Category: Art of Belonging

2024: A Year of Impact

As we close out another remarkable year at Kennedy Heights Arts Center, I’m filled with gratitude for all we have accomplished together.

A Year of Impact

In 2024, Kennedy Heights Arts Center served more than 12,000 people of all ages through 1,152 free and low-cost arts experiences that enriched lives and built community. As always, 100% of our programs were accessible to everyone regardless of income. Here’s a look at what we achieved:

• 21 Classes: Welcomed people of all ages to explore and expand their creativity.
• 28 Summer Camps: Provided 289 young people with a space to learn, grow, and make lifelong memories, creating original art, writing plays, designing fashions, making music, and more.
• 952 hours of Arts Integration in Public Schools: Inspired creativity, confidence, and well-being in 386 students in K-6th grade through free in-school, after-school, and summer visual and performing arts programs at Woodford Academy, John P. Parker School, and the Academy of World Languages.
• 10 Art Exhibitions: Featuring works by 187 diverse artists, sparked important conversations about social issues of our time, and allowed us all to take a deeper look at our world.
• 5 National Jazz Awards: Brought home by the Cincinnati Jazz Academy, competing with student groups across the country at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. The academy provided extraordinary jazz education five days a week for 144 students in grades 4-12 from 29 Cincinnati Public Schools.
• 28 Concerts and Performances: From live music to storytelling, these events celebrated community and diverse culture. Play in the Park brought together more than 250 neighbors each Wednesday evening during the summer for free music, art-making, food, and social activities in Kennedy Heights Park.

Cheers to 20 Years!

This year marked our 20th anniversary, and we celebrated with the “Cheers to 20 Years” event in May. Friends near and far came together to honor two decades of creativity and inclusion. To commemorate this milestone, we hosted a group show featuring diverse works by 20 artists who have shaped Kennedy Heights Arts Center over the years; and 10 artists created limited-edition ceramic plates for the occasion (the traditional 20th-anniversary gift is china!)

We also launched the Beyond20 campaign to establish an endowment fund, ensuring that our founding promise of inclusion and accessibility continues for generations to come.

Sharing Diverse Stories

Our year was filled with powerful storytelling and artistic exploration:

• Hearts of Liberation: A Celebration of Radical Black Love as Collective Care explored how the richness of Black love has shaped the past, informs the present, and propels us toward a more just and equitable future in a group exhibition curated by Asha White.
• The 4th Annual Voices of Freedom series, in partnership with Juneteenth Cincinnati, celebrated Black history from a contemporary perspective through a visual art exhibition and three performances including music, dance, and spoken word.
• Gee Horton’s Chapter 2: A Subtle Farewell to the Inner Child drew record-breaking attendance as part of the FotoFocus Biennial, offering deeply personal yet universal reflections on identity and belonging.
• 97 contemporary printmakers from India used art to reflect on cultural and social issues they face in Printed Voices from India, curated by Saad Ghosn of SOS Art.
• Erika NJ Allen, our 2024 Vibrancy Fellow, led ceramic workshops focusing on empathy, unity, equity, and diversity, culminating in a powerful community exhibit.

Building Resilient Youth

We’re helping students develop not only as artists, but as well-rounded individuals. The impact is clear—students are more engaged, more connected, and better prepared to face the world with confidence. 81% of Cr8 Club participants demonstrated increased social-emotional skills, showing a marked improvement in problem-solving abilities and social interactions; and 89% of jazz academy students met their proficiency goals. Students at John P. Parker ended the year with a production of Disney’s The Lion King Jr., in which every student played a role including acting, singing, designing, and stage tech.

Our Teen Artists for Change program empowered young adults to use their talents to make an impact; and the Tellus Zine lifted their voices, showcasing art and creative writing created by teens, for teens.

Support The Art of Belonging

As we celebrate these achievements, we also recognize that none of this would be possible without the support of individuals like you. This year, we’ve worked tirelessly to make The Art of Belonging a reality for all. But our work is far from over.

As we embark on another year of inspiring creativity and connection, we invite you to support Kennedy Heights Arts Center by contributing to our Annual Fund Campaign. Your gift—no matter the size—helps us keep our programs free and accessible for all.

By supporting Kennedy Heights Arts Center, you’re investing in a stronger, more inclusive community.

Make your donation today.

Best wishes for a wonderful New Year filled with creativity, connection, and belonging!

The Art of Belonging: Empowering the Next Generation of Changemakers

At Kennedy Heights Arts Center, we believe everyone deserves a place to feel seen, heard, and valued. Through our annual campaign, The Art of Belonging, we’re sharing stories of individuals whose lives have been enriched through our programs —and how your support makes a difference. One such program, Teen Artists for Change (TAC), empowers students in grades 7-12 to use art to express themselves, address important issues, and inspire change in the world around them.

Recently, I sat down with some of the teens to talk about their experiences. Listening to them describe why TAC is meaningful to them, the sense of belonging they feel, and the ways it’s made a difference in their lives, it became clear just how essential programs like this are.

A Space for Connection and Creativity

For teens like Luna, Teen Artists for Change is a place where she can be around other creative minds who share her love for art. “The main thing I like about it is the people here,” Luna shared. “Being around other people who are passionate about art feels so fulfilling.” TAC provides these young artists with something vital: a community. It’s not just a program—it’s a space where they can connect over shared interests, experiment, and learn from each other and from professional artists like Karen Saunders.

Karen is currently leading the group through an inspiring “yarn bombing” public art project, with a theme chosen by the teens: love and acceptance. When teens choose to make art about these themes, they’re expressing values that they want to see in the world, while also nurturing these qualities within their own community.

A Sense of Belonging

In our conversations, many of the teens highlighted how Teen Artists for Change is different from other spaces in their lives. For Vaya, it represents “an opportunity for me to express myself. In high school, so many people try to be the same, but here, I get to meet so many different people, and we can all truly be ourselves.” This sentiment was echoed by Eden, who described TAC as “a safe haven” where there is no judgment, and where everyone is free to be themselves.

Luna reflected on how the group values what makes each teen unique: “Things that make you different are valued. It’s good to be different. Your differences mean unique things you can offer.”

This sense of inclusion isn’t just inspiring; it’s a critical lifeline for teens like Allyn, who said, “I’m a person who isn’t really accepted at school. This place is very open and safe. Artists are very open-minded.”

In a world that often feels divided, Teen Artists for Change provides a much-needed environment of acceptance, helping youth see that their individuality is a strength. Each project, conversation, and experience they have here teaches them that they have a place and that their voices matter.

Your Donation Makes a Difference

When you support The Art of Belonging, you’re helping ensure that programs like Teen Artists for Change can continue providing a safe, creative, and empowering space for teens. Your donation allows us to bring in professional artists who mentor and inspire these young changemakers, offering them invaluable guidance and opportunities to explore new artistic mediums and methods.

Every dollar you give helps to nurture a young person’s self-confidence, give them a voice, and connect them with a community that embraces who they are. By donating to Kennedy Heights Arts Center, you’re not just supporting the arts; you’re helping to create a world where everyone belongs, especially the next generation of artists, thinkers, and leaders.

Join us in the art of belonging. Let’s build a world where creativity, love, and acceptance thrive—together.

Donate Today.

The Art of Belonging: How Raquel Found Community Through Art

As part of our annual campaign, “The Art of Belonging,” Kennedy Heights Arts Center is sharing stories that highlight individuals whose lives have been enriched through our programs —and how your support makes a difference. In this post, we share the inspiring journey of Raquel Sotelo, whose life was transformed by her creative expression and the support of the arts community.

When Raquel first came to Cincinnati from Peru in 2020, she had no idea how much her life would change. What was supposed to be a short visit turned into an indefinite stay when COVID-19 travel restrictions kept her from returning home. In the span of a few months, Raquel lost her job in Peru, her relationship ended, and she found herself stranded in a foreign country. She was overwhelmed, isolated, and searching for a way to process her emotions.

Art as a Tool for Healing

One day, in an attempt to calm her mind, Raquel began painting small rocks she found in the local park. She decorated them with intricate designs and vibrant colors, using this simple creative activity as an outlet for her emotions. Then, something magical happened.

Kennedy Heights resident Michael Thompson, a violin maker and a friend of the family Raquel was staying with, saw her painted rocks and asked, “Who is the artist?” Raquel shyly replied, “There are no artists here.” But Michael insisted, pointing to her rocks, “Did you paint this? You are an artist!”

Though Raquel had never considered herself an artist—in Peru, she’d been a social worker—Michael saw her potential. He encouraged her to paint a violin, but she hesitated, feeling she wasn’t skilled enough. With Michael’s encouragement, she eventually took on the challenge. Despite not knowing where to buy paints, not speaking English fluently, and having to navigate a new city, Raquel poured herself into the project. Her colorful, intricate design on the violin caught the eye of those around her, and she began to wonder if perhaps, after all, she was an artist.

Discovering Community at Kennedy Heights Arts Center

Through Michael, Raquel discovered Kennedy Heights Arts Center (KHAC). When she stepped inside and saw the gallery and the community of artists there, something inside her awakened. She joined the Kennedy Artist Collective, a diverse group of creators who encouraged her and helped her feel at home. She began taking classes at KHAC, with ceramics becoming a favorite medium. For Raquel, working with clay was transformative, an experience that taught her about growth, patience, and possibility.

At the Arts Center, Raquel’s sense of belonging grew as she connected with others, explored her artistic voice, and engaged in meaningful conversations about unity and diversity. These discussions inspired her to use art as a way of promoting healing and understanding—a concept that has since become central to her life’s work.

Believing in Herself, Inspiring Others

When a friend invited her to participate in the Norwood International Art Festival, Raquel was hesitant. “I’m not ready,” she thought. But with the encouragement of her new community, she took the leap. To her surprise and delight, she won first prize. The blue ribbon she received that day wasn’t just an award; it was a powerful affirmation that her art and her voice were valued.

Since then, Raquel has gone on to exhibit her work in galleries throughout Cincinnati, including Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Wave Pool, and Gallery 708. She’s now sharing her gift with the community by teaching art workshops to children and adults in libraries, churches, and at KHAC itself. “Kennedy Heights Arts Center gave me so many opportunities to share my art and connect with others,” Raquel says. “Art made me feel included. I don’t feel like a stranger anymore.”

For Raquel, art became more than just a creative outlet; it became a path to belonging. Her dream now is to help others discover the healing power of art, just as she has. She envisions creating more spaces for people to explore art as a tool for healing and connection.

Help Us Build Community Through Art

When you donate to Kennedy Heights Arts Center, you are helping make stories like Raquel’s possible. Your support provides a space for people from all walks of life to discover their creativity, connect with others, and find a sense of belonging. Through “The Art of Belonging” campaign, we are building a community where everyone is welcome, everyone has a voice, and everyone can thrive.

Your gift can be the encouragement someone needs to believe in themselves. Together, let’s make more dreams come true and foster a community where everyone feels they belong.

Donate today.

The Art of Belonging: Gee Horton’s Transformative Journey

This season, Kennedy Heights Arts Center is thrilled to launch The Art of Belonging, our annual fund campaign supporting the transformational power of creative spaces. We’re celebrating through stories from artists and participants who’ve found a sense of home and purpose within our walls. One of the voices leading this conversation is artist Gee Horton, whose recent exhibition Chapter 2: A Subtle Farewell to the Inner Child is more than just an artistic achievement; it’s a personal exploration that resonated deeply with visitors.

Holding Space for Belonging

In Chapter 2, Gee Horton delved into the nuanced layers of identity, drawing from his own coming-of-age experiences as a Black man. This exhibit invited visitors to explore themes of reconciliation, forgiveness, and belonging in a way that is personal yet universal. “The idea of belonging was the central theme, the anchor of this project,” Gee explains.

Throughout his exhibit, Gee weaves stories and imagery that encourage visitors to reflect on their own lives, their own histories, and the experiences that have shaped them. By centering the experience around belonging, Gee’s work reminds us of a simple truth: “We don’t become who we are alone – how we show up as adults is deeply connected to who we belong to.” He hopes that this realization brings viewers a sense of grace, love, and forgiveness—a pathway to healing.

A Personal Conversation with Every Viewer

One of the most profound aspects of Chapter 2 is the way Gee approached his relationship with the audience. He doesn’t just present his art; he invites each visitor into a dialogue, a conversation that feels deeply intimate. “Every person who views the work belongs to me,” he shares. “I have a responsibility to hold their hand, guide them, and have a personal conversation with them along the way.” This sense of personal connection creates a space where visitors feel seen, understood, and valued.

The response to Chapter 2 has been extraordinary, with guests leaving heartfelt reflections in the gallery’s guest book and sharing stories that affirm the impact of the work. Local students cheered when touring the work, finding resonance in Gee’s exploration of self-discovery. “Reading their words and seeing their reactions reminds me why I do this,” Gee reflects. “It’s the joy of connecting through art, of seeing how it can touch lives and bring people closer to themselves and each other.”

An Invaluable Partner

For Gee, Kennedy Heights Arts Center has been a unique and invaluable partner in bringing Chapter 2 to life. “Kennedy Heights feels like home to me,” he says. “There is no other gallery or organization that would have allowed me to create this work; it couldn’t have happened anywhere else.” This space, he explains, is rare—a place that not only welcomes diverse artistic expression but fosters an environment where everyone feels at home.

The Arts Center’s mission to build community through art has provided Gee and many other artists with the opportunity to share meaningful stories and engage audiences on a deep, personal level. In supporting artists like Gee, Kennedy Heights offers more than just a venue; it offers a space where artists and visitors alike can explore, connect, and heal together.

Join Us in the Art of Belonging

We invite you to support the Art of Belonging by giving to our annual fund campaign. Your contribution ensures that our space remains a haven for artists and a gathering place for community, where art becomes a bridge to understanding, healing, and connection. And every donation ensures that 100% of our programs remain free and accessible to those who need them most.

Consider joining us in this journey, so that artists like Gee Horton—and the thousands of visitors who walk through our doors—can continue to experience the powerful impact of belonging through art.

Donate today.

photo credit: Dylan Firlie