123- Catalyst Presents: The Artist is Present - Bonnie Barrett, speaking about artist Inna Jane Ray

“The Artist is Present” is a special series which is being hosted under the Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast of the Center for Creative and Cultural Industries at Chapman University.  “The Artis is Present” was developed under the direction of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art’s Director, Fiona Shen, and Collections Manager, Jessica Bocinski, so that a wider audience would have the opportunity to hear directly from the artists in the Escalette Collection at the University.
In this episode of The Artists is Present, host Helene Vlok interviews Bonnie Barrett - one of artist Inna Jane Ray’s dear friends. After Inna passed in 2020, Bonnie has dedicated countless hours to sharing Inna’s work with the world. The Escalette Collection is honored to be home to more than 100 artworks by Inna Jane Ray and is excited to present the Inna Jane Ray Exhibit at the Hilbert Museum of California Art, running from March to August 2025. A graphic designer herself, Bonnie explains how she met Inna at Immaculate Heart College and how they became instant friends, and later roommates. Bonnie explains how the shared love and passion for art amongst their friend group blossomed into the establishment of their zine, Native, in which poetry and paintings alike were celebrated. Moreover, Bonnie provides a timeline of her friendship with Inna, shares what styles and individuals in the artworld had a significant impact on Inna, and why she is so committed to sharing Inna’s work with others.  Listen along as Bonnie gives insight into navigating creative processes and the significant role that friends and family play in them, and as she celebrates the life of Inna Jane Ray.