Get ready to leave the white-cube gallery behind. In our latest episode, we’re stepping into the wild, mythic world of Dennis McNett (AKA Wolfbat). For over 30 years, Dennis has been carving out a career that defies every "standard" artistic path. From the grit of New York City in the early 2000s to the quiet majesty of Luray, Virginia, Dennis doesn't just make art—he builds universes.
In this episode, we dive into:
• Art as Medicine: For Dennis, creativity isn't a luxury; it’s a lifeline. We talk about how he used art to navigate the trauma of 9/11 and why he views the act of making as a transformative "medicine" for life’s discomforts.
• The Power of the Procession: Forget quiet contemplation. Dennis is famous for massive, community-driven spectacles involving giant sculptures, Viking lore, and neighborhood-wide parades.
• Storytelling with High Stakes: From the tragic history of Big Mary the circus elephant to his deeply respectful collaborations with the Gullah community, Dennis explains how he honors cultural heritage through inquiry, permission, and radical collaboration.
• Creating Your Own Mythology: We explore the "Wolfbat" identity and how ancient lore can be reclaimed to fuel a modern creative practice.
Dennis is a modern-day storyteller who reminds us that when you combine woodcuts with community and a bit of "Wolfbat" energy, art has the power to transform entire towns.