COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus artist Richard Duarte Brown was selected out of 26 applicants for the 2022 Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson Fellowship, one of two programs created by the Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) and the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA), to support African-American, professional visual artists and honor the legacy of the beloved Columbus artist and MacArthur Fellow.
Launched in 2019 along with a separate national artist residency, the fellowship celebrates the legacy of Columbus artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson by recognizing the exemplary work of a Columbus-based African-American visual artist. In 2021 both programs were made possible with the financial support of Loann Crane.
Richard Duarte Brown (43227) is a long-time teaching artist, having participated in teaching programs with the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education’s Art in the House program, the Ohio Arts Council’s TeachArtsOhio program, and for the Columbus Museum of Art, Center for Arts-Inspired Learning in Cleveland, Arts & College Preparatory Academy and many others. He’s participated in artist residences through LoCo Art in Bellefontaine, Project Jericho through Clark State University, TRANSIT ARTS, King Arts Complex, CAPA, Wexner Center for the Arts and more. Brown has also showcased his work in dozens of exhibitions, most recently at All People Arts, Beck Center for the Arts, The Vanderelli Room, Ross Art Museum, Ohio History Center, ArtPop Street Gallery, Angela Meleca Gallery and McConnell Arts Center.
“My first reaction is surprise and a rush of emotions and thoughts,” said Brown, upon receiving news of the award. “I am extremely honored. I personally visited Aminah and Sydney in that house in the 90s. It is now in 2022; I never expected to be in collaboration with her legacy. Like every other creative gatekeeper I am inspired to gather the Diasporic survival stories. We must not disconnect from our roots; it’s the death of our culture and community.”
Jurors for the fellowship included:
- Jackie Calderone, founding director of TRANSIT ARTS
- Deidre Hamlar, director of the Aminah Robinson Legacy Project at the Columbus Museum of Art
- Wendy Kendrick, visual artist and 2021 Aminah Robinson Fellowship recipient
- Douglas McDonald, president of the Shepard Community Association
- Marshall Shorts, artist, founder of Artfluential and Arts Council board member
“The jurying process presented a number of challenges for me personally because I know and am a fan of a number of the artists who submitted for the residency program, said Marshall Shorts, one of the jurors. “There were so many deserving but Duarte stands out. His work embodies a deep resolve for community, art and storytelling. Duarte’s work, very much like Aminah, demonstrates how visual culture can provide windows into the lives of real people. His love for people and community comes through his work with precision and care. Anyone who encounters his work can feel that instantly.”
The fellowship runs Jan. 3 – Apr. 3, 2022, and includes a $15,000 unrestricted grant, access to Aminah’s in-home studio and community outreach activities.
The Columbus Museum of Art also received 27 applications for a new national residency program – the Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson Writer, Scholar, Researcher residency. Applications are currently being reviewed by a jury and the winner of the residency will be announced by the museum in January.
Mission of the Columbus Museum of Art: To create great experiences with great art for everyone. www.columbusmuseum.org
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners and the Ohio Arts Council.
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
