Updates from the PAR-Projects blog...

Billy Colbert is a working artist and new media art professor at Delaware State University, who coincidentally started the university's New Media major at the beginning of his tenure. As an artist, he has extensively shown works of various media throughout the country. And concerning subject matter, many of his works examine cognitive dissonance in popular culture and celebrate the unsung contributions of American culture.   Colbert earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Frostburg State University in graphic design and his MFA from University of Delaware in Painting.  At the University of Delaware, Colbert was a Presidential Fellow.  In 1999, Colbert was awarded Best of Show and the Mixed Media Purchase Prize at the African American Museum in Dallas, Texas -- part of an art competition juried by MacArthur Genius Award winner, the late John T. Scott of New Orleans.   Aside from The African American Museum in Dallas, Texas, Colbert's work i...

See you soon Cincinnati! Susan Ferrari Rowley is a pioneer in the medium of fabric sculpture. Her career was launched in the late 1970s when she was selected to participate in “Young Americans: Fiber/Wood/Plastic/Leather,” a competition held every decade by the American Crafts Museum to discover artistic talents under the age of 30. A distinguished panel of judges chose Ferrari Rowley based on the novelty of her approach to sculpture. After gaining notoriety for her craft, the charismatic artist cemented a name for herself in Manhattan art circles, the result of a decade-long showing at the famed OK Harris Gallery. Today Ferrari Rowley who resides in Rochester, New York, divides her time between her career as an art professor and her love of pushing the boundaries of sculpture. Her latest large-scale piece ‘She’ will is currently on a six-month display at the international exhibition  “TIME SPACE EXISTENCE” in Venice, Italy. This iconic exhibition, being held as a colla...

Kailah Ware is a Cincinnati-raised photographer and film producer.  Since graduating from Wright State University, Kailah has worked on a number of local production projects, and recently won a People's Liberty grant for her project, 1 Degree of Separation .  What does community mean to you?   For me, community means support.  Everyone needs a community of people who share similar interest, a community that they can both build and depend on.  Building community is something that is ingrained in all of my artwork.  I am constantly looking for opportunities to connect with others and grow my community.  Why are you interested in PAR-Education or community education in general?   Community education is crucial to growing any community.  It gives a community the ability to grow and create together.  Co-creation is a powerful tool in getting to know the community you are part of.  What do you work toward in your fre...

Billy Simms is a printmaker, photographer, performer, and sculptor.   He recently received his MFA from Miami University, where he focused on printmaking.   He also holds an undergraduate degree in Theatrical Scenic and Lighting Design from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a Masters degree in Special Education from The Johns Hopkins University. What does community mean to you? Being kind and supportive of others. Why are you interested in PAR- Education? It's an opportunity to interact and give back to the community. You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why? An eraser, so I can revise. What inspires you? My wife. What would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse? Make sure that my cats are fed, their litter is scooped and that they are taken care of. #FunFact: I have written an award winning novel that has only one word. - - - - Billy's first FREE workshop launches Wednesday, March ...

Gabrielle Roach  was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana. She received her BFA in painting and printmaking from Indiana State University in 2014 and was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree from Miami University in 2017. What does community mean to you? Community to me, extends beyond just where you live.  Communities can be elective and centered around one's interests. As a creative, one of my most precious communities is that of the art world.  I've forged professional networks and life long friendships with fellow artists that are some of my most enriching and rewarding relationships. Why are you interested in PAR-Education? I'm interested in PAR-Education not only because I love teaching but also because I truly believe in the transformative power of the arts.  I also enjoy working within my community because I like to feel connected to the place I live and work and the people who make Cincinnati neat! You're a new...