Barbara Benish on "ArtMill" and creativity under censorship

October 10, 2025 00:29:16
Barbara Benish on "ArtMill" and creativity under censorship
51 Percent
Barbara Benish on "ArtMill" and creativity under censorship

Oct 10 2025 | 00:29:16

/

Show Notes

On this week’s 51%, we speak with artist Barbara Benish about how she started the ArtMill Center for Regenerative Arts in the Czech Republic, and how artists continued to work under the totalitarian regime of former Czechoslovakia. Benish came to the Czech Republic from Los Angeles in 1989, just as a revolution overturned the country’s long-running Communist regime. Initially hoping to explore her roots, Benish saw how the arts survived decades of censorship through community, how creativity continued to influence and change society, and how the arts flourished after the revolution. Benish tells the story of this time and the creation of her community in her new book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia

Guests: Barbara Benish, founder of the ArtMill Center for Regenerative Arts and author of ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia; Lulu Grey, Dreaming in Grey

51% is a national production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio in Albany, New York. Jesse King is our producer and host. Our associate producer is Madeleine Reynolds, and our theme is "Lolita" by the Albany-based artist Girl Blue. This episode also contains the track "Deborah" by Jangwa.

------------

Other Episodes

Episode 0

July 07, 2023 00:30:06
Episode Cover

#1772: It Takes a Village | 51%

On this week’s 51%, we discuss the importance of postpartum care for new mothers. We take a look at a New York Times piece...

Listen

Episode

June 20, 2025 00:29:04
Episode Cover

Dr. Samantha Sweeney on raising 'Culturally Competent Kids'

On this week’s 51%, we chat with psychologist Dr. Samantha Sweeney about why teaching your kids to celebrate diversity is important to their success...

Listen

Episode

January 14, 2020 00:30:00
Episode Cover

#1589: Anti-Sexist Men’s Group & An Incarcerated Mothers Documentary | 51%

On this week’s 51%, we learn about an anti-sexist men’s group; a documentary about formerly incarcerated mothers is in the works; and Dr. Jeri...

Listen