Not Real Art

What if an artist-focused TV series filmed an episode in your hometown? Which artist would you want to meet? Who would you recommend? Now, art lovers will have the chance to nominate an artist or city of their choice for Arthouse, a groundbreaking TV series that promises to bridge the gap between authentic artists and the communities that often overlook their talent. Produced by Crewest Studios and supported by NOT REAL ART fiscal sponsor Arterial, Arthouse aims to peel back the layers of the art world, sharing the personal stories of regional artists and their collectors. With a mission to democratize art, Arthouse empowers viewers to curate authentic artwork that aligns with their tastes without straining their budgets. The show's concept centers on eliminating intimidation in art collecting, providing local artists with a platform to showcase their work directly to buyers. To support this vision, Arthouse has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $150,000 to produce a full-length pilot episode. Set in Chicago, the pilot will follow an individual or family as they explore local art scenes, visit artist studios, and make informed purchasing decisions with the help of host Carmen Acosta. The campaign, running from June 10 to July 25, 2025, on Indiegogo, offers a unique opportunity for art lovers to contribute to a project that aims to transform the way we perceive and appreciate art in our daily lives. With a $40 donation, anyone can nominate an artist or city of their choice to appear on Arthouse.  Listen to today’s episode to learn more about the project, or nominate an artist for Arthouse here [https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/arthouse-tv-show#/].

In today’s episode, we shine a spotlight on Linc Thelen, a Chicago-based artist who plays a key role in Arthouse, an unscripted home design television show. Produced by Crewest Studio and supported by the nonprofit Arterial, NOT REAL ART’s fiscal sponsor, Arthouse aims to bridge the gap between talented artists and everyday people, redefining how art is experienced in personal spaces. With a mission to democratize art, Arthouse empowers viewers to curate authentic artwork that aligns with their tastes without straining their budgets. The show's concept centers on eliminating intimidation in art collecting, providing local artists with a platform to showcase their work directly to buyers. To support this vision, Arthouse is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise $150,000 to produce a full-length pilot episode. Set in Chicago, the pilot will follow an individual or family as they explore local art scenes, visit artist studios, and make informed purchasing decisions with the help of host Carmen Acosta. The campaign, running from June 10 to July 25, 2025, on Indiegogo, offers a unique opportunity for art lovers to contribute to a project that aims to transform the way we perceive and appreciate art in our daily lives. As the featured artist in the Arthouse sizzle reel, filmed in Chicago last year, Linc brings a unique perspective on how this groundbreaking initiative is reshaping the relationship between artists and the public. With a mission to connect real people with authentic art, Arthouse aims to eliminate the barriers that often separate original artwork from everyday life.  Linc also shares his artistic evolution, discussing the challenges he has faced while navigating the contemporary art scene. His involvement with Arthouse reflects his deep commitment to making art accessible to everyone, not just art collectors and gallery-goers. Throughout our conversation, Linc emphasizes the importance of fostering emotional connections through art, reminding us that the true value of a piece lies in its ability to resonate with individuals on a personal level. Listen to our conversation with Linc Thelen on the player above, or support Arthouse here [https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/arthouse-tv-show#/].  Links mentioned in this episode:  Arterial [https://arterial.org/] Arthouse [https://about.arthousetvshow.com/] Arthouse on Indiegogo [https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/arthouse-tv-show#/] ArtsvilleUSA [https://www.artsvilleusa.com/] Crewest Studio [https://creweststudio.com/] First Friday Exhibitions [https://notrealart.com/exhibitions/] Linc Thelen [https://lincthelenart.com/] Linc Thelen on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/linc_artist/] NOT REAL ART [https://notrealart.com/] NOT REAL ART Podcast [https://notrealart.com/podcast-network/] Remote Video Series [https://notrealart.com/remote-exploring-public-art/] Scott “Sourdough” Power [https://www.notarealartist.com/] For more information, please visit https://notrealart.com/linc-thelen-arthouse

In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Carmen Acosta, also known as Jane Dope, back to the podcast. The experienced LA artist and curator will soon assume her new role as host of the unscripted home design television show “Arthouse.” Produced by Crewest Studio and supported by the nonprofit Arterial, NOT REAL ART’s fiscal sponsor, “Arthouse” aims to bridge the gap between talented artists and everyday people, redefining how art is experienced in personal spaces. With a mission to democratize art, “Arthouse” empowers viewers to curate authentic artwork that aligns with their tastes without straining their budgets. The show's concept centers on eliminating intimidation in art collecting, providing local artists with a platform to showcase their work directly to buyers. To support this vision, “Arthouse” is launching a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of raising $150,000 to produce a full-length pilot episode. Set in Chicago, the pilot will follow an individual or family as they explore local art scenes, visit artist studios, and make informed purchasing decisions with help from Carmen. The campaign, running from June 10 to July 25, 2025, on Indiegogo, offers a unique opportunity for art lovers to contribute to a project that aims to transform the way we perceive and appreciate art in our daily lives. Scott “Sourdough” Power, the creator of “Arthouse” and NOT REAL ART, as well as the visionary behind the nonprofit arts media platform Arterial, emphasizes that the show is more than just a way to sell art—it's about cultivating emotional connections between artists, buyers, and viewers. As Carmen steps into her role, she’s eager to lead this movement that celebrates creativity and makes art accessible for all. Don’t miss her insights on how “Arthouse” aims to reshape the way we engage with art and artists alike. Links mentioned in this episode:  Arterial [https://arterial.org/] Arthouse [https://about.arthousetvshow.com/] ArtsvilleUSA [https://www.artsvilleusa.com/] Carmen Acosta [https://www.carmenacosta.com/] Carmen Acosta on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/janedopeness] Carmen Acosta on NOT REAL ART [https://notrealart.com/carmen-acosta/] Crewest Studio [https://creweststudio.com/] First Friday Exhibitions [https://notrealart.com/exhibitions/] NOT REAL ART [https://notrealart.com/] NOT REAL ART Podcast [https://notrealart.com/podcast-network/] Remote Video Series [https://notrealart.com/remote-exploring-public-art/] Scott “Sourdough” Power [https://www.notarealartist.com/] For more information, please visit https://notrealart.com/arthouse-host-carmen-acosta

In this week’s episode, host Scott “Sourdough” Power welcomes Vincent Bragg and Joe Michael Nickson, the co-founders of ConCreates, a creative agency that elevates the talents of individuals with criminal backgrounds. Vincent and Joe, both former inmates who met in prison, tell us how their lived experiences inspired them to challenge societal stereotypes surrounding incarceration and led to the founding of ConCreates.  ConCreates connects currently and formerly incarcerated individuals—known as ConCreators—with established brands, like Meta and Google, seeking innovative perspectives. The agency aims to provide these individuals with meaningful work and fair compensation that matches their skill sets. A key aspect of their values is the belief that diversity benefits businesses and, more importantly, that it fosters creativity. Vincent and Joe discuss how their unique insights attract major corporate partners, allowing them to disrupt conventional marketing narratives with authentic stories. This episode explores how ConCreates empowers its ConCreators, demonstrating that creativity can emerge from adversity when the right conditions are present. Vincent and Joe’s mission goes beyond generating ideas; it's about diversity of perspective and giving talented people a well-deserved second chance.  Links mentioned in this episode: Arterial [https://arterial.org/] Arthouse [https://about.arthousetvshow.com/] ArtsvilleUSA [https://www.artsvilleusa.com/] ConCreates [https://www.concreates.com/] ConCreates on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/concre8tes/] ConCreates on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/concre8tes] Crewest Studio [https://creweststudio.com/] First Friday Exhibitions [https://notrealart.com/exhibitions/] NOT REAL ART [https://notrealart.com/] NOT REAL ART Podcast [https://notrealart.com/podcast-network/] Remote Video Series [https://notrealart.com/remote-exploring-public-art/] Scott “Sourdough” Power [https://www.notarealartist.com/] For more information, please visit https://notrealart.com/concreates

Forget the sales gimmicks—“Arthouse” is here to support artists sidelined by the traditional gallery model. In today's episode, our host, Scott “Sourdough” Power, founder of nonprofit media platform Arterial, discusses the concept behind “Arthouse,” an innovative TV series currently in pre-production. This series, which is fiscally sponsored by Arterial, aims to connect artists directly with buyers, eliminating the need for middlemen or galleries. “Arthouse” is all about community engagement. Each episode will feature a family, a couple, or an individual interested in purchasing original art from a local artist but feels intimidated and unsure where to start, often working within a budget of just $500 to $1,000. The “Arthouse” team will meet with prospective buyers in their homes to better understand their needs, tastes, and living situation. Then, he takes them to visit the studios of three talented artists from their community. This immersive experience allows them to learn about the artists’ practices and the stories behind their creations.  Scott believes that by directly connecting these buyers with local artists, “Arthouse” can recalibrate public perceptions of art ownership and make it more accessible to everyone. He emphasizes the socioeconomic dynamics that often deter people from investing in original artwork, noting that a lack of knowledge and exposure plays a significant role in this issue. By fostering open dialogues about personal tastes and accessibility, he aspires to cultivate a culture where original art is not merely reserved for the elite but is embraced and appreciated by all. Tune into this episode to learn more about “Arthouse,” or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the latest “Arthouse” news. Links mentioned in this episode:  Arterial [https://arterial.org/] Arthouse [https://arterial.org/arthouse-tv-series/] ArtsvilleUSA [https://www.artsvilleusa.com/] Crewest Studio [https://creweststudio.com/] First Friday Exhibitions [https://notrealart.com/exhibitions/] NOT REAL ART [https://notrealart.com/] NOT REAL ART Podcast [https://notrealart.com/podcast-network/] Remote Season One [https://notrealart.com/remote-exploring-public-art/] Remote Season Two Sneak Peek [https://notrealart.com/remote-season-two/] Scott “Sourdough” Power [https://www.notarealartist.com/] For more information, please visit https://notrealart.com/introducing-arthouse