ANISSA R. LEWIS

Born: Covington, KY; Lives: Covington, KY

EDUCATION

Master of Fine Arts, Painting/Printmaking, May 1999, Yale University School of Art, New Haven, CT

Post-Baccalaureate, June 1997, Knox College, Galesburg, IL

Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art, June 1996, Knox College, Galesburg, IL

EXHIBITIONS

SOLO

2023 Open Lots (We All Rise), Weston Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2025 In the making: Place, histories, power (Britni Bicknaver and Anissa R. Lewis)

2018 Not to Scale, a two-person show with Mary Clare Rietz, The Carnegie, Covington, KY 2016 Pleasant Street Series, Pique Gallery, Covington, KY

2014 Yemaya and Oshun (Installation), Main Street Display, Cincinnati, OH

2009 Lessons Well Learned, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY

2008 From Knox to Now: Redefinition of Self-Portraiture, Knox College, Galesburg, IL

One Step Back, LEAPING FORWARD, Park National Bank Art Gallery, University of Cincinnati - Clermont, Batavia, OH

2007 Reflect. Rise. Repeat., Nordheim Gallery, Covington, KY

GROUP

2026 UPCOMING: belonging to place: The Creative Community and Artistic Legacy of bell hooks, Turchin Center for the Arts, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

2025 Enough Already, Museum of Contemporary Art Connecticut, Westport, CT

2024 Riveting: Women Artists from the Sara M. and Michelle Vance Waddell Collection, Dayton Art Institute, Dayton, OH

2023 Exposed to the Air, Not Viewed / Covered, Residency Unlimited, Governor’s Island, New York, NY

On Belonging, Third Space Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2022/23 Holla If Ya See Me: Black Appalachians, Kansas African American Museum, Wichita KS, Kansas

City Community College Art Gallery, Kansas City, KS

2021 The Regional, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH, Kemper Museum of Art, Kansas

City, MO

Build It: Artists Creating Community in Ohio, Riffe Gallery, Columbus, OH

2020 Resilience 101, Morlan Gallery, Transylvania University, Lexington, KY

Revolutionary: Being American Today, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH

2019 /just to be alive/, 1628 Ltd., Cincinnati, OH

2018 Ohio Artists for Freedoms, Pearlman Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

25, Fitton Center for the Arts, Hamilton, OH

2017 Little Ink, Fuse Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

Miami Regionals Art Faculty, Hanavan Gallery and Figurative Art Studio, Middletown, OH

Art Hop, Hamilton's Main Street Area Association, Hamilton, OH

9x18 Parking Lot Experiment, Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH

2016 30 Americans Plus...The Region, University of Cincinnati, Meyers Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

2015 We, Covington, The Carnegie, Covington, KY

2014 Angels, St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church, Cincinnati, OH

2012 Chocolat Biennal, Prairie Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

Interface, Passages Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

Multiples: Faculty Exhibition, Pearlman Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH,

2010 Porgy to Barack, Dayton Opera Schuster Center, Dayton, OH

426 Raw Walls, Cincinnati, OH

Black Beauty, Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH Group Exhibition, Duke Energy, Cincinnati,

Faculty Exhibition, Pearlman Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 2008

First Fruit XII, Sweetwater Center for the Arts, Sewickley, PA

Introspections, Juried Self-Portrait Exhibition, Mills Pond House Gallery, St. James, NY

“FRESH” 9th Annual Group Summer Exhibition, Artjaz, Philadelphia, PA

Uptown Express, First Christian Assembly, Cincinnati, OH

Embrace, Avisca Fine Arts, Atlanta, GA

Faculty Show, Pearlman Gallery, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

go figure, The Carnegie, Covington, KY

Back Holmes, Nordheim Gallery, Covington, KY

VAULT: Lost Projects Resuscitated, A Collaborative Experiment by Lizz Godfroy & Anissa

Lewis, Leapin’ Lizard, Covington, KY

New Power Generation, Hampton University Museum, Hampton, VA National Black Fine Arts

Show, Avisca Fine Arts, New York, NY

2007 Nappy Roots: An Affrilachian Sampler, Inktank, Cincinnati, OH

God Save the Queen, Leapin’ Lizard, Covington, KY

24/7, Leapin’ Lizard, Covington, KY

8th Annual Summer Group Show, ArtJaz, Philadelphia, PA

Aqua, Kennedy Heights Art Center, Cincinnati, OH

Paths to Press, Dicere Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

Voices and Visions, City of Bloomington, Bloomington, IN

2005 Art and Social Justice, Geo-Clan, Philadelphia, PA

2004 Aldea Colobo Africana (Permanent installation), Norris Square Community Gardens,

Philadelphia, PA

CREATIVE PRACTICES

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Sunnyside Up, Creativity Center, Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2022

A collaboration with high school students to create a wall installation about empowering spaces and place and voice in our communities.

Chalk Art Collaboration, Eastside Music and Soul Food Festival, Covington, KY, 2019

Collaboration with neighborhood residents to dream and draw.

Cincinnati Artist Survey (CAR), Wave Pool and ArtWorks, Cincinnati, OH, 2019

CAR is a collaboration between Wave Pool and ArtWork; one aspect of CAR entailed working with apprentices to create community engagement opportunities for artists to further support survey participation.

WHAT’S GOOD?, City of Covington Parks and Recreation, Covington, KY, 2016

A series of creative placemaking activities to promote community ownership and identity amongst Eastside residents at Randolph Park.

What’s good, Neighbor?, Eastside, Covington, KY, 2016

Neighborhood residents were asked to “re-experience” their shared spaces from varying perspectives. Through interactive murals, storytelling, gatherings and art interventions, What’s good, Neighbor? aims to build the social fabric between longtime and new residents. This project was made possible initially with the support of a Creative Community Grant from The Center for Great Neighborhoods.

Collaboration, On the Map/Over-the-Rhine (OTM/OTR), with social practice artist, Mary Clare Rietz, Cincinnati, OH, 2014 - 2016

OTM/OTR aims to challenge – and introduce alternatives to – the predominant narrative, cartography, and economy of the neighborhood at this time of rapid redevelopment. It asks: “What if the current diverse mix of people could meet and form social bonds by sharing stories about the one thing they all do share – their place?”

Rites of Passage, Kensington High School, Woodrock, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, 2004

An after-school program for high school girls of color offering experiential learning workshops on mind, body and spirit, including guest speakers, a low ropes course camp and a civic engagement project

Women Are Powerful Prison Outreach Program, Pan African Studies Community Education Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 2002 – 2003

An arts-based, self-empowerment class for incarcerated women in the drug and alcohol unit of the Philadelphia Industrial Corrections Center featuring journal writing, poetry, visual arts, skits and music.

MURALS

Caution (We’re TOO Big to fit in their small minds), Cincinnati, OH, 2020

Peaslee for the People,” Peaslee Neighborhood Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2017

Bubbles, The Washing Well, a social enterprise laundromat, Community Matters, Cincinnati, OH, 2016

Be the change…, Kensington High School (Woodrock, Inc.), Philadelphia, PA, 2005

Powerful Words, Kensington High School (Woodrock, Inc.), Philadelphia, PA, 2004

Installation, Homes, Take Back the Nite (Domestic violence rally), Galesburg, IL, sponsored by the Knox County Coalition against Domestic Violence, Galesburg, IL, 1996

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

Peacock + The Worm, made possible by the Great Meadows Foundation, Aberdeen, Scotland, Aug – Sep 2025

Residency Unlimited, made possible by the Great Meadows Foundation, Brooklyn, NY, 2022

Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT, October 1996

ARTIST TALKS / SPEAKER / PRESENTER

Artists Talk with co-presenters, Lorena Molina, Dan Gunn, and Yvonne Osei, “The Regional,” Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2021.

“Build It: Artist Talk with Anissa Lewis,” Riffe Gallery, Columbus, OH, 2021.

Co-Presenter, “Performing Possibility: Three Public Works that Act Out,” 2019 Midwest Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit, Cincinnati, OH, 2019

“Black Women Artists: The Role of Race,” The Seven Hills School, Cincinnati, OH, 2019 “What is Creative Placemaking?,” FreshLo Program, Center for Great Neighborhoods, Covington, KY, 2018

Co-Presenter, “OTM/OTR,” Open Platform, Open Engagement (arts and social practice conference),

Pittsburgh, PA, 2015

“Redefinition of Self Portraiture,” Knox College, Galesburg, IL, 2008

“Works on Paper,” Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, 2007

Artists Reaching Classrooms, Taft Museum, Cincinnati, OH, Fall 2007

PANEL DISCUSSANT

Black Art Business Luncheon, Fellow Discussants, Annie Ruth, Cedric Cox and Kareem Simpson, Taft Museum, 2024

Panel Session: Land and Stewardship, The Convening, Fotofocus, Cincinnati, OH, 2023 (Moderator, and fellow panelists, Chip Thomas and Tania Willard)

Rehearsing Hospitalities, Frame, Contemporary Art Finland, Helsinki, Finland, October 2022

Closing Plenary, “Building Welcoming and Inclusive Communities,” 2019 Midwest Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit, Cincinnati, OH, 2019

“Ohio Artist: Tools for Freedom,” Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2018

“Storytelling in the Community,” Kentucky Rural Urban Exchange, Covington, KY, 2018

“SOS! For a Better World: Community Centered Art,” Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Cincinnati,

OH, 2017

“The Art of Activism: A Panel Discussion Inspired by the work of Andrea Bowers,”

Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2017

“community organizer social worker designer developer ARTIST,” Wave Pool, Cincinnati,

OH, 2015

“Works in Progress,” Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2007

“Art & Social Justice,” Geo-Clan, Philadelphia, PA, 2005

JUROR

CAMaderie, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, OH, 2024

Art Space Is Your Space, Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH, 2019, 2021

Curatorial Residency Program, Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH, 2017

Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition (Southwest Ohio Region), Milford High School, Milford, OH, 2014

19th Fresh ART 2011, Behringer-Crawford Museum, Covington, KY, 2011

NKU Social Art Contest, Art Department, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, 2011

LEADERSHIP

Member, Community Engagement Collective (a task force that assists the Contemporary Arts Center in creating a roadmap for inclusive and impactful community engagement), Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2017

CURATOR

Social Justice Art Contest, Graphic Design Department, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, 2011

TOUCH, Kennedy Heights Art Center, Cincinnati, OH, August 2010

Exquisite Drawing, Dicere Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, July 2008

ESSAYIST

“Transparent Layers: The Work of Aditi Singh Reddy” (Catalogue essay), Gallery Chemould Prescott Road, Mumbai, India, 2008

PUBLICATIONS

UPCOMING, Greenlee, E. Gale, PhD and shauna Caldwell, belonging to place: The Creative Community and Artistic Legacy of bell hooks, University Press of Kentucky, Spring 2027.

Artwork of Our Time & Place: Kemper Museum Showcases Midwest Artists — MIKCexplore

Black Appalachian Artists Showcased in Kansas City (flatlandkc.org)

Review: The Regional at CAC in Cincinnati - UnderMain

Podcast, “I like your work,” “Give yourself permission: Anissa Lewis on Social Practice, The Power of Words, and Being Right on Time,” https://www.ilikeyourworkpodcast.com/post/give-yourself-permission-anissa-lewis-on-social-practice-the-power-of-words-being-right-on-time, March 5, 2021.

Fisher, Lauren, “Artist Anissa Lewis on Community, Creativity, and ‘Camp Delivery,” Cincinnati Magazine, https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/artist-anissa-lewis-on-community-creativity-and-camp-delivery/, September 11, 2020.

Simpson, Kareem, “Anissa Lewis tells the story of coming home — and her struggle with how things have changed,” Soapbox Media, https://www.soapboxmedia.com/features/Boomerang- Series-Anissa-Lewis.aspx, July 16, 2019.

Chambers, Karen S. “/just to be alive/ An Exhibition of the Contemporary Female Artist,” 1628 Ltd., through May 31, 2019, AEQAI, https://aeqai.com/main/2019/03/just-to-be-alive-an- exhibition-of-the-contemporary-female-artist-1628-ltd-through-may-31-2019/, March 31, 2019.

Griffith, Katie, “Art Academy of Cincinnati a Venue in National Program Encouraging Political Activism,” CityBeat, https://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/visual-arts/article/21020100/art- academy-of-cincinnati-a-venue-in-national-program-encouraging-political-activism-through-art, August 29, 2018.

Carter, Christopher, “Eastside Processional: “Not to Scale” at the Carnegie,” AEQAI, https://aeqai.com/main/2018/03/eastside-processional-not-to-scale-at-the-carnegie/, March 2018.

Simpson, K. A., “Creative Placemaking Projects in Covington’s Eastside Awarded More than

$5000,“ River City News, July 31, 2016.

“Featured Tri-State Artist,” Cincy Magazine, February / March 2011. Pearce, Sara, “Lost and Found,” The Enquirer, May 9, 2008.

Muente, Tamara, “Articulations,” CityBeat, April 30, 2008.

Richardson, Rachel, “Artist shows journey through her work: Exhibit of Anissa Lewis’ works on display at the Clermont College Art Gallery,” The Enquirer, April 19, 2008.

“UC Clermont to display pieces that were ‘lived,’” Kenton Recorder, April 17, 2008. Staff, “Main Event: Nappy Roots: An Affrilachian Arts Sampler,” CityBeat, October 2007.

Strauss, Robert, “August holds its own,” University City Review, August 2007.

Feldmann, Jason, “New Exhibits Coming to Nordheim Gallery,” Kenton Recorder, March 2007.

Pearce, Sara, “Weekend Art Warrior: highlights of tonight’s options,” www.frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/art, March 2007.

Artworks featured, Catch (an award winning literary magazine), Knox College, Galesburg, IL, Fall 1996 (Cover image), Winter/Spring 1996, Winter/Spring 1995.

TEACHING

COURSES TAUGHT

Intro to Relief
Visual Arts Concepts II
Life Drawing
Concepts in Art
Beginning Drawing
Social Practice in the Arts
History of African American Art
Studio Arts I
Creative Processes
Color Theory
Professional Practice Studio
Design Fundamentals
Introduction to Art
Medieval / Renaissance Art History
Art of the Ancient World

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR

School of Art, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2017 – 2022

Master of Art in Art Education Program, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, Summer 2017

Studio Arts and Liberal Arts, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2008 – 2012, 2018 – 2019

Foundations, Art Institute of Cincinnati, Mason, OH, Summer 2013 – 2014

Humanities and Sciences Department, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Cincinnati, OH, Fall 2010 – 2012

INSTRUCTOR / FACILITATOR

Driving Lessons (a course for artists to navigate the professional art world), Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH, 2020 - 2022

Scripps School Program, Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, OH 2019

“The Art of Appropriation,” Educator Workshop, Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, OH 2019 2019

Summer Art Studio Intensive Program, Cincinnati Public Schools and the Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati, OH 2019

“One Night, One Craft: DIY Protest Art,” Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH, 2017

“Lunch & Learn,” Kentucky Center for Restorative Justice (a non-profit that offers

a holistic way of looking at criminal justice by focusing on repairing the harm done to people and relationships rather than on punishing the offenders), Covington, KY, Spring 2017 “African Textiles Print Workshop,” Memories in the Museum, Contemporary Arts Center,

Cincinnati, OH, 2017

“Beginning Drawing,” Community Education, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2007 – 2008 MuralWorks, ArtWorks, Cincinnati, OH, Summers 2007, 2006

WORK EXPERIENCE

Executive Director

Wave Pool, Cincinnati, OH, 2023 – 2024

Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2021 – 2023

Assistant Director of Admissions, Records/Events/Design

Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2012 – 2015

Student Services Co-ordinator

Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2009 – 2010

Program Director – HS Programs

Woodrock, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, 2003 –2005

Training & Assessment Specialist

Temple University Center for Social Policy and Community Development, Philadelphia, PA,

2001 – 03

Director of Education & Outreach

Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ, 2000 –2001