Stories Art Reveals

In this episode of Stories Art Reveals, Susanna speaks with art collector Steve Guttman, founder of the art storage company UOVO, about how a career in real estate and a love of art ended up shaping each other.

Steve looks back on finding art only once he reached law school in Washington, D.C., and on his decades in real estate, including more than twenty years leading Federal Realty Investment Trust. He explains why planting trees in older shopping centers once felt like a bold move, and what projects like Bethesda Row and Santana Row taught him about how places make people feel. He also shares the unplanned errand that turned into UOVO, how his taste has changed over time, and the unexpected angle he likes to look at his own collection from.

The conversation turns to what collectors owe the art they own, why he sometimes buys work he has no room for, and what it means to help an artist’s work find a home in a museum. Drawing on his time as chairman of the Center Pompidou Foundation, the American nonprofit that supports the Center Pompidou in Paris, Steve explains one key difference between French and American museums. He also names the artist whose paintings give conservators the most trouble. He closes with advice for anyone who feels they don’t know enough to walk into a museum, his thoughts on how AI is changing the art world, and an honest answer about his favorite artwork. Whether you’re curious about what happens to art after it’s sold, thinking about a future in collecting or museums, or just want to enjoy art without feeling like you need to be an expert, Steve offers a down-to-earth look at living with art and taking care of it.

Pawlowski reflects on the childhood museum trips that first drew her in and the weekends she spent in the museums of Washington, D.C. as a break from studying engineering. She also looks back on her years as an engineer at companies like Intel and Fidelity, when she always kept an art class on the side. She talks about her time in the education department at the Norton Museum of Art and the moment that convinced her to go back to school for her own practice, which led her to a graduate program in studio art in Vermont. She is also candid about how hard it can be to teach art and make it at the same time, and about an early lesson that did not go the way she planned.

The conversation turns to how an engineer’s way of thinking shows up in sculpture, what teaching inside a museum offers that a classroom cannot, and how she helps people connect with a piece that puzzles them at first. She also shared her thoughts on why museums can feel intimidating, how to tell whether an art program is working, and how to slow down with a single artwork in a world built for scrolling. She closes with a Jean Arp sculpture that means a lot to her. Whether you are taking a winding path into the arts, are curious about museum education, or have ever walked into a museum feeling like you did not know enough to be there, Nancy offers a thoughtful perspective on teaching, making, and looking closely.

In this episode of Stories Art Reveals, Susanna speaks with New York-based painted Joseph Yonke about the path that took him from a business major at Penn State to a full-time life in the studio.

Joseph reflects on growing up painting and drawing alongside his grandfather, the moment that studying other artists' careers made a life in art feel possible, and the mentors who have guided him since. He walks through what a working day in his studio actually looks like, and why he believes there is no substitute for sheer hours of painting when it comes to finding a style. He is also honest about the toll that level of dedication has taken, and why he is choosing to take his time before committing to a gallery.

The conversation turns to how nature and the landscape of northeastern Appalachia shape his abstract compositions, the collage series built from personal found objects, and why oil paint on canvas remains the heart of his practice. He also shares how his own definition of art keeps widening, and closes with two paintings he keeps coming back to: one by Brice Marden and one by Jackson Pollock. Whether you are a young artist weighing a career in art or simply curious about what it takes to build a life around making work, Joseph offers a candid look at patience, process, and commitment.

In this episode of Stories Art Reveals, Susanna speaks with artist Eddie Kang about the memories, relationships, and beliefs that shape his colourful visual world.

Eddie reflects on growing up around his mother's painting practice, the teachers who helped turn a childhood interest into a career, and what a working day in his studio actually looks like. He talks about the personal stories behind his two best-known characters, Loveless and Yeti, and what each one has come to stand for in his work. He is also candid about the harder parts of an art career, including the comparison and self-doubt that followed him for years and the ongoing work of making peace with his own pace.

The conversation turns to why he chooses bright colour and warmth over darker subject matter, how collaborations with brands and other non-gallery spaces can reach people who feel intimidated by museums, and the new character he is developing right now. Whether you are an emerging artist, someone curious about how personal experience becomes visual language, or simply looking for a reason to spend more time with art, Eddie offers a warm and generous perspective on colour, care, and connection.

In this episode of Stories Art Reveals, Susanna speaks with Cara Alford, founder of Allegory Art Consulting, about making the art world feel more accessible, personal, and welcoming.

Cara reflects on her experiences at Redux Contemporary Art Center and Glenstone Museum, the career path that led her to establish Allegory, and the importance of building meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and audiences. She shares practical advice for artists navigating deadlines, organization, and the business side of their practice, while encouraging new collectors to begin with work they genuinely connect with—regardless of budget or experience.

The conversation also explores immersive art experiences, the feeling of belonging in cultural spaces, and the ways thoughtful engagement can make art less intimidating. Whether you are an artist, collector, or simply curious about entering the art world, Cara offers an encouraging perspective on accessibility, collecting, and connection