The Birthplace of American Theater with David Drake

Gaston interviews Sian Robertson, a distinct artist known for her unique style of cutting intricate designs out of maps. 

Comedian Kristen Becker shares her journey and experiences in the world of comedy and activism. Kristen discusses her roots in Buffalo, New York, and her career progression through comedy, including her start in Toronto and extensive tours in the Deep South. She recounts her move to Provincetown, the significance of queer representation in comedy, and her efforts to promote diverse voices through her show, Fruit Basket. Kristen also highlights her involvement in the Summer of Sass program, which brings queer youth from the South to Provincetown for a transformative summer experience. She reflects on the importance of community, her unique characters such as Sandy Claus and Sergeant Roach, and her ongoing contributions to the Provincetown art scene.

This week, Gaston talks to musician, singer, actor, all-around great guy, Jonathan Richardson. We more learn about his journey toward becoming a musician, and his arrival in Provincetown in the 2010s. In the second half of the interview, they talk at length about Jonathan’s new musical, “The Jack of Hearts Club,” which premiered to great acclaim at the Provincetown Theater in the fall of 2025, and will return for the summer of 2026.

In this episode, We interview Beth Faherty, an artist residing in Provincetown. Beth shares her story of moving from North Carolina to Nantucket and eventually settling in Provincetown. We discuss Beth's transition from writing to painting, her love for bright and joyful artwork, and how the loss of her twin brother influenced her artistic journey. Beth also talks about her experience at the Commons, where she recently completed a three-year residency, and her current transition to a new studio at Whaler's Wharf. The conversation explores the impact of the artistic community on Beth’s work, her unique creative processes, and her plans for the future.

Grace Hopkins discusses the history and proliferation of art galleries in Provincetown. She shares insights about her father, an abstract expressionist painter and his unconventional methods in curating art shows. She recounts memorable incidents at HCE Gallery, including controversial exhibitions and humorous anecdotes such as an artist cutting out all works but his own. The discussion also touches on art pricing and the dynamics of gallery operations.

In this episode of the Art Colony, Gaston interviews Regina Binder about her work in uncovering forgotten artists in Provincetown. Regina, who has lived in Provincetown for over 40 years, shares her efforts in expanding the definition of historical significance to include marginalized artists, particularly those from the LGBTQ community. She highlights her projects, including documenting dune shacks for the National Park Service and her current work supported by a National Park Service grant aimed at linking LGBTQ stories to physical properties in Provincetown. The conversation covers the challenges and triumphs of documenting these forgotten figures and their contributions to the art and culture of Provincetown. Regina also discusses the importance of preserving the stories and histories of these overlooked artists for future generations.

Gaston and guest, Jim Bokker, discuss various off-season art activities, such as art classes, theater productions, and ongoing exhibitions like the Blanche Lazzell retrospective at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM). The conversation dives deep into Lzzell's life and work, particularly her contribution to the Provincetown Print and white-line woodblock printing. Jim Bocker provides insights on Lazzell's artistic journey, her modernist evolution, and the economic strategies she employed to sustain her career. They also touch upon the significance of Provincetown for artists and the ongoing tradition of white-line printing. The episode concludes with recommendations on how to indulge in and contribute to Provincetown's rich art culture during the off season.

Gavin Kennedy discusses his passion for the Fine Arts Work Center and his mission to connect contemporary emerging artists with collectors. He highlights the importance of contemporary art in fostering understanding, empathy, and storytelling. Kennedy appreciates the supportive nature of the current generation of emerging artists and believes that crises bring more art to the forefront.

In this episode, we discuss the development and achievements of drag artist Johnny Pirroni, also known as Delta Miles. Johnny  shares stories from his early career, his breakthrough in the drag scene, and the inspiration behind his performances. The dialogue delves into the challenges and rewards of a drag performance career, the differences between Provincetown and Puerto Vallarta audiences, and Johnny’s aspirations for future shows. The episode offers a rich narrative about dedication, passion, and the art of drag, highlighting the unique community and artistic heritage of Provincetown.

Lesley Marchessault, Executive Director of The Commons, discusses the impact of The Commons on the artistic community in Provincetown. She reflects on her personal journey into art, starting from a childhood fascination with Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini portrait to her permanent move to Provincetown. The Commons serves as a collaborative and supportive space for diverse artists, fostering growth and innovation. Despite the recent loss of an artist named Benji, the community continues to thrive, with successful exhibits and charitable contributions. The arrival of The Commons has significantly invigorated the local art scene with new artists, exhibits, and events.

In this conversation, artist and scientist Mark Adams reflects on his journey in Provincetown, describing how his scientific background influences his art. He emphasizes the importance of observation in understanding nature, the role of poison ivy in dune ecology, and the community's response to the AIDS crisis. Mark teaches art by focusing on observation and the experience of nature, rather than rendering skills, and believes that humans can adapt well by understanding and integrating with nature.

In this episode of the Art Colony podcast, Gaston  speaks with Anastasia Egeli about her family's multi-generational artistic legacy in Provincetown. Anastasia shares her experiences growing up in an art-centric community, her family's association with notable artists, and the pressures and blessings of belonging to a renowned artistic family. She also reflects on her personal journey to finding her own artistic voice amidst familial expectations. They discuss the historical and current art scene in Provincetown and Anastasia's current work in Venice, California. The episode highlights the unique cultural and artistic environment of Provincetown and its impact on artists.

Gaston and guest, Jef Hall-Flavin, a theater director and researcher, discuss the rich history of Tennessee Williams in Provincetown. The conversation covers Williams' visits throughout the 1940s, his influential works such as 'The Glass Menagerie' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire,' and various legendary anecdotes, debunking myths about his time in Provincetown. They highlight the role of Provincetown in Williams' life and the Tennessee Williams Festival's efforts to preserve his legacy. The discussion also touches on his relationships and interactions with other prominent artists and creatives of the time.

In this episode of The Art Colony, Gaston talks with Sharon Polli, Executive Director of the Fine Arts Work Center (FAWC), as she opens up about her journey from working in arts and culture in New York City to her current role, leading an internationally renowned artist residency program that has been operating since 1968 on a historically significant site dating back to 1914. The conversation covers the FAWC's offerings, including seven-month residencies for emerging artists and writers, summer workshops, and year-round programming. Sharon emphasizes the diversity and community engagement efforts, including collaborations with local schools and a variety of public events. 

In this episode of the Art Colony podcast,  Gaston  interviews artist and portrait instructor Glenna Hartwell. Glenna shares her rich experiences and knowledge about the historical tradition of portrait making in Provincetown. Highlighting her journey from painting portraits on the streets in the 1970s to teaching at the Cape School of Art, Glenna discusses the influence of Henry Henchey and Charles Hawthorne, the cultural shift in Provincetown, and the challenges and joys of painting in open-air settings. The episode delves into the past and present of portrait artistry in Provincetown, providing insights into this unique artistic legacy.

In this episode of the Art Colony podcast, we talk about the art school that started it all, the one that put the Provincetown Art Colony on the map. Host Gaston Lacombe welcomes Rob Longley, artist, instructor, and board member of the Cape School of Art. Together they discuss the history and impact of the Cape Cod School of Art in Provincetown, founded by Charles Hawthorne in 1899, and its successor, the Cape School of Art, headed by Henry Hensche. Rob Longley shares his Provincetown story, starting in 1971, when he began working under the tutelage of Henry Hensche, the legendary art instructor and former assistant to Hawthorne. Longley reflects on the evolution of the oldest art school in Provincetown, the distinction between the Cape Cod School of Art and the Cape School of Art, and the artistic legacy of Henry Hensche, particularly his unique focus on light and color. The conversation also introduces some of the characters who punctuated the school's history, its evolution and re-invention over the last century, and the school's future plans. This episode is an in-depth look at Provincetown's vibrant art community and the ongoing efforts to preserve the artistic techniques and heritage of Hawthorne and Hensche.

In this episode of The Art Colony, Gaston explores the artistry of drag with Jeffrey Robison, better known as Varla Jean Merman — one of Provincetown’s most celebrated performers. Far beyond wigs and sequins, drag in Provincetown draws on theater, music, comedy, costuming, and cabaret, forming a multidisciplinary art practice that has shaped the town’s identity for decades. Varla traces the evolution of drag in Provincetown from the 1990s to today, reflecting on how the town became a crucible for drag excellence, what it takes to sustain a residency in a place with 30 shows a night, and how resilience and reinvention remain at the heart of the craft. This conversation places drag firmly within Provincetown’s art history — as vital, demanding, and transformative as painting or theater.

In this episode of The Art Colony, host Gaston Lacombe sits down with Laura Shabott, a pivotal figure in Provincetown’s contemporary art scene whose career has spanned three decades of creating, educating, and shaping the town’s creative identity. From her first job in a gallery to working and teaching in some of the town's most iconic art spaces.  Laura and Gaston get to "nerd out" about the rich art history of Provincetown, through discussing the famous names who left their mark here, and the art schools and institutions that they founded or passed through.  It's a conversations that leaves no doubt that Provincetown was one of the most important art hubs of the 20th century, and still now plays an influential role on the international art scene. Laura and Gaston bring the listeners on a vivid journey to Charles Hawthorne's art school in the early 20th century, and to the legendary Hans Hofmann school of the mid-20th century, amongst others.  And they end by reviewing how teaching art has evolved in Provincetown in this contemporary age of online classes and diversifying interests.   

In this episode of The Art Colony, host Gaston sits down with Christine McCarthy, CEO of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), for a lively and deeply personal conversation about the institution’s storied past, vibrant present, and ambitious future. From its founding in 1914 to its role as “the anchor of the Provincetown arts community,” Christine shares how the museum has preserved the town’s rich artistic heritage while nurturing contemporary voices. She recounts her own journey from Italian Renaissance studies in Siena and Florence to leading PAAM for over two decades—through building renovations, historic art feuds, and the ever-changing cultural tides of America’s oldest continuous art colony. Whether you’re an art historian, a Provincetown local, or simply curious about how a small-town museum can make a world-class impact, this episode offers an inspiring look at the power of art to connect, heal, and endure.