BY ERIN JONES / SEATTLE CHANNEL MULTIMEDIA INTERN
Quickly running through your favorite movie reruns and online streaming playlists? We’ve got you covered! We took a dive into the Art Zone archives to bring you funny and uplifting content to brighten your days in isolation. From an eyebrow-raising stunt at the Seattle International Film Festival to an interview that will tug at your heartstrings, these eight Art Zone features will make you laugh or cry tears of joy.
Head-turning entrance at SIFF 2012 Opening Night
We’re super bummed this year’s Seattle International Film Festival has been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, and we send our support to the top notch staff who have been laid off because of the outbreak. We are looking forward to the three-week festival returning in 2021!
We’re honoring this springtime cinema spectacular by splashing out the opening night gala for the 2012 SIFF. You won’t want to miss Nancy Guppy arriving in a dog crate. Yes, a dog crate. Nancy’s red carpet arrival was so head turning it even made national news. An added bonus to this Art Zone episode includes films to consider for your movie queue while you’re at home, like Northwest native Lynn Shelton’s ‘Your Sister’s Sister,’ which was filmed in the stunning San Juan Islands.
A conversation with the filmmakers of ‘Big Sonia’
This heart-tugging episode of Art Zone is a perfect segment to watch if you’re in need of some inspiration. Nancy interviews the filmmakers behind the 2018 documentary and award winning film ‘Big Sonia,’ the story of Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski. The two filmmakers, including Sonia’s granddaughter Leah Warshawski and her husband Todd Soliday, share their experiences making the film over the course of seven years and the documentary’s many messages, including love, truth, healing, and the effects of family trauma.
Marge Levy’s love of art & zest for life
Many of us have more free time on our hands while at home, and with this free time comes an opportunity to explore a new hobby! In this Art Zone feature, ceramist and arts supporter Marge Levy shows us the beauty of slowing down and creating art with passion. Her excitement for art, life, and clay will lift your spirits and might spark a new creative idea or two of your own.
Deb Achak’s swimmer’s-eye view
Have you ever heard of “aquatic street photography?” It’s a photography technique and term coined by Seattle-based photographer Deb Achak, who captures stunning and mesmerizing images of people submerged. Deb travels all over the world to different beaches and the outcome of her pictures are poetic beauty. Many of her photographs bring instant joy for viewers — something we all could use right now — a feeling Deb described as “the root of her work.”
When life imitates pop art
This Art Zone short will make you LOL. Nancy heads to Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market and interviews random bystanders while dressed as a real life Roy Lichtenstein pop art piece, including a neon wig and avant-garde face paint. We’re not sure what’s funnier, Nancy’s antics or the responses to her spontaneous shenanigans and questions.
Celebrating Art Zone with a flamethrower
Where there’s fire, there’s also Rusty Oliver. He helped Nancy celebrate Art Zone’s 10-year anniversary with an unforgettable dangerous creation. His four-tiered cake was created at his studio Hazard Factory located in South Park.
Dame Edna gets the last laugh
Remember to breathe when you watch this hilarious interview with Nancy and guest Dame Edna. Fun and witty, this conversation reflects back on Dame Edna’s final Farewell Tour in 2015. The hilarious character is created by Australian comedian, actor, artist, and author Barry Humphries.
Lauren Weedman spills tea about being fired from The Daily Show & more
Finally, in this interview, Nancy sits down with friend and former ‘Almost Live‘ co-star Lauren Weedman. The actress spills all the tea from being fired from ‘The Daily Show,’ filming sex scenes, her various TV gigs, and more. And fun fact, Lauren has roots in Seattle and moved here in 1995! If you want to hear her impersonation of Nancy, watch this interview and learn more about her life as an actress and comedian.
