Micheal Corob wants people to see the beaty in the Central Coast, but he’s appealing to their ears to do so.
Once a month, Corob takes part in a radio broadcast by KSMA “Mornings on Radio 1240” radio personality Doug Nelson to bring attention to the arts and persuade listeners to come out and see some shows. Nelson’s show is primarily about sports, news, and current events—but when he’s interviewing Corob, it’s about art, too.
Corob said taking in art isn’t always the first thing on the minds of busy Santa Maria families, so the eight-minute radio interviews are non-intrusive ways to bring a discussion of art to the masses.
“I think a lot of people in Santa Maria are busy with day-to-day lives and are focused on family and sports and school,” he said. “There just isn’t much time left for the arts.”
Corob has been using the show to promote art events for several years, but this year he finally turned it into a regular gig.
“It’s helping to get the word out there,” he said.
For the show, Corob often brings in a guest artist, whom he features, but he also tries to discuss other topics related to art in the Santa Maria Valley.
The radio show gets played five to 10 times through the course of the month, which Corob says helps because the repetition offers more opportunities for listeners to catch the program.
“If they have things to do already, and they hear it enough, then that will push it to five on their list, then three, then they do it—between soccer games,”
Corob said.
He recently interviewed watercolor artist Dolores Gonzales on his show. She said she enjoyed the ease of being on the radio and chatting with Nelson and Corob.
“I do believe the show helps to spread awareness regarding the art community and tells folks what is going on and where they can find a place to view local art,” she explained. “Any time the media is willing to publicize the arts, that is a good thing.”
Gonzales and Corob both acknowledged the obstructions to getting busy people excited about art.
The challenge, Corob said, is to collaborate with groups that combine art with other events, such as the recent Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains festival.
“It’s where there is art and artists, but the community is there for other things as well,” he said. “It’s challenging to create activities like that that can draw people to them, but then they can also see art.”
Gonzales said the emphasis on art is even more important in the current economy, when spirits are down and art isn’t as prevalent in the schools. She said she especially likes programs that involve youth and those that offer classes for kids and scholarships for young artists. Art can pick up the slack, she emphasized.
Corob hopes the broadcast will aid in that effort and convert at least some listeners into members of a live audience for local art shows.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone makes all her arguments with artistic emphasis. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 8-15, 2009.
