The process of creating art is as important as the finished product. In this episode Spark checks in on composer William Kraft as he writes a groundbreaking work for the San Francisco Symphony, featuring the thundering sound of a 15-drum timpani. Then we visit with land artist Andy Goldsworthy as he creates “Faultline” for the new de Young Museum. And go backstage with the Crowded Fire Theater Company‘s “One Big Lie,” a musical fable by Liz Duffy Adams pitting gods against mortals in a centuries-long search for the ultimate truth.

Spark points its lens eastward, visiting the traditional Japanese Theatre of Yugen as it presents Hemingway’s “Old Man and The Sea” featuring a set fashioned entirely from glass, blurring the line between stagecraft and art installation. Then, the haunting and evocative sculptures of Thai Bui, who escaped his homeland by boat during the Vietnam War, reflect the ongoing struggles of an artist finding his way through a foreign culture. And the exquisitely carved sculptures of Chinese American artist and poet Lu Huan follow the veins of semi-precious stone running through a single rock, creating likenesses of exotic insects and reptiles.

Spark focuses on the future of arts, visiting the talented young performers of the Bay Area. First, San Francisco’s Marsh Youth Theater tackle the artistic difficulties of acting, singing and dancing in the premiere of “Jip, His Story.” Then head to Oakland to see the Great Wall Youth Orchestra play traditional Chinese instruments with solos by Tyler Thompson, a prodigy of Chinese Opera. Finally, hear teen singer/songwriter Lauren Shera perform her original works, a blend of folk rock and poetry, accompanied on her signature purple guitar.

The art of the masters takes center stage in this episode of Spark. The renowned Kronos Quartet collaborates with composer Terry Riley and Chinese lute player Wu Man. The quintessential minimalist sculptor Richard Serra installs his latest public artwork in San Francisco, two monolithic 70-ton slabs of raw steel entitled “Ballast.” And Stanford University celebrates the life work of dance pioneer Merce Cunningham with a project involving hundreds of students and faculty members.

Being disabled is no reason to stop doing what you love. Spark goes to the Magic Theatre for the world premiere of John Belluso‘s “The Rules of Charity,” a play that considers the life of a disabled gay man. Then we head over to Richmond’s NIAD (National Institute of Art and Disabilities), where developmentally disabled artists are finding new forms of expression, independence and dignity through this groundbreaking arts program. And, we visit with Alice Wingwall who relies on her visual memories when continuing to pursue her passion for photography even while battling with a blinding degenerative eye disease.

Spring is in the air and Spark gets out into nature.

Hit the beaches of California, which serve as Jim Denevan‘s canvases as he creates monolithic sand drawings that fit harmoniously into the coastal landscape.

Then discover a massive vortex of poplar branches woven into a stand of redwood trees created by environmental artist Chris Drury at Montalvo Arts Center.

And the sound of nature is what inspires experimental musician Cheryl E. Leonard to turn natural materials into instruments to perform her latest series of songs based on ancient Chinese poetry.

The events of the past can never be changed, but they can certainly be retold and reinterpreted. Spark visits with the Berkeley Repertory Theater’s “The People’s Temple,” as they develop a unique theatrical form to portray the story of the Jonestown mass suicide/murder where 913 Peoples Temple members died in 1978. Then, Don Scardino realizes a life-long dream in directing Best of Broadway’s “Lennon,”a theatrical extravaganza about one of the most beloved stars in popular music. Finally, head to The Marsh where Brian Copeland performs in his one-man show based on growing up black in San Leandro.

Art runs in the family this week as Spark introduces us to the inner workings of family businesses.

Salvador Santana rocks out with his dad, Carlos Santana, as he rehearses for a Latin American tour and launches his own band.

Ruth Asawa has created dozens of San Francisco landmarks, and now her children are following in her footsteps.

And the art of teaching is passed on from mother to daughter, with performance instructors Miss Tilly Abbe and Iliza Gates in their San Francisco studio.

Spark reveals art that we might not always feel comfortable talking about. The Traveling Jewish Theater performs “Blood Relative” (formerly called the “Middle East Project”), a drama showing the crisis of Israel-Palestine from several perspectives. Radioactive mushroom clouds are the subject of conceptual artist Richard Kamler, stimulated by his own thyroid cancer. And finally we head out to the Fat-Bottom Revue the Big Burlesque show by voluptuous vixens.

San Francisco enjoys some of the most vibrant street art anywhere around. In this episode, Spark takes a look at a few of the performers near Union Square, including classically trained opera singers Robert Close and Litz Plummer, as well as the Bay City Luv gospel choir. Then wander to the Mission District, which is host to many wandering bands such as Los Cazadores del Sur, who find a home in the restaurants and bistros of the vibrant Latin neighborhood. And then meet up with roving tailor Michael Swaine, who mends more than just the holes in clothes in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District.

Spark lends an ear to the richness of original American music as it is created in the Bay Area. First visit with mandolin master David Grisman finds a happy medium between new jazz and traditional bluegrass with his groundbreaking David Grisman Quartet. Then travel with the all-star ensemble of the SFJazz Collective as they get ready for their debut tour through California. Finally, hear the Elderhostel Program encourage seniors to get up and get down in front of the microphone, performing their own gospel and blues.

Spark gets into the rhythm as it follows the beat of a different drum. Taiko master Seiichi Tanaka trains his pupils in the ancient form of Japanese drumming at the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. Then, meet Zakir Hussain, who brings the Indian art of tabla drumming to western audiences by maintaining a balance of classical music and traditional Indian percussion. And beatbox artist Kid Beyond pushes the limits of rhythm music by creating rich soundscapes using his mouth as his only instrument.

Spark hits the hardware store and the machine shop to visit with artists who double as inventors.

In our first story, meet composer and musician Paul Dresher, who explores the cutting edge of music with instruments he designs and builds.

Then, check out the rocking, rolling, reeling sculptures of sound artist Matt Heckert.

Finally, get a glimpse into the future with artists who dream of whole new worlds to explore — art into outer space — at the Workshop on Space Artist’s Residencies and Collaborations.

Demanding performers, soaring costs, and dwindling audiences are just a few of the reasons many performing arts groups never make it past their opening seasons; However, in this episode of Spark meet three impresarios who have beaten the odds. In our first story, long before “Will and Grace” hit network television, Ed Decker was breaking new ground at the New Conservatory Theater Center. Then meet San Francisco Performances’s Ruth Felt who has spent a quarter century introducing Bay Area audiences to many of the world’s most accomplished musicians. And finally see how persistence has finally paid off for Berkeley’s Shotgun Players.