In 2019, two Northern Kentucky organizations, the Catalytic Fund and the NKY Chamber of Commerce, organized a project that brought together businesses with artists to create painted bourbon barrels.
The barrels are coming back this month in a celebration of the people, places and passions of our region. The 100 barrels were created by local artists for sponsors who worked with them on the designs. The result is a stunning display of public art that will debut this Thursday, July 21.
Image of BarrelsImage of Barrels
Roll Out the Barrels is a public preview of all 100 barrels before they go on display throughout the river cities on the NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk. To join in and see all the barrels together, come to Newport on the Levee on Thursday July 21 at 7:00pm.
The art on the barrels celebrates Northern Kentucky’s people, places and passions, depicting bourbon, horses, landmarks and more. It showcases the incredible local talent and the support that the business community gives to the arts.
The barrels will be on display through next August. When you “take the walk,” you will follow the barrels through the entertainment districts of Northern Kentucky, discovering fun restaurants, bars and shops along the way.
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
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As the long awaited heat of the summer starts to roll into June, so does the hottest celebration of the year with PRIDE MONTH! Colorful rays of joy, love, and acceptance shine brightly, bringing a stronger sense of unity and solidarity to our city! Throughout the area you can see how much the locals support the LGBTQ+ Community with rainbow flags, banners, and lights displayed on businesses all over town. Welcoming everyone to feel comfortable being their fabulous selves in Cincinnati!
Smale ParkDowntown WalkwayFountain Square
Exploring any part of town you will find phrases on signs like, “Lead With Love” and “Be Yourself”. These are positive messages of compassion and appreciation for one another that are uplifting visual reminders to live by. Go on a journey through the city to find them and share them with kindness!
The Cincinnati Art Museum and others like it have always represented people of different backgrounds and they continue to feature artists that are diverse. Andy Warhole is the most influential gay man in Pop-Art and we have two of his pieces on permanent display. A way you can honor how far we have come as a society is by visiting this museum and taking a peek at Andy’s Pete Rose Portrait and one of his famous Soup Cans.
Andy Warhole Campbell’s Soup CanAndy Warhole Pete Rose Portrait
Entrepreneur and fashion enthusiast Jada just dropped her new PRIDE collection that features every shade of the rainbow with her luxury sunglass line, called J. Lyshe. Jada’s quality frames are a must have to complete a look that’s unique and fits just right. Her PRIDE collection photoshoot is a spread right out of a high fashion magazine and is a great reference for what to pair your new glasses with. The aesthetic is classic with a modern throwback, vintage vibe that makes you want every pair! PRIDE is officially out!
J. Lyshe photos by @kams_cam_photography
Selfie Galaxy, a new gallery space that’s opening soon is practicing and promoting self love and inclusivity with their selfie museum that is curated for all types of people to relate too. This black and latino owned business was created by two women that strive to spread positivity by bringing people together and manifesting good energy in harmony. As you walk in you’re greeted with a heartwarming mural that is a rainbow with the words, “Love is Love”. Making this wall piece the best background for all your PRIDE selfies and group photos! Their intention is to encourage people to have fun along with embracing what makes us happy by finding ways to express ourselves through creativity and imagination.
In front of Smale Park, near The Banks are several cascading fountains that are mesmerizing to watch. The rippling water turns into a technicolor waterfall next to the stairs leading down to the riverfront and is a magical sight to see. A little after sunset is a great time to go to the flowing rainbow to see it turn on as the sun goes down over the city and the lights start to reflect off the Ohio river in the distance. The scenery is gorgeous and there’s plenty of additional things to do in the area that are great for all ages.
Coming into Cincinnati is always a stunning sight to see but it’s looking even better these days with all of the colors of the rainbow shining along the cityscape. As you go across the Taylor Southgate bridge you’ll see massive lights going down the sides of Heritage Bank Center that are in the color of the rainbow. This is an incredible addition to the view of the city and there is an easy walking path across the bridge that you can go on to take it all in for a moment.
PRIDE brings a refreshing burst of creativity with performances, fashion pieces, and art of all kinds that are delightfully informative and a whole lot of fun! There’s so much beauty to see, lovely people to meet, and wonderful things to experience in our city. With events happening daily in each neighborhood it’s a perfect time to express yourself and join in on the festivities!
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There’s a new way to explore the world-class public art in Covington and Newport this summer: take one of the free guided art walks being offered by NKY Public Arts Network—with fun extras built in.
Jill Morenz, who leads the tours for the Network and the Catalytic Fund, explained that she wanted to introduce guests not only to the murals and statues, but also to the shops, restaurants and bars that make the neighborhoods so special. She is partnering with meetNKY to offer these tours to both residents and tourists.
For example, the Sweet and Spicy Tour begins with treats from Golden Gelato in Covington and winds through the downtown neighborhood for about ¾ of a mile. Guests will munch on flavored pretzels from Yankee Doodle Deli as they get an up-close look at the murals and art-related businesses in the area. The tour ends at Rich’s Proper Food and Drink for a spicy cocktail.
The Newport Art and Architecture Tour includes the murals, statues and buildings of historic Monmouth Street, Newport on the Levee and the approach to the Purple People Bridge. The other Newport tour, called Sharks, Cannon and Bell, includes some history of the courthouse, as well.
Other tours include browsing time at local galleries, a behind-the-scenes look at the Goebel Park Glockenspiel and some incredible mosaics tucked here and there in the river cities.
To learn more and reserve a spot on one of the free tours, please visit the NKY Art Tours website.
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
*All photos taken by Jill Morenz
Everything Cincy is your one-stop shop to Local Events. Local Deals. Local Jobs.
Bourbon barrels + original art + NKY’s city streets = NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk
In 2019, the NKY Bourbon Barrel Project placed more than 100 custom painted bourbon barrels around the rivers cities. This year, the project is coming back as the NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk, and the organizers are seeking both sponsors and artists.
As the “Gateway to Bourbon Country,” Northern Kentucky is steeped in the history and appreciation of bourbon. The Bourbon Barrel Walk will highlight the region’s bourbon connection, as well as the fun entertainment destinations in the river cities.
Local businesses and organizations will sponsor the bourbon barrels. They will then be matched up with local artists to create custom designs for the barrels. Once the barrels are complete, they will be displayed on city streets so that they form a path that takes people from the river through the business and entertainment districts of Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue and Dayton.
Photo of Painted Barrels
Sponsoring businesses receive a discount if they are a member of the NKY Chamber of Commerce. The project is being coordinated by Jill Morenz, who directs the NKY Public Arts Network for the Catalytic Fund.
To sponsor a barrel, simply visit the website and fill out the sponsorship form there. This is a great way to show support for the arts and the businesses in the entertainment districts, as well as helping to create a piece of original public art.
Artists who would like to apply for a bourbon barrel commission are encouraged to apply on the website. By painting a barrel, they will gain valuable exposure to business owners, residents and visitors, while helping to build the “Walk,” giving people a fun way to discover new shops, restaurants and bars.
Sponsorship and artist applications close on April 30. The Bourbon Barrel Walk will be completed in late July. For more information, please visit the NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk website.
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
The NKY Public Arts Network is celebrating its relaunch with a big party and all artists are invited! The Network’s purpose is to promote the arts and artists in Northern Kentucky and to help tell the stories of NKY’s communities. It is now being relaunched as a membership community, open to arts organizations and artists who either live, work, teach, study or exhibit in Northern Kentucky. The party, however, is open to all artists, regardless of where they live or work.
Calling All Artists
The (Re)Launch Party will be at Newport on the Levee on Thursday March 3, from 5:30-7:30. In addition to providing an opportunity for artists to meet and connect, there will be food, drinks, a collaborative art project and an exhibit of artwork done by the attendees. The event is free, but artists must register by March 1. In its new incarnation, the NKY Public Arts Network will maintain a “Find an Artist” directory, where community members who would like to connect with an artist for a commission, collaboration or other reason, can enter search terms to see all the member artists who match their criteria.
Members will also be promoted on the Network’s Instagram account and the NKY Art Quest calendar. In addition, they will have access to exclusive events and collaborative art projects. All the member benefits are outlined here. Jill Morenz, Director of the Network, is excited to strengthen the connections between our region’s artists. “With the changes we are making to the NKY Public Arts Network, we believe we will have a much bigger impact on growing the arts in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati,” she said. More information about the party and the link to register is available here. Registration ends March 1.
All Artists Invited
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
It’s a positive time for the city of Cincinnati and everyone is showing their pride for the Bengals Football Team! The Bengals have influenced a joyous shift in energy in the Queen City this season and what a great time of year it is, being the year of the Tiger! Our communities are coming together in comradery to support the players of the Cincinnati Bengals to their championship game and Local Artists all over town are illustrating their passion for the team! It’s incredible to see the crossover of sports and arts and Cincinnati is the perfect place to experience it!
Photo by: Christen Collins
The Art Academy of Cincinnati is known for always encouraging creative expression and has been helping people connect with what inspires them for over 100 years! This historic school recognizes how much the Bengals going to the Super Bowl has motivated people to come together and that it shares a sense of history in the making. The Academy recently changed their “A’ sign on the outside of the building from a blank orange background to adding tiger stripes to show their support for the team as we cheer them onto victory!
Photos by: Christen Collins
Right around the corner from the AAC you can find a mural by artist Floyd Johnson that says, “No matter how much it hurts you have to keep going”. This quote is just one of Floyds encouraging messages that he provides for the people of Cincinnati and his current work does the same with the phrase, “Cincinnati Against the World”! This saying appeared as the Bengals progression picked up speed and recognition. Floyd is the founder of Ohio Against the World and his new design says it all when it comes to not underestimating the power of Cincinnati, Ohio! You can purchase garments from him that have these words on them in an effort to represent the greatness of this area and the people that are from here! https://www.instagram.com/floydfromohio/
Photos by: Christen Collins
Photos by: Christen Collins
Arnold’s Bar and Grill is known for being a canvas of art outside and within! The family-owned business features a window painting by Bill Humphrey that specializes in lettering! These diehard fans know how to praise their favorite team with this window display, cheers to Who Dey! https://www.instagram.com/arnolds_cincinnati/https://www.instagram.com/billhumphrey1.618/
Design by: Rebekah Del Matto
Even their General Manager, Rebekah Del Matto is getting into the spirit of things with her whimsical designs as a Mural Painter, otherwise known as the Cincy Wallflower! Year of the Tiger? More like “Year of the Bengals”! https://www.instagram.com/cincywallflower/
Painting & Photo by: Javarri Lewis
Local Artist Javarri Lewis pays homage to the Cincinnati Bengals by painting the players portraits as his contribution to the respect he has for them. He first started displaying these incredible paintings on his fire escape in Over-The-Rhine to give the community a visual of what representing pride looks like in the neighborhood. Since then, he has made several paintings of the beloved players and continues to root them on as they head to the Super Bowl! https://www.instagram.com/javarrilewis/
Photo by: Christen Collins
Photo by: Christen Collins
Two permanent Bengals themed murals that Cincinnati is excited to have, are located on Central Avenue by the talented Artist, Bunk News also known as Visual Junk. These clever wall pieces are throwbacks of classic cartoon characters that add to the jovial vibrations that the city is experiencing right now. With an effort to keep the happy momentum going, these pieces are truly inspiring and a lot of fun to see! https://www.instagram.com/bunk_news/https://www.instagram.com/visualjunk/
No matter if you’re a new fan or have been for your entire life, you can’t help but to take notice of and be moved by the positive impact that celebrating the Cincinnati Bengals has had on the people of Cincinnati. Through art and sports, we can come together on the same ground and have a sense of hope for better things as our Bengals take on their championship game!
Position Hiring For: Restaurant Servers, Restaurant Host, Line Cook, Sous Chef, Sales Manager, Spa- Massage Therapist, Housekeeping Lobby Attendant, Valet Attendant, and more! At 21c Museum Hotels our dynamic team engages in an environment that fosters fun, originality, and genuine hospitality for our guests. Our history of accolades – such as consecutive Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards rankings – and strong performance in guest surveys show that 21c is truly redefining the art of hospitality. 21c strives to inspire our guests, our community and our team through thought-provoking contemporary art exhibitions and innovative art, hotel and food and beverage experiences. 21c started with the art, and that is what continues to drive and define the company.
Positions Hiring For: Retail Server, Shift Supervisor and Plant Manufacturing Assistant. Aglamesis Brothers’ rich, super premium ice creams and deliciously decadent chocolates have been delighting Cincinnatians for well over a century. To this day, our family still uses the same Old World recipes, simple, wholesome ingredients, and traditional confectionery techniques that our ancestors Thomas and Nicholas Aglamesis used when they opened their first parlor here in the Queen City in 1908.
Positions Hiring For: Full-time and Part-time Call Center Representative. The BMW Store and Cincinnati MINI currently have a full-time as well as a part-time position open in our Call Center. We are looking for individuals who genuinely enjoy working with people and a sincere desire to help our customer with their vehicle’s needs by providing an exceptional customer experience. The basic function of this position entails taking in-bound telephone calls, making service appointments and out-bound follow up/confirmation calls as well as a wide variety of other tasks to help the operation of the business run smoothly.As the first point of contact for the customer, the job qualifications would include excellent customer service skills to build rapport with clients, being able to prioritize and multi-task, and maintain a positive and professional demeanor in a fast-paced environment.
Positions Hiring For: Front Desk Receptionist, Director of Philanthropy, and Director of Operations – O2 Urban Farms Ken Anderson Alliance is a safe, collaborative community built on kindness and acceptance where individuals are given a diversity of choice that fosters independence and growth. Ken Anderson Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation creating LIVE, WORK and ENGAGE opportunities for adults with disabilities. We believe that adults with disabilities have the human and civil right to live, work, engage, socialize, love, learn and worship in the settings and manner of their choosing, with the support of families and friends. Our work helps provide opportunities to volunteer for special needs, fundraising to help build housing for adults with disabilities and access to support for jobs for special needs adults.
Positions Hiring For: All Positions Welcome to Purrfect Day Café, the best place in town where you can mix and mingle with the area’s most eligible adoptees, all while sipping your favorite coffee or cocktail! We are Northern Kentucky’s first cat café, and we’re paw-sitive you’re going to love us! We are currently hiring for all positions. We are looking for someone who wants to advance within the company and help make this unique concept a reality far into the future. Part-time. Must be available days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Must be at least 20 years of age due to alcohol sales at the PDC.
Positions Hiring For: All Positions GREEN DISTRICT is more than just a restaurant. We’re a lifestyle!If you vibe with healthy eating, community, uplifting people, growing your own career – then you may want to talk to us! We are expanding and want motivated and industrious people to join our team! Grow and shine with us as we expand into all regions in the U.S.
If you’re looking for something to do on a nice, perhaps chilly day, how about taking a free, self-guided tour of public art in the river cities?
You’ll explore the eclectic urban neighborhoods, discovering beautiful buildings, learning history and examining the world class art on display.
The NKY Art Tours are an initiative of the Public Arts Network, which promotes the arts in Northern Kentucky. You’ll be taken behind the scenes of each art piece, learning about the artist, the imagery and the installation.
Living Mural
On the downtown Covington tour, you’ll visit one of the first “living murals’ in the US. Called Pennies from Heaven, it was painted by a world-famous artist group, The London Police. It depicts a dog spaceship surrounded by characters that the artists call Lads. You’ll learn the identity of the man inside the spaceship and why the living wall component was added.
Pennies from Heaven mural
Captain Greene
Taking the Riverside Drive Statue Tour, at the confluence of the Licking and Ohio Rivers in Covington, you’ll meet Mary B. Greene, the first female licensed riverboat captain on the Ohio. She stands with an instrument called a telegraph, but it’s not the kind used to send a Morse Code message. She was known for her entertaining stories of life on the river and, according to local ghost stories, her influence continued after her death.
Captain Mary B. Greene
Flight of the Garner Family
You’ll walk in the footsteps of historic figures on the Covington Black History Tour, reading stories both uplifting and tragic. Among the tragic is the tale of Peggy Garner and her attempt to escape slavery by walking across the frozen Ohio River. Her flight has been immortalized in a mural on the floodwall near the Roebling Bridge.
Flight of the Garner Family mural
As you view the art on the tours, you’ll come upon many cozy restaurants to grab a meal or a drink. You’ll also discover interesting shops and charming parks along the way. NKY Art Tours are a fun way to spend a day in the river cities.
Northern Kentucky can be a spooky place. With a long history and neighborhoods that date back to the Civil War, the region holds many tales of roaming ghosts and gruesome events that will send chills up your spine.
Here is a sampling of what awaits you here, as the weather grows colder, and the spirits come out to play. Links to all the events can be found here.
Nightmare ships and haunted fields
The USS Nightmare docks in Newport this time of year. It’s one of the area’s longest haunted tours (over 30 minutes), inviting brave and foolhardy guests to explore two full decks of pure horror.
Sandy Acres Farm is a charming place to visit in the daytime. At night, though, it gets a lot creepier. Come for a hayride through haunted fields—if you dare.
For kids
To get the kiddos involved in something more than just trick-or-treating, take them to the free Halloween Hoopla at Behringer-Crawford Museum. They can do a seasonal craft, march in the costume parade and more.
For fans of LEGO, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center is hosting Bricks, Tricks and Treats, a LEGO convention with a Halloween theme.
Talk to dead people
Falcon Theatre and Dinsmore Homestead Museum have teamed up to create a rare opportunity to talk with six costumed actors who are portraying people from the Homestead’s past. All the characters are based on their actual lives, letters and journals. It’s kind of like a historic version of “Sixth Sense.”
Take a spooky tour
Tickets are still available for the Halloween date of the Spooky Secrets Tour. This 2-mile walk past haunted houses, creepy historic sites and cool shops was created by the author of “Secret Cincinnati” and the writer for the NKY Art Tours website. It’s the perfect way to start your Halloween celebrations.
For more Halloween fun, as well as details on the events listed above, please visit NKY ArtQuest’s Halloween roundup.
About the author:
Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.
