Today I had the chance to attend a meeting held by the Columbus Foundation to talk about Columbus’ future identity. There were about 70 important people in the room… each with significant talents and histories. The idea for group was to hear some of the work that has been done to figure out just “who we are and what we do” here in Columbus. The variety of personalities in the room was an ocean of difference, but many similar sounding comments came out of the session.

I felt the comments my group developed while in the session were a narrative version of many of the other comments. Overall, this city needs to promote examples of what IS happening and the people that shape our world. My analogy was that Columbus has been consistently trying to sell khakis to the world… when in actuality we should be selling superhero costumes. Unlike Cleveland, who just removed the giant banner of their solo hero (after he quit on a city that loved him)… I’d see Columbus as having many banners. I’d love to see banners across the city with the various people leading our community.

Sure.. we have your known superheroes like Gordon Gee and Archie Griffin. But there are heroes everywhere in this town. I would love to see the city embrace those making a difference. I was inspired by seeing Kent Rigsby get an award… why wouldn’t other restaurant owners, community activitists, civic leaders, and personalities get the same attention. Columbus is blamed for being an “everyday town”.. but I see it as extraordinary in its champions.

I guess my question is… who do you see as Columbus’ heroes? Wouldn’t it be nice to see a hundred banners of our heroes around the city rather than just one?

Over the month of July, I will be showing a collection of new paintings (yes, I do have time to paint). Having previously shown at the downtown location in June, I was happy to work with the nice people out at the Gahanna location. The works there are all new, never before shown works and are available for sale in my shop at http://www.littleindustries.bigcartel.com/category/large-paintings

Hopefully you’ll stop out and get some gumbo and see them.

For a long time now, Frank Lazar has attended events in which I’m taking part. For a long time now, Frank has said that he wants to get a painting of mine.

Well, this past June, Frank got to it… and request a big, wild, loud, personal piece.

After helping hang it in his home, I’m happy to say that I’m part of his growing collection.

Thanks Frank.

For the seventh time, Couchfire Collective held Agora at Junctionview Studios on May 22, 2010. After Agora 6th’s ambitious size, we decided to scale back and focus on putting on a quality event focused on the core of what the event has been about, art, music, and community. The event went off without a hitch and to the delight of the many people in attendance.

Look for it again next May.

I joke with myself sometimes about how I’d love to have some trophy handed to me someday. I can say with some certainty that I was inspired to watch Kent Rigsby awarded at the Short North Gala a few years back for his work in revitalizing the neighborhood. I don’t know Kent, but I’ve always thought of that as a neat thing, for a group of people to award you for doing something honorable. Honor is a lost benefit these days. I’d like to think that some of the things I do are for honor.. not money or fame. Honor to me is a sense of pride felt by using your desire to please your self by setting yourself aside for others.

It’s both funny and humbling to me that I was awarded “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” by the Young Professionals of Columbus. I rarely consider myself professional. I always consider myself young… probably too young. But to get a plaque from a bunch of people my age, recognizing that the things are doing are making an impact somewhere makes me want to travel back to my high school guidance councilor and say “See, being an artist does make difference. Thank you for being so nearsighted”.

Anyway, this group of people, decided to carve my name into a piece of metal on a piece of wood… and hand it to me in front of people at a baseball game. And though, when boiled down to simple terms like that it sounds silly, for me it was a big moment.. .where someone took the time to recognize in more than words that I’m doing something worthwhile. And so I will continue.

Discussing the Short North with Ann Fisher, Kyle Ezell, and Carmen Owens on All Sides with Ann Fisher

This past week, I was invited to be part of a panel on All Sides with Ann Fisher. The panel is part of the Neighborhoods series that WOSU is working on. This panel was discussing the future of the Short North as a neighborhood and arts district in Columbus. I was on the panel with Kyle Ezell, a professor of city and regional planning and a rad guy, and Carmen Owens, the lovely co-owner of Surly Girl Saloon and a Short North Business Association mover and shaker. I had a great time with the conversation. Ann was a great host and the audience was lively. The show airs on May 5th (9-10pm) after the Short North Neighborhood episode (8-9pm).

Hopefully you can check it out.

I’ll be showing several of my more recent small paintings in the 3rd edition of the CNote Art Show on April 9,10,11 at Junctionview Studios. The show is put together by local artist COREROC and features hundreds of artworks all priced at $100. It is a great way to start a collection, add a small piece to an existing one, and support an artist or two.

Details about the event are available at http://www.cnoteartshow.com

The idea is simple. Get 18 art groups to make 18 holes of miniature golf, add refreshments, invite the public. What you end up with is a unique event that mixes art and fun without all the pretentious attidues. Come join us, have a beer, and play a round.

Dates and Times
March 19-21
Friday 5pm-12am
Saturday 12pm-12am
Sunday 12pm-5pm

Location
Gateway Film Center
South Campus Gateway
1550 N.High St
Columbus, OH 43201

Price
$8 to play all 18 holes
part of the proceeds going to each group
discounted movie tickets with purchase of a round of golf!

snack and drinks available.

Groups Include:
Wild Goose
Crafty Cotillion
Junctionview Studios
Primary Colors
Cow Brow
Artillery
F.A.D.
Super Collider Theater
13 E. Tulane
Zen Genius
Idea Foundry
C.A.W.
CCAD Design Students
Cloud Haus
Etsy Team Columbus
Skylab
Mother Artists at Work
Couchfire Collective