By Ray Ball
The new Paloozaniore exhibition Black & Brown Faces: Paying Homage To, which opened at the Cincinnati Art Museum on March 25, recognizes 15 Cincinnati leaders of color, with portrait interpretations created by 15 Midwestern artists of color. Rico Grant and Ray Ball, co-founders of Paloozanoire announced the names of the artists and honorees .
Artists include: Javarri Lewis, Blake Lenoir, Keenan Litman, Kandice Odister, Frank Young, Nytaya Babbitt, Torri Shaaron, Francesca Miller, Christian Drye, Kevin Nance-West, Natalie Orr, Magnus Juliano, Rashad Orlando, Wyze, Crystal Miller,
Honorees include: Damon Jones, Karla Boldry, Gee Horton, Dora Anim, Roula Allouch, Jasmine Coaston, Adrienne Wiley, Lydia Morgan, Alandes Powell, Tyran Stallings, Tyra Patternson, Lynn Watts, Black Owned founders Annie Timmons, Barry Larkin,
Black & Brown Faces: Paying Homage To was built on the structure of the inaugural 2020 show, which commissioned 10 Black artists who depicted the emotional extremes of 2020, with the goal of facilitating a process of community healing from the upheaval of the year using art and connection as a catalyst.
Black & Brown Faces is supported by our business and philanthropic community, with sponsors and partners including ArtsWave, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Frost Brown Todd, First Financial Bank, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Kroger, Ohio National Financial Services, Paycor, Procter & Gamble, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, The E.W. Scripps Company, and Ulmer & Berne LLP.
“We have the chance to celebrate both the artists and the community changemakers in this exhibition,” said Ball. “It’s exciting to honor these individuals of color who are driving change in their Cincinnati communities, disrupting the norm, and lifting others through their work.”
Paloozanoire was founded in 2019 to focus on entreprenurship and creativity. Quickly gaining the support of the community, Paloozanoire has now produced events and activations catering to more than 20,000 attendees. The group’s two main attractions are the Black & Brown Faces Art Exhibition and Juneteenth Block Party Experience. www.paloozanoire.com