The Canvas Kit

" My name is Adonte Clark. As an artist, I look to create an impact through the work of art I share with the world. Visual arts connects me with others and drives conversation around important subjects. I primarily use mixed media, on canvas to capture integral linkages to the community and culture to narrate diverse stories. Gifting Cincy was a great change in discipline to highlight a beloved sports team and a gift it is to Cincinnati. "

" My name is Deja, based in Ohio. I’m a 27-year-old artist. I specialize in different mediums using acrylic, oil, spray paint, chalk and airbrushing. Also engaging with the community in different art activities to help people express emotions through art. I’ve done murals in downtown Cincinnati - as well as designing and painting murals with fellow artists. "

" Frank Brown, a Cincinnati native, defied convention. Initially chasing an athletic dream after graduating from Walnut Hills High School in 2016, he committed to Ohio Wesleyan University for football. Yet, his path took an unexpected turn when he chose to major in Fine Arts. While focusing on graphic design and computer imaging, he discovered a passion for photography, sculpting, and drawing. Today, he is a graduate student at the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning studying architecture and showcasing the beauty of embracing one’s own path. "

" Making things has always been my main focus. The production of art has dominated my making. Out of high school, I was set to attend Otis-Parsons school of art and design in California, instead I traveled Europe and hitchhiked the US for several years. My travels landed me in New Orleans where I started training to be a chef and then a goldsmith. I enjoined the high craft of jewelry making and eventually moved to Huntsville Alabama to work with Kathy Chan, a world-renowned designer.

I had a one person show set up by a friend in Cincinnati. The curator for the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center attended the show and advised me to go to art school, introducing me to The Art Academy of Cincinnati. I traveled around the country to look at a few art schools and The Art Academy of Cincinnati seemed the best fit. I loved the Art Academy and the city. I earned my master's degree at DAAP. These days my attention has been in old world methods of food production and preserving and other antique methods of day-to-day life. No matter what endeavors and pursuits I take art making is a primary daily practice in essence it’s the fuel that keeps me wanting to learn. "

" Having always been a starry-eyed dreamer and escapist at heart, Lee Vest’s entire entity continues to seep into his artistic expressions. A recent graduate of Northern Kentucky University where he discovered and developed his love for oil painting, he has lived in Cincinnati his entire life, knowing full well the potential daydreams he hopes to bring to life.

There are many ways that Lee tackles his creative endeavors, many of which are founded and built upon by the beauty of music. Once a transcending melody is at play, his paintbrush carries him to realms far beyond humanity’s comprehension, allowing him to craft works that are uniquely his. A number of pieces he has created in his solace are inspired by songs and refrains that have impacted him, fulfilling his imagination that longs to run free.

Oil painting serves as his favored medium for its emotive traits and spectrum of color. It remains one of the most mature forms of art to utilize. And yet, many of Lee’s paintings possess a childlike quality that allow viewers to reflect deeply. He wishes to remind audiences that their childhood days were the boon that fostered their imagination. When life throws a challenge our way, it is essential to recognize the joy our childhoods brought us, and channel it to power through. Though the future is bright, we must never forget where our dreams originated, so that the mark we choose to make can unify our being. "

" Romain Mayambi, originally from DRC Congo, moved to the United States with his family approximately ten years ago. He developed an interest in photography during his freshman year of college, driven by his fascination with fashion and the desire to capture and document it.

Romain would often wander around his campus, spotting individuals with captivating outfits, and would approach them to request permission for a photoshoot. This routine continued for about a year and a half, during which he honed both his photography and communication skills. Romain is proud to state that the experiences gained during that period have equipped him with the ability to effectively engage with clients and approach photography from a unique perspective. "