Art is in the eye of the beholder, it is said, but there is little debate that Denver has a vibrant street art scene. Colorado Public Radio is teaming with the local news site Denverite to launch a new podcast that aims to raise up street art and the people who create it. Called Off the Walls, the series is hosted by CPR’s Kibwe Cooper and Emily Williams.

“I love the stories Kibwe and Emily are telling with this project,” said Brad Turner, Executive Producer of CPR’s Audio Innovations Studio. “A podcast is an unusual way to tell stories about murals and visual arts. But it works because the art is a starting point to explore some deep, important issues in Denver.”

In each episode of Off the Walls listeners will learn what inspired a mural in the city, as well as stories of how it was created. Through interviews with artists, activists and residents, Cooper and Williams dig into what murals mean and why they matter to local communities in Colorado.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned through this project is the importance of representation, of agency and of shared community narratives,” Cooper said. “BIPOC communities and their art have often been ignored when Denver’s history is told. I believe Off the Walls will shine a light on the dedication and tenacity of underrepresented Denverites.”

Cooper and Williams are both podcast producers for CPR’s Audio Innovations Studio, where they’ve worked on shows such as Parched, Terra Firma, Music Blocks and My Story So Far. Before joining CPR, Cooper spent eight years working as a podcast host, audio engineer and digital content creator. Williams’ prior experience includes hosting a weekly news podcast at The Post and Courier newspaper in South Carolina.

Williams said the new podcast should help its audience find a new appreciation for the city’s public art.

“I hope listeners get more curious about the murals they live near or see all the time. These walls can hold really special stories and memories,” she said.