February 08, 2024
CELEBRATING BLACK ART IN THE SHORT NORTH ARTS DISTRICT
The Short North Arts District is proud to be home to a number of Black creatives sharing their unique perspectives and talents. These artists explore a range of creative mediums and formats that have helped contribute towards our unique, vibrant and diverse community.
We’ve highlighted a few local Black artists who have shared their stories and skills in their own creative ways throughout the District. Click below to learn more about each artist and how you can support them this month — and all year long!
Did we miss your favorite artist? Send us an email at info@shortnorth.org for them to be added to our list!
LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH?
Celebrate Black History Month by continuing to uplift Black businesses and hard working entrepreneurs right here in the Short North Arts District. Click here to learn more about local Black-owned businesses throughout High St. the District.
VISUAL ARTS
BAMAZI TALLE
Born in Kara, Togo, West Africa, Bamazi Talle can best be described as an artist who uses canvas as a site for activism. He began his artistic career as an apprentice to his uncle, a traditional Togolese artist. Although he went on to study architecture in Lomé, he favorably transitioned to painting. Through his art, Talle is intently compelled to share the story of his homeland while dispelling the notion that Africa is largely a violent and impoverished country. He purposefully pays homage to his ancestors and the culturally significant ties between traditional and contemporary ideas.
Bamazi Talle is represented by Brandt-Roberts Galleries.
Short North Arts District Temporary Mural Series
BEE1NE
Bryant Anthony better known as Bee1ne (b1), is a Cleveland native and current Columbus resident. Bryant Anthony draws inspiration from street aesthetics, women, brand development and pop culture. His signature heart motifs, which highlights love and respect for others, can be seen on his public mural “Spread More Love ” located at 1033 N. High St.
BEVERLY WHITESIDE
Inspired by community… The joy of Beverly’s work is found in the spirit of improvisation. As a self-taught artist, Whiteside is intuitively led by the thoughtful choices she makes in her mixed-medium that reflect movement, relationship and human connections.
The relationships that are represented in her work invite the viewer to a raw authentic space where love is mutually reinforced for a moment, will suspension of disbelief. Art is Whiteside’s inner voice simply speaking out passionately to the world.
Beverly Whiteside is an artist of Studios on High Gallery.
BRENDEN SPIVEY
Inspired by the landscape of Palm Springs and mid-century modern design, Brenden Spivey creates colorful abstractions that can be seen throughout the Columbus community. His work has been exhibited at the Hilton Columbus Downtown and is part of the Hilton Tower permanent collection.
DERRICK CALLENDER
Derrick Callender, a 2021 Summer Spray participant, is a full-time art teacher and artist who has a colorful and bold style that incorporates unique shapes and creative figures. Derrick Callender’s work can often be seen at Sean Christopher Gallery Ohio.
GAVIN BENJAMIN
Gavin Benjamin is a multifaceted artist who combines original analog photography and appropriated images with collage, paint, and varnish to create rich and luxurious works that call back to baroque traditions while incorporating elements of current culture to provoke, critique, and explore. Benjamin investigates the intersection of culture, media, politics, fashion, and design, addressing questions that (continue to) confront a man of color in America today.
Gavin Benjamin is represented by Brandt-Roberts Galleries.
HAKIM CALLWOOD
Hakim is a 29 year old illustrator/designer from Columbus, Ohio. His work ranges from painting, animation, and teaching. His inspiration in art began with comic and video game hand me downs from his older brother.
Hakim participated in Summer Spray 2021, a collaborate summer mural series in the Short North Arts District.
HELEN-MARIE SHAKUR
A master in the ancient art of lampworking, Helen-Marie Shakur uses this fire-based technique to create gorgeous jewelry. Being West-African, a culture rich in bead history, highly influences her work and color theory. You can find her unique pieces for sale at Studios on High Gallery.
JOAN MADISON
Originally from New York City, Joan Madison has amassed over 20 years experience in the fashion industry, perfecting her skills in bridal and special occasion, while mastering the design and manufacturing aspects of women’s and men’s apparel. Her passion for bridal and special occasion apparel culminated in 2000, when Joan opened her own bridal boutique for custom, couture bridal gowns. Joan was also our HighBall Halloween 2023 Costume Couture Winner.
LANCE JOHNSON
Lance Johnson is a NYC-native and Columbus resident currently going back and forth between cities to shape and reshape his remarkable art career. His works have been on view at local galleries in the Short North Arts District including Sean Christopher Gallery and Marcia Evans Gallery.
LASHAE BOYD
LaShae Boyd was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Cleveland and Columbus. She graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design with a BFA in 2019. Boyd is a professional artist with a focus in painting and sculpture who has exhibited artwork in Columbus, Cleveland and San Francisco. Boyd has been published in 614Magazine and has been recently featured in Shoutout LA. Boyd has used her new bodies of work in her recent exhibition at 934 gallery “Ice Cream” as a way of self-exploration and growth personally and professionally. Boyd still continues her practice and will have another exhibition in March of 2023.
LaShae Boyd is represented by Brandt-Roberts Galleries.
LISA MCLYMONT
Lisa McLymont is a multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer & social justice advocate. Lisa’s art is mainly expressed through drawing and painting, welcoming curiosity to explore many directions knowing that each new experience provides insight while creating work that connects past and future worlds.
Lisa’s
OMAR SHAHEED
After very humble beginnings, Omar Shaheed used his artwork as a means to leave his early struggles and poverty behind. He was repeatedly told that being an artist was not a viable career path. He first studied art by filling out a workbook of sorts oered by an art instruction school he found advertising in the back of a magazine in the early 1960’s. After serving in the Navy, Omar began to sculpt and studied more formally on the GI Bill at the San Francisco Art Academy and Memphis Art College.
Omar Shaheed is represented by Brandt-Roberts Galleries.
STEPHEN S. WALKER
Steven S. Walker is an award winning artist who has been creating oil paintings for over 20 years while exhibiting in galleries throughout the United States.
Sharon Weiss Gallery presently has Steven’s paintings in the gallery and we look forward to a solo exhibit of Steven’s new paintings in March 2023.
PERFORMING ARTS
AMBER KNICOLE
Amber Knicole has been said to be “a star of supernova proportions” with “a voice that is a medley of power, finesse, and control.” The award-winning vocalist, actor and aerialist is best known to Columbus audiences as the lead singer of neoFunk group, MojoFlo. Amber has starred in Short North Stage’s productions of Dreamgirls and Pippin, and Spamalot, as well as performed at local Short North events including HighBall Halloween.
BOBBY FLOYD
Bobby Floyd has toured and performed extensively with Ray Charles, Rusty Bryant, Jeff Tyzik, Chris Howes, Byron Stripling, Sarah Morrow and his own trio.
KATANYA BREWER
KaTanya Brewer, an event staple of Gallery Hop, is the self-proclaimed “Gallery Hop Singer”. Although being honored as an unsung hero in the 2022 Short North Arts District Gala, KaTayna is arguably the most well-known singer in the Short North having participated in the Short North Arts District’s monthly celebration of art for nearly 13-years.
DJ PASTEL
DJ Pastel is an amazing DJ who has been a staple in the Columbus music, fashion, arts, and food scenes, including within the Short North Arts District. With 12+ years experience, she’s since developed a unique style and mix built around her passion for diversity, Inclusion and unconventional sounds coupled with exciting energy
DOCTOR THUNDER
Dr. Shawn ‘Thunder’ Wallace is a versatile performer, recording artist, composer, clinician and arranger, skilled in jazz music and equally comfortable with classical, contemporary Christian and gospel music. In addition to being seen and heard nationally on CBS, BET, NBC and NPR, he also performs locally in the Short North Arts District at Ginger Rabbit Jazz.
LISA GLOVER
Multi-talented maven Lisa Glover is a singer, actor and choreographer who showcases her talents at the Short North Stage. Most recently, she choreographed the incredible production of The Color Purple.
MIKAYLA DENISE
Mikayla Denise is a drag queen who earned the title “Patron of Pride 2023” and performs regularly at Axis Nightclub in the Short North Arts District.
ROBERT MASON
Robert Mason is a pianist and teacher from Columbus, Ohio. Robert has performed at venues and events in Columbus OH including Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival, Columbus Jazz and Ribs Festival, the Lincoln Theatre, The Refectory and Ginger Rabbit in the Short North Arts District.
STEPHEN SPOTTSWOOD
Stephen Spottswood, moved to Columbus, Ohio where he went on to start his solo career performing as a hip-hop and jazz violinist, while simultaneously working as a middle school orchestra teacher at Reynoldsburg City Schools.
Stephen has performed throughout the Short North Arts District including the monthly Gallery Hop celebration and at local businesses in the District such as Coles Plants.
VASTHY MOMPOINT
Vashty Mompoint is an eight-time Broadway star who most recently flexed her directorial muscles with Short North Stage’s stunning production of The Color Purple.
WANT TO SHOWCASE YOUR TALENTS IN THE SNAD?
We’re always looking for local singers, dancers, vendors, painters, and more to help us celebrate Gallery Hop in the Short North Arts District, Columbus’ favorite day of the month to celebrate art and community!
Click here to learn more about how you can become a vendor or performers for our upcoming Gallery Hop in the Short North Arts District! 🎨🎶