The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is part of Newman’s legacy, as is the Newman’s Own Foundation, which issued a statement this morning.

Big picture aside, Paul Newman was simply … inspiring. Back in 2000 I directed a production of Richard Greenberg’s “Three Days of Rain.” The production had a shoestring budget in a storefront theater but was still very well received … so when Woodward directed it at Westport Country Playhouse we took a road trip to see what big money and star power could bring to the experience.

I was not expecting the very charming, “country” feel of the Playhouse (despite the name), or the sight of Newman leaning on the outside railing. He spoke to us briefly about acting … I cannot recall what he said, but I do remember that our evening at the Playhouse play held many discoveries and inspired lively conversation on the late-night drive back to New London.

Newman’s generosity—to the Playhouse, Hole in the Wall and so many other organizations doing good works, will be remembered.

Interview with musician and visual artist Gary Panter about “Gary Panter: Daydream Trap,” his solo museum exhibition at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum.

In this interview, Panter talks a little about a lot of things: drawing, painting, working with curators, creating a monograph, making music, making light shows, the meditative feel of drawing, making noises while drawing, drawing inspiration from a particular place, how to jump-start a small town art space, and more.

Interview excerpted from The Art Agenda. Broadcast on 88.1fm, WESU, Middletown on August 15, 2008.

Interview with photographer Kevin Van Aelst, excerpted from The Art Agenda. Originally broadcast on 88.1fm, WESU, Middletown on May 8, 2007. (Correction: the New York Times fashion magazine referenced in this interview is seasonal, not every month.)