UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The arts-based podcast “Sound & Vision,” hosted and produced by Brian Alfred, associate professor of art in the College of Arts and Architecture’s School of Visual Arts, marked its 500th episode in October.
To celebrate the occasion, Alfred hosted in Brooklyn, New York, “500 Live,” a panel discussion with visual artists Lisa Corinne Davis, Colleen Barry and Kyle Staver, which will be released on Nov. 13 as the podcast’s 500th episode.
First released in 2016, “Sound and Vision” provides a space where artists and musicians can discuss their artistic journeys and creative processes. For nearly a decade, Alfred has welcomed hundreds of artists, and the show has amassed more than 30,000 followers.
“For me, the podcast is really rewarding and teaches me so much. I’m so happy to share the stories of these people,” Alfred said. “My only real desire for it to ‘do well’ is so all these amazing artists have their stories heard.”
Inspired by the artists he interviews for the show, Alfred released in 2022 “Why I Make Art: Contemporary Artists' Stories About Life and Work,” which features stories and works from 30 artists he has interviewed.
After discovering a common theme among guests on the podcast, Alfred also curated a group exhibition at Miles McEnery Gallery in New York City that highlighted the role music plays in the life of artists.
Work that centers on or is inspired by the podcast has become a constant in Alfred’s career, and while he doesn’t have any plans to slow down, he said his reflections on the show consistently lead to one word — thankfulness.
“[The show] has really been a gift to me,” Alfred said. “I have learned so much, met so many amazing people and it has meant so much to my creative life.”
For more on the podcast and access to all 500 episodes, visit the “Sound & Vision” homepage. The show can also be found on all major podcast platforms.