“Draw. Dream. Do.”
A conversation with Emmy Award–winning artist Mark Kistler
Emmy Award–winning artist and beloved PBS host Mark Kistler sits down with Johnny B for a heartfelt, funny, and energizing conversation about art as a life skill. From launching The Secret City as a 19-year-old “Commander Mark,” to building The Imagination Station with longtime collaborator Robert Nystrom, to today’s daily livestreams that reach students around the world, Mark shares how drawing unlocks confidence, curiosity, and joy. He also reveals plans to restore and digitize a treasure trove of archived episodes and reflects on unforgettable moments with icons (including a legendary Bob Ross story), fans, and former students who now work at places like NASA.
KEY MOMENTS & TAKEAWAYS
- The award-winning documentary The Secret Cities of Mark Kistler and what Mark learned seeing his journey on the big screen.
- The origin story of The Secret City and how a surfer-turned-teacher became “Commander Mark.”
- The Imagination Station: a 160-episode collaboration — and why Mark is working to preserve the tapes for new generations.
- Drawing as a superpower: creativity, patience, and perseverance you can practice daily.
- Teaching in the digital age: how livestreams keep imagination accessible worldwide.
- Fan stories and full-circle moments — from classroom visits to careers in space and science outreach.
A pencil can be a time machine for your imagination.
📺 About Mark Kistler
Mark Kistler is an Emmy Award–winning artist, educator, and author known for teaching millions of students worldwide the joy of 3D drawing. Through beloved shows like The Secret City and The Imagination Station, he turned simple lines and shapes into lessons on creativity and confidence. Today, Mark continues his mission through live events, online classes, and his award-winning documentary The Secret Cities of Mark Kistler.
Visit MarkKistler.com →
Now you can support Mark’s mission to continue his daily LIVEstreaming on his GoFundMe page! Your viewing participation and financial contribution help make this effort possible to inspire creativity through drawing to 1.5 million people by December 31, 2026
Marks GoFundMe link:
🎙 About On Air with Johnny B
Hosted by entertainment journalist and voice actor John “Johnny B” Bowman, On Air with Johnny B features in-depth interviews with the legends and visionaries shaping film, music, art, and storytelling.
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