By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Shelbi Harris-Roseboro

A central theme throughout all of the pieces selected for our Gateway Gallery is identity. We told each artist to select a piece that represents themselves in one way or another.

For Shelbi Harris-Roseboro, or Shel10, her piece called “Face of my father” was the perfect fit. She says that “Face of my father” represents who she’s become as an artist over the years. It’s also notable; “Face of my father” has been shown in more than a dozen national and local shows since its creation in 2012.

“The piece shows my style,” Shelbi says. “Pointillism, colorful choices, things like that. I think it also represents my African roots, and there’s a spiritual connection for me with this piece. It’s just an all around piece that I thought would be good to represent me.”

“I think it also represents my African roots, and there’s a spiritual connection for me with this piece. It’s just an all around piece that I thought would be good to represent me.”

Shelbi is a Columbus native — “born and raised” — who currently works as a graphic designer, mixed-media artist, teacher and gallery director. She says that the Harlem Renaissance is a unique platform for this city.

“The cool thing about the Harlem Renaissance is that everybody gets to be themselves and be celebrated for who they are,” Shelbi says. “I enjoyed the show and all the pieces in it. I know and respect all of the people in it because everyone has their own lane, their own style and their own way of going about being an artist and a creative. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

“I enjoyed the show and all the pieces in it. I know and respect all of the people in it because everyone has their own lane, their own style and their own way of going about being an artist and a creative. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Shelbi’s work will remain on display in the Gateway Gallery through February of 2019. Prints of her piece, “Face of my father,” are available upon request. Click here to learn more.

By Hailey Stangebye

Today, the Columbus Museum of Art hosts its annual Art Celebration.

Every year, this gala is an opportunity to pay tribute to the arts in Columbus, as well as to the dedicated individuals who make it possible for the arts to flourish. This year, the Art Celebration will honor Donna and Larry James.

Longtime supporters of the arts, Donna and Larry acted as the catalyst for our city-wide celebration, “I, Too, Sing America: The Harlem Renaissance at 100.” In addition to their work on this movement, they also created the city’s first leadership program for African Americans, revitalized the Lincoln Theater and established the Center for Healthy Families.

In addition to their work on this movement, they also created the city’s first leadership program for African Americans, revitalized the Lincoln Theater and established the Center for Healthy Families.

Thanks to their dedication, Columbus as a city is able to collectively celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance. Their vision led to gallery exhibitions, dance performances, poems, songs and even a trip from Columbus to Harlem, which will be documented in the upcoming My Great Day in Harlem docuseries. 

A portrait by Don “DonCee” Coulter of Donna and Larry James, which was used as the invitation for this year’s Art Celebration. This piece incorporates layers upon layers of textured fabric. It’s also an augmented reality portrait that comes to life when you use this application on your smart device.

More importantly, Donna and Larry have created a movement that will outlast the tenure of this campaign. Through their generosity, local, African American artists now have a myriad of valuable relationships with the movers and shakers in the Columbus arts world. They’ve created platforms for education, exposure and expression that will leave a lasting impact of Columbus as a whole.  

Thank you, Donna and Larry, for all that you’ve done and continue to do to make Columbus thrive.

As a part of Donna and Larry’s initiative, the Columbus Museum of Art will open their landmark exhibit — I, Too, Sing America: The Harlem Renaissance at 100 — on Saturday, October 20. For more information on the opening events, click here.