Lens of History: Celebration of People, Spaces, and Emotion

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 glimpse into the history of Black Cincinnati, inviting a more inclusive understanding of Cincinnati’s past while inspiring essential conversations about its future.

Curator: Toilynn O’Neal Turner, President and CEO at The Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center