COLUMBUS PEOPLE
Victoria Douglas was the 2022 CXC Emerging Talent Award winner for their work creating CINNAMON, and now returns to Cartoon Crossroads Columbus 2023.
Cindy Rasche is a sculptural artist who has been living and working in Columbus and who is also a regular member of the Ohio Art League.
Marquisa “Monique” Mitchell is an accomplished singer who will be performing at the 2023 Columbus Women & Girls’ Fest at the MPACC Box Park.
Columbus-based Venezuelan singer, songwriter and musician Víctor Zancudo captivates audiences with a unique take on Latin Pop.
Dan Gerdeman is a local artist and Hilliard Davidson High School teacher. His upcoming exhibition “Visual Healing” opens this summer at the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center.
Yolanda Jackson has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Simon’e Lightfoot has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Perla Martinez has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Ozshaleek Martin has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Nicole Bergman has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Michael Wise has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Lucy Little has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Lexi Petrella has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Levi Thies has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Kelly Lombardo Matthews has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Karim Jackson has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Jurgita Fumo has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Jared Buerger has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Donna Marbury has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Christina Vera has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Chevonne Harris has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Carlos Mendez has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Ben Bring has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Ashley Burns has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Alyssa Maldonado has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Alexander Reed has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Aditi Bhatiya has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2023, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
We are proud to present our annual list of 23 young professionals who you should know in Columbus for 2023.
Greg Eldridge recently joined Opera Project Columbus as Executive Director bringing with him global views and experience as well as a refreshed vision for the organization.
Columbus-based artist AJ Heckman has used art to cope with his diagnosis of bipolar, post-cancer and PTSD symptoms. Through his artistic practice, he is able to bring light and positivity to his invisible struggle.
Casey Immel-Brown is one of four local fashion designers who will be featured at Fashion as Art, a runway show on the Genoa Park Main Stage on Friday, June 9 at the Columbus Arts Festival.
Michael Martin is the conductor of the New Albany Symphony Chorus, director of choral activities at Hilliard Darby High School and director of music at New Albany United Methodist Church.
Local watercolorist Marty Kotter finds her subjects anywhere from her backyard to travels throughout the U.S. and abroad. See her work on display free of charge at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center now through July 5.
Jeremy Ellison, Executive Director at The Riverview International Center, has been recognized as one of The Columbus Foundation’s “5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2023.”
Miguel “Geno” Tucker, CEO/Executive Director at Remember us Urban Scouts, has been recognized as one of The Columbus Foundation’s “5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2023.”
Aaron Westbrook, Founder & CEO at Form5 Prosthetics, has been recognized as one of The Columbus Foundation’s “5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2023.”
fran frazier, Founder of Black Girl Rising, has been recognized as one of The Columbus Foundation’s “5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2023.”
For the past 10 years, Zac DelMonte has been a producer, music director and conductor, voice teacher, and accompanist for theater companies around Central Ohio.
Brett Reiter is artistic director of the Cinema Columbus Film Festival, April 26-30, where he aims to deliver a slate of original, inspirational independent films.
Jim Bates serves as artistic director of The Early Interval and Tyler Newby is adjunct animation faculty at Columbus College of Art & Design.
Brian Harnetty is a composer and interdisciplinary artist who, in projects such as “Shawnee, Ohio” and “Words and Silences,” combines new music with archival and field recordings.
Michael Powell, also known as Blakk Sun, will have his artwork featured at “The Back Wall: Art Uncuffed” at Beeler Gallery at Columbus College of Art & Design.
James Blackmon has become MadLab Theatre’s interim Artistic Director and is directing Snowville Café by Julie Whitney-Scott, Feb. 2-18, 2023.
David Glover is a company member of Available Light Theatre and the Upper School Dean of Students and Director of Theatre Arts at The Wellington School.
Jamie Barrow is a metaperformer at Shadowbox Live, where he also works in the kitchen, helps in the box office and serves as a member of the writing team. Jamie has been with the company for nearly 17 years.
Leah Wong is a Columbus-based artist who created a piece for Art Spot, a series of 13 installations in storefronts and windows around downtown and the Short North.
In addition to maintaining her own creative practices (like Idyll Reserve in the heart of Hocking Hills), Kelly DeVore is Associate Dean of Design at CCAD.
Nina Wells, who often goes by “9” is a visual artist and curator based here in Columbus. Nina was recently crowned the winner of ROY G BIV’s 2022 Stacked showcase for emerging artists.
Aaron Jackson, a long-time board member of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society, was a music educator for 37 years and has been a working musician for over 40 years.
Carlos Roa, who goes by “Roa,” is a local artist and owner of Fifth Element Tattoo Gallery. He’s featured in this month’s Latine and Hispanic arts exhibition at Wild Goose Creative.
This year, HighBall Halloween welcomes back eight-time Costume Couture designer Que Jones, and design partner Steve Puhl, for the event’s 15th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Ollie Worden is an actor, educator, and former stager manager who will be making their Evolution Theatre Company debut in the lead role of Adam / Samantha Turner in Boy, running Sept. 15-24.
Hannah Pohlman recently joined Otterbein Theatre & Dance as Production Manager, just in time for the start of the academic year and theater season. She has great passion for supporting the arts in her hometown.
Katy Psenicka is the choreographer and chief operations officer at Shadowbox Live. She has been with the company 28 years and has more than 30 years of experience in the performing arts.
Nancy Shelton Williams and Michael Herring discuss the enlightening journey they will bring to the Red Herring Theater stage this fall with “The Niceties.”
Jeremy Jarvis has been a professional muralist and painter for more than 20 years. He’s also the lead artist for the ARtsway, a mural-tech mentorship program for high school students.
Candice Igeleke is the Creative-N-Chief of Candice Flows LLC, a dance maker, choreographer, performing artist, yoga instructor and youth arts mentor who continues to grow in her artistry.
Born and raised in Italy, Robie Benve is an Upper Arlington resident and artist who found her passion for painting after a career in business, She is the art coordinator at the OSU Faculty Club.
Originally from the Columbus area, David J. Glover is an actor, director and teaching artist, as we as the dean of students and director of theater arts at the Wellington School.
Zeenia Kaul has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Yasmeen Quadri has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Rena Shak has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
PJ Gamble has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Niyah Walters, Esq. has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
LoLo has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Lexi Campbell has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Keira Chatman has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Jesse Taylor has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Jake Marrah has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Jackie Merkle has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Hilary Stone has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Esther Salata has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Ernest Levert Jr. has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Erika Gullick has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Donte Cook has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Derek Wholihan has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Chris Moscato has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Cheyenne Lenhart has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Brooke Arent has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Brittany Stricklen-Hillyard has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
Andrea Wilkins has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2022, an annual list of young professionals to know around central Ohio.
We are proud to present our annual list of 22 young professionals who you should know in Columbus for 2022.
Julia Noulin-Merat is the general director and CEO of Opera Columbus. She believes that the performing arts are the best way to have conversations with the community.
Kate Morgan has exhibited at the Columbus Arts Festival several times, starting in the Emerging Artist program and graduating to a full-time festival artist. She’ll be appearing at the Festival this June 10-12.
Last summer, Art Possible Ohio partnered with Columbus artist Bryan Moss and Bridgeway Academy to create an artwork for the school’s new building. We caught up with Bryan to update us on the project.
Composer and music director Jacob Reed talks about his work on “A Harrowing World” performing March 25-27, 2022 and what it is like to collaborate with a dance company.
Terry Norman is a self-taught artist who works most notably with charcoal and pastels creating detailed portraits with a photographic-level of intensity. His solo exhibition opens April 15, 2022 at Streetlight Guild.
Hilliard High School student and soon-to-be fine arts major at Bowling Green State University, Matthew McCrae, became the youngest glassblowing student to pursue glassblowing at Glass Axis.
Bessie Award-winning choreographer and Distinguished Professor Emerita at OSU’s Department of Dance, Bebe Miller’s vision of dance and performance resides in her faith in the moving body as a record of thought, experience, and beauty.
Actor, director and teaching artist, David J. Glover, is helping to train the next generation of artists as the Dean of Students and Director of Theatre Arts at The Wellington School.
Kaitlyn Culp will be one of the featured performers in Oyo Dance Company’s “Hansel & Gretel” at Inspiration to Movement from March 12-13.
Carly Wheaton has danced with Ballet Memphis, The Washington Ballet and BalletMet (where she has been since 2015). Don’t miss her upcoming performance in “Giselle” at the Davidson Theatre.
Antoine T. Clark is the founding artistic and music director of the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra (MACCO), now in its ninth season.
Working professionally as an artist for the past 13 years, Jimbo Tamoro will be the inaugural exhibiting artist at the new Bridge Gallery presented by Franklinton Arts District with An Exploration of Scribbles.
Artist couple Molly Jo Burke and Nathan Gorgen will be teaming up (along with artists Erin Furimsky and Katie Davis) this January at the Cultural Arts Center’s Main Gallery in downtown Columbus.
Composer and music director Jacob Reed talks about his work on “A Harrowing World” performing March 25-27, 2022 and what it is like to collaborate with a dance company.
Now an art professor at The Ohio State University, Ed Valentine has maintained a thriving personal practice from his home studio in Delaware, Ohio.
Ohio Paper Folders is a non-profit origami arts education organization that provides programs around Ohio as well as offering service coordination and support for origamists.
Kathryn Seyerle and Sarah Achor are both Columbus-based artists and longtime volunteers at 934 Gallery. Together, they curate the gallery’s annual Group Show: space/time.
We sat down with 17-year-old North Linden-based singer and poet, MarieElaine, to learn more about her career as an artist. She recently performed and hosted at the 2021 Columbus Women & Girls’ Fest.
We spoke with Jim Bates, creative director of local historical music ensemble The Early Interval. The ensemble will be performing “Twelfth Night: Journey to the New World” on Jan. 7, 2022.
Dawn Petrill is a Dublin-based mixed media artist and member of the Central Ohio Branch of the National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW).
Well known for his comic strip “MUTTS” and his award-winning children’s books, Patrick McDonnell has also been creating abstract paintings since college.
Joseph Brenneman is a professional musician and teacher in Columbus, specializing in hot jazz and swing. He serves on the board of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society, performs with the Whirlybirds, and he teaches at Musicologie.
Justin Grubb is a filmmaker, photographer, writer, naturalist and co-founder of the film production company, Running Wild Media.
Suraj Hinduja has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Sterling Clemmons has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Stephanie Cedeño has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Neethi Johnson has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Marshela McDaniel has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Dr. Kelly Renner has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Katrina (Kwan) Leung has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
KaTanya Ingram has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Jose Bautista has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Jacqueline Gottesman has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Imran Nuri has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Dani Wilkinson has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Colin Page McGinnis has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Chris Suel has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Cassy Patterson has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Brittany Marcellino has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Dr. Blake Renner has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Ashley Snyder has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Aja Miyamoto has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Abel J. Koury has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
A Jay Pullen has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2021, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
We are proud to present our annual list of 25 young professionals who you should know in Columbus for 2021.
April Sunami is the board co-chair of All People Arts and a professional visual artist primarily focused on mixed-media painting and installation.
Since becoming a full-time artist in 2017, Hakim Callwood has dedicated much of his time and effort to the Columbus community who continuously support his work.
Will Macke, former artistic educator, current performer/director and current MadLab ensemble member, has become MadLab Theatre’s newest artistic director.
Actor Susan Wismar will be playing the dual role of Beatrice/Borachio in Actors’ Theatre’s upcoming summer production of “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Eric Clemens is the lead singer and songwriter of Red Healer, a local band that fuses folk and soul with light-hearted lyricism that “never takes itself too seriously.”
At the age of 11, Kevin Seals discovered the rich cultural and intricate sounds of the djembe orchestra at his neighborhood rec center. Now, 27 years later he serves as the music director of Thiossane West African Dance Institute.
Kimberly Taylor is a company dancer for the Columbus Modern Dance Company and is currently rehearsing for CoMo’s annual springtime performance, Mother’s Day Tea in the Sculpture Garden.
An assistant professor of creative writing at the Ohio State University, lissa Washuta is a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and a nonfiction writer. Her latest book, White Magic, will be released in April.
Since 2018, filmmaker Alexis McCrimmon has worked closely with artists from around the world as an editor in the Film/Video Studio at the Wexner Center for the Arts.
Originally from Mumbai, India, Mansee Singhi moved to Columbus in 2009 and quickly fell in love with the city because of its vibrant and humble culture. Don’t miss her performances at the 2021 OhioDance Virtual Festival Concert in May.
An internationally recognized storyteller, author and teaching artist, Lyn Ford has taught with Thurber House’s children’s education programs since 1994.
The work of emerging artists Brianna Gluszak, Hannah Parrett and Sky Dai will be on display at ROY G BIV Gallery during the next Franklinton Fridays event.
Say hello to Leda Hoffman, CATCO’s new Artistic Director! Prior to this role, Ms. Hoffman served as artistic director for Chicago-based Strawdog Theatre Company.
We asked 25 young Columbus leaders to answer the question: “What are you hopeful for in 2021?” and here’s what they had to say.
Veronica Heer does not let a pandemic get in the way of her passion for theater, keeping herself busy directing one of six plays to be presented at the Conservative Theatre Festival.
Felicia DeRosa is an internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary artist, educator and activist who landed in Columbus in 2010 and never left.
Rachel Maynard is artistic director of Oyo Dance Company, a non-profit dance organization committed to providing motivation and education in the arts of dance.
For Tyler Davis, growing up on the South East Side of Columbus conjures up memories of his mother doing home cardio blaring “The New Workout Plan” and his grandmother humming “Enchantment” while cooking Sunday dinner.
Independent working artist, Glass Axis instructor, and manager of the Glass Blowing Theatre at Cedar Point, Tylan McCollum’s work is now on display at part of “Mini Vitro.”
Don Staufenberg combines his background as a product designer with his love of clay to create unique tactile visuals at the Dublin Arts Council.
Otterbein University Theatre & Dance is lucky to have the talent of Doc Davis, officially Light and Sound Supervisor and resident Sound Designer, at the helm.
Offering ceramics with a personal touch, CCAD alum Megs LeVesseur is excited to be teaching hand-building classes at the Cultural Arts Center this winter.
With public murals at Fifth and High Street and the Short North’s “Summer Spray,” Rob Williams is turning his attention to his very first solo exhibition at Wild Goose Creative.
Columbus poet Izetta Thomas will perform her work over Zoom for the Streetlight Guild’s “Rhapsody & Refrain 2: 30 Columbus Poets.”
Get to know Columbus poet, essayist and cultural critic, Hanif Abdurraqib.
We are proud to present our annual list of 20 young professionals who you should know in Columbus for 2020.
Adrian Sullivan has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Alan Kutasy has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Amanda Epp has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Caroline Inspires Bennett has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Chris Elliott has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Christy Bertolo has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Destiny Coleman has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Gretchen Moore has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Jaye Turner has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Kayla Davis has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Kelly Atkinson has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Manny Larcher has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Mason Estep has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Matt Lofy has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
McKinzie Harper has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.
Myles Taylor-Hicks has been recognized as one of our Next Up Columbus honorees for 2020, profiling connectors and ambassadors across central Ohio.