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For many, the holiday season brings about feelings of nostalgia and hope. During this time of year, we nourish ourselves with tradition, spend time with loved ones, and seek comfort in its many forms. Art offers opportunities through which we can do each of these things, allowing us to experience and navigate this season with greater depth, warmth, and grace. In this episode, members of the Walters community delve into the ways art has made a meaningful impact on their lives. Episode Segments00:00 “Tis the Start of December” by Will Murray02:54 Introduction 04:16 Comforting memories from staff at the Walters Art Museum20:25 CreditsRelated Links:Winter LandscapeBulla with Daedalus and IcarusDuck Cosmetic Box

October is all about the ghoulish, the seemingly scary, and the creepy-crawly. Mike McKee, Head of Installation and Production, delves into just a few of the ghost encounters he’s had during the three decades he’s worked at the museum. Then, Dany Chan, Associate Curator of Asian Art, explores the deeper meanings behind works in the collection that seem scary at first glance. Finally, Preventive Conservator Sarah Freshnock explains how she keeps creepy crawly creatures at bay to protect the museum’s priceless art objects.

This episode features three contemporary artists who have new work on view at the museum this year: Katherine Tzu-Lann Mann, Stephanie Mercedes, and Jackie Milad. We also introduce a new way visitors can engage with the Walters through our expanded volunteer program.Episode Segments00:00 Introduction01:22 The Pocket with Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann11:20 We Were Treated Like Numbers Rather Than Stars with Stephanie Mercedes20:50 Abracadabra (Abuelita’s Bowl and Ya Habibti, Ta’ala with Jackie Milad34:35 The Walters Revamped Volunteer Program with Ambria Safford, Manager of Visitor Experience37:53 CreditsArtworks & Exhibitions mentioned:Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann’s The PocketStephanie Mercedes’ We Were Treated Like Numbers Rather Than StarsJackie Milad’s Abracadabra (Abuelita’s Bowl) and Ya Habibti, Ta’alaVolunteer at the Walters

This episode explores the installation Latin American Art / Arte Latinoamericano with Ellen Hoobler, William B. Ziff, Jr., Curator of Art of the Americas, and Patricia Lagarde, Wieler-Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow. Then, artist Jessy DeSantis discusses their artistic practice and the creation of Cintli, Corn, Maíz (2020), on view in the installation.Episode Segments00:00 Introduction 01:37 Latin American Art / Arte Latinoamericano Overview05:00 Interview with co-curators Ellen Hoobler and Patricia Lagarde33:08 Cintli, Corn, Maíz with Jessy DeSantis39:15 CreditsArtworks & Exhibitions mentioned:Latin American Art / Arte LatinoamericanoDrinking Vessel (“Aquilla”)The Spirit Within catalogCintli, Corn, Maíz

This episode highlights two 19th-century paintings from the Walters Art Museum’s collection, with introspectives from photographer and performer Chris Jay, and Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- and 19th-Century Art. We also give flowers to the Walters Docent Program, sunsetting in Summer 2025. Finally, we speak with two longtime members of the Walters docent cohort about the impact of the program that’s been running for 50 years.Episode Segments00:00 Introduction02:00 Clearing Up–Coast of Sicily with Chris Jay09:17 Springtime with Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- and 19th-Century Art.15:15 Giving flowers to the Walters Docent Program29:20 CreditsRelated Links:Coffee with Chris podcast, Saturdays at noonClearing Up–Coast of SicilySpringtimePlan your visitFollow us on our socials

This episode highlights If Books Could Kill, featuring Lynley Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts, Annette Ortiz-Miranda, Conservation Scientist, and Abigail Quandt, Head of Books & Paper Conservation. We’ll also learn more about Hearts for Art with Teresa Norman, Audience Insights Analyst.Episode Segments00:00 Introduction00:46 If Books Could Kill03:52 Interview with Lynley Herbert, Annette Ortiz-Miranda, and Abigail Quandt22:12 Hearts for Art26:15 CreditsArtworks & Exhibitions mentioned:If Books Could KillClothilde MissalConservation WindowHearts for ArtActivating the RenaissanceEthiopia at the CrossroadsBowl with Chrysanthemum BlossomsAcross Asia: Arts of Asia and the Islamic WorldPlan your visitFollow us on our socials

This episode celebrates the Walters Art Museum’s 90th Anniversary and third-annual Day of Giving, featuring heartwarming narratives by our staff.Episode Segments00:00 Introduction02:10 The Walters at Ninety09:16 Staff memories 26:18 Walters Day of Giving 202429:09 CreditsLinksSupport Walters Day of Giving: https://givebutter.com/WaltersGivingDay2024Drop-in Art Making: https://thewalters.org/events/tag/drop-in/Plan your visit:⁠ https://thewalters.org/visit/guidelines/⁠Follow us on our socials:⁠ https://linktr.ee/thewaltersartmuseum⁠Artworks & Exhibitions mentionedLatin American Art / Arte Latinoamericano: https://thewalters.org/exhibitions/latinoamericano/Across Asia: Arts of Asia and the Islamic World: https://thewalters.org/exhibitions/asia/Buddha: https://art.thewalters.org/detail/11606/buddha-2/Four Panels with the Passion of Christ from a Predella: https://art.thewalters.org/detail/7914/four-panels-from-a-predella/Adam and Eve: https://art.thewalters.org/detail/35961/adam-and-eve/

This episode highlights Art and Process: Drawings, Paintings, and Sculptures from the 19th-Century Collection, featuring Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- & 19th-Century Art. Then, we’ll discuss historic school supplies with Adriana Proser, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quincy Scott Senior Curator of Asian Art, and Christine Sciacca, Curator of European Art, 300-1400 CE. Lastly, we’ll talk to Charlie Wolfe, Assistant Manager of School and Teacher Programs, about the curiosity and excitement of kiddos in school tour groups. Episode Segments00:00 Introduction featuring the Teen Advisory Council02:41 Art and Process: Drawings, Paintings, and Sculptures from the 19th-Century Collection with Jo Briggs, Jennie Walters Delano Curator of 18th- & 19th-Century Art10:42 Historic School Supplies with Adriana Proser, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quincy Scott Senior Curator of Asian Art, and Christine Sciacca, Curator of European Art, 300-1400 CE18:51 School Tour Curosities with Charlie Wolfe, Assistant Manager of School and Teacher Programs22:54 CreditsLinksLearn more about ⁠Art & Process: Drawings, Paintings, and Sculptures from the 19th-Century CollectionArtworks & Exhibitions mentioned:The Angelus The Sheepfold, MoonlightThe Sower Writing Table (Bundai) with Brook and FlowersWriting Tablet and Lid

This episode highlights Objects of Curiosity: What Will We Discover?, featuring Lisa Anderson-Zhu, Associate Curator of Ancient Mediterranean Art. We’ll also learn more about our viral sensation Fat Sparrow Netsuke with Angie Elliot, Terry Drayman-Weisser Head of Object Conservation. Episode Segments00:00 Introduction00:46 Overview of Objects of Curiosity: What Will We Discover?02:53 Interview with Lisa Anderson-Zhu, Associate Curator of Ancient Mediterranean Art22:34 Highlighting the Fat Sparrow Netsuke with Angie Elliott, Terry Drayman-Weisser Head of Object Conservation. 27:14 CreditsLinksLearn more about ⁠Objects of Curiosity: What Will We Discover?Artworks & Exhibitions mentioned:1 West Mount Vernon PlaceExcursions through the CollectionMajolica ManiaStanding Warrior Holding a SwordCopy of the “Mona Lisa”Mirror with Female Figure and Engraved Scene: Inlay of a Head of a CrocodileInlay Fragment of the Crown of Lower EgyptInlay Fragment of a TorsoInlay of a Head in ProfileInlay of a Face in ProfileSarcophagus with the Triumph of DionysusNetsuke of a stylized fukurasusume (“fat sparrow”)Across Asia: Arts of Asia and the Islamic World

In this episode of Free Admissions, Julia Marciari-Alexander, Andrea B. and John H. Laporte Director, details her favorite object in the collection. Meanwhile, curators Lynley Anne Herbert and Earl Martin walk us through the museum’s newest exhibition, Reflect and Remix: Art Inspiring Artists.Episode Segments00:00 - Introduction00:57 - The Melanchthon Watch with Julia Marciari-Alexander, Andrea B. and John H. Laporte Director of the Walters Art Museum05:52 - Overview of Reflect & Remix: Art Inspiring Artists07:29 - Interview with Lynley Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts, and Earl Martin, Deborah and Philip English Curator of Decorative Arts, Design, and Material Culture.20:57 - Hidden gems from the 19th century collection with Aric Dietrich, Visitor Experience Associate23:40 - CreditsRelated LinksReflect & Remix: Art Inspiring ArtistsSelections From the North American Collection: People and PlacesSpherical Table Watch (Melanchthon’s Watch)Saint AmelieFernand Thesmar Cup #1Fernand Tehsmar Cup #2Hudson River LandscapeBust of Dr. Dio Lewiss

In this episode of Free Admissions, we celebrate Women’s History Month. Discover the history of nearly 75 years of women leadership in the Walters Conservation Department from its director, Julie Lauffenburger. Learn about New on the Bookshelf: The Creative Power of Women from the exhibition’s curator, Lynley Anne Herbert.Episode Segments00:00 - Introduction00:45 - Overview of New on the Bookshelf: The Creative Power of Women, with Lynley Herbert, Robert and Nancy Hall, curator of rare books and manuscripts07:28 - Interview with Julie Lauffenberger, Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director of Conservation, Collections, and Technical Research20:57 - Exhibition Title Testing with Roslyn Esperon, Manager of Evaluations and Audience Impact25:08 - CreditsRelated LinksNew on the Bookshelf: The Creative Power of Women⁠Walters Art Museum Conservation Window⁠The Clothilde Missal⁠⁠The Archangel Michael⁠⁠Across Asia: Arts of Asia and the Islamic World ⁠Plan your visit:⁠ https://thewalters.org/visit/guidelines/⁠Follow us on our socials:⁠ https://linktr.ee/thewaltersartmuseum⁠

In the first episode of Free Admissions, we chat with the exhibition’s curator Christine Sciaccia about Ethiopia at the Crossroads, the first major art exhibition in America to examine an array of Ethiopian cultural and artistic traditions from their origins to the present day. Conservation Scientist Annette Ortiz introduces us to her unique officemates (aka, her go-to conservation equipment).Episode Segments00:00 - Introduction00:43 - Overview of Ethiopia at the Crossroads04:32 - Interview with Christine Sciacca, Curator of European Art, 300–1400 CE18:31 - Equipment in the Conservation Science Lab with Annette Ortiz, Conservation Scientist21:55 - CreditsRelated LinksEthiopia at the CrossroadsFolding Processional Icon in the Shape of a FanPlan your visit: https://thewalters.org/visit/guidelines/Follow us on our socials: https://linktr.ee/thewaltersartmuseum