News
The continued empowerment of artist Arris’ J. Cohen
As he prepares to wrap his residency at Urban Arts Space with a closing exhibition, the Columbus artist said he leaves better equipped for the next phase of his career.
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Artist Spotlight: Arris’ J. Cohen Paints Narratives with Afrofuturistic Work
Vibrant colors, hidden stories, and kinetic energy create an electrifying energy that flows through Arris’ J. Cohen’s paintbrush onto the canvas. Cohen, also known as Sir’Ra, is emerging as a…
Poet Ajanaé Dawkins begins to narrow her focus
In recent years, poet Ajanaé Dawkins has chipped away at a handful of projects, many of which center the relationships that Black women have with each other, and in particular the dynamic between…
Revolution, exile fuel ‘Iran: Deciphering Violence and Resistance’
As the uprising unfolded overseas, Illya Mousavijad, an Iran-born artist and assistant professor at Ohio State, began to consider how he could contribute to the movement while living in exile.…
Iranian Art and Activism: Illya Mousavijad Speaks on Curated Exhibition at Urban Arts Space
Illya Mousavijad curated Iran: Deciphering Violence and Resistance, an exhibit featuring ten contemporary Iranian artists living in Iran and the United States, with works that span across a…
Artist and Curator Illya Mousavijad Interviewed by Art Makes Columbus
Illya Mousavijad shares his experiences living in the United States versus Iran as well as how that has contributed to his current exhibition at Urban Arts Space, Iran: Deciphering Violence and…
Conduit: An Interview with Alissa Ohashi and Janelle Bonfour-Mikes
Conduit was on view at Urban Arts Space from July 20–29, 2023. Here, UAS student intern Toby Mars interviews Alissa Ohashi and Janelle Bonfour-Mikes, the two artists who collaborated to…
Artist Arris’ J. Cohen comes full circle
First pushed by the late Columbus rapper Nes Wordz to focus on artmaking full-time, Cohen recently returned to familiar stomping grounds with a residency at Urban Arts Space.
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Artist Interview with Elaff Houmsse: All Because of You, Us
All Because of You, Us from Elaff Houmsse is on view at Hopkins Hall Gallery from July 3–21, 2023. A special community night—featuring live storytelling—will be held on Saturday, July 15 from 5–7…