Lusen Mendel

Audio Documentary Maker

Lusen sought to use her skills as an audio journalist at the annual Sound Scenes festival in Washington, DC.

What event or training did you attend? And what moment or insight will stay with you and why?

I attended Sound Scene 2025 at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC.

Sound Scene is an interactive audio arts festival that started in 2008. It showcases installations and performances by experimental audio journalists and musicians.

What did you learn that shifted your perspective or will influence your work in a lasting way?

I learned a bunch of little lessons that all add up to making better video documentaries.

How did the Shackelford Shines Stipend open a door for you–personally or professionally?

The stipend helped me travel to this hands-on learning opportunity.