities they serve, the translation and interpretation of Native American art today, how its transformed and continues to be a integral element in today's tribal communities, and why they’ve dedicated their lives to art.

10/02/2025

🌈✨ Authenticity as Art. Healing as Legacy.

On this episode of Beyond the Art, we are honored to welcome Roger Kuhn ( )—a Two-Spirit Indigenous q***r artist, musician, therapist, and advocate whose life’s work embodies the courage of living authentically and the power of creativity as healing.

Raised in rural North Dakota as part of an in*******al family, Roger’s story is one of resilience, connection to the land, and the transformative strength of embracing one’s identity. From the challenges of being “othered” to finding empowerment through music and storytelling, his journey reveals the profound relationship between heritage, healing, and self-expression.

Roger’s artistry is multifaceted:
🎶 His songwriting, influenced by his Two-Spirit identity, becomes a vehicle for truth-telling and resilience—with songs like “Ziggy” capturing the complexity of mixed-race heritage.
💡 His work as a therapist and advocate champions the unique needs of Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Indigenous communities, shining light on the intersections of decolonization, healthcare access, and community empowerment.
🌍 His voice, from North Dakota to New York and San Francisco, reflects the evolving nature of cultural identity, always rooted in honoring lineage and uplifting community.

Through music, public speaking, and therapeutic practice, Roger celebrates authenticity and calls us to embrace vulnerability, courage, and connection. His presence is not only inspiring—it is transformative, reminding us that art and advocacy are inseparable forces of change.

🌟 To Roger—thank you for sharing your artistry, your wisdom, and your heart with us on Beyond the Art. Your contributions to the Native art world are a beacon of resilience and empowerment.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube
🌐 Learn more about Roger and his work at rogerjkuhn.com

09/27/2025

🌟 We extend our deepest gratitude to the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture for their continued support and contribution to Beyond the Art. Their partnership enriches our mission of celebrating Indigenous creativity, storytelling, and cultural resilience.

🏛️ The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture stands as a vital hub of history, tradition, and innovation. With an extraordinary collection of Native art, artifacts, and contemporary works, the museum showcases the living legacy of Indigenous peoples. From immersive exhibitions to hands-on educational programming, their work ensures that culture is not only preserved but experienced, felt, and understood across generations.

✨ Current programming highlights include:
• Exhibitions that spotlight both traditional craftsmanship and groundbreaking contemporary Native artists.
• Educational initiatives designed to connect youth, families, and communities with Indigenous stories and creative practices.
• Public events and lectures that foster dialogue, honor heritage, and celebrate the vibrant diversity of Native nations.

🎙️ At Beyond the Art, we’re proud to align with an institution so dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices and artistry. Together, we continue to amplify the stories that shape our past, present, and future.

👉 Visit the to experience their exhibits and programs firsthand, and join us in celebrating the beauty and resilience of Indigenous art and culture.

09/25/2025

✨ A Voice Through Art, A Story Through Tradition

On this episode of Beyond the Art, we welcome the extraordinary Leonard Harmon, an artist whose creativity breathes new life into Indigenous identity while pushing the boundaries of contemporary expression.

Leonard’s artistry is a world of contrasts and connections. His intricate quillwork pays homage to ancestral practices that have endured for generations, while his bold paintings and street-inspired pieces channel the pulse of urban culture. Together, these dual paths create a body of work that is at once timeless and fiercely modern—a living dialogue between tradition and innovation.

What makes Leonard’s vision remarkable is the depth of his storytelling. Each piece carries echoes of powwow movement, the rhythm of hip hop, and the enduring memory of his late uncle, Leonard Allen Harmon. His work is not simply visual—it is emotional terrain, a map of resilience and remembrance.

From drawing inspiration in Stockholm, to preparing exhibitions at the Lincoln City Cultural Arts Center and Indigenous Peoples Day, Leonard’s art is not just about preservation—it is about revival. It is proof that Indigenous creativity is vibrant, unyielding, and ever-evolving -

🌟 Leonard Harmon reminds us that art is not static. It is a force of survival. A declaration of presence. And a promise to future generations.

🎧 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

09/18/2025

🔥✨ Where Tradition Meets the Streets

On this episode of Beyond the Art, we are honored to welcome the extraordinary Leonard Harmon—an artist who weaves together the powerful traditions of powwow culture with the vibrant energy of Bronx street art, creating a voice that is uniquely his own.

Leonard’s journey is a testament to cultural resilience. From Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., his upbringing was shaped by family legacy and the enduring influence of his late uncle, Leonard Allen Harmon, whose spirit and promise live on through Leonard’s artistry. Each piece he creates carries both innovation and remembrance, keeping ancestral stories alive while carving bold new paths.

His work exists in two powerful realms: the deeply rooted practices of traditional quillwork and woodland dance, and the electrifying pulse of contemporary painting and hip hop. In separate studios, Leonard cultivates distinct spaces for these practices, honoring authenticity while embracing innovation. The result is a body of work that challenges convention, celebrates heritage, and expands the possibilities of Indigenous art.

His upcoming exhibitions—including the Lincoln City Cultural Arts Center and an Indigenous Peoples Day event—demonstrate his dedication to ensuring Indigenous artistry remains both visible and thriving.

Leonard Harmon’s story is more than art—it is endurance, evolution, and a radiant affirmation that Indigenous creativity is alive, dynamic, and unstoppable.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms
📺 Full conversation available on YouTube

09/04/2025

🌿✨ Threads of Legacy, Woven with Spirit

On this episode of Beyond the Art, we are honored to welcome Hone Bailey, - a master of traditional Māori weaving whose life’s work celebrates the profound connection between land, spirit, and craft.

Raised in the vibrant community of Koromatua, Hone’s journey began with the guidance of his parents and the cultural foundation he received in kōhanga reo (Māori language preschools). What started as a childhood connection to heritage became a lifelong devotion to weaving—an artform that serves as both creative expression and cultural preservation.

Our conversation takes us through Hone’s transformative path—from his time in New York to his studies at Toihoukura, the Māori School of Art and Design—where he found a nurturing environment that celebrated Indigenous arts and deepened his understanding of weaving as a sacred practice.

Hone shares the challenges and triumphs of crafting Tukutuku panels and heirloom kākahu cloaks, while reflecting on the responsibility of mentoring the next generation. Through modern technology, he bridges oceans to guide young weavers, ensuring Māori traditions endure and evolve.

This episode is more than an interview—it’s a journey into resilience, artistry, and the transformative power of keeping cultural traditions alive.

🌿 To Hone—thank you for your artistry, your vision, and your devotion to carrying the threads of Māori culture forward.

🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube
Find more of Hone’s artistry and work: www.honebailey.com

Hosted by: .bflynn and
Produced by: and

🙏 With immense gratitude to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture for their continued support and invaluable contribution as a sponsor of Beyond the Art.

08/21/2025

🎤🔥 New Episode Out Now!
Get ready for an unforgettable ride on Beyond the Art as we welcome the electrifying duo Lil’ Mike and Funny Bone ( )—the powerhouse brothers better known as Mike Bone.

From their humble beginnings in Oklahoma City to commanding stages across the country, Mike Bone has built a career that’s as unique as it is inspiring. Blending music, storytelling, and faith, their artistry goes beyond entertainment—it’s a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of staying true to one’s roots.

In this conversation, they open up about:
✨ Their journey from the Christian hip-hop scene to carving a new lane in family-friendly music
✨ How poetry, rap, and comedy became their tools of transformation
✨ Their experiences performing alongside icons—from a stormy set with Billy Ray Cyrus to their unforgettable run on America’s Got Talent
✨ The significance of Indigenous representation in entertainment and their mission to uplift their community

With the release of their latest album “Vibin”, Mike Bone continues to fuse humor, positivity, and cultural pride into every track—proving that music can entertain while making a difference.

This episode is more than a story—it’s a celebration of perseverance, creativity, and Indigenous voices that deserve the spotlight.

🎧 Tune in now on all major podcast platforms and
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube
💿 Discover their music and projects at mikebonemusic.com

08/18/2025

Stories Carved Into the Land — The Land Between Us Volume II
by

Art is more than expression — it’s memory, movement, and connection.

📖 The Land Between Us Volume II is a visually arresting coffee table book featuring 16 Indigenous artists across 7 regions, each offering a unique perspective shaped by land, lineage, and legacy.

From powerful mixed media to immersive storytelling, this collection honors the voices of Native creators who bridge past and present through bold, evocative works.

💥 Available now — with FREE SHIPPING when you order through our friends at Beyond the Art (promo auto-applied).

🔗 Get your copy → artisansofnations.com/volume2
💵 Retail: $70
🚚 Free Shipping Included

Own a piece of living culture. Display it. Talk about it. Pass it on.

08/16/2025

🎙️ Day 4 at the Santa Fe Indian Market – Powerful Conversations, Unforgettable Voices

Our fourth day at SWAIA’s 103rd was filled with meaningful connections and inspiring stories. We had the immense pleasure and honor of sitting down with some truly remarkable individuals—each carving their own path and reshaping the landscape of Indigenous art and storytelling.

🌟 Jaime Herrell – a brilliant curator whose thoughtful work uplifts Native voices and preserves cultural narratives.
🌟 Robert King – .ceramics a visionary ceramic artist whose pieces are rooted in the spirit of the high desert, crafted in collaboration with the earth itself.
🌟 Cara Romero – the extraordinary photographic artist whose lens captures the complexity, power, and beauty of Indigenous identity in the contemporary world.

These impactful conversations will air in upcoming episodes of Beyond the Art, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

🎥 A heartfelt thank you to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum - for their gracious hospitality in hosting us and facilitating our temporary broadcast studio—your support made these moments possible.

🪶 Stories were shared. Wisdom was passed. And Indigenous excellence continues to lead.

🎧 Stay tuned for episode release dates, and thank you for walking this journey with us.

Address

Tulsa, OK

Telephone

+19188128860

Website

http://www.beyondtheart.net/, https://www.kosu.org/podcast/beyond-the-art

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