Want to know more about some of your favorite local artists or performers? Get to know Arizona creatives through a new YouTube series hosted by Chandler author Laurie Fagen.

The show, “AZ Creates!” is a half-hour series on YouTube that highlights local artists, writers, dancers, musicians, filmmakers and actors. The series kicked off in 2020.

Each episode is an interview with a creative and is hosted by Fagen. The conversations get into the stories behind artworks and performances.

“Since many galleries have been closed during (the COVID-19 pandemic) we are trying to connect artists with art patrons, and introduce and promote creatives to a wider audience,” Fagen said.

Guests on the show have included producer Robert Diepenbrock, who shared details on creating special effect models for “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “ET: The Extraterrestrial.” Adriene Buffington talked about her years of making fiber art quilts and lampwork glass beads.

The 2021 season of “AZ Creates” has already started with metal sculptor, Kevin Caron and ceramicist Sandy Ashbaugh.

Upcoming shows include:

• Ceramicist Sandy Ashbaugh on March 25.
• Photographer Dale Kesel on April 8.
• Singer Jan Sandwich on April 22.
• Polymer clay artists Asi Panoutsopoulou on May 13.
• Actors Harold and Maedell Dixon on May 26.

New shows premiere on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Each episode also features art nonprofits including Ocotillo Artists Group, The Nash, Arizona Professional Writers and Tucson Polymer Clay Guilds.

“We hope viewers will enjoy a positive, uplifting show in light of challenges in Arizona and the world,” Fagen said.

Details: youtube.com/c/AZCreatesArtOnlineAZ

Elizabeth Montgomery is Arts and Culture Reporter for The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com. Reach her at [email protected] or 602-444-8764. Follow her on Twitter @emontnews.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Read or Share this story: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/arts/2021/03/15/arizona-artists-youtube-web-series/4654861001/