Art Slice: A Palatable Serving of Art History

Stephanie Duenas and Russell Shoemaker are both working visual artists, and that shapes everything about Art Slice. Stephanie is a Mexican-American art historian who has worked at institutions including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, while Russell has shown work at the Elmhurst Museum of Contemporary Art and helped open an international art academy in China. Together, they bring a no-gatekeeping, no-art-speak approach to 59 episodes that have earned a 4.7-star rating from over 150 reviewers. The show bills itself as "irreverent deep dives" and that tracks -- episodes on Mary Cassatt, Violeta Parra, Rosa Rolanda, and Wanda Gag sit alongside themed episodes like a "Creature Double Feature" comparing terrifying artworks across history. There is a strong focus on Latin American artists and figures who have been overlooked by mainstream art history, which gives the show a perspective you will not find in more conventional podcasts. Stephanie and Russell have great chemistry, balancing real knowledge with a rowdy, accessible energy. Video versions are available on YouTube for listeners who want to see the art being discussed. The occasional guest episodes bring in curators and other art historians, but the core appeal is the hosts themselves and their obvious passion for expanding who gets included in art history conversations.