TRANSIT ARTS is a youth arts development program working in partnership with the Columbus Federation of Settlements and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. TRANSIT ARTS transports young people to a place of discovery -- where creative abilities expand & doors open to a world of possibilities. Our team of inspiring professional artists guide and learn from young people as we travel together to reveal and nurture our talents and entrepreneurial abilities.
TRANSIT ARTS works to inspire young people, ages 12-21, with a wide variety of interactive, multi-disciplinary arts workshops. Workshops are FREE for participating youth. TRANSIT ARTS activities are made possible through support from The Franklin County Board of Commissioners through the Greater Columbus Arts Council, United Way of Central Ohio, The Ohio Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, and individual contributors. TRANSIT ARTS is a program of Central Community House (CCH) and the Columbus Federation of Settlements. *The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
TRANSIT ARTS c/o Central Community House 1150 East Main Street Columbus OH 43205 614-252-3157 Ext. 128
Artists
LyriQ / Louis Berry - Hip Hop Artist/Poet
LyriQ is a professional hip-hop dancer and spoken word artist. He started dancing as a youth artist with B.H.B. and Malik (Balance) Willoughby at CAPACITY and continued through the transition to TRANSIT ARTS. He also studied writing with Dionne Custer and Carnell (Necessary) Willoughby throughout his years at CAPACITY. While still in high school he appeared in a nationally aired video produced on the John Lennon Songwriting Bus. He is has been a professional member of the TRANSIT ARTS Performance Group since 2007 and has also performed locally in two productions of Laverne Reed’s The Chocolate Nutcracker. In 2008 he played the starring role of Pan in the world premiere of Reed’s The Adventures of Pan, a hip-hop musical/urban version of the classic story of Peter Pan. LyriQ performs frequently with BHB and Balance and continues to perform with TRANSIT ARTS at a wide variety of venues. LyriQ is also a gifted landscape artist and helped develop the community garden at Central Community House.
BHB - D.J. & Hip Hop Artist
BHB (Brother’s helping Bruthas) has been dejaying for over 20 years. While growing up on the north side of Columbus, BHB learned how to dejay from his babysitter at the age of 8. From that day forward he began dejaying for various parties and high school functions. As time went on he relocated to the east side of Columbus and became more involved with the community. As an active contributor in the community, BHB founded The Hip Hop Expo using hip hop as a positive vehicle to deter young people away from negative activities. The Expo has been going on strong for 15 years at the Columbus Convention Center every year. He then began dejay and dance workshops with CAPACITY and Directions for Youth and later moved on with TRANSIT ARTS. He also founded the Hip Hop Orgins, traveling to various Columbus and suburban libraries to teach the youth about the origins of Hip Hop. BHB has had a series of live performances with people such as Foley, Mint Condition, Stretch Lefty, The Roots, Macy Gray, Cris Daddy Daves, Slum Village, Guilty Simpson, Murs, Jai Carey, Dominique Larue, and S.P.I.R.I.T. BHB has participated with Transit Arts at first night Columbus, The Arts Festival, River Fest and The Ohio State Fair. He has also performed at Comfest, Hot Times Fest, Labor Day Festival, Coming Home Festival, Juneteenth, and the Ohio Hip Hop Awards (finalist w/ Jai Carey). BHB has performed at a plethora of Colleges such as Ohio State University, Cleveland State University, Wilberforce, Ohio Wesleyan, Ohio University, Ohio Dominican, Capitol University, Kentucky State University, DePaul University, and Central State University. In addition, he has choreographed for the play The Adventures of Pan, rap group LNB, Comfest, TRANSIT ARTS, CAPACITY, Godman Guild, Directions for Youth, Taneal, The Academy of Urban Dance and Fitness and his very own dance crew Styles n Moshun. BHB has won the Hot Times Festival Honored Artist award for contributing in the community, Who’s Who in Columbus award, and Champion for the Cause award from Freedom Suite. He has been featured on the front page of Columbus Alive, featured in the Columbus Dispatch, The Other Paper, The Lantern, Fly paper, and Hot Times. For more information on upcoming events check him out at bhb4u.com.
Richard Duarte Brown - Visual Artist/ Writer
Duarte began drawing at age 6, creating art from found objects such as rice, glue, shoe polish and cardboard, and he continues to work primarily in mixed media. His works have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States and locally at the Frank Hale Cultural Center at OSU and the William Thomas Gallery. Duarte is a participating artist in the "Interrupted Life: Incarcerated Mothers in the United States," traveling public art exhibition support by the Ford Foundation.
Richard Duarte Brown has dedicated his talents to helping young people through countless programs including CAPACITY, the Short Stop Youth Center, the King Arts Complex, GCAC’s (Greater Columbus Arts Council) Artists-in-Schools program, Children of the Future, Ebony Boys, ArtSafe, and Very Special Arts Ohio. Mr. Brown was a high school art instructor at the Arts and College Preparatory Academy in Columbus until 2007. He currently is a master artist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Art in the House program and for TRANSIT ARTS.
Jackie Calderone - Artist/Director
Jackie Calderone (http:www.calderonearts.com) has played many roles throughout her arts career including: presenter, funder, booking agent, fundraiser, evaluator, panelist, board member, educator, and artist. Calderone pulls from these diverse experiences to help organizations and individuals uncover a greater capacity to create, connect, and deepen relationships with their changing communities.
Calderone is the Director of TRANSIT ARTS, Artists on the Move, launched in 2007. TRANSIT ARTS engages young people throughout Columbus through the seven members of the Columbus Federation of Settlement Houses. TRANSIT ARTS is working in partnership with the Greater Columbus Arts Council and a wide variety of artists, arts organizations and other community-based organizations. She received an Artists-in-Communities grant from the Ohio Arts Council in 2007 to create an interdisciplinary project titled “What’s Your Dream?” in collaboration with a variety of outstanding artists and young people based in Columbus.
In 1998 Calderone was invited to become CAPA’s first Director of Education and in 1999 created the CAPACITY program, expanding on the model of her innovative work with the nationally acclaimed Short Stop Teen Center. Calderone was the creative force behind the Short Stop Teen Center and Third Avenue Performance Space (a National Performance Network site). Her passion for community-based arts was sparked during her seven years at the Ohio Arts Council where she coordinated the Dance and Jazz Music programs. She has served on numerous National Endowment for the Arts panels and has designed and lead workshops for organizations which include Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The National Performance Network, The Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Dance USA and many more. Until 1989 she performed with an ensemble directed by noted choreographer John Giffin and she continues to collaborate with her husband, national touring artist Robert Post (http://www.robertpost.org).
Jai Carey/ Epochdemic Seraphic - Emcee/Freestyle/Spoken Word
Jai Carey is a lyricist who combines spoken word content with hip-hop style. The four time Hip Hop Expo Emcee Battle Champion is influenced by artist such as KRS-ONE, Common, Rakim, Jay-Z, Nas, and Public Enemy to name a few. He uses his art form as an expression of himself, ranging from his political views and complex lyricism, to love songs and party anthems. A member of the “Next Level” hip hop movement, Epochdemic embraces all aspects of the hip hop culture in his stage performance, often leaving him performing in the crowd. Epochdemic has performed with many artists including: Doctah X, Fatty Koo, The Def Jam Poetry on Broadway Cast, S.P.I.R.I.T., Malik Yussef, BHB, Stretch Lefty, Foley, the Reviblest, Grand Buffet, Wicked Lung and the Wookalar, the Trailer Park Ninjas, Dove Ink, Chosin, K-rigga, Dominque Larue, Ty-Ro, Tarae, LBX Productions, and more. He has performed annually at BHB’s Hip Hop Expo and Hip Hop showcase since 2002. A former CAPACITY youth artist, he served as a resident artist with CAPACITY since 2001, performing, teaching and serving as a mentor for the Los Angeles-based Oneness songwriting summits, which featured professional artists working with youth to create music to promote racial unity. He is a featured artist with the TRANSIT ARTS performance group and performs at a wide variety of arts organizations, festivals, community-based venues, clubs and more. He is dedicated to youth development and mentors elementary and middle school youth through his position as a youth worker at Central Community House. http://www.myspace.com/epochdemicseraphic
Dionne Custer - Writer, Educator, and Performing Artist
Dionne Custer is a graduate of The Ohio State University, where she studied English and Literature, focusing on Creative Writing and 20th Century Poetry. She also studied Music Theory and Composition, Jazz Studies, and Piano. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she was formally trained in music theory, classical piano, and flute; and studied and performed for a combined 18 years at the Cleveland Institute of Music and The Ohio State University. Drawing from her extensive background in music, she fuses an instinctive understanding of rhythm and sound in her writing, performance art, and teaching. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Arts Education and Creative Writing while working full-time as an arts educator at The Wexner Center for the Arts (The Ohio State University). She also works locally in community outreach and arts advocacy as a volunteer, teaching artist, and performing artist. She is passionate about sharing the arts and the art and craft of writing through teaching and performance. She is focused in developing arts-integrated programs that build interdisciplinary experiences for youths and teens.
Wendy Kendrick - Visual Artist
Ms. Kendrick, a specialist in collage, received her BA in Visual Studies from Dartmouth College and has done post-graduate work at the Dayton Art Institute and the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD). She has exhibited her work in Columbus at such venue as: the King Arts Complex, the Columbus Museum of Art Docent Exhibition, the Cox Fine Arts Center, and the Ohio Craft Museum, and in Dayton, Ohio at Sinclair Community College. Ms Kendrick teaches art at the Mansion Day School and has served as a docent at the Columbus Museum of Art for eight years. She is a Master Artist for the Art in the House and TRANSIT ARTS programs based at St. Stephen’s Community House. She is represented locally by the Star Arts, Ltd. Gallery in Columbus.
Keo Khim - Graphic Designer/Visual Artist
A 2003 graduate of the Interactive Multimedia Technology program at Columbus State, Keo’s design clients include the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, The Wexner Center for the Arts, The Columbus Museum of Art, Post Comedy Theatre, Youth to Youth International and many more. Keo was first involved with CAPACITY as a high school junior when he was selected to join the CAPA Scholars program. He also served as one of six High Five Tickets to the Arts student advisors. He began working with CAPACITY as an intern during his studies at Columbus State Community College and was soon hired as a Program Associate and resident graphic design artist. As a graphic/web designer, he is driven to create when there is vision and purpose, giving his audience a chance to see their own reflection of creativity. He is also a musician who loves to sing and play guitar. Keo currently serves as a Master Artist in Art in the House as well as TRANSIT ARTS.
Aaron Thomas - Visual Artist/Poet
Aaron Thomas is a professional visual artist, poet, and a teaching artist through a variety of youth-serving programs including The Wexner Center for the Arts, TRANSIT ARTS, Art in the House and more. He served as Program Manager/Artist for Art Safe until January 2009, where he provided a wide variety of community arts programs including arts experiences with incarcerated youth. He performs live painting with the TRANSIT ARTS Performance Group and has exhibited his work throughout Central Ohio at a variety of galleries and festivals. He attended Columbus State Community College and studied commercial art at North East Career Center. For more information and to view artworks visit: http://www.myspace.com/monasticarts
Keith Williams - Performance Artist/Writer
Keith “Speak” Williams is an emcee, public speaker, performance artist, writer and musician who focuses on community impact through the performing arts. Mr. Williams specializes in connecting the literary arts to Hip-Hop and using them as a platform for personal development and civic engagement. He was president of the Way With Words Poets’ Society for two years at Wright State University and was involved with other campus organizations as well. Mr. Williams has performed at the Columbus Juneteenth Celebration, the King Arts Complex, New Harvest Cafe, the After 5 Lounge, the Ohio Statehouse, Maryhaven, and The Works Gallery. He is a regular performer with the TRANSIT ARTS Performance Group and is pursuing a career as a professional recording artist. Mr. Williams is also a graduate of the Senator Ray Miller Institute for Leadership.
Malik Willoughby - Hip Hop Artist
Malik A. Willoughby, Sr. was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and was introduced to music appreciation through his eldest brother, Abdus, who is a deejay. He was also inspired early on to the arts of emceeing and street dance by his brothers Kenyatta and Carnell. He has been performing rap/dance/spoken word with the high-energy, dynamic Hip Hop group S.P.I.R.I.T. for 17 years and has performed professionally with CAPACITY, now the TRANSIT ARTS Performance Group, for the past 9 years. Malik is a dance choreographer and guest artist with the following productions to his credit: Black Nativity (2001-2003), Chocolate Nutcracker Production (2003 & 2005), and The Adventures of Pan (2007 & 2008). He conducted Hip Hop dance workshops at DePauw University (2003-2006), Columbus BalletMet (2004-2006), OhioDance Festival – Bowling Green University (4/2006) and O.S.U. (3/2008). He was a member of Thiossane West African Dance Company (2003-2006) and served as a consultant for Columbus Public Schools Gifted and Talented Program for dance (2005 & 2006).
Malik is a Youth Career Planner with COWIC/JOBLeaders. He has helped improve special events in the area of performing arts through citywide open mics, dance residencies and citywide cheer, dance & step competitions. He has written successful P.L.A.Y. grants enabling collaborations with the King Arts Complex, CAPA, and Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall Fame, exposing inner city youth to a variety of arts experiences. He is a graduate of Ashford University.
Necessary/ Carnell Willoughby - Emcee/Spoken Word/Hip Hop/Dance
Carnell Willoughby is a founding member of S.P.I.R.I.T., “Soldiers Poised Infinitely Reinforced In Truth”, a collective of four MCs. Balance, Necessary, and Creamy Dark are brothers hailing from Atlantic City, New Jersey, while Rizz and Storm9000 are natives of the crew’s base, Columbus, Ohio. The members were drawn together through the love of hip-hop and various forms of spoken word. When these dynamic artists join together, on any stage, it cannot be described as anything but pure energy. The group has been together for the past 16 years honing skills and building stage appeal. S.P.I.R.I.T. has performed throughout the Midwest and East Coast opening up for major acts such as: ˜ KRS-ONE ˜ Out Kast ˜ Chuck D ˜ Redman ˜ Keith Murray ˜ Common ˜ Mobb Deep ˜ The Roots ˜ and Foley. See MySpace Music http://www.myspace.com/spirit4u for music/lyric samples.