House of Friends Cincinnati

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House of Friends Cincinnati House of Friends -Cincinnati is located in a historic farm house in College Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio. "Vision Yourself for Others"

A small house art gallery & gathering space with a focus on community conversations & social justice messaging.

Freedom Fighters: The Sunday ChecklistWe are open, active, and kicking off this Sunday, Oct 4th at HOF Gallery / Oasis i...
09/29/2026

Freedom Fighters: The Sunday Checklist
We are open, active, and kicking off this Sunday, Oct 4th at HOF Gallery / Oasis inside Grace Church in College Hill. Here is everything you need to know:
๐Ÿšช 1:00 PM: Doors Open
๐ŸŽธ 2:00 PM: Live music starts sharp
๐Ÿ“ Where: 5501 Hamilton Ave
๐Ÿš— Parking: Park on Belmont Ave, find the single red door
๐ŸŽŸ Cost: Free entry (donations welcome)
๐Ÿป Rules: BYOB. Food on site.
See you behind the red door.

No gatekeepers, no stiff gallery rulesโ€”just raw art, deep local storytelling, and live music.We are opening Freedom Figh...
09/25/2026

No gatekeepers, no stiff gallery rulesโ€”just raw art, deep local storytelling, and live music.
We are opening Freedom Fighters at HOF Gallery Cincinnati, featuring powerful mixed-media work by Carol S. Mohamed.
๐Ÿ—“ Sunday, Oct 4 | 1:00 PM โ€“ 6:00 PM
๐ŸŽธ Live music at 2:00 PM by Johnny Rubbers and the Freedom Fighters
๐Ÿ“ 5501 Hamilton Ave (College Hill)
๐Ÿš— Park on Belmont, find the single red door.
๐ŸŽŸ Free admission. BYOB. Food on site.
Come for the art, stay for the noise.

Building on our own terms.The official press release has dropped today regarding our strategic pivot to a late 2028 full...
09/01/2026

Building on our own terms.

The official press release has dropped today regarding our strategic pivot to a late 2028 full launch for the Nairobi Arts Biennale.

We are choosing to build strictly on our own terms, ensuring our work is defined by the excellence of our collective output rather than the systemic and bureaucratic inefficiencies currently surrounding us. This proactive runway gives us the time to bring the right stakeholders to the table and secure a truly sustainable, autonomous, and inclusive future for the East African creative community.

The real work on the ground does not pause. We are strengthening our infrastructure, running grassroots workshops, and accelerating community-led curation.

Our core 2026 public actions are moving forward immediately:

โ€ขโ  โ The SOS Show โ€“ Saturday, November 7, 2026 (Open call for artists drops in the next few days).
โ€ขโ  โ โ The Kibera Arts Parade โ€“ Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Building an unshakeable cultural institution that lasts for generations takes time. We can do better, we will do better, and we are starting right now.

The full official press release is attached to this post as an image/PDF and is updated on our website: https://houseoffriendskenya.com/nairobi-arts-biennale

Letโ€™s keep building.

Jamey Ponte, Founder & Artistic Director
Patrick (Pato) Othieno, Community Lead
Santana Sino, Lead Gallery Director & Programming Coordinator

๐“๐‡๐„ ๐’๐–๐€๐Œ๐ is a powerful exploration of vulnerability, manipulation and the seduction of political power. Through his pai...
08/10/2026

๐“๐‡๐„ ๐’๐–๐€๐Œ๐ is a powerful exploration of vulnerability, manipulation and the seduction of political power. Through his paintings, ๐‘ด๐’–๐’๐’†๐’๐’† ๐‘ฒ๐’‚๐’“๐’Š๐’Š๐’•๐’‰๐’Š examines how promises of hope, handouts, and change can draw people into systems that ultimately leave them trapped in the very rot they were promised would be dismantled.
As the illusion begins to fade, ๐“๐ก๐ž ๐’๐ฐ๐š๐ฆ๐ฉ becomes a space of awakening, inviting us to question power, resist deception and demand a society that is functional,
just and accountable.

Save the Date on 22nd August 2026, the exhibition open at the Annex Gallery in the Kibera Arts District.
Incase of any information feel free to contact us on +254 741443678.

๐’๐€๐•๐„ ๐“๐‡๐„ ๐ƒ๐€๐“๐„ for ๐”๐๐ƒ๐„๐‘ ๐“๐‡๐„ ๐’๐€๐Œ๐„ ๐’๐Š๐˜ brings together the distinct artistic voices of two brothers, Mbiyu Ng'ang'a and An...
08/10/2026

๐’๐€๐•๐„ ๐“๐‡๐„ ๐ƒ๐€๐“๐„ for ๐”๐๐ƒ๐„๐‘ ๐“๐‡๐„ ๐’๐€๐Œ๐„ ๐’๐Š๐˜ brings together the distinct artistic voices of two brothers, Mbiyu Ng'ang'a and Antony Mega, in a shared reflection on the world they inhabit. Through abstraction, colour, mark-making and layered material
the exhibition explores the space between hope and reality, aspiration and uncertainty. While Mbiyu's ๐‘๐‘–๐‘š๐‘๐‘ข๐‘  ๐‘ƒ๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘Ž๐‘‘๐‘–๐‘”๐‘š speaks to awakening, abundance and the changing social consciousness of our time, Antonyโ€™s works turn towards Nairobi and the realities that shape everyday life, holding alongside them a desire for something better.
Together, their works become two ways of seeing, two experiences, and two voices meeting U๐’๐’…๐’†๐’“ T๐’‰๐’† S๐’‚๐’Ž๐’† S๐’Œ๐’š.

Opening on ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ง๐ ๐€๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” at the Nobody Owns Me Gallery in the Kibera Arts District from 2pm.
Incase of any inquiry feel free to contact us on +254 741443678

๐’๐š๐ฏ๐ž ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ƒ๐š๐ญ๐ž as we invite you for ๐†๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐–๐ž ๐ˆ๐ง๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐ญ ๐„๐ฑ๐ก๐ข๐›๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง that brings together two distinct perspectives on conte...
08/10/2026

๐’๐š๐ฏ๐ž ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ƒ๐š๐ญ๐ž as we invite you for ๐†๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐–๐ž ๐ˆ๐ง๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ข๐ญ ๐„๐ฑ๐ก๐ข๐›๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง that brings together two distinct perspectives on contemporary African life. ๐‘จ๐’Œ๐’Š๐’ƒ๐’‚ looks to the land as a space of identity, memory and becoming, placing contemporary figures within landscapes that carry history while imagining new ways of being African. ๐‘ฉ๐’๐’‚๐’Š๐’๐’† turns toward the realities unfolding within those landscapesโ€”social uncertainty, fractured systems, loss, unemployment, resilience and resistance. Together, their works consider the ๐บ๐‘Ÿ๐‘œ๐‘ข๐‘›๐‘‘ ๐‘Š๐‘’ ๐ผ๐‘›โ„Ž๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘–๐‘ก, the realities we negotiate, and the identities we continue to shape. The exhibition becomes a conversation between place and people, beauty, struggle and inheritance.

Exhibition opening on 22nd August at the HOF Gallery Kibera from 2pm.
Incase of any information feel free to contact us through +254 741443678

RAW|ROOTS|REAL Canvases of Kenya art exhibition opens Friday 22nd May starting from 2pm to 7pm ending with a Jazz concer...
05/22/2026

RAW|ROOTS|REAL Canvases of Kenya art exhibition opens Friday 22nd May starting from 2pm to 7pm ending with a Jazz concert.

HOF Gallery inside the Grace Episcopal Church & Oasis in College Hill.

Here is the full Press Release and I hope to see may of you that I have not caught up with for a long time. Please do stop up and let me share and catch up with you.

# # #
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
โ€˜Raw|Roots|Realโ€™ Exhibition Brings 14 East African Artists and Modern Jazz to Cincinnati
CINCINNATI, OH โ€” Friday, May 22, 2026, the annual Canvases of Kenya exhibition returns to Cincinnati under the new branding: โ€˜Raw|Roots|Realโ€™. Curated by artist Jamey Ponte (Babu), the exhibition moves the "outward voice" of East Africa onto local gallery walls.
Presented primarily unstretched and unframed, the artwork challenges traditional Western gallery standards, offering an immediate and nomadic perspective from the Kibera Arts District. The evening features a modern jazz concert with the Jazz Renaissance Band & Spoken Word by Stark Reality. Guests are invited to bring their own spirits and beverages to enjoy while experiencing the intersection of art, poetry and music.
Featured Artists: The exhibition showcases 14 visionary artists: Maori Wasike, Dennis Ndegwa (Bull), Daniel Kabiaru, Edwin Thou, Fridah Ljai, Jimmy Nduati, Kiliku Hassan, Mugabo Baritegera, Rasto Cyprian, Reath Bol, Santana Sino, Savior Juma Omondi, Tevin Noel, and Yusuf Mirumbe.
In partnership with Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, the show features tactile installations and accessible labels, ensuring the mastery of East African contemporary art is inclusive to all visitors.
Event Timeline (Friday, May 22):
โ€ข Exhibition Opening: 2:00 PM โ€“ 7:00 PM
โ€ข Jazz Renaissance Band & Spoken Word by Stark Reality: 7:00 PM โ€“ Late
Spirits & Atmosphere: You are welcome to bring your own spirits and drinks to enjoy during the opening and the jazz concert. Entry to concert is by Donation. Pay what you can, smaller bites and refreshments provided.
โ€ข Location: HOF Gallery at Grace Episcopal Church & Oasis, 5501 Hamilton Ave. in College Hill the neighborhood of College Hill. Cincinnati, Ohio. Parking on Belmont Ave. side of church. Enter the doors near the parking lot.
The gallery is open daily during church hours. Private appointments: Jamey Ponte at 513.545.5332.
Media Contact: Jamey Ponte 513.545.5332
Artwork Description:
The โ€˜FACEโ€™
Kiliku Hassan, Kenyan

Mixed Media: acrylics and scrap gypsum board with a frame made of repurposed bicycle rubber inner tubes.
28cm x 28cm
On loan from the House of Friends Kenya Private Art Collection
NFS

This piece stands out as a classic Kibera work of art from a hopeful young artist. By using whatever materials can be foundโ€”donated paints, brushes, and a studio space offered by Art360โ€”Kiliku and other local youth find a haven to enjoy the creative process rather than focusing on the struggles of everyday life. Expressing yourself is powerful; that is where โ€˜FACEโ€™ comes from. The work serves as a narrative of his surroundings and teaches others how to use their own voices.
This work was noticed by Jamey Ponte, known to many as โ€˜Babu,โ€™ the curator of this exhibition and founder of the Kibera Arts District. The piece served as the inspiration for a mural painted by Nard Maningi and Kiliku at the entrance of the Kibera Arts District. Many joke that the mural depicts โ€˜Babuโ€™ when he is angry and yelling, giving the mural the nickname โ€˜The Angry FACE.โ€™ # # #

New Exhibit at HOF Gallery Cincinnati in our space in Grace Episcopal Church & Oasis...RAW | ROOTS | REAL ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŽจ Moving the ...
05/13/2026

New Exhibit at HOF Gallery Cincinnati in our space in Grace Episcopal Church & Oasis...

RAW | ROOTS | REAL ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŽจ Moving the outward voice and African perspective to the walls of Cincinnati.
Join us for the annual Canvases of Kenya exhibition. Experience contemporary East African art in its rawest formโ€”unstretched, unframed, and unfiltered.

Featuring the 2026 Raw | Roots | Real Artists: Maori Wasike โ€ข Dennis Ndegwa (Bull) โ€ข Daniel Kabiaru โ€ข Edwin Thou โ€ข Fridah Ljai โ€ข Jimmy Nduati โ€ข Kiliku Hassan โ€ข Mugabo Baritegera โ€ข Rasto Cyprian โ€ข Reath Bol โ€ข Santana Sino โ€ข Savior Juma Omondi โ€ข Tevin Noel โ€ข Yusuf Mirumbe

๐Ÿ“… Friday, May 22, 2026 ๐Ÿ•‘ 2pm โ€“ 7pm: Gallery Opening & Exhibition ๐ŸŽท 7pm โ€“ Late: Modern Jazz with the Jazz Renaissance Band & Spoken Word by Stark Reality
๐Ÿฅ‚ Spirits & Atmosphere: You are welcome to bring your own spirits and drinks to enjoy during the opening and the jazz concert. Entry to concert is by Donation. Pay what you can, smaller bites and refreshments provided.
๐Ÿ“ Location: HOF Gallery at Grace Episcopal Church & Oasis, 5501 Hamilton Ave. in College Hill the neighborhood of College Hill. Cincinnati, Ohio. Parking on Belmont Ave. side of church. Enter the doors near the parking lot.

Accessibility: Featuring tactile installations and audio descriptions in collaboration with Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired.

The gallery is open daily during church hours. To schedule a private viewing, call Jamey at 513.545.5332.

Address

5659 Hamilton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH
45224

Telephone

+15135455332

Website

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