This edition of Mixed Media is something of a family reunion, as we round up several of our recent separately aired profiles of the Strecker family of artists: mom Chris Strecker and her daughters, Erika and Zoé. A native of Greece, Chris emigrated to America when she was 11 and has made her living as a functional potter since 1976. In 2003, she moved to Lexington from Harrodsburg and founded a potters’ group, the Clay Artists.

Daughter Erika is a Lexington-based blacksmith and sculptor who, along with fellow artist Tony Higdon, was selected to create a 40-foot-tall sculpture to stand in front of the new Kentucky Transportation Cabinet building in Frankfort. Entitled Nexus, the work is scheduled to be installed in September 2004.

Daughter Zoé uses a variety of media to construct her concept-driven sculptures. These public pieces, such as a 20-foot-tall copper and terra cotta sculpture depicting Plains Indian sign language, have found homes as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska. Zoé Strecker and her husband, potter Mike Frasca, live on a 50-acre farm near Harrodsburg.

Throughout the program, you’ll also hear a range of musical encores, including a performance of Act II of Puccini’s La Bohème by students from the Kentucky Opera’s Young Artists’ Program. Louisville singer-songwriter John Mann, along with his band featuring Tim Krekel, and Louisville’s AM Sunday are also featured.