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The art of "Kindred Spirits: Honoring Animals in Death".

Kindred Spirits Bird COVER hero
Amanda Stronza
Animal memorial by Amanda Stronza.
The art of "Kindred Spirits: Honoring Animals in Death".

Featured on the June 19th, 2025 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • Get a closer look at an exhibition at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. “Kindred Spirits” is a collaboration between Amanda Stronza, Rachel Ivanyi, and Hannah Salyer, three mixed-media artists who pay tribute to the contributions made in life and in death by wild animals, many of whom lose their lives as a result of human activity. By inviting others to witness this often unseen stage in the cycle of life, the artists hope to build connections and catharsis.

  • And, meet one of four local artists who is getting a welcome boost from Artists At Work, by way of an 18-month salary with benefits so they can concentrate on their work. Tony Paniagua has an interview with Katrina Kerstetter, Tucson resident and world traveler, who is also this month’s storyteller.

In addition to working at the Iskashitaa Refugee Network’s Garden Art Program, Kerstetter also founded and operates the KORU Multicultural and Diverse Library in Tucson and travels frequently to South Korea, where the idea was born.

The other southern Arizona artists being recognized by Artists At Work are Shane Beeshligaii, Porfirio “Pilo” Mora, and Harrison Preston.

Arizona Spotlight
Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Friday at 8:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.

Webpage by Zoe Juliano.

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Mark McLemore is the host of Arizona Spotlight on NPR 89.1, a weekly radio show with a very wide beat.