Ovation TV Tells “The Story of Art in America” During Special Morning Block Starting October 10

Next month, Ovation TV, America’s premier arts network, will debut a docuseries about the role of art in American society and its diverse communities. Directed by award-winning director Christelle Bois (Americart 2019) and produced by award-winning executive producer Pierre Gervois, The Story of Art in America explores America’s arts and culture scene and shows the extraordinary vitality and diversity of the arts in small and medium-sized cities, in all artistic fields. Ovation TV will air the U.S. television premiere of The Story of Art in America on Monday, October 10 @ 6:00AM ET.

From painting to music, from sculpture to murals, from poetry to dance, from pottery to storytelling, The Story of Art in America explores how art is – and has always been – an essential part of American society’s social fabric. Ten episodes will air during a special morning block over a three-day period. Episodes will also be available to view, free to all, in the Art House section of the Ovation NOW app.

“Ovation aims to celebrate and support all forms of art and culture, so we are thrilled to bring The Story of Art in America to our viewers,” stated Scott Woodward, EVP of Programming and Production, Ovation TV. “Working with Pierre Gervois and Christelle Bois on highlighting these incredible artists across the country has been a dream partnership for us.”

 “I wanted to show that art is truly everywhere in America, and give a voice to all artists, from established artists to underprivileged artists whose voices have not historically been heard enough. There are so many stories out there that have been untold, that’s why I would like to help to rediscover America through the eyes of artists. Who better than them could tell America’s story?” declared Christelle Bois.

“It has been a privilege for me to produce this show and share the impact of all art forms on our communities,” stated Pierre Gervois. “I’m very proud to see The Story of Art in America now broadcasted on Ovation TV, the leading arts and culture TV network in the United States, hopefully inspiring all of us to travel and discover the amazing cities featured and meet their artists. It has been a pleasure for me to work with Scott Woodward and all the Ovation TV team and see their genuine passion for the arts.”

Episode One airs Monday, October 10 @ 6:00AM ET

Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a city with a background rooted in Native American culture. Six Santa Fe artists talk about their art practice ranging from sculpture, jewelry making, and painting, to the art of cartoons with Ricardo Cate, the only cartoonist in the United States creating a daily cartoon for a newspaper about Native American perspective on social and political events.

 Episode Two airs Monday, October 10 @ 6:30AM ET

The Story of Art in America film crew has been granted special access to artists of the Native American tribe of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Discover the unique cultural traditions of five artists, exploring their unique art practice of dance, drumming, culinary arts, or basketry. David Matheson, tribal leader and storyteller, shares his emotional childhood memories and talks about the importance of storytelling.

 Episode Three airs Monday, October 10 @ 7:00AM ET

With strong influences from Mexico and Native American traditions, Phoenix, Arizona, has a very diverse arts scene representing all artistic practices and diverse points of view. A sculptor, a muralist, a tattoo artist, a mask maker, and a music band share their diverse art practices. Papay Solomon, world-renowned Liberian American painter, talks about his exploration of Black identity through large-scale photorealistic portraits. 

Episode Four airs Monday, October 10 @ 7:30AM ET

Great Falls, Montana, has artistic traditions rooted in Western culture as well as Native American culture. Sculptors and painters from the Western arts tradition are featured, as well as a Native American beadworker. Tom Dean, a renowned wood carver with no formal training in the arts, talks about his life story that led him to becoming an artist.

 Episode Five airs Tuesday, October 11 @ 6:00AM ET

Yolo County, California, is a place where food is also an art form. This episode features a sculptor, a painter, and a master wooler, as well as a chef and a spirits distiller, taking their crafts to the highest form of art. Malaquias Montoya, art professor, printmaker, and social justice activist, talks passionately about his humble family roots that led him to become a world-famous artist and activist.

 Episode Six airs Tuesday, October 11 @ 6:30AM ET

Everett, Washington, is a town close to Seattle, but with its distinct flavor and spirit. Many artists here explore different art practices ranging from glass blowing, painting, theater, and music to boat making. The episode opens with a very emotional interview of spoken words poet Rio Chanae, performing an incredibly personal and powerful poem.

 Episode Seven airs Tuesday, October 11 @ 7:00AM ET

Sheridan, Wyoming, is a city with deep cultural roots in the Western culture and arts traditions. This episode features a metalsmith, theatre artistic director, leatherwork artist, and several artists from the Western art tradition. Painter Sonja Caywood talks about her love for nature and animals, which she paints with an incredible emotion and realism.

 Episode Eight airs Tuesday, October 11 @ 7:30AM ET

Yountville, California, is a city with a strong tradition of hospitality, brilliant food scene, and genuine appreciation for the arts. Culinary artists and winemakers are represented in this episode, highlighting the fact that food and wine belong to the arts. James Moore, sculptor, talks about his metal sculpture practice using welded pieces of metal that represent human beings in an abstract manner but also extremely human way.

Episode Nine airs Wednesday, October 12 @ 6:00AM ET

Casper, Wyoming, is a city with a fusion of both Western and Native American cultural traditions, and in that regard is a very American city. Artists from very diverse backgrounds and art practices are featured in this episode: ceramists, quilters, painters, and beadwork artists. Marvin Nolte, a fly dresser, presents this very particular and fascinating art form consisting of making artfully arranged flies for fly fishing.

 Episode Ten airs Wednesday, October 12 @ 6:30AM ET

Seattle, Washington, has a very diverse art scene due to its inherent multicultural history as a major port. This episode features sculptors, woodcarvers, songwriters, painters, and performance artists. The episode – and the first season of The Story of Art in America – ends with a very emotional interview of Steve Jensen, an artist specializing in representing boats as metaphors for our deep human experiences.

Episodes will also be available on demand in addition to being free to all on the Ovation NOW app.