• Déjà Vu: Creativity Repeats Itself

    • 6 December 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    Juneteenth Cincinnati presents Déjà vu: Creativity Repeats Itself, a visual art exhibition of commissioned new works by 10 local Cincinnati artists. Co-curated by Brandon and Ewaniki Hawkins (Soul Palette), this exhibit pairs five youth/young adult artists with five seasoned/elder artists to symbolize how the past shapes the future – reflecting on and giving reverence to how we always look back to remember our history and show love to the ones who came before us, as we gather our strength again and again to sustain and forge a greater future. The veteran artists and youth artists will represent five different forms of art, with each pair “mirroring” their selected art form. The similarities and differences in the works will highlight each artist’s unique “voice of freedom,” examining what is lending or contributing to their ideals and values and how society or generation enhances or distorts their perspectives or values.

    Exhibiting Artists: Jonte Bartleson, Quinn Battiste, Alpha Frierson, Ryan Nichole Leary, Cynthia Lockhart,  Addison Maxberry, Madison Scruggs, Ryene Smith, Kailah Ware, Frank D. Young

    Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, February 3 from 6 – 8pm. Free, open to the public, live music and light refreshments.

    An Artist Panel Discussion will take place on Saturday, February 17 from 3 – 4:30pm. Free, open to the public, light refreshments served.

    The exhibition is the centerpiece of the 4th Annual Voices of Freedom presented by Juneteenth Cincinnati, a visual and performing arts series examining Black history from a contemporary perspective and celebrating Black art and expression. 

    Voices of Freedom will also feature a series of three performances in March, featuring dance, spoken word and music. While the exhibition is free and open to the public, tickets are required for each of the performances. More details and ticket links coming soon on our website: www.kennedyarts.org

    Saturday, March 2 – Cincy Poetry Night
    Hosted by MoPoetry Phillips of Regal Rhythms Poetry. This will be an epic night of poetry, musical entertainment and community featuring the HeartSounds Band, Zinnia Stewart, Jacqueline Johnson-Wilkinson “Gifted”, SoL, Kiyah Dean, and more.

    Saturday, March 16 – Our Connection is Africa
    Cincy Brazil Samba Dance performance shares a world of African roots demonstrating the diaspora through its perspective and experience.

    Saturday, March 23 – I Dream of Me
    Collaboration of Revolution Dance Theatre and David Choate Productions, supported by the United Way of Creative Cincinnati. Students of Academy of World Languages had the opportunity to learn choreography from the production “I Dream of Me.” Kids will display some of the same steps that the dancers performed in the show.

  • Resilience Through Clay: Erika NJ Allen

    • 6 December 2023
    • Posted By Ellen Muse-Lindeman

    From September 2023 through January 2024, multi-disciplinary artist Erika NJ Allen conducted a series of workshops with community members, with each month focusing on a particular theme: empathy, unity, equity, and diversity. Erika is the latest recipient of the Vibrancy Fellowship at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, a program designed to empower emerging artists to take risks and explore new creative challenges while deeply engaging with the community.

    Erika’s journey is one marked by creativity and resilience, and her story is a testament to the transformative power of art. The monthly workshop themes hold a mirror to the community and society at large, offering participants an opportunity to engage deeply with these concepts through artistic expression. Erika believes that art can instigate curiosity, nurture kinship, and expand knowledge, and these workshops are a testament to that belief.

    This exhibition features the ceramic works from all the workshop participants, as well as a body of work created by Erika NJ Allen during her five-month Vibrancy Fellowship.

    Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, February 10 from 6-8 pm including a brief discussion with Erika and participants at 6:30 pm.

    Supported by a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts

  • Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 - 5:00
  • Saturday: 11:00 - 4:00
  • Closed Sunday - Monday