Spark follows three artists with innovative ways of looking at art by expressing themselves and finding meaning in the least expected places. The first story sees the world through fresh eyes with Jonathon Keats as he undertakes his most ambitious artistic experiment to date: Looking for God — in a petrie dish. Then find out how Laura Splan‘s early fascination with the biological sciences has informed her choices of both subject and medium. Finally, installation artist Chris Cobb shows the how and why of transforming a neighborhood bookshop into a work of art.

Meet artists who are creating art out of items found around the home. Spark starts off with a visit with woodworker Garry Knox Bennett, known outlandish and often humorous furniture designs, at his Oakland.

Then we catch up with ceramic artist Richard Shaw as he finishes teaching a semester at UC Berkeley and begins to work feverishly on a new set of work destined for unveiling at the Braunstein/Quay Gallery in San Francisco.

Next, watch mosaic artist Laurel True transform one small corner of her West Oakland neighborhood with her brilliantly colored designs.

Spark talks with painters who are exploring new forms of expression with a centuries-old medium.

First, Robert Bechtle reveals the painstaking method behind his extraordinary photo-realistic works.

Next, visit with Hung Liu while at work on a series of figurative works that combine images of Chinese concubines culled from vintage photographs with a surface that literally drips with paint.

Then, renowned artist Nathan Oliveira reflects on his lifelong fascination with the painted surface.

Catch up with world-renowned dancers in this episode of Spark. First go into rehearsal with famed choreographer Michael Smuin and his versatile dancers for an eclectic Christmas show and a sexy new ballet set to the music of Frank Sinatra. Then travel with Margaret Jenkins to China as she introduces her unique collaborative choreographic techniques to the Beijing Modern Dance Company. Next visit with renowned flamenco artist Rosa Montoya, who now retired from the stage but still teaches, as she works with her dedicated followers, many of whom have studied with her for ten years or more.

Spark follows Bay Area artists who are bringing the world’s most venerable art forms right to our doorstep. Visit with Chinese acrobat Lu Yi at the Circus Center, as he prepares two of his top students for their debut as professional performers. Then join Dr. Zak Diouf and Naomi Washington Diouf and their Diamano Coura West African Dance Company in the weeks leading up to their annual repertoire concert. Next, meet Kulintang master Danny Kalanduyan who is helping to bring the rich cultural heritage of his native Philippines to the United States.

In this episode of Spark, go on a visual journey with artists who are using the camera to reveal hidden realities.

Starting with photographer Catherine Wagner, whose stark, pristine images present startling new perspectives on the worlds of science, nature and material culture.

Then see how experimental filmmaker Kerry Laitala creates works of handmade cinematic art, one frame at a time.

Finally, video artist Ben Wood uses digital technology to retrieve and restore a centuries-old mural painted by Native American artists in San Francisco’s Mission Dolores.

Spark interacts with a group of artists as they put viewers in the hot seat. Machine artist Kal Spelletich catapults his subjects to the brink of sheer panic with his fire-breathing works of post-industrial folk art. Next, meet artist Scott Snibbe, who mesmerizes gallery-goers with wall-sized electronic installations that come alive to their touch, breath, and motion. Then, new media artist Amy Franceschini uses fingerprint scanning technology to take viewers on an up-close journey of their own bodies.