The Lens

Seventeen emerging and underrepresented lens-based artists working in the mediums of photography, video, performance, collage, and mixed media explore the concept of proclaiming one's existence through image-making and storytelling. In our social landscape, the phrase "____ was here" is a familiar declaration found on walls and public surfaces, symbolizing an act of marking one's time and presence in a place. In the current social and political climate in which the complicated histories of Black people face the threat of erasure, sharing stories through the lens of Black creators and cultural producers is critical. Delving  into the myriad ways of being and existing... Continue reading I Was Here

After a 10-year hiatus, artist Curtis Mann creates a new, site-specific installation centered on his hometown of Dayton, Ohio. Using sourced photographs, he makes abstract cutouts, mounts them on rigid substrates, and arranges them in space, resulting in a 3D photographic fragmented collage. Mann's return to the art scene for this exhibition is marked by revisiting and evolving his signature technique, and delivering new, site-specific works.

Mann's distinctive technique involves a unique alchemy, using bleach to selectively erase certain details within images, creating a tension between presence and absence. The resulting photographs bear... Continue reading Curtis Mann: Precious Blood

Curated by Toilynn O’Neal Turner, in partnership with Arabeth Balasko, Curator of Photographs, Prints, and Media at the Cincinnati Museum Center, Lens of History explores the rich tapestry of Black history in Cincinnati through the lens of Black photographers and community photo collections from the 1800s to the 2000s. The exhibition showcases the often overlooked and sometimes unseen contributions and experiences of Black individuals and communities throughout Cincinnati’s history. Through photographs of people and spaces, triumph and resilience, extraordinary moments and everyday life, viewers can discover the past in a profound new way. Works in the exhibition offer a vivid, powerful... Continue reading Lens of History: Celebration of People, Spaces, and Emotion

Prince Lang, known for his infectious smile and captivating storytelling, presents Person, Place, Thing, a solo exhibition rooted in the Walnut Hills community. Through photography, Lang goes beyond the surface to capture the present moment as part of the backstories of Black Americans. Lang’s work highlights everyday life—the joys and the struggles that define a community's spirit. 

As part of the exhibition, Peebles Gallery engages with the community by distributing disposable cameras to individuals, inviting them to capture their own stories. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of community building and offers a platform... Continue reading Prince Lang: Person, Place, Thing

Generations are not merely markers of time; they serve as vessels that carry the currents of social ideas and cultural shifts. Clifton Cultural Arts Center's call to artists explores these compelling dynamics: how do depictions of generations mirror evolving norms, values, and aspirations? Generations pieces together a mosaic of stories, transcending boundaries of age, gender, ethnicity, and culture. Each photograph stands as a testament, an artifact, and a backstory waiting to be discovered. Viewers are invited to embark on a journey where the past, present, and future converge, and to uncover the narratives that define community, revealing the intricate threads that connect... Continue reading Generations