The Lens

Short Stories showcases an ongoing series by Tony Mendoza, a Cuban-born artist living and working in Columbus, Ohio, who, since the mid-80s, has created a body of experimental double-portrait photographs. Mendoza’s signature practice involves coupling photographs with short autobiographical stories to encapsulate his varied experiences. His work invites viewers into his intimate world, sharing a portrait of those subjects captured in black-and-white photographs, alongside a composite “portrait” of Mendoza through the recollected snippets and words shared with the viewer. The works cross a range of emotions, through which Mendoza's inherent humorous personality sings.

Curator: Jordanne Renner, Arts Committee Chair

This juried outdoor exhibition invites photographers to go beyond the surface to capture hidden stories that lie behind photographs. Behind the Lens: Unveiling the Unseen Narratives challenges artists to explore the untold stories that shape moments frozen in time. Whether it's the hidden history, the scene just outside the frame, or the untapped depths of a series, this exhibition seeks to shed light on the narratives that breathe life into still images.

The diverse collection of photographs presented in Behind the Lens enrich our understanding of the world beyond what meets the eye and celebrate the power of... Continue reading Behind the Lens: Unveiling the Unseen Narratives

Hard Times for These Times by photographer Eric Hatch offers a poignant reflection on the enduring spirit of communities, prompting viewers to delve into the unseen layers of life captured through the lens of urban and rural landscapes. This exhibition reveals the raw and authentic portrayal of once-thriving industrial sites and forgotten rural spaces. From the silent resilience in weathered façades to the enduring strength amidst desolate landscapes, each image unveils a story of triumph amidst struggle. 

The exhibition presents a window into the lives of communities confronting the aftermath of industrial decline and... Continue reading Eric Hatch: Hard Times for These Times

We are greater than me. In this era of divisive attitudes and actions, this exhibition focuses on the power of telling the ongoing story of the 10th largest city in Ohio, Hamilton, by uniting multiple perspectives and interpretations. In a partnership between the Fitton Center for Creative Arts and the citizen-led initiative, 17STRONG, a regional artist is matched with each of Hamilton’s 17 diverse neighborhoods to find visual narratives that define community. Selected photographers roam their assigned areas to find the aspects, aesthetics, and personalities they wish to capture in images. By spending time within the neighborhoods’ borders and interacting with residents,... Continue reading We > Me: 17 Artists Explore Hamilton Neighborhoods

On Location & Care is a photographically-fixated, two-person exhibition featuring the works of Emmaline Carter and Stephanie Cuyubamba Kong, whose works navigate space, identity, and how they functionally intertwine. A catalyst to the development of their work, formative functions allow for critical experiences to occur, and a connection to place and space. They ask, how does “belonging to” and “being from” create notions of oneself?

The act of looking ties both the individual and collective narrative to a person and a place. With navigating cultural, familial, and individual understandings comes a formulation to dually... Continue reading On Location & Care