with Barbara Todd

Art Town is a podcast based in upstate New York, hosted by artist and educator Justin Baker. Each month, Baker engages in thoughtful conversations with regional artists and artisans, exploring their work, creative processes, and the lives they lead. In this episode, Justin (and intern Cameron) speak with textile artist Barbara Todd, whose striking quilts combine the intimacy of fabric with bold political commentary. Barbara shares how her journey began with sewing doll clothes as a child and how her shift from more traditional art making to quilting opened up new ways of thinking about form, care, and activism. Together, they explore the power of contradiction—how the softness of quilts can carry sharp, urgent messages—and what it means to challenge traditional boundaries in both art and craft. To see more of Barbara's work: Check out her website: wwww.barbaratodd.com Or follow her on Instagram: @barbatod Or check out the Opalka Gallery www.opalka.sage.edu Theme music by Phantogram Interlude sound: Beach in Calvados, France Closing music by Phantogram