Don’t be alarmed, Art Class Curator followers! The art lessons, blog posts, and other goodies are still here for your enjoyment. But the podcast has undergone a re-branding and slight shift in focus. 

My own personal journey over the last few years has led me to this moment. So in this episode, I explain why I’ve changed things and what you can expect from now on. Welcome to the Art and Self podcast!

I’ve been quiet the last months. I did some traveling to Seattle and Santa Fe (spectacular), welcomed the new participants of the Art and Self Connection Circle (inspiring), started a new Instagram account (follow @cindyneedsart), and dove deep into writing my book (an emotional rollercoaster). 

The book has been such a journey of self-discovery. The thread of what the book was to what it is becoming really does mirror my journey of art connection over the last few years. I’ve been craving more intimacy in my business, deeper connections, and less separation between me and the people I serve.

It’s been a hard thing to explain—this way of engaging with art. It really has to be experienced to truly see the magic of it. My first meeting with my book coach last month made me realize that my job is not to tell you what is possible, but to show you what is possible (I mean, of course, that’s what we do in the classroom, right?). It completely changed how I have written the book and what the book is at its very core, and with that goal of showing in mind, I came up with an exciting new podcast format.

I know I overuse the word exciting, but I really am that excited! After my first “interview” (I’ll explain why I put interview in quotes in a bit) which I recorded yesterday, I was all riled up—energized and giddy and all the things. I can’t wait for you to hear it.

The podcast is now Art and Self with Cindy Ingram. Each week, a new guest will join me on the podcast. I curate a work of art related to what the guest is all about–their passions, their life journey, or their work. Then, we discuss it. It’s a little bit “interview,” but it’s mostly just a deep and connected conversation. Two people together experiencing the range and the depth of what it means to be human through engaging with works of art.

In this first episode of Art and Self, I talk a little bit about the journey that led me here as well as more about this new podcast format. Next Thursday, I’ll interview Bryna Talamantez, who experienced tragic losses in her childhood who now helps children through grief as a therapist.

No need to fear! This doesn’t mean that the Art Class Curator blog or the Curated Connections Library is going away. We will always be here to support teachers.

But this is a subtle shift toward opening up how we talk about art—not just as a subject to teach a class, but as a tool and companion in our lives. The power of art is not limited to the classroom, and I want the podcast to reflect that.

Anyone can experience art and learn from it. Art has the power to enchant and delight us, to show us who we truly are. But so many people think art is boring or not for them. I want to help change that. 

My capacity to feel deeply about art and communicate the beauty and importance of that depth feels like a superpower. It changes my world, and I’ve seen it change the world for other people too. I want to share the power of these art interactions with as many people as possible, because this is the kind of power our world needs right now. 🙌 ❤️ 🎨

Listen to Art and Self with Cindy Ingram below or subscribe in your favorite podcast app.