Indra Arriaga Delgado’s talents can be difficult to describe. Among other things, she’s an artist, writer, filmmaker and researcher. Originally from Veracruz, Mexico her new book “Opaque Etymologies: Fifteen Moons” examines decolonization, identity, and language through art, poetry and other media. She says the project required five years of work, three languages across two countries and the collaboration of more than 30 individuals. On this episode of State of Art, we hear from her to find out more about her book and we meet artist Diane Dunn who has an exhibition at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art called "2000 Journals: Filling the Void."

The play tells the story of a blind woman who gets caught up in a tension-building game of cat and mouse with dangerous criminals. We're joined by show director Krista Schwarting and lead actor Kaichen McRae to talk about the technical challenges, character choices and the unique lead role.

This week on State of Art we're discussing a play about the reality of friendship and an indigenous artist who looks to the resources that fed her ancestors. First, we hear from Erin Gingrich and Alaska Pacific University Gallery Manager James Temte. Gingrich's show "Kaviqsaaq Qivliaq-taaq Siññaktut (Red Silver Dreams)" includes photography and carving representing her experiences during the 2022 salmon fishing season. We're also joined by director Jill Bess and actor Gigi Lynch who tell us about Cyrano's Theater Company's upcoming production of "Dog Park."

This week on State of Art we hear from the leads of Anchorage Opera's "Carmen" and discuss Momentum Dance Collective's Queen-centric season finale "Rhapsody."

This week on State of Art we're learning about media preservation with Summit Day Media's Bob Curtis-Johnson and Mike Martz. They both started their careers in media production, but later shifted to working with museums, libraries and other organizations to archive and preserve audio and video collections. They tell us about what goes into cataloging and preserving obsolete media, their current project digitizing a 7,500-piece tape archive for KYUK and the cultural heritage that disappears if these collections are left inaccessible.

This week on State of Art we're getting up to speed on what's happening at the Anchorage Public Library. We're joined by Director Virginia McClure, who was confirmed by the Anchorage Assembly back in December. She tells us about what she's been focusing on, upcoming events like Dino Day and projects like the "Library in a Box."

This week on State of Art we’re hearing about the Anchorage Community Concert Band’s spring performance “Going Places.” We hear from the band’s conductor Dr. Mark Wolbers to find out more about the concert and what makes it a “journey through time and place.”

This week on State of Art we’re hearing about Out North’s Fringe Festival going on all of April. It features films, performance art and workshops meant to build community and push the boundaries of art. We’re joined by Out North’s Executive Director Erin Willahan and Fringe Artistic Director Indra Arriaga to find out more.

This week on State of Art we're talking about Anchorage Community Theater’s current production “They Promised her the Moon.” It centers on the real life of Jerrie Cobb, part of an all-women space program in the 60s, who not only completed the same tests and screenings as the first male astronauts, but ranked among the highest of both women and men. She never made it to space, but paved the way for the women who followed. The play opened on March 3rd and runs through the 26th. We’re joined by visiting playwright Laurel Ollstein, who wrote the story and is directing this run.

This week on State of Art we're learning about Anchorage Opera's upcoming production of "Missing" and its U.S. premier. The plot centers around the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and was written by First Nations playwright Marie Clements and Juno award-winning composer Brian Current. The story follows Native Girl, who was murdered and discarded by the roadside, and Ava, a white woman who discovers the girl's body and sets out on a path to find greater empathy and understanding. We're joined by Melody Courage, who plays Native Girl, and Kate Bass, who plays Ava, to find out more.