Cincinnati, Ohio consists of 52 distinctive neighborhoods, many of which were self-contained villages prior to their incorporation into the city. For decades, Cincinnatians have studied, worked, played, shopped, dined, and raised families within the bounds of these neighborhoods, proud of their unique cultures that often go unnoticed against the broader city image. Puzzle Piece Cincy aims to foster community and renew a sense of belonging in 4 neighborhoods: Camp Washington, Avondale, Kennedy Heights, and College Hill. By coming together to reflect and share what makes their neighborhood an unique facet of the Cincinnati gem, residents will contribute to a public artwork that tells their story, using their voices.
Ashley-Devon Williamston is an artisan academic who will combine qualitative research and poetry to highlight the essence of six Cincinnati neighborhoods. Their project "Puzzle PIece Cincy" will take the typically private and inaccessible discipline of anthropology public by engaging ordinary citizens in dialogue about what makes their neighborhood a unique and essential facet of the Cincinnati landscape. The insights from the dialogues will be synthesized into poetic narratives that will be featured on murals in each neighborhood. Ultimately the project will foster community through collective self-reflection and culminate in an artistic depiction of the beautiful and extensive diversity of the Queen City.
Puzzle PIece Cincy is an Art Space Is Your Space Artist Residency project.