A Visual Journey Through Black Culture: Cincinnati’s Black Artists
Cincinnati has a vibrant and diverse art scene and is frequently praised for its extensive cultural legacy. Within the city is a collection of gifted African American visual artists who have significantly influenced the artistic scene. Explore the exceptional Black painters, designers, and animators whose work inspires and stimulates thought.
Cincinnati’s artistic legacy is intertwined with the stories of pioneering African American artists who defied societal barriers to follow their creative passions. Despite facing adversity, these visionaries paved the way for future generations.
Black Artists in Cincinnati Exploring Diverse Artistic Mediums
Cincinnati’s art scene is being revitalized by Black art. Each artist conveys their experiences and cultural heritage through their individual viewpoint and artistic expression in their artwork. Cincinnati’s Black artists’ creativity knows no bounds as they masterfully use a variety of creative forms to communicate their views.
Black artists in Cincinnati are blending the fine art values of painting and sculpture with modern and contemporary art techniques to create new and exciting works of art.
Quinn Battiste
Mixed Media Artist
With a masterful command of oil and acrylic paints, Quinn’s artistic journey is characterized by exploring various mediums and styles. He thrives on the freedom to experiment, a sentiment evident in his mixed media creations. By seamlessly blending different techniques, he constructs a visual narrative that reflects his boundless creativity and unwavering passion for art.
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Asha Ama Bias-Daniels
Fashion Designer
Asha Ama Bias-Daniels is a fashion designer and artist whose work is inspired by the female form and celebrates duality with soft, rhythmic draping against pieces with an armored feel. She incorporates ornate detailing, print mixing, strong lines, and cutouts that accentuate the curves of the immaculate female form. As a couture designer, Asha has created pieces for various artists, from Zendaya to Little Big Town. Asha competed as a finalist in Tim Gunn’s Project Runway: Under the Gunn. She was also invited to compete on the hit show Project Runway All Stars.
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Michael Coppage
Mixed Media Artist
Michael Coppage is a conceptual artist from Chicago and now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. He uses an interdisciplinary, dialectical approach to address social issues surrounding race and language. Primarily a mixed media artist, Coppage has spent several years painting. He utilizes an impasto technique called optical color mixing that does not require blending paint and instead focuses on “sculpting” color. He has traveled around the world extensively and has worked in several private collections.
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Cedric Michael Cox
Painter
Cedric Michael Cox is known for paintings that catapult color into rhythmic action with abstract and recognizable images inspired by themes in music and the natural world. Working under several influences, which include architecture and art history, Cox’s work ranges from geometric to floral-like forms, all dancing within surrealistic environments.
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Ke’Monte Figgs
Mixed Media Artist
Ke’Monte Figgs is a self-taught Cincinnati native who loves to depict the emotional experiences of his people through Black art. Leaving an impact on the youth in his community and positively influencing children to discover their true potential by tapping into their hidden talents is what he hopes to accomplish. Whether it is painting, writing poetry, singing, dancing, videography, or music production, he believes there are so many different pathways our Black youth can turn to rather than the streets.
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Brandon Hawkins
Painter
Brandon Hawkins is the Co-Owner and Lead Teaching Artist of Soul Palette, with over 20 years of artistic experience. While infusing his love for history and art, Brandon lends his expertise to others by mentoring youth and young adult artists.
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Related Article: See the Power of Black Expression in Cincinnati’s Public Art
Gee Horton
Mixed Media Artist
Gee is a self-trained Hyperrealist visual artist who draws from his lived experiences and a reservoir of personal insights to explore the complexities of the human form in his art. Through the lens of social work, Gee’s multidisciplinary art navigates societal influences and psychosocial development, as seen through his photography, large-scale installations, and a short film that fascinates the eye while provoking contemplation.
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Javarri Lewis
Mixed Media Artist
Javarri Lewis is a self-taught artist who creates portraits that express authentic human emotion with bold colors, real people, and moments in time. As a native of Cincinnati, Javarri started painting images with acrylic and latex paint, leading him to explore other mediums, such as graphic design, mural projects, and ceramic glazing. His work strives to pay homage to his community and Black society.
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Annie Ruth
Mixed Media Artist
Annie Ruth is an internationally respected artist. Her career spans 40+ years. Combining acrylic, mixed media, and collage, she often fuses several art styles, such as surrealism and expressionism. She is a trailblazer who collaborates with prominent cultural institutions and museums nationally and internationally.
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Dai Williams
Illustrator
Dai Williams is an illustrator, designer, printer, and street artist. They use their experience from attending the Art Academy of Cincinnati, collaborating with Artworks, and working in the printing and design industry to create art that connects with the world through their alter ego S0FT GH0ST. The graphic, minimalistic ghost is a cartoon reflection of how the world’s climate affects them as a queer person of color working as an artist in the city.
Instagram
Asha White
Painter
Asha is an artist, entrepreneur, and arts educator. Her work centers her identity as a queer African American woman, exploring themes such as race, sexuality, women’s rights, and mental health. Her work strives to unite diverse populations through shared experiences and familiar narratives to facilitate understanding and promote change.
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Related Article: Discover the Black Heritage of Cincinnati through these historic sites.
The Artistic Spaces: Black Art Organizations, Galleries, and Programming
Many non-profits and organizations have Black art programming. Discover the vibrant galleries, art shows, and exhibitions in Cincinnati that showcase the works of Black visual artists. Each art exhibition showcases a new aesthetic of visual arts to enjoy.
Venture into art education with opportunities for art classes and lessons. Learn studio art, sculptures, painting on canvas, ceramics, printmaking, mural design, and other visual art disciplines from Black.
Black Arts Speaks
Art Collective
Black Art Speaks is a non-profit and membership-based art collective in Cincinnati, formed to promote black culture, social justice, and expression by uplifting Black artists’ voices through every form of art.
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Joseph Clark Gallery
Gallery
4038 Hamilton Avenue, 45223 (Northside)
The Joseph Clark Gallery showcases the traditional arts and artifacts of Sub-Saharan Africa. African statues and figures, masks, ritual objects, earthenware, textiles, tribal currencies, bronze figures and plaques, terracotta, jewelry, dolls, and so much more are available for viewing and purchasing. The gallery also features the various artworks of local artists and artisans.
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Most OutGROWing
Art Organization
Most OutGROWing is an organization focused on helping others grow beyond expectations and develop their purpose through art. The organization facilitates unique, meaningful art experiences concentrating on creativity, exploration, and reflection. Most OutGROWing provides individuals and businesses with creative consulting, art workshops, private lessons, paint parties, custom retail, and more.
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Robert O’Neal Multicultural Art Center (ROMAC)
Art Center
P.O. Box 82, 45201
Robert O’Neal Multicultural Art Center (ROMAC) was established in 2019 to celebrate African and African American arts, history, and culture. The ROMAC serves as a hub/information center for African American culture and arts within the City of Cincinnati by providing programs, information, and services connectivity of multicultural arts groups.
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Soul Palette
Art Organization
Led by husband-and-wife duo Brandon and Ewaniki Hawkins, Soul Palette is an art company offering paint parties, interactive collages, mural installations, art lessons, and more.
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Sweet Sistah Splash
Non-profit and Art Events
1218 Sycamore Street, 45202 (Pendleton)
Sweet Sistah Splash is a non-profit providing women, children, and men, especially women of color, with services, programs, and workshops that educate and empower cultural and artistic enrichment.
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Related Article: Visit African American museums to see artifacts, hear civil rights stories and more!
Cincinnati’s vibrant community of African American visual artists offers a fascinating journey through history, culture, and imagination. Their works of Black art serve as a powerful voice for unity and change. Continue to honor and encourage these gifted people to ensure they have an everlasting impact on Cincinnati’s creative scene.
Written by: Sophie Barsan
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