Feb
27
Poetry 4 the People: Cody Dawn Bechtol

On February 19th, Art Academy of Cincinnati hosted a night of poetry reading full of dedicated, strong-willed, and politically activated poets. Below is the poem read by AAC student, Cody Dawn Bechtol.

“PSA THIS IS NOT OKAY 2018”

 

I am tired of my bleeding going unappreciated
I am tired of my wounds never healing

 

Open and seeping they wait for you to prod them again
Anticipating the pain as if it’s intrinsic to womanhood at this point

 

 

 

He never hit me but boy did my body suffer

 

Sleepless nights
Black under eyes from rubbing rubbing rubbing

 

 

 

 

Staring at the wide and plush moon
Gently dissociating

 

 

 

 

Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons
Tasers & Tampons

Clinging tightly to my taser and my tampons

 

 

 

You pass me with that bald eagle on your license plate
Men in pickup trucks scare me more than almost anything else in this world

 

 

 

859-667-2958
213-922-7046
513-299-7254
859-927-3001
513-438-2183
575-418-6124
513-449-1492
651-529-3240
513-401-6852
513-880-5358
513-428-6124
513-665-3892
213-237-1091
470-305-0873
513-665-4341

 

 

You think your time has come but you’re wrong
I fantasize about stooping to your level
What if we all literally began to fight back
Hurting the men who slink behind us down alleys
And follow us through department stores

 

 

You get off on the look of discomfort painted across my face
Whispering creepy nothings to me in the line at Home Depot

I imagine the look of surprise on yours when I pounce

 

Women are not a threat to you
Why do you treat us as such

You hit us with no provocation
Your rape us while we are fully clothed

 

 

We refuse to be powerless anymore

Feb
09
Help-Portrait Movement

The Art Academy of Cincinnati hosted a full day of service to community members through the mission of Help-Portrait, a collective that brings photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and volunteers together to serve people in need. On December 2, the AAC served over 100 Cincinnati residents via donation of luxuriating, life-affirming personal services, resulting in professional portraiture and photographs given to people who cannot afford such amenities.

The AAC Help-Portrait Site Coordinator, Andrea Bacca contacted leaders of the Help-Portrait movement to enlist the expertise, time, and resources of AAC students, faculty, and staff to mobilize the movement’s core mission:   “to empower photographers, hairstylists and makeup artists to use their skills, tools and expertise to give back to their local community.” In 2008, Help-Portrait began as an idea that transformed into a movement in just three months. The idea behind Help-Portrait is simple: 1. Find someone in need; 2. Take their portrait; 3. Print their portrait; and 4. Deliver their portrait. The AAC is pleased to join community sites around the world in this mission.

Local Partnering Non-Profit Organizations:
Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition; Our Daily Bread; Over-the-Rhine Kitchen; Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce; Over-the-Rhine Community Housing; Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center; Peaslee Neighborhood Center; Seven Hills Community Center; St. Francis Seraph Ministries; Talbert House; Tender Mercies; Walnut Hills Kitchen & Pantry; and YWCA.

About Help-Portrait:Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart formed Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, in 2008 as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh, and return their dignity. It is a movement, a shift in photography. From Bangalore, India to Ghana, Africa to Ubuntu, South Africa to Chukotka, Russia, the language of Help-Portrait crosses cultural and socio-economic barriers. Visit www.help-portrait.com.

Feb
09
Bruce Bennett

Bruce Bennett is an African American photographer, born and raised on the south side of Chicago. His work speaks and focuses on African-American culture and experiences. On the South Side, these experiences involve socio-economic disadvantages, a lack of good paying jobs, little access to education, racism, and a cycle of poverty that’s hard to break. His work also discusses his own life as a transplant in Cincinnati. Bruce wants to present his audience with the kind of experiences that have molded the person he’s become. Utilizing identity, politics, the gaze, and his perceptions of the world, he primarily used self- portraits to open up the audience’s perspective while discovering the true Bruce Bennett.

-D.J. Gathers

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Oct
11
$375,000 in New Scholarships to Art Academy of Cincinnati

To view more photos from the event, click here.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati announces two new transformational scholarships: the Carson E. Smith Scholarship and the William E. Villa Scholarship. Smith and Villa were both graduates of the Art Academy of Cincinnati and remembered the school in their end-of-life plans.

William E. Villa enrolled at the Art Academy in 1963 and studied drawing and painting, sculpture, visual techniques, graphic design, art history, and color theory. While a student, he worked as a photography lab technician. As a graduate, he began his career as a television news photographer for WKRC. He filmed, edited and produced local news stories.

In 1970, just four years after graduation, he moved to San Francisco and worked in the production of secondary school educational films. He was a television production specialist for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and a recipient of a national HUD photography award.

In 2000, he made his home in Kula, Hawaii. Photography served him well in his profession. Throughout his life, he stayed connected to his creative, artistic side, especially regarding the Art Academy training in graphic design and color theory. He continued to paint and draw; he created stained and fused glass. Just before his untimely death in 2010, William had plans to create an art studio.

Carson Smith graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1957 with a degree in Design and Portraiture. As an Art Academy student, Carson met William Henschel, an Art Academy instructor and Rookwood Pottery artist, who recognized Carson’s talent and helped him get a summer job at Rookwood Pottery that lasted for many years both before and after his service in World War II. He earned the Purple Heart for his service to his country during the Okinawa invasion.

His career embraced beauty. He created intricate three-dimensional designs for cigarette cases, pocket watches, and cosmetic cases. Smith was known for his designs at Wadsworth Watch Case Company and Helena Rubenstein Cosmetics. It was not unusual to see celebrities and royalty using items he designed.

His most notable design was the Cadillac emblem – a shield with traditional figures of heraldry. While the emblem has evolved over the years, his design is still the foundation of what Cadillac continues to use.

Until his retirement in 1990, Carson worked as an interior designer at Greiwe Interiors, where he was recognized with a national award for the original Pigall’s restaurant in downtown Cincinnati.

The Scholars Celebration, October 3, 5-6:30 at the Art Academy, will recognize significant scholarships and the students who receive them. Art Academy students received financial support from

  • AAC Alumni Scholarship
  • AAC Portfolio Awards
  • John E. & Mary Ann Butkovich Scholarship,
  • Cincinnati Art Club Scholarship,
  • John Fisher/Leonard Sive Traditional Painting Scholarshp
  • Franklin Folger Memorial Trust
  • Gary Gaffney/Jacqueline Wollman Award
  • Omer T. Glenn Scholarship
  • Edie & Charley Harper Scholarship
  • Helms Trust Purchase Award
  • Fannie Isidor Scholarship
  • Carolyn & Julius Magnus Family Award
  • John & Judy Ruthven Scholarship
  • Carson E. Smith Scholarship
  • William E. Villa Scholarship
  • Bertha Langhorst Werner Scholarship
  • Stephen H. Wilder Scholarship

Art Academy 2017 Scholarship Recipients are

  1. Andrea Bacca, Bristol,VA
  2. Cody Bechtol, Cheviot, OH
  3. Caroline Bell, Turpin Hills, OH
  4. Bruce Bennett, St. Paul, MN
  5. Kaitlin Burke, Hudson, OH
  6. Lauren Castillo, Greensboro, NC
  7. Mandy Clements, Greenville, NC
  8. Madison DeAtley, Loveland, OH
  9. Joseph DiMario, Cincinnati, OH
  10. Taylor Dorrell, Westerville, OH
  11. Claire Flath, West Chester, OH
  12. DJ Gathers, Madisonville, OH
  13. Zach Gibson, Covington, KY
  14. Sydney Greene, Union, KY
  15. November Hardy, Madisonville, OH
  16. Sam Holloway, Carmel, IN
  17. Jen Horsting, Loveland, OH
  18. Abriljoanna (April) Huerta, Fairfield, OH
  19. Aubre Lightner, Evanston, OH
  20. Noel Maghathe, White Oak, OH
  21. Nicole McClure, Tulia, TX
  22. Hailee McElroy-Herin, Clifton, OH
  23. Nikki Nesbit, Newport, KY
  24. Jack Nichols, Madisonville, OH
  25. Sabrina Pachla, Warren, MI
  26. Cecilia Padilla, Fairfield, OH
  27. Hannah Parker, West Price Hill, OH
  28. Audrey Patterson, Mount Juliet, TN
  29. Cody Perkins, Hebron, KY
  30. John Platt, Walnut Hills, OH
  31. Sydney Rains, Covington, KY
  32. Tez Robertson, Over-the-Rhine, OH
  33. Kane Sargent, Lucasville, OH
  34. Carly Simendinger, Lebanon, OH
  35. Vera Thornbury, Price Hill, OH
  36. Tiffany Tran, Verona, WI
  37. Savannah Vagedes, Ludlow, OH
  38. Sophia Velasco, Fisher, IN
  39. Julia Waldorf, Fairfield, OH
  40. Taylor Wellman, Amanda, OH
  41. Mal Wesley, Over-the-Rhine, OH
  42. Harris Wheeler, Lexington, KY
  43. Althea Wiggs, Lexington, KY
  44. Lindsay Wiles, Blanchester, OH
  45. Andre Wilson, Westwood, OH
  46. Katelyn Wolary. Wilmington, OH
Jul
05
Looking Through

“Whether we are looking out at the world or looking inward at ourselves, we are always looking through the void within us, through the world, and through both light and darkness. This is a moment of uncertainty and possibility where we find ourselves alone, even if in reality everyone is still very close.”

For her solo exhibition Looking Through, Katelyn Wolary offered these words as a companion to her collection of portraits – both striking and bewitching. Capturing classmates with oil and wood panels, she offers us a glimpse of that moment. Her subjects are staring off at nothing, everything, present but only partially, alone yet connected to everyone else searching through the void.

Katelyn’s self-portrait for the exhibition? She’s looking through you. Not in a judgmental or apathetic way. It’s as if she knows something and is waiting for the right time to share. Perhaps she’s expecting you to have the answer. Either way, there is an air of gentle confidence, a sense that she’s comfortable in the moment if not content.

Already a painter and poet, Katelyn recently earned another telling title – Class of 2017 Valedictorian. Listening to her recount her time at the Art Academy, it is clear this honor celebrates more than her G.P.A.

Growing up in the comparatively small town of Wilmington, Ohio, Katelyn developed a disciplined focus and work ethic via her participation in athletics. But when one of her art teachers in high school saw her potential and encouraged her to connect with another artistically inclined student, Katelyn began directing that same attitude toward her artistic endeavors. Though her parents initially expressed the common concern about how she’d earn a living, they helped her dive into her new passion with vigor.

When her work in high school was recognized with an Ohio Youth Governor’s Art selection, she remembers Joe Fisher – then with AAC admissions – attending the ceremony. This kind of personal touch made a good first impression and continued to impress her once she’d decided to accept the AAC’s very generous scholarship.

“Paige Williams and Mark Thomas were my “Studio Art 1: CORE” instructors, which was the first studio experience I had as a freshman at AAC. Their instruction, support, and criticisms supported my desire to learn and work hard, and was one of my favorite classes throughout the last four years. I have so many good things to say about so many of my professors, it’s hard to know where to begin.”

Another one of those professors was Matt Hart. Katelyn credits his Aesthetics class for helping her consider and develop her own views and values. She also enjoyed letting both the athlete and artist run free in Matt and Paige’s Creative Running course.

Throughout her time at the Academy, Katelyn’s dedication and desire to stretch herself with opportunities within and beyond the AAC has translated into both a richer personal experience and public recognition such as the Helms Trust Scholarship.

“The personal connections and support within the AAC community, which extend far beyond the walls of the Art Academy building, have been one of the most rewarding experiences of attending AAC. For example, last spring, 21C Museum Manager and AAC alum, Michael Hurst, came around to the student studios to check out the work. Fortunately, he saved my business card and contacted me later in the fall for the opportunity to loan my work to 21C for their Elevated Art exhibit, which has been hanging for the last six months and features other local artists.”

Standing on the cusp of graduation, sharing yet another moment of uncertainty and possibility with her fellow graduates, Katelyn is very grateful for both her biological and AAC families. The support of both has played a big part in empowering a profoundly gifted, hardworking and humble artist.

An artist who is certain to make the most of her possibilities.

Feb
01
The Art Academy of Love

There are many things students would expect to gain during their time at the Art Academy of Cincinnati: knowledge, perspective, inspiration, life-long friends, a degree. But a surprising number of alumni also leave with something else — the love of their lives.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that over the 147-year history of the AAC, hundreds of couples have found their other half while attending the Art Academy. Even one of the AAC’s most distinguished alumni, Charley Harper, met his wife, Edie Harper, at the Art Academy, “in the same class, in the same row.”

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Jan
19
“Make Me Up,” Work by AAC Senior The’Shima Craver

“Inspired” is the word that might best describe The’Shima Craver’s work. The Senior Art Academy of Cincinnati Illustration major has been using her art to explore social issues in the world around her.

Through her combination of poetry and visual art, Craver confronts tough subjects by drawing on her own struggles while grappling with various issues.

“As an attempt to influence others to be more comfortable with their self, I have been exposing myself and or struggles through my work,” Craver wrote in her artist statement.

Recently, her work has evolved, pairing her powerful poetry with video pieces that help illustrate her words. Check out a brief Q&A with Craver below to learn more about her experience at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

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