By Carol Braddock, The Women’s Alliance
The Women’s Alliance will present artist Gayle Harden-Renfro and her artwork as part of the “Cheers to the New Year” event to raise funds to continue the service of aiding deserving youth.
Her evolving artworks include years of practice and experimentation in creating gourds initially designed for the urn market. Now, her one-of-a-kind line of urns is Gourd-geous Sacred Vessels, which are dedicated to celebrating African American culture and are sold as decorative vessels for the home. Other works feature wall art pieces utilizing African artifacts and clothing.
As a funeral director, “I watched our client families look through catalogs for urns that had cultural significance,” she said. “There was nothing, so I started searching for the right vessel to fill that cultural void in the funeral industry. It was my late husband, Julian Renfro, who suggested creating a natural gourd.”
After receiving her BA in journalism from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1974, she moved to Cincinnati in late 1975 to work for The Cincinnati Enquirer. Her career included further work relationships with The Cincinnati Post, Key Bank, and the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau. In early 2000, she joined her late husband, Julian Renfro, in business at Renfro Funeral Services.
According to Gayle, she says. “Believe it or not, this juggling between being a funeral director and a working artist brings me great joy and healing. I miss the creative input I shared with my husband, an artist in his own right, throughout our 39-year marriage. But I know he is proud that I’m continuing… not only the funeral home..but my journey God has planned for me.”
According to Tonee Holland, Women’s Alliance (WA) Committee Chairwoman, “ We are proud to have Gayle Harden-Renfro present her unique artwork at our first event of 2025. She will show her three-dimensional wall hangings as well as her decorative gourds. Her works are also at the Pendleton Art Center (Gayle’s Gallery, room 601B). The gallery is open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. each month for Final Friday Shows.”
With a legacy of over five decades, WA has been unwavering in delivering educational and artistic programs that empower underprivileged youth in the greater Cincinnati area to reach their highest potential and expand their cultural horizons. WA is committed to offering them essential support and resources, fostering their confidence, and providing pathways to higher education. WA also offers financial aid, mentorship, and access to community resources for strengthened career readiness. WA is dedicated to fundraising and investing in a future where every young person thrives and excels in all facets of life.
WA will host “Cheers to the New Year” on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Karrikin Spirits Co., 3717 Jonlen Drive, Cincinnati, 45227. The $100 charitable donation will include Karrikin Spirits Tastings, Uncle Nearest Welcome Cocktail, an Evening Meal, a Brewery Tour, a Cigar Lounge, and Art by Gayle Harden-Renfro. All proceeds will go to Women’s Alliance Inc. scholarships and programs.
For more information, email cincinnatiwainc1966@gmail.com.
Feature Image: Gayle Harden-Renfro and her Wall Hanging Art. Photos provided