True to Form

Patchwork, Sarah Rodriguez, 2024 ArtsWave Truth & Innovation Artist Showcase. Photo by Holly McGowan

This weekend, ArtsWave presents the fifth annual showcase of new works by 26 of the region’s leading Black and Brown artists in the “Truth and Innovation” Artist Showcase.

“Truth and Innovation” Artist Showcase
Opening Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E Sixth St.

The exhibition continues through Sept. 7.

A schedule and list of projects can be found at artswave.org/truth.

The opening reception includes six live performances ranging from music to dance, four film premieres, and a diverse array of visual art. The day will feature artists such as Gabriel Martinez Rubio presenting “HOME,” a contemporary dance piece exploring concepts of belonging, and Ingrid Woode’s “Cakewalk,” a documentary about Cincinnati-born classical piano prodigy Geneva Woode.

This year’s artists have created projects across genres focusing on the modern BIPOC experience and, within that context, exploring the meaning of “Truth” and “Innovation.” Each artist has incorporated community collaboration, ensuring we can all play a role in building a more just and equitable future for the Cincinnati region.

“This year's cohort of artists represents some of the best of Cincinnati's creative spirit. Their projects will not only push artistic boundaries but also spark crucial conversations about identity, equity and our shared human experience,” says Alecia Kintner, ArtsWave president and CEO.

The showcase features visual art, painting, sculpture, musical composition, film, theater, dance, multidisciplinary works and more. The projects reflect diverse cultural experiences and address important social issues.

Brandon Hawkins’ “Out of the Shadows” mural project celebrates the Black autism community in Cincinnati, aiming to break down stereotypes and foster inclusion. Emily Hanako Momohara’s “Grounded” uplifts the immigration journey of Asian American and Pacific Islander families, with a focus on the women who are the backbone of these communities.

All projects were selected by ArtsWave’s panel of community stakeholders in a competitive process. The 26 awardees received a total of $222,000 for their projects. This showcase is part of ArtsWave's Black and Brown Artist Program, which has funded 116 artist projects and distributed more than $1.1 million in grants over the past five years. In addition to financial support, ArtsWave's program helps artists develop valuable business and entrepreneurial skills through professional development workshops.

This year’s grants are made possible through partnerships with the City of Cincinnati, Duke Energy and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, as well as annual ArtsWave Campaign donors, underscoring the community's collective commitment to fostering inclusion and belonging in our arts.

These projects advance the overarching goals of ArtsWave's Blueprint for Collective Action by bridging cultural divides, promoting understanding and empathy, deepening residents' roots and improving neighborhoods through the arts.