Great restaurants. That classic wide main street. Wesleyan. Excellent library. Way-cool college radio station. Middletown's got it all, right? Well, except for visual art. In the first of a series about how to make Middletown an art destination, Open Studio talks with an artist, a former arts administrator, and a Realtor. They consider the sad proposition that maybe the city just isn't into art.

Upcoming episodes will feature the mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, the executive director of The Buttonwood Tree arts venue and other smart, creative people. We'll even go for a downtown walking tour with the head of the Downtown Business District and the current city arts administrator.

Open Studio April 11, 2021

Abstract painter Power Boothe, a professor at Hartford Art School and its former dean, talks about his early development as a painter, including living hand-to-mouth in NYC, and his continuing development as an artist and teacher. Also: what it's like to be named Power.

Open Studio July 11, 2021

Today, in our first episode of 2022, a reminder that it’s never too late to start something new, including art-making! My two guests, Nancy Jensen, 76, and Rosemary Malloy, 83, tell how, though their interest in art was thwarted in their youth, that interest has lately been bearing fruit in their senior years as they draw, paint, make collages, and generally express themselves creatively however they darn well please! I know you’ll find them as inspiring as I did.

Open Studio Jan. 9, 2022

oday, clay. Seventy-five years ago, a small but mighty group of Wesleyan faculty wives thought they’d like to unearth the mysteries of ceramics. Thus was born what would later become Wesleyan Potters, a world-renowned craft school – a hive of not just ceramic activity but of jewelry making and weaving -- in Middletown, Connecticut. If you’ve been to the pottery’s popular holiday show and sale, among other events, you know what a wide array of beautiful handicrafts is produced. If, like me, you’ve taken classes at the pottery, then you have firsthand knowledge of how friendly and helpful the teachers and students are. I feel so lucky that this treasure is right here in my town, but if it wasn’t, I would drive a long way to get there. It’s become my spiritual home. This episode is a celebration of the pottery’s 75th birthday,

Open Studio Sept. 10, 2023

The first episode of Engage Radio kicks off with Clifton Watson, director of Wesleyan’s Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, in conversation with WESU GM Ben Michael. Together, they reflect on the station's 85th anniversary and explore the significance and impact of community radio on both students and community stakeholders who benefit from WESU’s services since its inception in 1939.

Next, Engage Radio contributor, WESU Public Affairs Director, and DJ Lauren Tran-Muchowski delves into how WESU’s commitment to freeform radio fosters community both on and off the air. She highlights its role as a catalyst for creating radical radio. This segment features a program honoring global resistance and a collaborative radio project with neighborhood youth from Traverse Square, a public housing area directly across the street from WESU. 

Engage Radio broadcasts  on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at 1 PM, right after Democracy Now on 88.1 FM WESU Middletown (CT). Episodes are available on our WESU Archives at httep://www.wesufm.org for two weeks following the original broadcast. We also maintain a permanent archive at SoundCloud.com/wesufm  For more information or inquiries, contact us at engageradio@wesleyan.edu.

Engage Radio Episode 1 - WESU's 85th anniversary

This episode contains an interview with Steam Train, led by Clifton Watson. Steam Train is non-profit dedicated to helping marginalized identities pursue fields of study/careers in STEM. Nelson engages conversation with Donna Hilton, the President and CEO of the organization. Together, they talk about the intentionality that the organization leads with. 

Clifton then talks with Kenya Moore and Tamar Tamar Hayrikyan  who work at the University Network for Human Rights. They discuss the organization of the  Human Rights Advocacy Minor. They further discuss engaging students with University partners.

Engage Radio Episode 5 - Steam Train & The University Network for Human Rights

Clifton is joined by Lakisha Hyatt, CEO of Connecticut Valley Hospital, Shawanda Swain, President and CEO of the United Way of Middlesex County, and Whitney Mooney, Director of Development at the Middlesex United Way. Together they talk about the many services that United Way provides for the Middlesex community. They offer grant funding for nonprofit agencies and serve as intermediaries between organizations working together. United Way also connects and prepares volunteers to work with larger corporations too. They also work directly with individuals, providing resources like Prevention Day funds, and after-school programs. United Way is dedicated to enriching education, financial stability and public health. If you are interested in volunteering, apply here: https://www.middlesexunitedway.org/help-us

Engage Radio Episode 6 with The Middlesex County United Way

On Episode 8 of Engage Radio, Clifton Watson is joined by Ramona Burkey, Director of Middletown's Russell Library. through this conversation, listeners' will learn how the library engages with the communities it serves, challenges the organization faces, future plans, and how you can get involved!  

Engage Radio Episode 8 with Russell Library Director, Ramona Burkey

This episode of Engage Radio celebrates Black History Month by exploring two of Connecticut’s important cultural and historical legacies. The first part features Lauren Tran-Muchowski and Zion Alexis in conversation with Bishop Marichal Monts as he wraps up 43 years as host of The Gospel Express on WESU. The second half of the program features reflections on the life and legacy of the late Connecticut-based artist Winfred Rembert, whose life was shaped by his experiences in the Jim Crow South. 

Engage Radio episode 9  - Black History Month 2025 - Marichal Monts and Winfred Rembert

For our final episode of February, Engage Radio is honored to offer reflections on the rich and multifaceted African-American history of Middletown.

This episode is presented in partnership with Dr. Jesse Nasta and the Middletown Historical Society. Alongside Professor Nasta, we’ll hear from Middletown municipal historian Debbie Shapiro and historian John Mills, who will discuss their successful efforts to honor "Prince Mortimer", a slave who was held captive in Middletown, through an honorary street name dedication. The program also features a reading of an original poem by Middletown poet Grace Figueroa.

Throughout this episode you'll also hear reflections on Black history from our family, friends, and listeners. Thanks to Clifton Watson, Annika Willewicz, Lauren Tran-Muchowski, Audrey Nelson and Zion Alexis for their work to help produce this episode.

Engage Radio episode 10 - Black History Month - Prince Mortimer

In this episode, Engage Radio contributor Audrey Nelson explores the City of Middletown's TunnelVision public art project. TunnelVision is the brainchild of artist and Educator Kate TenEyck, which aims to beautify one of the City's darker corners while reconnecting Middletown residents to their waterfront and history!    

Engage Radio Episode 11 - Tunnelvision

As April begins, communities across the country celebrate National Reentry Month, to appreciate helping the individuals, communities, programs and agencies that support the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year. For the last 15 years, The Wesleyan Center for Prison Education (CPE) has offered some 220 courses to over 200 incarcerated students. 55 students have earned their associate’s degree, with 18 men and women having earned their Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree from Wesleyan. 

In this episode of Engage Radio, Clifton Watson is joined by Resource Center Director, Demetrius Colvin. Their conversation is facilitated by Campus Engagement Fellow at the CPE, Caelan Desmond. They talk with educators, who offer courses sponsored by the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, under the CPE. Listen as they reflect on the work of the administrators and on the significance of the program!

If you are interested in the work of the CPE, here is a link for more information: https://www.wesleyan.edu/cpe/index.html

Engage Radio Episode 12 - Celebrating National Reentry Month

April is Earth Month, a time to celebrate and take action to protect our planet, culminating on Earth Day on April 22nd. On today’s program, we turn to our friends at Wesleyan’s office for Sustainability who will talk about their work fostering sustainability initiatives on campus and partnerships with the City of Middletown. First: we’ll hear Wesleyan office of Sustainability Intern Laine Gorman’s interview with Jen Kleindienst, Sustainability Director at Wesleyan. In the second part of today’s Episode, Laine welcomes John Hall, Director of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art to engage Radio.

Engage Radio - Episode 13 Sustainable Middletown  & The Jonah Center

During the first part of today's show, Clifton Watson interviews Rhea Drozdenko and Ava Gandhi from the Connecticut River Conservancy. Then, Lauren Tran-Muchowski Interviews Siggy Soriano and Andrew Hsu about their work with the Annual Student of Color Fashion show at Wesleyan. 

Engage Radio - Episode 14  CT River Conservancy  and S.O.C. Fashion show

Today’s program features a conversation produced by Siggy Soriano with student peers reflecting on their experience with Music Professor  Noah Baerman’s,  course Experiments in Public Life: Creating and Presenting Socially Conscious Music Socially Conscious Music during their spring semester. The Course if offered through Wesleyan University's Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life.    

Engage Radio Episode 15 - Creating and Presenting Socially Conscious Music

This episode features Clifton Watson in conversation with Professor Kehaulani Kauanui and Gary Red Oak-O’Neill, inviting us to reflect on the ongoing histories of Middletown's first residents, the Wangunk people and the importance of confronting indigenous erasure. They discuss Gary's current gallery exhibit, which remains open through November 16th at the Ezra and Cecile Zilka Gallery on the Wesleyan campus. They also discuss and invite us to learn more at the Wangunk History Symposium, which includes an artist talk happening today, Friday, October 24th at 4:30, and a symposium, which is all day tomorrow, Saturday, October 25th. 

We also hear a personal reflection from Wesleyan students in honor of Pride History Month and the upcoming Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20th.  Learn more at https://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/events/2025/10-2025/10242025-artist-talk.html

Engage Radio S2-E2 Wangunk erasure & reflections on Trans Day Of Rembrance-10-24-25

November is National Hip Hop History Month, honoring a movement born in the African-American and Latino communities of the Bronx in 1973. Hip hop has always been more than music — it’s a global cultural force blending DJing, beatboxing, sampling, and lyrical storytelling, while shaping art, language, fashion, and activism.

On this episode of ENGAGE Radio, we explore hip hop’s roots, reach, and relevance today with reflections from some extraordinary guests and members of the WESU Hip Hop Community:
•	Akua Naru – internationally acclaimed hip hop artist and Assistant Professor of Music at UC Santa Cruz - https://www.akua-naru.com/ 
•	Bobito Garcia – hip hop cultural pioneer, producer, writer, filmmaker, and distinguished Wesleyan alumnus. https://koolboblove.com/ 
• Open i - Based in Middletown, Connecticut, open i crafts beat-based hip-hop and instrumental tapes that embrace a raw, hands-on aesthetic. https://openi.bandcamp.com/ 
His recent August 2025 LP elephant.314 is billed simply as a “labor of love music.”
• DJ Sabotage - A WESU community volunteer DJ who has been spinning “boom bap” hip hop for over 25 years.  
** This episode features excerpts from the Open i mixtape "Mean Streets" interwoven throughout he program. Many thanks to Open i for his support. 

Together, our guests offer an array of unique perspectives on how hip hop continues to inspire creativity, connection, and change, from Middletown to the world.

To listen, tune in to ENGAGE Radio 
🗓 Fridays at 1 p.m. | Every 2nd and 4th week of the month
📍 WESU 88.1 FM
Or stream anytime at soundcloud.com/wesufm


Engage Radio S2E3 Hip Hop History Month

An archived episode of Welcome Back featuring an interview with Wesleyan Alum, and former WESU DJ & Owner of WESAM from 1946-48 (Wesleyan '48).

The episode was hosted and produced by Ben Michael and originally aired in 2014. Welcome Back features interviews and storytelling with alumni and community volunteer broadcasters discussing their experience behind the microphone and scenes at one the few original student owned and operated college radio stations in the country.

Howard Williams '48

An archived episode of Welcome Back featuring an interview with Wesleyan Alum, and former WESU DJ Arch Doty (Wesleyan '39).

The episode was hosted and produced by Ben Michael and originally aired in 2014. Welcome Back features interviews and storytelling with alumni and community volunteer broadcasters discussing their experience behind the microphone and scenes at one the few original student owned and operated college radio stations in the country.

Arch Doty '39

Reasonably Catholic: Keeping the Faith, 2013 Jan. 1

In his own words, the late Howard Williams Wesleyan '(48), reminds us of why WESU is so important.  Williams inherited WES AM, as an undergrad, shortly after arriving at Wesleyan on the G.I. Bill in  1946.

Howard Williams lost history of WESU Epilogue

The third episode of “Party in the Bardo: Conversations with Laurie Anderson” features a conversation between writer, director, visual artist, and vocalist Laurie Anderson and Irish poet, professor of poetry, editor, critic, playwright, lyricist, and translator Paul Muldoon

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