CINCINNATI—ArtWorks’ multi-faceted urban festival dedicated to amplifying expression and connection through art is returning to two Cincinnati neighborhoods this summer. ArtAmplified features two gourmet, ticketed dinners with artists talks led by ArtWorks CEO and Artistic Director Colleen Houston, and two free community celebrations, featuring Red Door Project art auctions. This fundraiser aims to generate vital funds for ArtWorks’ mission while ensuring accessibility and engagement for all.
The events include:
- ArtDinner: Monday, August 5, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., The Aperture, 900 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
- Community Day Celebration: Saturday, August 10, from 2-5 p.m., ArtWorks’ new headquarters, 2429 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206
- ArtDinner: Monday, September 30, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., The Standard, 434 Main St., Covington
- Community Day Celebration: Sunday, October 6, from 2-5 p.m., Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington
The first two events celebrate the theme “HOME” in Walnut Hills. The August 5 ArtDinner features a multi-course meal from Chef Jordan Anthony-Brown, the owner of the Mediterranean mezze-style restaurant, The Aperture. While attendees enjoy the gourmet experience including local produce and sourced from local suppliers. It will include talks from acclaimed Artists Charles Gaines and Kathryne Gardette. Gaines, a pivotal figure in the art world, is the Artist behind the new ArtPark mural titled “Numbers and Trees: Cincinnati Cottonwoods” (2024). Gardette, a member of the ArtWorks’ Board of Directors, is a Walnut Hills business owner and a visual and performing artist. She designed ArtWorks’ Gilbert Avenue Gateway Mural.
The first Community Day Celebration will give the public a sneak peek of the new ArtWorks HQ before its November dedication and official opening. The free event includes music, vibrant art activations, and the Red Door Project art auction, offering art at accessible price points, with participating artists receiving 75% of the proceeds from their sales. Advanced registration is encouraged.
The theme for the second set of events is LIGHT, and will be held in Covington, Kentucky. The event provides a chance for the community to prepare for BLINK, Illuminated by ArtsWave, the public art spectacle for the region that runs October 17-20, 2024. The September 30 ArtDinner will be hosted at The Standard, by restaurateurs Paul Weckman and Emily Wolff, a celebrated Covington-based artist, historic preservationist, the designer behind their artfully curated establishments, and an ArtWorks Board member. In addition to the exquisite culinary experience, the event includes a chance to hear from renowned Artists Jen Lewin and Chase Melendez. Lewin is an installation artist who is known around the world for her public, interactive light landscapes. Her newest piece is now on view downtown at the main branch of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. Melendez, based out of Camp Washington, worked with ArtWorks to create the organization’s first downtown LED neon mural. He also created several murals on view at The Standard.
The second Community Day of 2024, at Hotel Covington, will be an open-air celebration in a courtyard surrounded by historic brick and lush gardens. Once again, the event will include fun activities and the Red Door Project art auction.
ArtWorks is now seeking artists who want to sell their works of art as part of the two Red Door Project art auctions on Saturday, August 10 in Walnut Hills (based on the theme “HOME” and/or Sunday, October 6, in Covington (based on the theme “LIGHT”). Artists of all ages must register to participate through an online submission form.
For more than a decade, the Red Door Project has been a part of Cincinnati’s artistic landscape, providing a platform for local artists to shine. Founded in 2014 by Barbara Hauser, this initiative has championed creativity, inclusivity, and community engagement. It transitioned from an Art Academy of Cincinnati initiative into an ArtWorks program in April 2024.
Last summer, ArtWorks held the inaugural ArtAmplified event at several sites in OTR. Attended by hundreds, the diverse audiences of all ages included young people, artists, and families who celebrated ArtWorks’ mission through a series of artistic experiences and activities. The ArtDinner provided an opportunity to hear directly from acclaimed artists, coupled with local chefs’ culinary creations. Rooted in creativity, artistic expression and the ability to experience art in multiple formats, these events help reinforce ArtWorks’ mission.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dominique Khoury Sutton at Dominique@ArtWorksCincinnati.org. Sponsorship levels include a variety of marketing benefits and complimentary ArtDinner tickets.
Who We Are
Since 1996, ArtWorks has collaborated with community organizations and residents, businesses, governments, foundations, and nonprofits to create works of art that have helped to define Greater Cincinnati’s global reputation as an arts destination. Its mural program has made Cincinnati the #1 City for Street Art in USA Today’s 2024 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. By employing and training over 3,500 professional artists and engaging 4,000 teens and young adults, ages 14-24, ArtWorks is actively investing in the creative economy. Through job creation that supports local talent and mentorship programs that pair professional artists with diverse teams of young people, their programs foster the development of 21st-century career-readiness skills. ArtWorks has created a vibrant citywide gallery with more than 14,000 public and private art projects over the last 28 years. Among these are more than 300 permanent outdoor murals that contribute to Cincinnati’s rich cultural tapestry, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. ArtWorks receives ongoing funding from Hamilton County, the City of Cincinnati, the Ohio Arts Council and ArtsWave.
