By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Trey Barkett

On Valentines Day, our documentary, “My Great Day in Harlem” returned to the Gateway Film Center as part of a special screening for nearly 200 kids from Columbus City Schools. After the film, Mayor Andrew Ginther addressed the theatre. Then, the audience engaged in a thoughtful Q&A session with the stars of the documentary.

This screening, orchestrated by the Columbus Department of Neighborhoods, was so much more than a movie. It was an opportunity for young minds to be inspired by local legends. These students spoke with relatable role models who created an honest dialogue about achieving their aspirations.

The goal was to show by example that Columbus fosters a level of creative excellence that welcomes all forms of expression.

“Art is so important because it gives us a chance to share our experiences, our walks and our journeys. It also gives us a chance to expose ourselves to things different than us. Things that maybe we wouldn’t necessarily have as much in common with,” Ginther said. “I hope that you’ve had a great morning being able to enjoy and reflect on ‘My Great Day in Harlem.’ It is art and culture and the incredible artists in our community that help make our community so special. And I hope that your opportunity to see and hear from some of the great artists in our community is a way to celebrate what makes Columbus so exceptional.”

When students were given the chance to ask questions of the artists and the film makers, hands shot up in the air. Below, are just a few of those questions and their respective answers.

Q: For Jay Swifa, what was your hardest time as a musician?

A: “That a great question. Probably around your age is when I got serious. I was lucky enough to have parents who were in the arts. My mother is a dancer and my dad is also a musician. One thing I will urge everybody here to do — I don’t know if everybody is interested in making music — but there were always people around me who made music. And I would bug everybody, like, ‘Teach me how to make beats. Teach me how to rap.’ So, this was at age 11 or age 12. I’ve had many bumps and bruises in my music career. One of my hardest times was when I was in a very popular group and we actually broke up. I had to figure out what I was trying to do with myself before I started to make music again. Once I figured out my goals and where I wanted to go in my mind and talked to people around me, it started to become more clear. It’s always good to talk to people when you go through your rough spots, your down times. Don’t be afraid to talk to anybody. I opened myself up, which let me make better music.”

Q: For Samara Tillman, when did you feel like you were going to get really serious with fashion?

A: “I was in 6th grade, and I wanted to be a part of our — we couldn’t call it a cheer team — but I called it a ‘spirit team.’ And my mother was always about presentation. Every time she went out of the house she was very well put together. So, from there, she was like, ‘If you’re going to do this, then you’re going to do it right.’ So I was like, ‘Well I’m going to go ahead and design our spirit team outfits.’ So I designed it, and she made it. It got a very good response from teachers and all that. So I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I’m on to something.’ Then, in 9th grade, I always wanted to be different. So I asked my mom to make me an outfit for my first day of high school. That got a good response. So it was really when I was 11 when I knew that I had a gift for it. I didn’t really learn the art of sewing until I got to college, and I was making outfits for my college friends — crazy, fur, feathers, denim. They wore it because they love me. So pick your friends wisely. Pick those who encourage you to keep creating.”

Q: For Tripp Fontane, what inspired you to start rapping?

A: “It wasn’t a rapper. I don’t know if you all are old enough to have heard of him, but I actually started rapping because of ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic.’ Rap is actually not what made me fall in love with music. My dad who is like 66, so I fell in love with funk music and soul music. He’s a musician also. So I always gravitated toward live instrumentation, as opposed to rap. But, at like 7, he came out with three songs in a row and they were all hits. He came out with ‘Eat It,’ ‘I’m Fat’ and ‘Amish Paradise.’ And the music that he made was a funny version of a real song. And that inspired me to pick up a pen. I was like, ‘Bro, he’s taking my favorite songs and making funnier songs from it. I feel like I can do that.’ So, at 7 years old, I started writing music because of ‘Weird Al.'”

Q: For Lori Linsey, have you ever wanted to quit dancing?

A: As a matter of fact, I did quit dancing. My story is this. I started dancing when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I started off with ballet. By the time I got to middle school I was doing more tap and jazz. And I actually overheard someone make a comment about me that was not very nice. I did not even know this person. But what I did, at a young age and without knowing, is I took that person’s opinion of me and I made it my own. That person said that I shouldn’t be on stage, that nobody wants to see me, I don’t look the part. All of these really really negative things. And I stopped dancing at that point in time. I am so grateful that I’ve come beyond that. I started dancing again, and it’s something that I absolutely love. Any other dancer can say that when you dance nothing else matters. Nothing else matters. I feel free when I dance. I feel beautiful when I dance. I feel that I am as close to God as I can be on this earth when I dance. Nothing else matters when I move. So, if you are a dancer and you love dance and you have that similar feeling, then you cannot stop. I don’t care if you’re just dancing in your bedroom in front of your mirror. Do not stop dancing.”

Q: For Percy King, what is your advice for a young creative?

A: “I think, for me, what I always tell people is to get out and explore the world around you. Expose yourself to as much as possible. Expose yourself to as many musical forms as possible. As many artistic forms as possible. As many books as possible. Because you may not like everything that you see, but you might find the one thing that you’re passionate about. Or you might combine two things and create your own lane and become passionate about that. I think one of the things that I used to be intimidated by when it came to famous musicians and artists was that these people were like gods. They were bigger than life. They had some magical talent where they just didn’t care what they did — they went into the studio at 2 or 3 in the morning because they had great work ethic. And they do, and I give them credit for it. But what I also always tell people is that, once you find something that you’re passionate about, the amount of time that you put into it doesn’t matter. You’ll go in at 2 or 3 in the morning because you want to. You don’t even have to make yourself do it. So when you look at successful people, and you look at the amount of time they put in, and you see all these books that say ‘the seven laws of success’ or ‘get rich this way,’ remember that, at the end of the day, those people found something that they were passionate about. And that’s what they did. So that’s my advice.”

Out of all of the phenomenal questions and answers, one theme remained consistent: get stared now, and get started here. With the technology and resources available in Columbus today, there’s no reason to wait to pursue your passion.

“What we really want you to know is that this is all within your grasp,” Marshall Shorts, a creative and a core member of the Harlem Renaissance team, said. “You don’t have to go to Harlem to be an artist, or to make something happen for yourself. Whatever it is that you want to do, you can do that right here. And you have the ability. These folks weren’t old when they were making this art. Some of them were close to your age. So, keep that in mind as you express how you feel. Art was just their way of expressing what was going on around them. You have the opportunity to do that with what you do as well.”

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Marshall Shorts

Samara Tillman says that fashion is in her blood.

Her mother was a seamstress who could work magic with fabric. So, by the time Samara reached middle school, she was creating designs that her mother brought to life.

“In middle school, I was making up outfits to wear to school,” Samara says. “The first thing I designed was actually a cheerleading uniform. I went to Champion Middle School and, at the time, we didn’t have cheerleaders. So I said we were a spirit team, and I designed a little t-shirt and a skirt and my mom made them.”

Samara decided to attend Kentucky State University, where she earned her degree in fashion merchandising and business management.

“I don’t think there was a ‘deciding’ moment to pursue fashion as my career,” Samara say. “It was just always a part of what I wanted to do. I’ve always said I wanted to be something in fashion… In college I would style my friends when we attended events. We were the only ones at the basketball games wearing  fur shawls and embellished jeans before they were trends.”

“It was just always a part of what I wanted to do. I’ve always said I wanted to be something in fashion… In college I would style my friends when we attended events. We were the only ones at the basketball games wearing  fur shawls and embellished jeans before they were trends.”

After graduating from undergrad, Samara returned to Columbus to work for the Ohio Department of Mental Health. In 2005, she left that job to open her first boutique. She owned and operated E.L.I.T.E. Studios, a fashion boutique with multiple locations, from 2005 to 2010.

Samara’s boutique reflected her unique sense of style.

“I always would describe my style as sophisticated funk. I love being sophisticated. My mom taught me that. Back in the day, a woman didn’t go out unless she had her makeup fully done,  her gloves on, her purse, everything matching. So, I like the sophistication of being a lady and being classy, but I’m also funky,” Samara says. “My hair is normally shaved on both sides, and I like individuality. I want to be ladylike, but I don’t want to look like every other lady.”

“I always would describe my style as sophisticated funk. I love being sophisticated. My mom taught me that. Back in the day, a woman didn’t go out unless she had her makeup fully done,  her gloves on, her purse, everything matching. So, I like the sophistication of being a lady and being classy, but I’m also funky.”

While fashion is still an integral part of Samara’s life, she’s currently on a career path that she never expected. She went from working in fashion, to the nonprofit sector, to education and, ultimately, to dance.

“Today, I’m the owner of a dance studio, which I never expected,” Samara says. “But, I do get to create really fancy, outlandish dance costumes for my dancers. So, I took a turn from ready-to-wear fashion to performance wear.”

Despite her shift in focus, Samara says that people are already asking her when she’ll release her next ready-to-wear line. For those that are curious, she’s currently in “creation” mode, and hopes to release her revamped ready-to-wear line by Fall 2019.

“Columbus is constantly making its place on the fashion map,” Samara says. “We have so many talented people here. I think that the vision for the future is bright. As long as we keep collaborating, keep providing outlets for those in the fashion industry to showcase who they are in the city and abroad, then the the sky’s the limit.”

“We have so many talented people here. I think that the vision for the future is bright. As long as we keep collaborating, keep providing outlets for those in the fashion industry to showcase who they are in the city and abroad, then the the sky’s the limit.”

Samara is among five, local artists who traveled on a trip from Columbus to Harlem to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance. To commemorate that trip, we’ve created a docuseries that traces the journey of each artist. To see Samara’s trip to Harlem, reserve your seat at our big screen premiere at the Gateway Film Center on November 30.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Marshall Shorts

When Lori Lindsey enters a room her presence is distinct. From her posture to the way she shifts her weight, it’s clear that she possesses a wealth of kinesthetic awareness. That cognizant attention to movement is rooted in years of devotion to dance training.

Lori took her first ballet lesson when she was only 3 or 4 years old. Not long thereafter, she expanded her repertoire to styles such as jazz and tap. Then, after seeing the The Whiz with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, Lori fell in love with the idea of life on Broadway.

Those aspirations came to a halt, though, before Lori reached high school.

“I overheard someone talking about me in a not-so-positive light. They said, basically, that I would never be dancer, that I don’t look like a dancer and that nobody wanted to see me on stage,” Lori says. “I took on their opinion of me and allowed it to define me. You’ve heard that phrase before: ‘Don’t let somebody’s opinion about you define you or  or your dreams.’ But I was young. And I did.”

“I took on their opinion of me and allowed it to define me. You’ve heard that phrase before: ‘Don’t let somebody’s opinion about you define you or  or your dreams.’ But I was young. And I did.”

Fortunately, Lori was reintroduced to dance as an adult. Today, she  performs professionally, and she was recently selected to participate in the Lincoln Theatre’s ‘Backstage at the Lincoln’ local artist showcase. Moreover, she was among five, local artists selected as part of the Harlem Renaissance campaign to go on a trip to Harlem.

“When I dance is when I feel most beautiful,” Lori says. “Dance is freedom. It allows me to do and be whatever I want to without apologies, without caring about anything else  or anyone else. When I dance, it’s just a release. Truly.”

“When I dance is when I feel most beautiful.”

Lori also has the ability to use her personal reflection through dance to move those that watch her perform. It’s a personally valuable experience for her, but it’s also a form of expression that she intentionally shares with her audience.

“Whenever I am honored to dance in front of other people, my goal — my intent — is to move them,” Lori say. “Whether it’s to think a different thought, to take action on something, maybe it’s just to brighten their day or to  give them hope. It’s more than steps to a song.”

“Whether it’s to think a different thought, to take action on something, maybe it’s just to brighten their day or to  give them hope. It’s more than steps to a song.”

That intention informs each of Lori’s movements, and she knows that she’s on the right path when she hears feedback from her audience.

“What really really gets me is when people want to hug me, or they’ll say, ‘This reminded me of my grandmother,’ or ‘You brought me to tears because I’ve been feeling this,’” Lori says. “That, to me, is so much more than, ‘Hey, you did a great job.’ And because I get that response on a consistent basis, I know that I am supposed to dance. I’m supposed to be dancing to change people. To move people.”

“I’m supposed to be dancing to change people. To move people.”

Lori’s recent journey to Harlem as a part of the Harlem Renaissance celebration also encourages her to push boundaries and move forward with dance. In fact, while walking the streets of Harlem, someone stopped her to ask if she was a dancer.

“I’m thinking, ‘There are thousands of dancers walking around New York all the time.’ I don’t know why this person decided to stop and ask me if I was a dancer,” Lori says. “But, looking at me, they thought I was a dancer.”

Not that someone else’s opinion would impact Lori’s work. Despite the obstacles she faced at a young age , or, perhaps, because of them, Lori encourages everyone around her to pursue their passions without fear.

“I just have this hunger to do more with my art,” Lori says. “If you dream bigger, you welcome those things into your life. And I’m starting to see that. I’m dreaming bigger. I’m working hard. I am going after more opportunities than I did in the past.”

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of the Sunami family

On November 30, “Generations of Art: The Sunami Family” will open at the Cultural Arts Center with a ceremony featuring the Columbus Symphony, the Columbus Modern Dance Company and, of course, the Sunami family.

This show represents four generations of artists all connected through bonds of heritage and love, and is being organized by local public artist John Sunami. A resident of Columbus for over forty years, John boasts an array of public art installments all over our city, from the COTA Bus headquarters to the McConnell Arts Center of Worthington.

The lineage starts, however, with John’s father, Soichi Sunami. Born in the late 1800s, Soichi emigrated from Japan to the United States and pursued a career as a photographer. Among his many accolades, Soichi was one of the founding staff members for the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

“This is going to be one of the first major retrospectives of my grandfather’s work since he passed,” Chris, Soichi’s grandson and John’s son, says. “He was an early modernist photographer, and he was best known because he took a lot of the iconic pictures of the early modern dancers. Particularly, he worked with Martha Graham, who was one of the main innovators of modern dance. He and Martha Graham worked closely together for five years. A lot of the really famous pictures of her were ones that he took.”

“He was an early modernist photographer, and he was best known because he took a lot of the iconic pictures of the early modern dancers. Particularly, he worked with Martha Graham, who was one of the main innovators of modern dance. He and Martha Graham worked closely together for five years. A lot of the really famous pictures of her were ones that he took.”

For the opening ceremony festivities, the Columbus Modern Dance Company (with funding from the Greater Columbus Arts Council) has secured permissions to recreate an original Martha Graham piece, “Heretic,” which was photographed by Soichi.

Next in the line of artists is John, a key organizer for the show and an acclaimed public artist in Columbus.  

“My dad was one of the very early innovators of digital art,” Chris says. “I remember, back when I was a kid, he got his first Macintosh computer in 1984, which was when they came out. And he was a winner of one of their first contests for digital artists. So, he was doing digital art very early.”

The show will also showcase three artists from the next generation of Sunamis: Chris, his sister, Jennifer, and his wife, April.

Jennifer is a commercial artist based out of Seattle. Chris is a programmer at Nationwide by day, but he spends his off hours writing and composing.

“The Columbus Symphony is going to provide an ensemble. They’re going to play live accompaniment to the dance,” Chris says. “They’ll also be performing six of my own pieces. That’s very exciting for me.”

“The Columbus Symphony is going to provide an ensemble. They’re going to play live accompaniment to the dance. They’ll also be performing six of my own pieces. That’s very exciting for me.”

Last in this generation, but certainly not least, is acclaimed local artist April Sunami. Her work has been featured across the state, and, earlier this year, she produced a solo show for the Southern Ohio Museum at Portsmouth. She is also currently a featured artist and curator for Columbus’ Harlem Renaissance 100 celebration.

“This will show the range of what our family is doing,” Chris says. “But, it also shows that we’re an multiracial family, and I think it’s good for people to see that as a part of the fabric of Columbus. Sometimes, people don’t think of Columbus as a multicultural place. But it really is.”

“But, it also shows that we’re an multiracial family, and I think it’s good for people to see that as a part of the fabric of Columbus. Sometimes, people don’t think of Columbus as a multicultural place. But it really is.”

The fourth generation will be represented in the show with a piece from River Sunami, the 10-year-old son of April and Chris. River is one of the many young artists and musicians among Soichi’s 10 great-grandchildren. While it’s too soon to tell if River will follow in his family’s footsteps, Chris says that River was drawn to art from the moment he could draw.

This show opens on November 30 at 6 p.m., and the artwork will remain on display through January 5, 2019. For more information, click here.

Thursday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m. on the Columbus Commons Stage

Photos by Kathryn D. Studios

The Momentum University dancers want to take you on a journey, with movements that transport you to another time and another place: Harlem in the ’20s.

Every year, Momentum University students put on a free, summer performance at the Columbus Commons. But Thursday’s presentation is unique. This year they’ve challenged their students to create a show that tells the story of the Harlem Renaissance.

“I think the key thing for this year is that they will be part of this larger, community-wide event,” Liane Egle, executive director of Momentum-Excellence, says. “For many of these kids, this will be their first exposure to this important historical time.”

This show is the product of an arts summer camp called “Momentum University.” For the past two weeks, a group of about 60 students participated in different types of dance and performing arts classes.

The students also had the chance to listen to speakers such as Larry James, Barbara Fant and Suzan Bradford Kounta. The students have taken all that they learned and created a unique performance.

At the end of the day, though, this show is about more than dance.

“Even though we’re a dance program, it’s really about using dance as a vehicle to impart life skills like self confidence and perseverance and discipline,” Liane says. “The goal is not to teach kids the dance steps. The goal is to help them feel better about themselves and have confidence. That’s what the program is all about.”

“The goal is not to teach kids the dance steps. The goal is to help them feel better about themselves and have confidence. That’s what the program is all about.”

Liane says that performances are an excellent time to witness the impact that this program has on the kids.

“It’s so powerful to see kids all doing the same choreography when they come from very different backgrounds,” Liane says. “Talking about it gives me chills. You see the smiles on their faces and the confidence and that pride.

“Our mantra with the kids is the big four: Work hard, do my best, never give up and be healthy. They know that if they work hard, then this is the result of that. And that’s something that transfers beyond just dancing on a stage. That’s a life lesson.”

The Momentum University performance takes place Thursday, July 26 at 5:30 p.m. on the Columbus Commons Stage. It is free and open to the public. Here is where you can find more information.