A Rising Tide
ArtsWave celebrates the milestone fifth anniversary season of Flow, An African American Arts Experience, with cross-venue subscription series and pre-event community socials.
Flow, An African American Arts Experience
Oct. 17 – “Marcus Leslie Singleton: Next Steps,” Contemporary Arts Center
Jan. 17, 2026 – “American Voices” with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra,
April 24 – August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
July 9 – “Lalovavi” Cincinnati Opera
More information and subscriptions available at artswave.org/flowpass.
ArtsWave, in collaboration with four of the region’s outstanding arts organizations, presents the milestone fifth anniversary season of Flow, An African American Arts Experience,.
This cross-venue subscription series, the Flow Pass, presented by Fifth Third Bank, features four premier Black-centered arts events across Cincinnati's most prestigious venues.
For just $200, Flow Pass subscribers will receive premium access to four distinctive, Black-centered events spanning visual art, orchestral music, theater and opera. Each experience features an all-inclusive pre-show Flow Social, sponsored by Triversity Construction, featuring drinks, light bites, and opportunities to connect with artists, sponsors and a growing community of fellow arts supporters.
“As we mark five years of Flow, we celebrate a growing audience for Black artistry on Cincinnati's most prestigious stages,” says Alecia Kintner, ArtsWave president and CEO. “The Flow Pass isn’t just a ticket, it's about joining a community that’s committed to sustaining diverse voices and perspectives in our cultural landscape.”
The 2025–26 Flow Pass season begins on Oct. 17, 2025, at the Contemporary Arts Center with “Marcus Leslie Singleton: Next Steps,” the first solo museum exhibition dedicated to Singleton's nuanced, deeply intimate paintings of Black American communities. The evening includes a special fifth anniversary celebration at the pre-show Flow Social.
On Jan. 17, 2026, Flow Pass subscribers will experience “American Voices” with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. in a program highlighting influential African American artists and composers. Conductor Christian Macelaru will lead the orchestra with bass Morris Robinson and poet Rita Dove. Subscribers will gather for a pre-concert Flow Social in the Wilks Studio at Music Hall.
The series continues on April 24, 2026, at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park with August Wilson's explosive, award-winning play “The Piano Lesson,” a gripping story of family, legacy, and the choices that define us. The evening includes a pre-show Flow Social and parking.
The season concludes on July 9, with Cincinnati Opera's long-awaited “Lalovavi,” an Afrofuturist adventure set 400 years in the future that follows Persephone, the youngest daughter of the ruler of Atlas, the city formerly known as Atlanta.
“Over five years, we’ve been building a culturally curious and diverse audience coming together to experience excellence in Black artistry,” says Mel Gravely, Flow's co-Chair and Triversity Construction executive chair. “The Flow Pass continues to build on the momentum of growing appreciation and therefore demand for Black art in all of its forms. The outcome enables more Black artists to thrive and inspire. This anniversary season represents both how far we've come and our continued commitment to showcasing Black voices in the Cincinnati region.”
Flow, which began in 2020, complements and expands the region's existing inventory of multicultural experiences offered by local arts organizations. The series supports and promotes professional, evocative African American artists with the goal of attracting a highly diverse, culturally adventurous audience and creating a shared and elevated appreciation for artists of color.
The series is presented by ArtsWave with support from area businesses, foundations, and individuals and with guidance from a steering committee comprised of representatives from the region's top corporations.
At First Sight
Experience art in new ways with ground-breaking exhibitions from local and international artists at galleries and museums in the region.
Brush up on what’s happening at local galleries and museums this fall! New exhibitions offer a deeper look into collections, examine regional history, and offer new perspectives on traditional artforms.
Cincinnati Art Museum reveals the untold stories behind East Asian masterpieces long housed in the museum’s collection with “Rediscovered Treasures” (Sept. 19–Jan. 18, 2026). Featuring approximately 60 objects – ranging from Japanese armor and Chinese scrolls to Korean lacquer – these discoveries were made possible through decades of scholarship, archival research, and conservation efforts.
While many of the works have been part of CAM’s collection since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they remained un-accessioned or misidentified due to a lack of staff expertise in Asian art at the time. Since 2002, when the museum formally established its Asian art department, ongoing research led by Hou-mei Sung, PhD, Curator of East Asian Art, has improved the understanding of these objects. Their rediscovery has not only reframed the museum’s collection, but has also illuminated Cincinnati’s early cultural ties to East Asia. Each piece offers a unique story of rediscovery that enriches the understanding of East Asian art and culture.
Forget Me Not, Extinct, No. 1, Heath Hen, Carolina Parakeet, Passenger Pigeon, Xerces Blue, No. 3, from the series Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, 2020, Paul Scott (British, b. 1953), transfer-printed collage on pearlware plate with kintsugi, Courtesy of Paul Scott and Ferrin Contemporary, © 2020 Paul Scott, photo credit: Paul Scott
Opening Oct. 10 at CAM, “Recall. Reframe. Respond. The Art of Paul Scott” reflects artist Paul Scott’s personal experiences of being and traveling in America, and, in his words, the need to “rebalance the narrative with something more contemporary and inclusive.”
At first glance, Paul Scott’s transfer-printed tableware may look familiar—like something you have seen in your grandparents’ china cabinet or a second-hand shop. With a closer look, you’ll find the subtle differences that add up to a powerful narrative shift. Ripe for reframing and responding, the CAM’s American art collections will serve as a springboard for Scott to present existing and new works, inviting various perspectives and initiating conversations about our shared American experience.
“Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking” (Oct. 4–Jan. 11, 2026) brings 20 quilts to the Taft Museum of Art that showcase a range of indigo dyeing techniques as well as the skill, design sensibility, and artistry of the women who made them.
For thousands of years, people around the world have treasured indigo-dyed textiles for their dreamy shades of blue—from pale sky to inky midnight—and resistance to fading. This exhibition explores this rich global tapestry of historical and artistic significance through quilts created between the early 1800s to 2015, from America and beyond.
“Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking” is organized by the International Quilt Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, home to the largest public collection of quilts in the world.
Monique Long
The multidisciplinary Carnegie in Covington begins its gallery season with “All Four Seasons in Equal Measure,” opening Sept. 26.
Curated by Monique Long, “All Four Seasons in Equal Measure” is a reflection on her experiences at the Great Meadows Foundation in Louisville, Kentucky as a critic-in-residence, and how nature and concern for the environment features prominently among contemporary artists in the area.
The exhibition brings together artists Britany Baker, Kiah Celeste , Shohei Katayama , Gibbs Rounavall , Rachel Singel, and Roy Taylor, whose works highlight their intimate relationship with place and the natural world. Their creative output explores the beauty of the environment and its precarities through works on paper, photography, sculpture, video, and installation.
Sheida Soleimani, “In Commission,” 2024, Archival pigment print, 40 x 30 inches. Image courtesy of the artist, Harlan Levey Projects, Brussels & Edel Assanti, London.
Artists with Cincinnati connections and global reach open the Contemporary Arts Center’s 2025–26 season.
“Sheida Soleimani: What a Revolutionary Must Know,” opening Oct. 18, brings together her full “Ghostwriter” series—visually arresting photographs, sculpture, and video that piece together the remarkable journey of her parents' escape from Iran’s totalitarian regime.
Soleimani, raised in Loveland, is an Iranian-American artist, educator, and activist whose multimedia work excavates histories of political violence connecting Iran, the United States, and the broader Middle East. Born to parents who fled Iran as political refugees in the early 1980s, Soleimani transforms source images from mass and digital media into striking photo-based installations, often staged in surreal, symbolic environments. Her practice spans photography, sculpture, collage, and film, offering viewers layered critiques of authoritarianism, exile, and diaspora.
That exhibition will run concurrently with “Lillian Schwartz: Pictures from a Gallery,” which pays tribute to family, memory, and Schwartz’s Cincinnati roots in the short film “Pictures from a Gallery” (1976).
Still from "Pictures from a Gallery" by Lillian F. Schwartz.
Born in Cincinnati, Schwartz was a trailblazer in computer-generated art. Her career began with sculpture and evolved into groundbreaking work at Bell Labs, where she collaborated with early digital composers and scientists on films and animations that defined a new visual language. Despite facing sexism and skepticism in both tech and art circles, Schwartz’s pioneering spirit led to international acclaim, with exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, the ICA London, the São Paulo Biennial, and Cannes Film Festival.
“Pictures from a Gallery” – a six-and-a-half-minute film – offers a rare glimpse into the artist’s deeply personal relationship with Cincinnati, and reinforces themes of memory, place, and familial connection.
Taking the Stage
From a riveting classic at Cincy Shakes to a Pulitzer-winning revival at ETC and an '80s fave at Broadway in Cincinnati, theatre races back for Fall.
Rendering of the Emery Theatre. Courtesy The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.
August marks the last act for Summer, but local theaters are looking ahead to a busy Fall season of new venues, classic stories, and groundbreaking works.
The BIGGEST news comes from the organization meant for the smallest audience members! The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati opens its new home at The Emery Theater, 1112 Walnut St. later this year.
TCT holds a special “opening night” with a family-friendly block party in OTR on Saturday, Sept. 7, 12–4 p.m. Hosted by TCT-favorite Bob Herzog, the celebration includes music from Q102, face painting, balloon animals, character meet-and-greets, tours of the Emery Theater and food from LaRosa’s, Graeter’s and Kroger’s On-The-Rhine Eatery.
The TCT season at The Emery Theater begins with a one-hour “youth edition” of Frank L. Baum’s timeless classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” Oct. 10–26. In this story that has enchanted audiences for generations, audiences will follow Dorothy and friends down the Yellow Brick Road in an unforgettable experience unlike anything you have ever seen before.
The Cincinnati theatre officially kicks off a little earlier, as ”Where the Mountain Meets the Sea” opens in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre at Playhouse in the Park on Aug. 30. This heart-waring story about a father-and-son bond, set to folk music continues through Sept. 28.
Playhouse in the Park then stages the U.S. premiere of “Mythic,” new pop-rock musical directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall.
This musical with Broadway ambitions, “Mythic” (Sept. 20–Oct. 19) turns the ancient Greek myth of Persephone on its ear, with the gods reimagined as chart-topping pop stars, power hungry politicians and attention-seeking influencers. Starstruck by Olympian celebrity, Persephone rebels against her mother Demeter’s expectations and decides to forge her own path. When she sneaks into a party at the Acropolis and meets brooding bad-boy Hades, her life takes an unexpected turn into the Underworld. “Mythic” played to critical acclaim in London and in a sold-out run in Montreal.
The creative team includes designers with numerous Broadway credits including “Hamilton,” “Anastasia,” “Beetlejuice,” and K”inky Boots.” The cast features a roster of exciting veteran and up-and-coming actors with Broadway credits with Savy Jackson as Aphrodite, Michael Park as Zeus, Mamie Parris as Demeter, Analise Scarpaci as Persephone, and Julius Thomas III as Hades.
At Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, experience a fresh and provocative new adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen classic “An Enemy of the People,” by Amy Herzog, opening Sept. 5.
When Dr. Thomas Stockmann discovers a shocking secret about his community’s prized health resort, he becomes determined to expose the truth- even if it means turning the entire town against him. With family, friendship, and the price of integrity hanging in the balance, “An Enemy of the People” is a riveting exploration of what happens when one person’s truth becomes a community’s greatest threat.
For this production, Cincy Shakes is partnering with the Mill Creek Alliance, which works to empower Mill Creek communities to protect and enhance the value of the creek, its tributaries, and watershed. Through inclusive, meaningful community engagement and collaborative action, the Alliance strives to create a Mill Creek watershed that is a healthy ecosystem where people and communities can thrive. The organization will be tabling at YP Preview Night (Wednesday, Sept. 3), sharing how to help keep our community’s water healthy.
Looking for a little more of an escape? Go back in time to the ‘80s – and the ‘50s! – with Broadway Across America’s “Back to the Future: The Musical,” at the Aronoff Center for the Arts Sept. 9–21. The beloved, cinematic classic turned Broadway musical will show you the Power of Love. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself...back to the future.
Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, “Back to the Future: The Musical” is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (“Back to the Future” trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy® winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel,” and “Back in Time.”
And, yes, there is a flying DeLorean!
The Know Theater kicks off their 2025-26 season with “King James,” and not the one from Bible fame! This comedy (Sept. 11–27) focuses on Ohio’s own LeBron James, with a story of brotherhood, basketball, and LeBron himself.
When “King” LeBron James shoots to basketball superstardom with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the city unites to cheer on their hometown hero. Matt and Shawn, an unlikely duo bonded through shared adulation of their sports idol, weather the highs and lows of a twelve-year friendship, “King James” is a celebration of basketball and chosen brotherhood.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, starting the season with revival of the rock musical that redefined musicals, “Next to Normal,” from Sept. 13 through Oct 4.
This pop-rock musical is a profoundly human story of struggle, perseverance, and hope.
“After 40 years, the dreams of Ensemble Theatre’s founders are still being realized today for creating a community of local artists, directors, and designers,” says Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “To celebrate Ensemble’s success and tenacity for staying in OTR, Next to Normal is a story that doesn’t get old and it’s one I felt needed to be retold. In 2011, we were the only theatre in the country to receive the rights to production it when it was still on its national tour, so we’re thrilled to bring it back to the stage again 14 years later.”
One of ETC’s most popular productions, this Pulitzer and Tony-award winning piece is a triumph of contemporary musical theatre. With soaring rock music, unforgettable characters, and a gripping, emotionally resonant story, the power of “Next to Normal” echoes long after the last note.
Just in time for Halloween, “The Rocky Horror Show” makes a triumphant return to The Carnegie Oct. 24 to Nov. 2. The camp classic follows two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and Janet – as they embark on an adventure in a creepy mansion with the charismatic Dr. Frank-n-Furter and his friends, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.
Singing a New Song
Cincinnati Opera has launched the Black Opera Project, a groundbreaking initiative that engages Black creators to develop new works celebrating Black stories.
Lalovavi is the first work in Cincinnati Opera’s groundbreaking, three-opera commissioning initiative, The Black Opera Project.
As the second-oldest opera company in the country, Cincinnati Opera also has had its share of first. With The Black Opera Project, it’s launching another bold initiative, developing new works that celebrate Black stories.
The first program of its kind, the Black Opera Project seeks to illuminate the resilient spirit and vibrant heritage of the Black American experience.
“The launch of The Black Opera Project marks the fruition of dreams long held by Black artists like me,” says Morris Robinson, world-renowned bass and Cincinnati Opera artistic advisor “While I was singing the title role in ‘Porgy and Bess’ in 2019, Cincinnati Opera leaders invited my fellow cast members and me into a conversation about opera’s future.”
The project is also the outgrowth of Cincinnati Opera’s previously announced grant from the Mellon Foundation to support the development of three fully staged, full-length operas. The Opera currently has a fundraising goal for the end of August, either in pledges or direct gifts, to raise additional funds for the first opera of the The Black Opera Project, Lavovavi.
Set 400 years into the future, Lalovavi is an Afrofuturist adventure that follows Persephone, the youngest daughter of the ruler of Atlas, the city formerly known as Atlanta. Currency and status in Atlas are determined based on the presence of Syndica, a gene that promotes vitality and longevity. When Persephone is found to possess a version of Syndica that confers immortality, she is betrayed by her family and must run for her life. She is thrust into an epic journey, uncovering a hidden past that leads her to discover love’s true meaning and the power to determine her destiny.
“I asked, ‘When is there going to be an opera that has the same impact on the operatic stage that the movie ‘Black Panther’ had on the big screen?’,” Robinson says. “We knew there was a critical need to create and develop works that represented the vastness and beauty of the African American experience.”
Tickets for Lalovavi are available now as part of a 2026 Summer Festival. Tickets to individual performances go on sale Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
The second opera in The Black Opera Project, John Lewis: Good Trouble, will receive its world premiere during Cincinnati Opera’s 2027 Summer Festival. Based on the life of U.S. Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis, the opera features music by Maria Thompson Corley, libretto by Diana Solomon-Glover, and stage direction and dramaturgy by Timothy Douglas.
On Your Toes
Cincinnati Ballet is raising the barre with bold storytelling, groundbreaking choreography and timeless music for its 2025-26 season, with tickets now on sale for all performances.
Cincinnati Ballet leaps into a dazzling new season, it’s first full programming slate curated by Artistic Director, Cervilio Miguel Amador, following his long-standing tenure as a Principal Dancer, Ballet Master, and Interim Artistic Director.
Cincinnati Ballet 2025–26 Season
Kaplan New Works, Sept. 12–20
The Great Gatsby, Nov. 7–15
The Nutcracker, Dec. 18–28
Swan Lake, Feb. 13–21, 2026
Liberty In Motion April 10–12, 2026
Pinocchio, April 16–19, 2026
Season subscriptions and individual tickets are available at cballet.org.
Subscribers receive up to 25% savings over single tickets, free exchanges, early access to special events, and other perks.
For performance details, showtimes and to reserve your seats, visit cballet.org, or call the Cincinnati Ballet Box Office at (513) 621-5282.
A longtime dancer with the company, Amador brings both a personal and global perspective to this new role, having danced with the National Ballet of Cuba before joining Cincinnati Ballet in 2004.
The season is filled with bold storytelling, groundbreaking choreography and timeless music, including world premieres and a finale celebrating America’s 250th.
Kaplan New Works opens the season. featuring four world premiere commissions from internationally acclaimed choreographers: Yoshihisa Arai, Caroline Dahm, Andonis Foniadakis and Andrea Giselle Schermoly.
In November, Amador and the company present the North American premiere of The Great Gatsby, choreographed by Septime Webre. With a live jazz score, cinematic staging, and themes of ambition and excess, the ballet offers a modern retelling of Fitzgerald’s classic novel, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.In
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without The Nutcracker! This beloved classic returns to Music Hall with live orchestral accompaniment and the dazzling journey of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.
Romance and drama mark the Valentine’s Day with a full-length production of Swan Lake, featuring choreography after Petipa and Ivanov, staged by Kirk Peterson and performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
April brings Director's Vision: Liberty In Motion, a triple bill showcasing George Balanchine’s Serenade, Justin Peck’s The Times Are Racing, and Claudia Schreier’s First Impulse.
This is followed by the Family Series presentation of Pinocchio, a one-hour narrated ballet performed by CB2 dancers and students from the Otto M. Budig Academy. Pre-show lobby activities make it a great introduction to the arts for young audiences.
Cincinnati Ballet remains committed to expanding access through education programs, academy training, and community engagement, while also attracting national attention for its world-class talent and productions.
The 2025-26 season is sponsored by Margaret and Michael Valentine, ArtsWave, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation.
Stay Gold
The Art Academy of Cincinnati presents the group exhibition "AAC ’75 PLUS 50 YEARS," honoring the work and legacy of the class of 1975, with an opening reception on Aug. 8.
The Reds aren’t the only ones celebrating the greats of 1975!
The Art Academy of Cincinnati has a group exhibition opening this Friday honoring the work and enduring creative legacy of its alumni who graduated in 1975
“AAC ‘75 PLUS 50 YEARS” brings together a diverse collection of works spanning five decades, showcasing the evolution of individual artistic practices and the indelible mark left by the Class of ’75 on contemporary art and culture. The show celebrates the bold innovation, resilience, and influence of this remarkable cohort.
Opening reception: Friday, Aug. 8, 5-9 p.m. SITE1212, 1212 Jackson St.
Gallery admission and reception are free and open to the public.
Gallery hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday ,9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Exhibition continues through Friday, Aug. 29.
In 2024, the Art Academy of Cincinnati hosted a retrospective for longtime faculty member Stewart Goldman. Among the attendees were several alumni from the Class of 1975, many of whom had taken Goldman's life drawing class in 1971. Their reunion sparked an idea: to mark their 50th graduation anniversary with a group exhibition of their own.
“AAC ‘75 PLUS 50 YEARS” brings that idea to life, showcasing the creative evolution and enduring bonds of this close-knit group. Despite going their separate ways after graduation, many classmates remained in contact over the years, holding informal reunions and staying connected through art and friendship. Artists included in the exhibition are Greg Albert, Gary Blair, Gary Breitenstein, Amy Dinsmore Carelli, Ron Johnson, John Kluesener, Greg Listermann, Debbie Maguire Meehan, Chris Martin, Mary Mischenko, Hal Rusche, Dan Smith, Robin Stinetorf, and Tim Tepe.
When they began at the Academy in 1971, the school offered a traditional, atelier-style education focused entirely on art-making. Students earned a diploma–not a degree–through an intensive curriculum of figure drawing, design, color theory, and art history. With fewer than 150 students enrolled, the experience was immersive, demanding, and collaborative.
The exhibition features recent work by alumni as well as memorabilia from their student days, including sketchbooks, projects, and the iconic metal tackle boxes once used to carry their tools. A special tribute is included for classmate Gary Blair, who passed away in 2021. His artwork will be displayed with the help of his family.
Founded in 1869, the Art Academy of Cincinnati has shaped generations of artists and designers through its commitment to rigorous studio practice and creative exploration. This retrospective reflects not only the lifelong impact of a shared education but also the enduring legacy of the AAC itself. More than a reunion, the Class of ’75 exhibition is a celebration of community, artistic growth, and the power of sustained creativity. The group hopes the show will inspire future generations—and perhaps spark a new tradition of alumni retrospectives at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
Seeing What’s New
Contemporary Arts Center has just announced its 2025–2026 season, featuring powerful exhibitions by local and global artists who explore identity, memory, and resistance.
CAC Season at a Glance
Sheida Soleimani: What a Revolutionary Must Know
Oct. 18, 2025 – Jan. 25, 2026
Lillian Schwartz: Pictures from a Gallery:
Oct. 18, 2025 – Jan. 25, 2026
MFA Exhibition
Feb. 20 – March 22, 2026
Michael Stillion: And then it was flowers
April 24 – Aug. 20, 2026
Gee Horton: Chapter 4: In Another Lifetime
April 24 – Aug. 30, 2026
Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) announces its 2025–2026 season, featuring powerful exhibitions that offer space for deep investigation into personal, political, and cultural transformation. With a slate of solo shows and group presentations by emerging and established artists alike, this season continues CAC’s mission to be a laboratory for expression—where artists and audiences make meaning together.
“CAC has always been a space to champion new ideas,” said Christina Vassallo, Alice and Harris Weston Executive Director. “We’re proud to open CAC’s 2025-2026 season with the presentation of Sheida Soleimani’s solo exhibition, “What a Revolutionary Must Know,” to run concurrently with Marcus Leslie Singleton’s recent debut of his first U.S. solo museum exhibition, “New Steps.” Through their very different yet equally compelling perspectives, audiences will encounter new ways of navigating the personal and the political.”
Sheida Soleimani: What a Revolutionary Must Know
Oct. 18, 2025 – Jan. 25, 2026; opening reception Oct. 24, 2025
Sheida Soleimani’s solo exhibition brings together her full “Ghostwriter” series—visually arresting photographs, sculpture, and video that piece together the remarkable journey of her parents' escape from Iran’s totalitarian regime. Through constructed sets and surreal visual metaphors, Soleimani reconstructs their fractured history into works of resistance and reckoning. This deeply personal series presents a family’s survival story as a larger meditation on identity, memory, and political trauma. This marks the first time she is showing video work in a museum context.
Soleimani, raised in Cincinnati’s Loveland neighborhood, is an Iranian-American artist, educator, and activist whose multimedia work excavates histories of political violence connecting Iran, the United States, and the broader Middle East. Born to parents who fled Iran as political refugees in the early 1980s, Soleimani transforms source images from mass and digital media into striking photo-based installations, often staged in surreal, symbolic environments. Her practice spans photography, sculpture, collage, and film, offering viewers layered critiques of authoritarianism, exile, and diaspora.
Soleimani’s work is held in the permanent collections of the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, MIT’s List Visual Arts Center, and Kadist Paris, among others. Her projects have been widely covered by outlets including The New York Times, Financial Times, Art in America, and Interview Magazine.
Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Soleimani is an associate professor of Studio Art at Brandeis University. She is also the founder and executive director of Congress of the Birds, and the only federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the state. For Wave Pool’s 9th “Welcome Edition”, she created a powerful public artwork of 100 cast aluminum tulips—each one honoring a protestor killed in Iran following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran, Iran. The tulips debuted at the 2023 Armory Show and have since raised funds for both CAC and Wave Pool and are available for purchase at CAC’s gift shop.
Lillian Schwartz: Pictures from a Gallery
Oct. 18, 2025 – Jan. 25, 2026
Lillian Schwartz (1927-2024) pays tribute to family, memory, and her Cincinnati roots in the short film “Pictures from a Gallery” (1976). The six-and-a-half-minute film—featuring music by Albert Miller—uses 1970s computer technology to transform black-and-white photographs of Schwartz’s family, their home, and scenes of Cincinnati into a dreamlike sequence.
Born in Cincinnati, Schwartz was a trailblazer in computer-generated art. Her career began with sculpture and evolved into groundbreaking work at Bell Labs, where she collaborated with early digital composers and scientists on films and animations that defined a new visual language. Despite facing sexism and skepticism in both tech and art circles, Schwartz’s pioneering spirit led to international acclaim, with exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, the ICA London, the São Paulo Biennial, and Cannes Film Festival.
“Pictures from a Gallery” offers a rare glimpse into the artist’s deeply personal relationship with Cincinnati, and reinforces themes of memory, place, and familial connection.
Lillian Schwartz, born Lillian Feldman, grew up as the twelfth of thirteen children in Cincinnati’s Clifton neighborhood. Overcoming early hardship, she began working at age 13 and joined the U.S. Cadet Nurse Program at 16. After relocating to New Jersey, she gained national recognition for her work at Bell Labs and later became the first artist to win an Emmy for a computer-generated PSA. Her work continues to inspire generations of artists at the intersection of art and technology.
MFA Exhibition (Miami University & University of Cincinnati)
Feb. 20 – March 22, 2026
The annual MFA exhibition returns, showcasing the innovative work of graduate students from Miami University and the University of Cincinnati. The show offers a platform for artists at the start of their careers to present research-driven, experimental practices in a professional museum setting. The exhibition will be accompanied by artist talks, providing an opportunity for public engagement with the next generation of contemporary creators.
Michael Stillion: “And then it was flowers”
April 24 – Aug. 20, 2026
Michael Stillion’s work explores portraiture, symbolism, and the human condition through emotionally charged, visually layered compositions. In “And then it was flowers” Stillion presents recent paintings depicting stone and ceramic vessels with human features, paired with exaggerated poppy flowers, serving as metaphors for fragility and impermanence. Working in painting, collage, and mixed media, Stillion blends personal iconography with surreal imagery, often drawing from childhood cartoons, classical art techniques, and rural Ohio landscapes.
Based in Cincinnati, Stillion holds an MFA from Indiana University and a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design. He is a visiting assistant professor at Miami University and a recipient of multiple Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in both public and private collections.
Gee Horton: “Chapter 4: In Another Lifetime”
April 24 – Aug. 30, 2026
Gee Horton’s hyperrealist portraits center Black identity, vulnerability, and belonging. Known for drawing attention to underrepresented histories and communities, Horton uses meticulous graphite and charcoal renderings to create intimate, reflective portraits. Based in Cincinnati, Horton’s multidisciplinary practice maps the emotional terrain of Black life—where memory, masculinity, and inherited grief converge.
For “Chapter 4: In Another Lifetime”, Horton premieres a new body of work, marking a new direction in his practice. In this chapter, Horton employs symbolic imagery and dream logic to examine intergenerational trauma, cultural legacy, and the aesthetics of emotional inheritance.
Horton stepped away from a corporate career in 2020 to pursue his art full time. His “Chapter 1: Coming of Age” series debuted at the Alice F. & Harris K. Weston Art Gallery in Cincinnati in 2021; his exhibition “Chapter 2: A Subtle Farewell to the Inner Child” was presented as part of the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial; and, “Chapter 3: Be Home Before the Streetlights,” was presented at the Kentucky Museum of Contemporary Art in late 2024. His work has appeared on HBO’s Insecure and Amazon’s Harlem, and he received an Emmy Award for his portrait and storytelling of abolitionist Peter H. Clark, created during his residency at The Mercantile Library of Cincinnati.
Horton is the founder of Gee Horton Studio Gallery, a hybrid space for storytelling, creative production, and fine art printing. His work is included in the collections of the Cincinnati Art Museum, The Mercantile Library, and numerous private collections.
“The exhibitions in CAC’s 2025–2026 season are powerful reminders of how artists reflect our world—its beauty, its complexities, and everything in between,” said Theresa Bembnister, CAC curator. “Experiencing these works in a shared space offers an opportunity to reconnect, to reflect, and to reclaim a sense of community and humanity. Through distinct approaches, Soleimani, Schwartz, Stillion, and Horton each explore themes of legacy, history, and identity in ways that feel both deeply personal and profoundly timely.”
Step Outside
Head to Washington Park for ArtsWave’s CMF Outdoor Museum, with live painting and Friday Flow for a fun evening of art and music on the “Road to CMF.”
CMF Outdoor Museum, Washington Park, 2021. Photo: Frank D Young,
Cincinnati Music Festival, one of the biggest weekends in Cincinnati, is about much more than music.
The celebration of culture and community includes an unexpected component, The CMF Outdoor Museum. This outdoor public art exhibition in Washington Park, developed by ArtsWave, featured works from six regional artists, each paired with an apprentice, that celebrate iconic music legends.
The exhibition, “Rhythm & Renaissance: A Visual Celebration of Legends.” focuses on celebrating artistic lineage by memorializing musical icons while highlighting relationships between local artists and their apprentices. The paintings were all created live during a special event in the park last week, adding to the park’s “Friday Flow” program.
The featured artist-apprentice pairs and their musical inspirations this year are
Javarri Lewis with apprentice Jace Lewis, inspired by Frankie Beverly
April Sunami with apprentice Nine Wells, inspired by Angie Stone
Erin Smith with apprentice Zipporah Arrington-Bey, inspired by Roberta Flack
Hannah Jones “Jonesy” with apprentice Sarah Hunter, inspired by Aretha Franklin
Gift Mayambi, with apprentice Romain Mayambi, inspired by Tina Turner
See Drye (Christian Dryer) with apprentice Julian Sorrells, inspired by Fred White of Earth, Wind & Fire
ArtsWave funded the artists through the support of the over 20,000 gifts to the 2025 ArtsWave Community Campaign that finished in May. Art curation was being handled by AGAR, with recommendations from a core team of artists.
P&G, the long-time presenting sponsor of the Cincinnati Music Festival (CMF), ArtsWave, the engine for the Cincinnati region’s arts, and the Cincinnati/Dayton division of Kroger, have partnered to create this unique experience where art creation and live music combine in one vibrant setting. The artwork will remain in Washington Park for a few more weeks, then move to Court Street for additional time on exhibit.
True to Form
ArtsWave’s annual “Truth and Innovation” artist showcase, featuring new works by 26 Black and Brown artists, opens Saturday, July 19, at the Contemporary Arts Center.
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.
July Holiday
It may be muggy and miserable right now, but Cincinnati Ballet has something planned to make you feel a little more chill. From July 21 through July 25, you can buy tickets for select December performances of The Nutcracker at a special buy one, get one half off rate. Pretty cool, right?
Nutcracker in July BOGO
July 21–25
Buy One, Get One Half Off for select dates of
The Nutcracker at Music Hall in December
Buy tickets at https://my.cballet.org/overview/2526nutcracker?promo=JULY
Call it the power of positive thinking – or perhaps wishful thinking – but it’s possible thinking about December could help you beat the summer heat.
Cincinnati Ballet is here to help you test that theory with the return of its popular “Nutcracker in July” promotion.
From July 21 through July 25, Cincinnati Ballet invites you to plan ahead for the magic of the holiday season, with tickets for select December performances of The Nutcracker available at a special Buy One, Get One Half Off rate.
A tradition for generations of Cincinnati families, The Nutcracker transforms Music Hall into a winter wonderland each December. This limited-time summer sale offers the opportunity to secure prime seats - and savings – well in advance of the holiday rush.
Journey to the Land of Sweets with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince and make lasting family memories!
Tickets are available for a limited time and expected to sell quickly. Fees apply. The BOGO50 offer is good for up to four (4) tickets per transaction and only on select performances for seats in Zones 1-4. Premium and Zone 5 are excluded. The promotion cannot be combined with other offers and does not apply to previously purchased tickets. No refunds or exchanges.
As You Like It
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Shakespeare in the Park program begins July 11 with free performances around the region.
Courtesy Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Now’s your chance to see “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” the way God, or at least William Shakespeare, intended.
Shakespeare in the Park
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
July 11–August 31
FREE performances in parks in Hamilton, Warren, Butler, Montgomery, Miami, and Clermont counties in Ohio; Kenton, Mason, and Boone Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn and Wayne counties in Indiana.
See the full schedule online.
“Back in Shakespeare’s day, most theatre happened under an open sky,” says Jeanna Valla, director of marketing with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company..“The Globe’s roofless stage let weather, street noise, and moonlight blended right into the story. We recreate that same energy in our outdoor shows. Shakespeare even timed many finales for nightfall, relying on the sky’s slow fade-to-black to sharpen the drama–an ingenious solution in his 1500s world without electric lights!”
This summer, you can step into an enchanted woodland where mischievous fairies play, young lovers chase their heart’s desires, and magic sparkles under the summer moon. With a playful spirit and whimsical surprises around every corner, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” promises laughter, wonder, and memorable moments under the stars in parks across the region.
“Hitting 40 different parks means every stop is its own one-night-only experience, and that rush never gets old.” says Valla. “We also love that many folks discover a new-to-them neighborhood just to catch the show on a particular night that works with their schedule. Knowing our performance drew them to a local park or venue they’ve never visited before is the best kind of bonus.
Courtesy Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
This production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is directed by CSC’s Candice Handy, who recently directed “The Tempest” on the mainstage and “Hamlet” in the parks last summer. She also led last season's critically praised mainstage production of James Baldwin's “The Amen Corner,” as well as CSC's 2022 unforgettable staging of August Wilson's “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.”
The free Shakespeare in the Park performances bring the excitement of Shakespeare’s plays directly to the community. These productions, featuring one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays, are open to all, with no tickets or RSVP required. Audiences can simply bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars. For questions regarding a specific location’s policies on parking, outside food and drink, etc., please contact the venue directly or visit our website at cincyshakes.com/park.
“If formal theater etiquette is not your thing, FREE Shakespeare in the Park is pure low pressure,” says Valla. “The actors are mic’d and amplified, so kids giggling, dogs wandering, or traffic humming nearby won’t drown out a single punchline. Come as you are, bring a blanket or a camp chair, share snacks with the folks next to you, and settle in for Shakespeare under the open sky in your neighborhood.”
This annual tradition reflects CSC's commitment to making the arts accessible to everyone, providing an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the power of live theater in a casual and welcoming environment. Because of this CSC offers audio described and sign language interpreted performances of FREE! Shakespeare in the Park.
Book Smart
Looking for a fun beach read? Are you in charge of the next book club pick? Just looking for a place cool place to hang out? You're in luck! Head to one of the many independent bookstores in the region for book recommendations, thoughtful gifts, and sense of community.
Every bibliophile knows the importance of a good indie bookstore.
Maybe it’s the romance books on the shelves that draw you in or the honey vanilla latte you can grab at their in-store cafe. The good news is, whatever you’re looking for in a bookstore, there’s one just for you in the area. Check out our round-up of some of our favorites!
Roebling Books & Coffee
306 Greenup St., Covington
601 Overton St., Newport
www.roeblingbooks.com
WIth two locations, Roebling Books offers that homey and classic bookstore feel. A coffee shop to your left as you walk in welcomes you to find rooms of various topics. You can grab a bite (or a drink!) to enjoy as you hunt for the best summer reading.
Roebling caters to multiple interest groups, from Teen Thursdays to a room full of children's books and toys, Roebling has a spot for everyone. Another specialization is local author highlights, where writers from the Tristate can have their works shelved specifically to showcase their books to fellow Cincinnatians.
Downbound Books
4139 Apple St., Northside
www.downboundbooks.com
Head up to Northside to check out Downbound Books. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the bright green exterior. Downbound specializes in books chosen specifically for their audience: the more niche the better, to reflect their indie roots.
In June, Downbound is partnering with Transform Cincy to aid in their work of supplying wardrobes for gender non-conforming teens. Through the end of the month, 10% of your purchase will go to the non-profit, plus the Downbound Pride Pack (bookmark and sticker) further supports Transform Cincy.
Household Books
5824 Hamilton Ave., College Hill
www.householdbooks.org
With a mixture of books, vintage shopping, and vinyl records, Household Books has got it all. The one-stop-shop recently reopened in College Hill, but its charm and charisma are as old as time.
Their curation of used books and vintage knick knacks create an timeless environment, giving you a “wow, I should change my entire aesthetic” sort of thinking. In addition to their vintage selection, Household also creates pop-up bookstores for clients, bringing a captured-in-time storefront straight to you.
Blue Marble Books
1356 S. Ft Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
www.bluemarblebooks.com
If you’re raising a book lover or you’re a child at heart, Blue Marble Books is the place for you! From sponsoring school book fairs to summer reading incentives, Blue Marble keeps the next generation of readers engaged by creating a positive and engaging environment.
Blue Marble offers baby showers, birthday parties, and craft and storytime events for the little ones, as well as traveling book fairs to schools in the district (and a Book Fairy!). Going strong since the late ‘70s, Blue Marble Books is the perfect place to bring an avid young reader.
Tome Books and Novelteas
6089 Salem Road
www.tomebooksandnovelteas.com
Bringing it back to book shopping with a little treat, Tome Books and Novelteas has that dark academic aesthetic that makes you want to curl up in a loveseat with an entire series and not get up until you’ve finished it. From reading-themed T-shirts to murals that reflect a room’s genre Tome Books is for true readers.
In addition to their large book selection, Tome Books also has writing workshops concentrating on worldbuilding, dialogue writing, editing, and more. They also feature “blind dates with a book,” where the mystery is finding out what book lies under the plain brown wrapper.
Joseph Beth Books
2692 Madison Road
www.josephbeth.com
The godfather of all Cincinnati-area bookstores, Joseph Beth Books has been running the local book world since 1986. Books for all ages, a large toy selection, musical instruments, and even the Bronté Bistro can be found inside, truly offering something for everyone. JB also has a membership for the dedicated book-buyers, giving rewards with every novel you purchase.
Joseph Beth also has a Joseph-Beth Gives Back Rewards Program that allows donors to choose a community partner to receive a percentage of the purchases, including , ArtsWave, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Zoo, and more. With a new coffee shop, Nourish, opening in Good Samaritan Hospital and Bethesda North Hospital, you can be well read and do good in even more locations.
– Annabelle Dilts
Brush with Greatness
On Friday, June 20, the Contemporary Arts Center debuts the first solo museum exhibition by New York based painter, Marcus Leslie Singleton.
Marcus Leslie Singleton: New Steps
June 20 – Oct. 19
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. Sixth St.
Opening Reception
7 p.m. – Artist + Curator Talk: $5 for Non-Members, Free for Members
7 p.m. – Exclusive gallery access, cash bar, and set by DJ Nymph
9 p.m. – Afterparty at Alice OTR
More at www.cincycac.org
Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) debuts the first solo museum exhibition dedicated to the work of Brooklyn-based figurative painter Marcus Leslie Singleton, Marcus Leslie Singleton: New Steps.
Curated by CAC Curator Theresa Bembnister, the exhibition includes new videos and deeply intimate paintings of Black American communities, Singleton’s experiences in Côte d'Ivoire, and work inspired by family and friends in his neighborhood.
In his work, Singleton portrays nuanced images of Black American everyday life – what the artist calls his ongoing examination of time and the Black body. Singleton’s paintings, executed instinctually from memory and family photos, span the spectrum from light-hearted to politically charged.
In early 2024, Marcus Leslie Singleton participated in a month-long artist residency at La Fourchette de Rōze, a boutique hotel in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. For Singleton, who paints people engaged in everyday activities around his neighborhoods, this new locale offered subject matter simultaneously novel and familiar. “As an American there is a magnetic tussle between strangeness and familiarity,” Singleton said. “And this was a similar feeling I had in Côte d’Ivoire.”
A constant observer, Singleton writes, sketches, photographs, and records his surroundings, using a notebook, his phone, or a point-and-shoot digital camera. Sometimes he jots down sentences about what he’s seeing, hearing, or even smelling. These notes, in their varying forms, become a kind of catalog of experiences, one that Singleton reviews and selects from to make his paintings.
The artist uses the metaphor of a sponge to describe his time at the residency—he soaked up as much as he could, and, returning to his studio, squeezes out those experiences into his work. The influence of his trip to West Africa is evident in the settings of his paintings, with the vibrant textures and patterns of the interiors of Abidjan locals’ homes. But Singleton’s technique has evolved as well—his color choices are now tied to feeling rather than exclusively to visual representation, a freedom unlocked by soaking up the brilliant colors he encountered through Côte d’Ivoire architecture.
Primarily a figurative painter, Singleton believes that interpersonal relationships are foundational to societies based anywhere, be it West Africa or North America. Through his work, he expresses ideas about communication and connection.
As the title suggests, this exhibition presents the results of the new steps Singleton took following his return to his studio. Completely new work, which will include paintings inspired by Côte d’Ivoire and scenes from New York City, will be displayed alongside other recent paintings. New Steps will also feature two video works. This is Singleton’s first solo museum exhibition in the United States.
A Night at the Opera
Lies! Betrayal! Romance! Murder!
No, it's not a Hollywood blockbuster or a reality TV show, it's opera. As Cincinnati Opera season begins its 105th season, see why it's the perfect time to fall in love with all the music, drama, and magic at Music Hall this summer.
This essay was originally written for a book commemorating Cincinnati Opera’s centennial in 2020. As the 105th season begins this week, it’s a great time to revisit “How to Fall in Love with Opera” and see how you can enjoy the 2025 season. (Details below!)
Rigoletto
Thursday, June 12, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium, Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation
Tosca
Thursday, June 26, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation
Fiddler on the Roof
Wednesday, July 23, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27, 3 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in English with projected lyrics
Studio Sessions
Wilks Studio | Cincinnati Music Hall
Tuesday, June 17, 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 17, 8 p.m.
For info and tickets visit www.cincinnatiopera.org.
I’m not going to lie to you – opera can be intimidating. So much singing in foreign languages, big theatrical gestures, towering sets, twirling dancers, and explosive feelings...yet not nearly as many horned helmets as those Bugs Bunny cartoons promised. But opera is worth the effort.
It’s fitting that the Cincinnati Opera performs in summer, which is considered blockbuster season, cinematically speaking. You will find thrilling chases, thunderous explosions, epic love stories, and hundreds of extras on stage at the opera that will put the multiplex to shame. Imagine a Michael Bay film but with an even more convoluted plot and an actual soul. That’s what opera can be.
I came to my appreciation of opera a bit later in life, which I chalk up to youth and inexperience, and have been making up for it ever since. Thanks to support from dear, opera-loving friends, I have grown to appreciate the art form and treasure the experience of going to the opera.
Though everyone has to find their own path in opera, as in life, I would like to offer a few recommendations that have eased my journey to opera admiration.
1. Use the Buddy System
For most things that are potentially frightening, like learning to drive a stick shift, poaching an egg, or picking out a wedding dress, it’s best to have a trusted guide. Find someone who has been through it before, knows the pitfalls, and can help you navigate the process.
One of my favorite parts of Cincinnati Opera season is at the beginning of a performance when Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, invites the audience to introduce themselves to each other and share a personal opera story, which could be mentioning first opera or their favorite one. It’s an opportunity to meet someone new or hear about an unfamiliar opera or find common musical ground. These exchanges create an instantaneous camaraderie among the audience members.
Going with a friend, and meeting fellow audience members, are wonderful reminders that at its heart, opera is a shared experience. The singers and the ensemble, the conductor and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the audience all create that special and immersive opera experience.
So bring a friend or two with you to add the charm and magic of the occasion. Having a support system also has a practical application, though, as you will then have someone to gasp when you gasp, cheer when you cheer, and hand you tissues when someone dies. (That’s not a spoiler; it’s opera, someone is going to die.)
2. Dress to the Nines
One of my favorite parts about going to the opera is that you can’t be overdressed! You want to wear a tux? Wear a tux! Haven’t found a place to wear that ball gown? You’re in luck! Going to the opera is not the time to be timid with your fashion choices.
Opera can be rich with excess and you, dear patron, have license to revel in it. The performers are often in gorgeous and detailed costumes, so you should take the opportunity to do the same. The elements of an individual performance can help take some of the guesswork out of what to wear. Heading to Pagliacci? Weave in festive clown elements by way of Fellini. Aida is onstage? Break out the gold sandals and eyeliner. The premiere of Fellow Travelers called for a fit-and-flare floral and pearls. Not only do these personal costuming choices help you get into the spirit of things, they also make for amazing conversation starters in the lobby.
While it’s fun to dress up, maybe formality isn’t for you. Even though the renovation of Music Hall greatly improved the building’s air conditioning, July is still July in Cincinnati. A more casual approach can be a good idea in the heat and humidity. And I guarantee someone wearing a tux will say you look great and express regret to you that he is not doing the same.
3. Embrace the Surprise and Delight
The feeling you get walking into Music Hall on an Opera Night is one of overwhelming joy.
As mentioned above, you will have many opportunities to make new friends. Opera fans are not a shy lot. They talk to their old friends and strike up conversations with people they’ve never seen before. Topics range from opera (natch) to architecture, literature to politics, and wherever it was you found that incredible hat you’re wearing. From waiting in the lobby for the auditorium to open to mingling at intermission and chatting at after parties, a night at the opera offers the chance to meet many people who might not otherwise encounter.
The crowd at the opera is among the most vibrant, diverse, and engaging you will find. Even if the night’s performance is a tragedy, the people assembled will be welcoming, expansive, and delighted. It’s a glimpse of what the world that could be all the time -- strangers and friends creating a joyous community centered around music and art.
4. Suspend Your Disbelief – Every Bit of It
Opera exists in a magical realm that is accessible to mere mortals only during the heat of a Cincinnati summer. Allow yourself to be swept up in the opulence and beauty of grand opera, captivated by the intricacies of experimental works, charmed by the blossoming of new love, or delighted by mistaken identity and the attendant confusion.
The characters in an opera will not make the same decisions you do. Butterfly isn’t going to fight for custody of her child and send Pinkerton packing. (No matter how many times I tell her to!) Aida isn’t going to bring an army to rescue her lover. No one in The Marriage of Figaro is going to have a simple explanatory conversation with anyone else.
These things are never going to happen. You just need to go with it.
Plus, sometimes there are ghosts or camels or literal deus ex machina.
Opera is no place to quibble about historical accuracy or realism, but to immerse yourself in incredible artistry and supremely talented performers among kindred spirits.
Roar over the slapstick. Sob through the tragedy. Hiss at the villain. Swoon when the lovers kiss. Applaud. Stand, and repeat.
5. But Notice the Details
My favorite way to see an opera is from the front row. Purists might argue that’s too close for the right musical balance, but to me, there’s no way better way to experience the show. Along with seeing the singers’ raw emotion and catching the most subtle movements from all the players, you can watch the musicians use their entire bodies to play their instruments and even catch a glimpse of the conductor’s highlighted and dog-eared score.
But there’s not a bad seat in the house at Music Hall. In the center of the auditorium, the sound is perfect, offering the ideal balance of instruments and voices. The balcony affords a “big picture” view with the chance to see everything happening all at once. In an opera, the sets, singers, and musicians all play to the back of the house, so you can experience the full power of a great show no matter where you are. No matter where you are, the surcaps will help you follow the story.
So does this all work?
I was fortunate to participate in a leadership development program many years ago along with a friend who worked at the opera. He organized a class outing as a way for us to learn more about this Cincinnati arts institution. So a number of us ventured out together to see a contemporary opera and then go to the opening night party after the show.
Since it was summer, I wore a floral slip dress and threw on a pair of opera gloves. As it turns out, the perfect place to wear opera gloves is the opera, as was pointed out to me by a fellow patron in the lobby.
The opera, Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar, was a gorgeous, tragic story about the poet Federico García Lorca. At the after party we met the incredible cast, saw people in fabulous outfits, and heard more gorgeous music in the exquisite setting of Music Hall. It was amazing. I wish you could have been there.
I treasure that evening, and so many like it, that offer a little bit of magic on a summer night. The feeling of being thoroughly modern and wonderfully timeless; in the center of your hometown yet also faraway and cosmopolitan; swept up in the grandeur of it all while chatting with your closest friend.
That warmth and community is what defines Cincinnati Opera for me. In a world that can be harsh and dispiriting, opera offers a perfect tonic that is is bright and gay and uplifting. Couldn’t we all use more of that?
– Tricia Suit
Down by the Water
Think you know a lot about the local history? Discover more with powerful new storytelling platform, the Freedom Journey app from America's River Roots, that connects users to stories of courage and resistance that defined America’s path to freedom along the Ohio River.
Take a walk into history with the Freedom Journey app, developed by America’s River Roots in collaboration with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
This powerful new storytelling platform connects users to the stories of courage and resistance that defined America’s path to freedom along the Ohio River.
The free GPS-based app highlights more than 160 historic sites and figures across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, tracing the journeys of Freedom Seekers and conductors on the Underground Railroad.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring untold stories to life, all digitally connected,” said co-founders Rick Greiwe, Kelly Kolar and Tim Fogarty. “We’re honored to collaborate with cultural institutions to illuminate the river’s role in shaping America’s path to freedom.”
The app’s launch coincides with the 30th anniversary of the National Underground Freedom Center. “The Freedom Journey app brings history to life,” said Woody Keown, President & CEO of the Freedom Center. “It allows users to walk in the footsteps of heroes and experience the impact of the Underground Railroad in a new way.”
The Freedom Journey app is a free GPS-enabled, historically accurate guide tracing the routes of Freedom Seekers along the Ohio River. Along the way, the app highlights key people and places of the Underground Railroad, featuring exclusive content.
Beginning at Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the app extends through Ohio towns like New Richmond, Ripley, Portsmouth, and Marietta, and crosses into Northern Kentucky and western West Virginia.
Users can choose from curated tours – The Heart of Freedom (three hours), Crossing Boundaries (full day), and Along the Journey (two days) – or create personalized routes using the Build Your Own Freedom Journey feature.
Users can explore immersive content featuring notable figures like Levi Coffin, Sarah Fossett, and John Rankin, and visit historic sites including Cincinnati’s Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Ripley’s Rankin House.
“By tracing the path of Freedom Seekers and operatives, we preserve and deepen our experience with American history. This region’s past connects us to our humanity, here in the heart of it all.” says Holly Brians Ragusa, Freedom Journey App Content Director and America’s River Roots advisory board member. “This platform compels us to honor and engage with these stories. I’m proud to have worked so closely with the expert teams at the Freedom Center and Cincinnati Museum Center to carry this knowledge forward to inspire future generations.”
The inaugural America’s River Roots Festival, a celebration of music, culture and cuisine, will be held October 8–12, 2025, along the riverfronts of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. Learn more at www.americasriverroots.com.
The Freedom Journey app was made possible by the following donors and contributors: The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, The Mr & Mrs. John J. Strader Fund, The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, The Crosset Family Foundation, Thomas J. Emery Memorial Foundation, The National Underground Freedom Center, The Cincinnati Museum Center, Kolar Design, Ministry of Design, HBR Writes and Pigeon-Tech, a Division of SRISYS, Inc. SRISYS, Inc. is the official digital app development partner for America’s River Roots, Inc.
Middle of Everything
Don't miss your chance to see the Mid-Century Modern works of The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick, as it ends a nationwide tour at the Taft Museum of Art, opening June 7.
The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike St.
June 7–Sept. 7
General admission is free for Taft members, military, and youth (17 and under); $15 for adults; and $12 for seniors. Admission is free on Sundays and Mondays.
For tickets and information visit taftmuseum.org/CraftedWorld.
If your idea furniture leans more toward IKEA practicality or Wayfair bargains, treat yourself to the Mid-century modern masterpieces in The Crafted World of Wharton Esherick, opening June 7 at the Taft Museum of Art.
The exhibition presents the innovative work of Wharton Esherick (1887–1970), the famed American artist best known as the father of the studio furniture movement. Co-organized by the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and the Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern, Pennsylvania, the stop at the Taft wraps up the exhibition nationwide tour.
Between 1926 and 1966, Esherick built his hillside home and studio in southeastern Pennsylvania. Now the Wharton Esherick Museum (WEM), it houses a treasury of work from seven decades of artistic practice. To share Esherick’s creative vision with contemporary audiences, The Crafted World draws on WEM’s rich and seldomly loaned collection of over 3,000 works of art, detailing the artist’s career from his early woodcut illustrations to his revolutionary reimagining of furniture forms as organic sculpture.
“This exhibition, in the unique setting of the Taft Museum of Art (also once a residence), brings a fresh perspective to Wharton Esherick’s distinct aesthetic vision and imaginative spirit as well as the important legacy he left in crafting the meaning of ‘home’ for future generations. Programming will engage contemporary audiences with tours by working artists, workshops with woodcarvers and printmakers, and more,” says Taft Museum of Art Associate Curator, Ann Glasscock, who is curating the museum's presentation of the exhibition.
Esherick’s hillside retreat was the locus, and often the subject, of his creativity throughout his career. Visitors—high-end clients, avant-garde artists, skilled tradespeople, and ordinary individuals interested in living with Esherick’s work—entered a world crafted by the artist’s hands. Esherick found acclaim through private commissions, such as a suite of interiors (1935–38) for Justice Curtis Bok, including a fireplace now in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and public exhibitions, for example the “America at Home” display at the New York World’s Fair (1939–40). Today, Esherick is considered a foundational figure for the American studio craft movement.
Sunshine Days
Summerfair Cincinnati, one of the oldest and largest continuous art fairs in the country, returns to Coney Island May 30 to June 1. Get insight into the event’s history, what to expect this weekend, and how they support local artists all year long, from Jayne Utter, managing director.
Summerfair Cincinnati marks its 58th year, returning to Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., May 30 to June 1, with more than 340 juried artists. Summerfair opens Friday, May 30 at 12 p.m, continuting until 7 p.m. The art fair is open Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, June 1, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Summerfair Music
Saturday, May 31
12 p.m. Aprina Johnson
1 p.m. Boutique
2 p.m. The 3 Micks
3 p.m. Chris Collier & The Full Band
4 p.m. Silver Strings
5 p.m. The Cheryl & Shorty Show
6 p.m. Jam Grass Duo Sunday, June 1
11 a.m. Eric Wurzelbacher & Brandon Coleman
12 p.m. The Faux Frenchmen
1 p.m. The Amador Sisters
2 p.m. Farm Report
3 p.m. Wild Carrot
4 p.m. Tracy Walker Artists at Summerfair represent 12 categories: photography, painting, drawing/printmaking, wood, metal, sculpture, glass, ceramics, fibers, leather, jewelry and 2D/3D mixed media. Along with artwork, Summerfair features a slate of regional performers as well as its Gourmet Arts area with unique food and drink.
What started as a small art fair’s salute to the opening of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park has grown into one of the oldest continuous art fairs in the country, drawing more than 20,000 art enthusiasts to see and purchase the works of artists from across the United States. Summerfair is listed in the top 50 America’s Best Art Fairs and one of the top five Best Midwest Art Fairs by Art Fair Calendar.com.
During its history, Summerfair has given more than $2 million to the regional arts community. A non-profit 501(c)3 arts organization, proceeds from Summerfair Cincinnati provide award, scholarship and exhibit opportunities to a variety of emerging (high school and college), individual (working professional) artists and local/regional small and mid-sized arts organizations.
Tickets for Summerfair can be purchased for one day or multi-day admission at summerfair.org. One-day tickets are $10, with children 12 and under admitted free. Multi-day tickets are $15.
Hair, All About It
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati closes its season with the regional premiere of “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” by award-winning playwright Jocelyn Bioh.
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding.
May 31 – June 22
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
1107 Vine St.
Tickets for adults start at $30; student tickets are $28; and children are $24.
See more at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is stressed to impress to close its 2024–2025 season,
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, written by award-winning and Tony-nominated Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play), makes its regional premiere this weekend.
This laugh-out-loud comedic gem is a riotously funny yet deeply resonant play that celebrates the indomitable spirit and interconnectedness that define us all.
At Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon nestled in the pulsating heart of Harlem, a lively community of West African immigrant hair braiders weaves together humor and heart. Amidst the laughter and playful shop talk, a diverse group of women share dreams, love stories, and hidden secrets, all while creating stunning braided masterpieces. On a sweltering summer day, the lighthearted banter reveals deeper reflections on the challenges of feeling like outsiders in their own neighborhood, sparking a powerful exploration of identity and belonging, and confronting what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.
“One of the things I love about Jaja’s is all these voices and ideas converging in this one place,” says ETC Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “It’s important to celebrate a community’s voice in a way that feels accessible and understandable and that can be empathetic as well as celebratory. These women’s lives are changed in an instant by powers beyond their control. I think it’s essential in our world to recognize what other people may be up against that we’re unaware of as we go about our daily lives.”
Strength In Numbers
At the end of its 2025 Campaign, ArtsWave announced it raised $12.3 million for the region’s arts, demonstrating remarkable resilience in a year marked by economic and funding uncertainty in the arts.
Community-based fundraising through ArtsWave has been the primary way to fund the region’s arts since 1927.
Donations can still be made at artswave.org/give.
ArtsWave announced it raised $12.3 million for the region’s arts during its 2025 Campaign, demonstrating remarkable resilience in a year marked by economic and funding uncertainty in the arts. At the same celebration event, next year’s 2026 Campaign Chair was also announced, along with an upcoming public event at The Banks.
2025 Campaign Chair Mel Gravely, Executive Chair of Triversity, shared the news with arts organizations, donors, and civic and business leaders at a celebration held Tuesday evening at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. During the event, business leaders comprising Gravely’s Campaign Cabinet were recognized for their efforts in fundraising for the arts.
Of the campaign results, Gravely noted that “Through economic ups and downs, political changes, and global uncertainties, ArtsWave has remained the steady force behind our vibrant arts community for nearly 100 years. This year, our community has once again demonstrated its extraordinary commitment. This achievement reflects the Cincinnati region’s understanding that a vibrant arts sector is not an ‘extra,’ but an ‘essential.’”
2025 ArtsWave Campaign chair Mel Gravely with Alecia Kintner, CEO of ArtsWave.
ArtsWave saw continued success with its “Leaders for Cincy Arts” initiative for new and increased gifts of $5,000+, with 205 business executives and community leaders participating in its second year. “The strong response from our business community shows that Cincinnati’s leaders recognize the critical connection between our region’s arts and its economic prosperity,” said Gravely.
Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave, thanked Gravely while announcing that the 2026 ArtsWave Campaign will be chaired by James Zimmerman, partner-in-charge of the Taft Cincinnati office and long-time ArtsWave Board member. Kintner noted, “Mel has led this campaign with extraordinary vision during a challenging year. As we welcome James to chair the 2026 campaign, we’re confident his leadership will help us continue building momentum as we approach our centennial anniversary in 2027.”
Funds raised from the ArtsWave Campaign support 150+ arts organizations, projects, and artists via competitive grants, resulting in thousands of performances, exhibitions, public art projects, arts education programs, festivals and more for the region’s residents and visitors. ArtsWave’s investments also advance the sector’s shared strategy to build the Cincinnati region’s national reputation, deepen residents’ roots in the region, enliven neighborhoods, bridge cultural divides and fuel creativity and learning through the arts.
This year saw significant growth in ArtsWave’s “More Arts More Kids” initiative, which expanded to reach 15,000 students—triple last year’s impact. Students from Cincinnati Public Schools, Catholic Inner-city Schools Education (CISE), and Ludlow Independent experienced performances at Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Arts Association, The Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, CSO Young People’s Concerts and the Cincinnati Art Museum with further expansion planned for the coming school year.
The ArtsWave App also gained significant traction in its first year, with nearly 15,000 downloads and almost 400 daily users. “The app is the tool of the future, and we’re just scratching the surface of what it can do,” said Kintner. “It’s becoming an essential platform for connecting our community with arts throughout the region.
While the campaign concludes, Cincinnati’s arts will be in the national spotlight soon with Americans for the Arts Convention, taking place June 12–14. The national gathering will bring arts leaders from across the country to Cincinnati, showcasing the region as a vibrant hub for the arts. The conference kicks off with a public celebration at The Banks, inviting the entire community to participate. The free ‘Party at the Banks’ will feature the return of fan-favorite BLINK installations, local food trucks, a drone show over the Ohio River, a mainstage music and fashion event hosted by Cincinnati’s own Drew Lachey and featuring a surprise pop-up performance from a secret multi-platinum recording artist.
Each year, ArtsWave relies on public gifts from thousands across the Cincinnati region to reach its goal for supporting the arts. As is the case every year, the total dollar amount announced includes contributions already received and reported, as well as projections for workplace campaigns that are ongoing through the summer.
“For those businesses and individuals who are still finishing their campaigns, please know that your gifts are essential,” said Kintner. “Our arts organizations need reliable funding more than ever before to plan the programs that transform our community. Together, we can create stronger arts for a stronger region.”
Leading Edge
Christina Vassallo, CAC director, is one of only seven arts execs chosen for the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management Fellowship.
The Contemporary Arts Center has been at the forefront of arts and culture, both in Cincinnati and around the world, for more than 80 years. That commitment to excellence and a bold initiatives continues, as Christina Vassallo, the Alice & Harris Weston Director of the CAC, has been chosen to be part of the prestigious DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management Fellowship in Washington, D.C., an honor awarded to just 3% of applicants worldwide.
“This fellowship brings incredible resources and international dialogue to the work we are doing here in Cincinnati,” said Vassallo. “I’m honored to represent the Contemporary Arts Center and our community as we shape the future of contemporary art and engagement.”
Vassallo is one of only seven arts executives in this year's cohort, representing the United States, Hungary, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and England, selected from an applicant pool of 51 countries. The intensive three-year program provides fully subsidized executive training in strategic planning, leadership, fundraising and governance. She will begin her first year of the fellowship with a month in residence in Annapolis, Maryland, joining an elite network of global arts leaders committed to the future of cultural institutions.
Since joining the CAC in 2023, Vassallo has led the institution through its 20th anniversary in the landmark Zaha Hadid-designed building, launched a new strategic plan and introduced an artistic vision that strengthens the museum’s role locally and internationally. Her selection for the DeVos Fellowship is a reflection of her dynamic leadership in Cincinnati and a significant milestone for the city’s cultural sector.
Vassallo brings more than 15 years of executive-level experience to the CAC, with prior leadership roles at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, SPACES in Cleveland, and Flux Factory in New York City. Her work has consistently championed innovative programming and sustainable growth in the arts.
The DeVos Institute assists arts, culture, and humanities organizations, as well as universities, public media, medical, K-12 education, and science non-profits.