Meet an Artopian: Chiara Saldivar

What is the best part about creating art? We all have a bit of an artistic mind in some level. Whether it is cooking, carpentry, business, painting. The best part about creating to me, is to be in your own zone, connected to another world, with what is inside of you pouring it out. Since an…

Meet an Artopian: Schelley Cassidy

Why have you continued to support Big Bend Cares? Sense of community has always been a value of mine, and considering I’ve lived in this area my entire life, giving back to my community helps me feel involved. I originally joined the BBC Board of Directors because of a strong drive to help and to…

Meet an Artopian: Kayleigh Kirkpatrick

What makes you laugh? Puns. I love puns. Who or what has the ability to inspire you to create? Harry Potter movie marathons and rainy days. My mood is absolutely critical to my art and few things make me happier than rain and HP. Why are puppies so cute? Ugh. Puppies. I love puppies. I…

Meet an Artopian: Tripp Farrell

What is your favorite color? NavyBlue Why support Big Bend Cares? I’m honored to be helping a non-profit that is revolutionizing our world & focuses on giving back to the local community. Who is your biggest influence? My Father & Pharrell Williams. What is one thing most people don’t know about you? I’m the real…

Meet an Artopian: Stuart Riordan

Where does your energy come from? My energy comes from my curiosity and music & the beach at dawn. Who our what has inspired you the most? I’m inspired by the way light hits the human figure. What is your favorite color? My fav color is turquoise. If you could meet one artist, living or…

Meet an Artopian: Richard Drake

Who or what has inspired you the most? Every minute that passes is gone. It is all that back there, I guess it is called my life so far, that inspires me most. All that I have seen, heard and experienced – my recollections. What is the best way to float down a river? The…

Meet an Artopian: Mr. Maki

When did you discover your joy for creating art? I would draw & paint (watercolor) in the break room at work (FICPA). Some people liked my art so much they bought right out of my sketchbook! Why have you supported Big Bend Cares? I like to support Tallahassee people. I also support NPR and Wounded…

Featured Artist Series: Barbara Psimas

We’re making Artopia 2015 our best ever! Our partners at 7Hills Communications are producing several videos featuring some of the artists that support Big Bend Cares and Artopia. Artist Barbara Psimas is the next talent in our Featured Artist Series for Artopia 2015. We hope you’ll enjoy learning more about Barbara and her special approach…

Meet Artopians: Russ and Josie Pangratz

How did music bring the two of you together? Josie and I actually met over a margarita at a local Mexican restaurant. I can’t really say that music played a part in our meeting but it certainly has been a huge part of our lives since and is what has brought us to conceiving The…

Meet an Artopian: Dr. Audra Pittman

Are you the fastest person in your family? Of course! (my husband Sean may think otherwise). Now that I think about it, I did take our 4 year old Paloma out running with me the other day and I was kind of waiting for her to slow down…but she didn’t. It will be a matter…