Art Beyond Boundaries Exhibits Abilities
If you have never visited 1410 Main Street in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine, I encourage you to stop by. Inside is a space where imaginations and talents are showcased, where the world can be seen from the eyes of artists from diverse perspectives.
And, it is that diversity that sets this place apart from other art exhibition halls. Artists whose work is shown at Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery may have vision impairments or they may have near perfect eye sight. They may use a wheelchair or walk with their two legs. They may have a cognitive delay or mental illness or may be the person who got all As in school.
The Gallery began in December of 2005 when the Center for Independent Living Options (CILO), a nonprofit organization that breaks down barriers and promotes inclusion and independence of people who have disabilities, opened what was to be a one time show downtown as part of the Fine Arts Sampler Weekend. The show featured pieces from regional people within our community of different abilities. That one show turned into another, which turned into another and eventually led to CILO opening a permanent exhibition venue two years later and hiring James (Jymi) Bolden as its director.
Art Beyond Boundaries’ mission is to promote awareness and understanding of artists with disabilities. The Gallery has five or six shows a year that run six to eight weeks each. Its annual exhibit called Changing
Perception features the work of those with and without disabilities.
“We are about leveling the playing field so that artists can have a mainstream experience,” Jymi told me. “We do not exhibit disability. What is on our walls is ABILITY. It just so happens that the artists who created the pieces may or may not be experiencing different circumstances.”
One of the great influencers in Jymi’s own life and his passion for photography was Melvin Grier, a talented photo journalist who worked for The Cincinnati Post for 35 years. And opening this coming Friday – March 25, 2016 (with a free reception from 6 to 9 pm) – is an exhibition of Melvin’s compelling work called White People: A Retrospective. It was first shown at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center in 2011. Purchased photos at the Art Beyond Boundaries show running through May 13, 2016, will benefit the Avondale Youth Council.
Please come back to my blog this week to learn more about Melvin.
CINspirational People: Jennifer Holladay
Yesterday I was at the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) for an event and saw a woman who always has a way of making me smile when I see her. Jennifer Holladay has worked for CABVI for more than nine years. She is the agency’s talking book and One-on-One volunteer coordinator. I first met her when CABVI was one of my public relations clients, and I last ran into her (before today) when our seats were next to each other for the Broadway show, Kinky Boots. For me, I think two of her most distinct qualities are her laugh (which she does a lot of) and her genuineness in listening to what you have to say. She just always brightens my day.
In case you are unfamiliar, CABVI provides counseling, rehabilitation, information and employment services to people of all ages in a nine county area. Through all of its programs and services, it strives to help those who are blind, visually or print impaired lead independent lives. Its One-on-One Program matches volunteers 
with agency clients to assist with a number of different needs such as writing checks, organizing paperwork, reading mail or other items, and labeling groceries. Jennifer said she currently has close to 200 volunteers she manages in her program.
I asked Jennifer some questions to get to know her better. Please read her answers below.
Lisa: What is the greatest part for you about your job?
Jennifer: One of my favorite parts of my job is bringing out the strengths and talents of volunteers and helping them find an opportunity that fulfills something in their hearts. For me, when volunteers and clients come to me and share stories of attending each other’s weddings or other special events in their lives that is so rewarding. I have a volunteer who comes to mind who began because she wanted to read to someone. Last year when her client passed away, she told me, she never knew that she would meet her best friend in a nursing home.
That is why I love what I do. In the end, what keeps me doing what I do is the relationships that have been built and knowing I helped in some way.
Lisa: What type of impact have you seen from your program to your clients?
Jennifer: I have seen a big impact. If someone has a huge stack of mail that has gotten backed up because it takes that person a long time to go through it all with a magnifier, and a volunteer can come in once a week for an hour, it relieves that person’s stress level. The family too benefits because then they can just be family and not have to worry about whether those tasks are being done.
Lisa: Tell us a little more about Jennifer.
Jennifer: I grew up on a farm in Boone County where we raised sheep and rabbits. I was in 4H for ten years. I have a bachelor’s degree in communications from Thomas More College and last year got my master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management from Northern Kentucky University. When I am not working, I enjoying reading and getting together with friends.
2015 was an awesome year for me because I graduated from NKU and I bought my first house.
Lisa: Tell us about someone who was a positive influence on your life.
Jennifer: I’d say two of my professors in college, one from Thomas More and one from Northern Kentucky University. At Thomas More, we had a research paper to do and the search technologies were just evolving. My Kentucky history professor would not accept anything less than me doing my own research although he was always there to answer questions that I had. In my master’s program, there was a piece of software that would not work with my screenwriter. Knowing that I needed the class, my professor took the approach, ‘let’s figure this out’ and we ended up using Excel instead as a way for me to complete my work. Both of these professors had a ‘let’s figure this out’ mentality. When one way was not working for me to allow me to complete my task, then they helped to come up with another way. I have always appreciated it when people have gone out of their way to help me succeed.
I have a twin brother, Jason, who is fully sighted. My family too has always expected nothing less from me. My parents always believed there is no reason why my brother and I can’t do the same things.
Lisa: When people think of Jennifer Holladay, how would you like for them to think of you?
Jennifer: I want to be as attentive and understanding as I can be to others. I want people to think of me as someone who always does the best by them that I can.
Arzell Nelson Inspires Through Music And Civil Rights Advocacy
Pictured: Arzell Papazell Nelson receiving the “KARMAVEER PURASKAAR’S” GLOBAL AWARD for SOCIAL JUSTICE and CITIZEN ACTION and NOBEL LAURETTE under the GLOBAL ARTISTES 4 CHANGE MUSIC category for 2011.
How often it is that we find out how very little we actually know about the details of many of the people who are loosely part of our lives. One great benefit for me to writing this blog is getting the opportunity to learn about those stories.
Arzell ‘Papazell’ Nelson is one of those people in my world. We have been ‘connected’ as Facebook ‘friends’ for more years than I can remember; but I am finding out there is so much to this man who has politely offered encouraging words that needs to be told. I am awe struck at the accomplishments of a man who, up until now, has been under my radar.
A composer, playwright, musician, music promoter, civil rights advocate, mentor, leader, and family man, what Arzell has achieved, what he stands for, and the example he sets truly needs to be told proudly and widely.
It struck me as very humbling how his answer to my question about his proudest accomplishment was unequivocally his being honored locally (just one of many) in 1981 with the Kool Jazz Festival Award, Dino Santangelo Award and the Ohio Valley Jazz Award. This may sound huge to anyone reading this, but take into account this is a man who, in 2011, flew to India where he accepted the “KARMAVEER PURASKAAR’S” GLOBAL AWARD for SOCIAL JUSTICE and CITIZEN ACTION and NOBEL LAURETTE under the GLOBAL ARTISTES 4 CHANGE MUSIC category. Arzell also has been given the key to our city by three different Cincinnati mayors, was recognized twice by Ohio’s Governor George Voinovich by proclamation for his civic leadership, and was recognized by the Shreveport, La. Ukraine’s Department of State and the AFL-CIO. President Bill Clinton wrote him two letters of appreciation for Arzell’s work in human relations.
What caused this internationally respected leader to be so proud of that Kool Jazz Award? It was presented to him for his musical score and show, ‘Little Boy Jazz’ performed at the Playhouse in the Park Marx Theatre which most importantly to him included his daughter and son playing lead roles, and many School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) students performing alongside them.
Truly, this is a man with a huge heart for changing the world beginning with the young, impressionable minds of youth.
The evolution
Arzell’s childhood came at a time when segregation was still very familiar. When his family moved from the West End to East Walnut Hills, they were the first black family on the street. It was many years later – in 1973 – when he joined the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and was charged with reducing juvenile delinquency in the first neighborhood he knew.
He asked his boss, Executive Director Virginia Coffey, “What do you want me to do?” Her answer is what pretty much has changed the course of Arzell’s life. “Whatever you can do to keep kids off the street,” he told me he replied.
Music was part of his entire family. It was one of his great memories growing up. And so, with this task, Arzell began organizing workshops with a borrowed electric piano. Attendance took off and soon he began writing songs for his students to perform.
“I didn’t really have a plan in terms of pursuing music,” Arzell told me. “It just happened.”
One morning he saw Sammy Davis Jr. show support of President Nixon on television. It upset Arzell and moved him to write a musical, Straighten Out Sammy. He put together a group of local singers and actors and was getting about 300 people to show up for performances. That led to Arzell’s group, the Corporation of Truth, which played Cincinnati’s first Martin Luther King concert.
And from there, this man who has been under my radar all this time, went on to write over 300 songs and more shows. He has recorded at Columbia Records; promoted concerts of big names; and opened up on stage for well known artists such as Philip Bailey, George Dukes and Freddie Hubbard.
Through it all, he has continued his pursuit of social justice. His career with the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission spanned 25 years, ending with him in the role of executive director. He also served as a cultural/ethnic diversity consultant. He has been with programs such as Share Food, which involved food distribution to poor and working class citizens at minimum cost; and was also involved with ‘Back on the Block’, a program offering education, recreation and employment opportunities to youth.
Currently Arzell is working on a film documentary and television series called, ‘Don’t Count Me Out’ that will address the issue of violence against women and children.
I asked him about an experience that touched his life. He shared with me a time when he called home to his dad from college asking for money. “I said, ‘dad, I need $50,” Arzell told me, “and my dad told me, ‘Oh you do? Tell you what, call me back in a couple days to let me know how you are doing.’
“I ended up getting the $50 on my own and I remember that I was so proud,” he continued. “I called my dad to tell him and he told me, ‘Great, I am so proud of you.’ Dad taught me to look out for myself and that put me on my right track of believing in myself and my abilitiess.”
Yes, Arzell, you definitely have abilities. And I am so glad that I learned about them!
Please click here to listen to a sample of Arzell’s music.
#GoodThingsCincy
Jenny Berg Fulfills Her Passion
I have always loved this quote from Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
It is a question Jenny Berg asked herself; and the answer she came up with has lead her on a journey of empowering those whose work and missions are enhancing communities and lives throughout our region.
Jenny is the executive director of the Leadership Council, an organization that helps human services executives of non-profit organizations to strengthen their leaders, their relationships, their impact and ultimately the greater community.
Prior to her current position, she served a two-year role as president of the Board for Impact 100, a women’s grant making organization founded in Cincinnati in 2001 which has awarded over $3.2 M back into our community through grants of at least $100,000. She returned as a board member this year after serving on the board 2006-2012. She is also treasurer of the National Board of the Women’s Collective Giving Network, an association which supports the creation, development, and expansion of women’s collective giving nationwide.
Jenny also currently serves as treasurer of the board of Women Helping Women; and on the Advisory Board of Flywheel Cincinnati, the Advisory Council for Xavier Universities MBA Private Interests & the Public Good Program, and the Pastoral Council Advisory Board of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. In the past she served on the board, and as board chair of Tender Mercies & Ursuline Academy, and she is an alumni of the Leadership Cincinnati Class #35, serving as co-chair of the Securing the Future Conference.
Please learn more about Jenny below.
Lisa: You have accomplished so much with your drive to enhance our local charities. Where does that passion come from?
Jenny: I had early exposure to philanthropy and giving back from my parents. My father served on a number of boards, and was always helping out with his time, talent and treasure. Even though I didn’t really understand what it was all about, I knew that he was helping people. And my mother always supported him in his work and was involved in quiet ways.
As an adult, I have always looked for opportunities to give back. During my term serving on the board of Tender Mercies, going through the grant process with Impact 100 (Tender Mercies received a $184,000 grant from the organization) opened my eyes to what other nonprofits are doing. I wanted to lend my expertise there, and as I became more and more involved, it was becoming clearn that this is where I wanted to be spending my time.
Lisa: What is some of the best advice your parents’ gave you?
Jenny: They instilled in me the philosophy, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected’ philosophy. They taught me that it is our job to give back to our community and leave it a better place than we found it.
Lisa: Have any of your children followed in your path?
Jenny: My middle daughter, Emily Schmidt, is also a member of Impact 100 and volunteers in helping to share their message through social media.
Lisa: What is some advice that you give others?
Jenny: I encourage people that it is never too late or too early to pursue your dreams. There is always an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Sometimes it is good to take a break from what you are doing and reassess to see if there are other opportunities for you. Oh yes, and always give back.
Nurture Life-Fulfilling Work
