CINCINNATI — Murals and public art are available on buildings, vacant walls and parks across Cincinnati’s urban core. But few of these spaces are as unique — or mobile — as the one that features a recent work by local artist Brent Billingsley.

What You Need To Know

  • Brent Billingsley won a public contest to have his design used as an exterior wrapper for a Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar

  • The ’WE ARE ALL HUE-MAN’ design aims to promote how art can connect people in spite of their differences

  • The announcement kicks off the annual fundraising campaign for ArtsWave, which raises money and supports program to benefit local artists and arts organizations

  • The pandemic has challenged many arts organizations due to social distancing concerns and community-wide financial disruptions

Billingsley’s latest piece, “WE ARE ALL HUE-MAN,’’ turned into a skin to wrap the exterior of a Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar vehicle. Art fans can see it on display seven days a week along the streetcar’s 3.6-mile track throughout downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine.

In the design, Billingsley depicts several young children with different skin colors “finding joy in their shared humanity. The work speaks to the importance of the arts in connecting us, despite real or perceived differences,” according to ArtsWave, which worked with the city of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Bell on the project. 

The city owns the streetcar system and Cincinnati Bell is the primary sponsor.

ArtsWave said a common theme in Billingsley’s work is the inclusion of community members and youth, in particular, in the execution of an artistic vision. He works as a behavioral health specialist for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

“I believe that artists can change the world as we navigate through ‘isms,’ tear down walls that divide and guide little hands to create, little eyes to see, and little minds to know that love is greater than just about anything,” said Billingsley, a greater Cincinnati native who graduated with a degree in fine art from Miami University.

The city of Cincinnati said the exteriors of three streetcars also are being re-wrapped. The city will unveil the next set on Monday. 

Billingsley’s design was unique because it was selected as part of a public contest.

In December, ArtsWave sent out a call to artists to submit original designs. In total, there were 20 submissions. The public voted on their favorite designs, and a committee selected the winner from the top three vote-getters. 

The new streetcar wrap and traveling art exhibition were unveiled at a Connector stop outside Music Hall. .

Event attendees who hopped aboard the vehicle saw that the car also features a collection of other works by Billingsley. The goal is to turn that streetcar vehicle into a traveling art exhibition — a first for the Cincinnati Bell Connector.

Billingsley’s work will remain installed in the streetcar through March 4. He also received a $2,500 grant.

“A strong, thriving, diverse arts community is essential to the future of Cincinnati and we’re happy to partner to create this artist’s streetcar,” Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said. “Let’s take Brent’s inspiration, opening all doors and embracing each other’s humanity.”

Revving the ‘engine for the arts’

The event outside Music Hall doubled as a kick-off of the annual community fundraising campaign for ArtsWave, known as the region’s engine for the arts.

Tim Steigerwald, 2022 campaign chair, said this year is important for the local arts organizations and artists. Many are still trying to rebound from the devastation of COVID-19. 

The arts in the Cincinnati region have an annual economic impact of about $300 million annually and employ over 10,000 people, according to Hamilton County. The county sai arts organizations have lost nearly $140 million in revenue since the pandemic began. 

In late January, Hamilton County teamed up with ArtsWave on a new grants program that will award $2 million to nonprofit arts and cultural efforts affected by COVID-19. That includes places like performing arts venues and museums, which typically derive much of their operating revenue from ticket sales or events.

The grants will be awarded to combat the negative economic impact of COVID-19 on the local arts community and to fuel the region’s economic restart. They’ll cover costs related to things such as reopening and adaptations required for digital programming, but more help is needed, Steigerwald said.

This year’s goal is $11.5 million for the arts, a 4% increase over the amount raised in 2021. The theme of the campaign “Bring You: The power of the arts in our hands.”

“This goal is our baseline,” Steigerwald said. “We need everyone who cares about Cincinnati’s vitality and quality of life to come together now and help the arts and our region rebuild for a bright future.”

Steigerwald has created a cabinet of volunteer community leaders to help secure support for the campaign. To jumpstart this year’s efforts, Steigerwald has raised $500,000 from 22 pace-setting gifts. He is calling on the public to match this $500,000 to create a $1 million boost to the campaign with new or increased contributions over the next three months.

The ArtsWave Campaign, now in its seventh year, raises funds to enable ArtsWave to make more than 150 arts-related grants every year.

As part of the campaign, ArtsWave plans to host a series of fundraising and community events throughout the year. That includes a battle of the bands-type concert at Hard Rock Cafe on May 19.

Related Stories