Union Street Podcast

Inside Project Human X: Artists Shine in Southern Illinois | Union Street Podcast

In a Facebook livestream from Project HumanX in Carbondale, Illinois, the host interviews artist Marquez Scoggin as supporters vote in the People’s Artist competition, where he moves between second and first place and ultimately finishes first to advance into the Top 20. Scooggin describes PHX’s six-plus years as a community art studio with guided classes and a glow-in-the-dark paint splatter space, plus support for local artists, art shows (including a Chicago showcase), and Language X jewelry and custom shirts. He explains the People’s Artist contest benefits ($25,000, LA exhibition, Art Forum feature) and how to vote daily. Scoggin shares his origin story, including his mother’s cancer inspiring Language X, a 12-color alphabet, and museum exhibition, then demonstrates live pouring-paint technique while discussing school events (300–500 students), upcoming Language X University sessions, Art in the Garden, and future studio plans.00:00 Going Live Setup00:24 Meet Marquez at PHX01:27 Studio Tour Overview02:35 Top 20 Countdown Push04:43 Supporting Local Artists06:23 Language X Jewelry08:07 Custom Shirts Showcase15:22 How Voting Works18:21 Community Support Story21:22 First Place Celebration25:58 What to Expect at PHX30:18 Art Forms Offered34:06 From First Class to Now39:55 Fortune Favors the Brave43:24 Bet on Yourself44:03 Believe Painting Saves PHX46:20 Community Shoutouts and Quotes48:23 Art in the Garden Preview52:23 Competition Next Steps56:46 From 80 to 500 Kids01:02:51 Language X Explained01:05:27 Origin Story and Alphabet01:15:04 First Words Love and Peace01:19:32 Museum Show Email Surprise01:21:54 Three Month Sprint01:23:01 Spray Paint Breakthrough01:24:14 Affirmation Circle Piece01:25:49 Museum Show Count01:26:48 Dream Museum Moment01:31:18 Why Museums Matter01:34:51 Live Art Setup01:36:16 Pour Painting Breakthrough01:37:23 Three Canvases Strategy01:43:25 Grid Lines Tutorial01:45:27 Studio Hours Invite01:49:21 Paint Border Tips01:53:40 Rapper Era and Healing01:57:12 Change Over Controversy02:00:31 Message Planning Collab02:01:59 Color Pouring Begins02:04:32 First Place Gratitude02:05:57 Picking Greens and Pieces02:06:35 Stream Timing Mixup02:10:01 Live Rap and Color Talk02:11:45 Color Psychology Explained02:14:42 Origin and Client Stories02:17:03 Memory Techniques for Words02:21:45 Studio Location and Community02:24:58 Language X University Launch02:28:45 Voting Battle and Supporters02:34:39 Art as Therapy02:38:08 Dreams Can Come True Piece02:40:44 Collabs and Future Plans02:45:52 Summer Events and Kids Art02:49:13 Local Shoutouts and Belief02:50:55 Shout Out 618 Create02:52:10 Defining Union Word02:53:43 Project Humanx Origin02:58:49 PHX Logo Explained03:03:03 Mural Vision Language X03:07:02 Union Street Colors03:12:32 Countdown To Results03:16:23 First Place Celebration03:17:40 Keep Voting Next Round03:24:29 Art Flow And Drying03:28:21 Final Thanks Sign OffUNION STREET ARTS: https://www.unionstreetarts.com/

The People's Artist: Marquez Scoggin

Marquez Scoggin on Project Human X, Language X, and the People’s Artist of America AwardLuke O'Neill interviews artist Marquez Scoggin about Project Human X (PHX), a community art center in Carbondale near SIU that evolved from paint parties into a multi-art “buffet” offering pottery, resin, stained glass, art shows, murals, paint-and-sips, and a glow-in-the-dark splatter paint room that draws visitors from out of state. Skaggs describes supporting local artists and teaching creativity as stress release, plus bringing PHX programs into schools, including projects with 300 and 500 students. He explains Language X, a constructed color-based language inspired by his mother’s pancreatic cancer journey and his love of words, beginning with the first word “love,” inspired by his daughter. He discusses his museum shows, a current closing reception, Language X University, and being selected for the People’s Artist of America competition (PeoplesArtist.org), encouraging voting and support.00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:51 How We Met01:41 Finding Project Human X02:19 PHX Mission and Classes05:11 Glow Splatter Room Story08:16 Showcasing Local Artists09:11 Language X Origins10:33 Mother’s Legacy and Words12:26 Constructed Language Breakthrough14:55 Reading a Color Passage16:38 First Word Love20:17 Seed of Life Symbolism23:47 Design Process and Museum Show25:31 Pour Painting Demo26:15 Neurographic Art Therapy27:06 People’s Artist Award31:35 How to Vote and Support32:27 Murals and Community Plans33:14 School Workshops at Scale35:01 Art vs AI for Kids37:06 Language That AI Can’t Read38:34 Collabs and Upcoming Events40:34 Show Closing and Dictionary43:11 Learn at Language X University44:11 Follow Your Heart Closing47:12 Final Thanks and Links

Laughs at Union Street: Comedy Comes Alive with Brice Evans and David Kirk

Laughs at Union Street: Brice Evans & David Kirk on Big Comedy Nights, Upcoming Shows, and the Little Egypt Comedy FestThe Union Street Arts Industry Podcast welcomes back local comedians Brice Evans and David Kirk to discuss a busy stretch for comedy in Marion, Illinois. They promote an upcoming Union Street Arts show on Friday, May 1 featuring Alex Raimondo (with credits including HBO, Showtime, Netflix, Comedy Central, and Hulu) and mention a Thursday show the night before with Fiona Cauley, who previously sold out Celebrations Event Center and has since appeared on Jimmy Fallon and performed at Madison Square Garden. They recap recent sold-out, two-show night with Casey Rocket at Celebrations and note his generosity, including donating money to St. Francis and giving $500 to Kirk’s son. Brice shares opening for Pauly Shore at the Civic Center and performing in Nashville at Zanies and Third Coast. They also announce plans for the first annual Little Egypt Comedy Fest, October 8–10, with Union Street as a featured venue and submissions and sponsorships available at littleegyptcomedyfest.com.00:00 Welcome Back Banter00:49 Five Timers And Merch01:29 Comedy Shows Preview02:39 Alex Raimundo Announcement05:20 Tickets And Links05:49 Fiona Cauley Update07:30 Casey Rocket Recap12:58 How Booking Happens14:47 Small World Connections15:08 Dusty Slay Hat Saga18:15 Local Comedy Momentum21:11 Marion Square Revival25:25 Little Egypt Comedy Fest27:19 Poster Reveal Sponsors28:28 Venues Lineup Teases29:12 Live Show Energy WrapUNION STREET ARTS: https://www.unionstreetarts.com/shop

Union Street Podcast: Back in Action & Better Than Ever

Union Street Podcast Returns: New Merch, Marlon Wayans Interview, and Studio UpdatesLuke O’Neill and Rachel Rose return to the Union Street Podcast live from Union Street Arts after a break since the holidays, sharing updates on spring, recent projects, and what’s ahead. They discuss Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance and related clips and merch, then announce new Union Street Arts merchandise including a spring shirt inspired by a kids camp mural and multiple America 250/Marion Illinois 1776–2026 items (shirts, baseball tee, tote, hat, and optional pin) available at unistreetarts.com/shop, with the flower shirt offered first to podcast listeners. They recap Luke interviewing Marlon Wayans at the Marion Civic Center and displaying signed shoes in the studio. They highlight recording an EP/album with Backline 5, launching podcast studio rentals and expanded photo studio services, hosting a “Stories of Southern Illinois” screening (seven episodes on YouTube with sponsors), and promote an adults-only May 1 comedy show at Union Street Arts featuring Alex Raymundo with tickets on Eventbrite.00:00 Springtime Return01:29 Bieber Coachella Buzz03:22 Union Street Merch Drop06:18 Studio Updates Rundown06:49 Marlon Wayans Interview09:24 Signed Shoes Moment10:53 Abbey Road Recording Setup11:47 Backline Five EP Update12:13 One Stop Shop Services12:38 Why We Took a Break13:27 Podcast Studio Rentals14:23 Green Screen Setup14:56 Photography Studio Push16:09 Creative Package Deal16:49 Stories Screening Recap18:39 Watch the Series Online19:14 Sponsors Shout Outs19:31 Comedy Night Announcement21:11 Wrap Up and Next Episode

Very Merry Marion: Bringing Christmas Magic to Southern Illinois

Behind the Magic of Very Merry Marion: An Inside Look with Jill and Lexi GraskewiczOn this episode of the Union Street podcast, host welcomes special guests Jill and Lexi Graskewicz, known as the head and mini elves of Very Merry Marion. They discuss the origins, behind-the-scenes stories, and various events that make the Very Merry Marion holiday celebration special. Key highlights include the unique market vendors, the magical parade, ice skating, carriage rides, and the introduction of special elements like a wax Amarillo flower and special bell roasters. They also share personal anecdotes and the importance of community spirit in making Marion's holiday season merry and magical.00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:31 Gifts and Holiday Cheer02:40 The Grinch and Christmas Traditions05:31 Santa's Magic and Childhood Memories11:09 Creating Very Merry Marion17:20 Christmas Markets and Parades36:43 Upcoming Events and Activities49:52 Navigating the Christmas Market50:37 Behind the Scenes: Powering the Event52:38 Community Effort and Parade Preparations54:44 Float Building and Creative Ideas56:01 Memorable Floats and Parade Highlights57:46 The Magic of Marion During Christmas01:06:49 Weekend Events and Activities01:20:35 Looking Forward to Next Year01:32:10 Concluding Thoughts and Community SpiritUNION STREET ARTS: https://www.unionstreetarts.com/