Coming soon

For our community spotlight, we are featuring our fabulous designer/social media queen, Audrey Hall. She’s one of our amazing volunteers. If you attended our event last month, you learned a little more about her stint on a farm in Nantucket between college and starting her design career with Experience Columbus, you learned that she has a deep love of animals and the planet, is dedicated to sustainability- she even started a green team at work! Some of her intentions this year are to spend more time studying meditation and reiki. Thank you, Audrey, for your joyous presence and creative eye— you are a bright light to our community.

JANUARY EVENT PHOTOS

January’s global theme: Journey

Columbus speaker: Avishar Barua

Avishar Barua is a chef who loves to poke fun at himself as much as he does at the culinary world. Born in Columbus, Ohio, to Bangladeshi immigrant parents, Avishar’s path was anything but conventional. After earning degrees in biology and psychology from Ohio State, he made the logical decision to… become a chef. His culinary journey took him from local restaurants in Ohio to the high-stakes kitchens of New York City, including stints at WD~50 and Mission Chinese Food. He went on to compete on “Top Chef” Season 18 and somehow managed to beat Bobby Flay, much to his own surprise. In 2022, he opened Joya’s Café and Agni and both restaurants were recognized as some of the best new spots in Columbus by Columbus Monthly in 2023. Avishar is passionate about improving the culinary industry, and while he’s racked up awards, including a James Beard nomination, he’s more focused on making the world a better place, one plate of food at a time.

See more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBYJX9

DECEMBER EVENT PHOTOS

December’s global theme: Cycle

CreativeMornings/Columbus: A Community Conversation

Throughout the year, we give our community creative inspiration and foster meaningful connections, but our December event took a different approach — we asked you to give your input and perspective. This unique, interactive gathering will put your voice at the center. After kicking off with an immersive experience, we engaged in meaningful dialogue about our community’s journey — where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re heading together. Your insights are helping shape our collective future, which made this a special opportunity to make an impact.

See more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBWYci

NOVEMBER EVENT PHOTOS

November’s global theme: Thread

Columbus speaker: Sophie Miller

Sophie Miller is an English fiber artist and New York Times Bestselling author/co-creator of Children’s book series ‘Invisible Things’ along with her husband Andy J. Pizza. In her textile artwork, Sophie uses paint, dye, fabric collage, machine and hand embroidery to capture and record things found in the woods and her home and garden. Her work seeks to communicate the emotional connections we hold to the things we tend to, the spaces we inhabit and the tiny treasures found when practicing presence. 

See more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBT5HK

INTERVIEW: Michelle Cocita

OCTOBER EVENT PHOTOS

October’s global theme: Vision

Columbus speaker: Nick Fancher

Nick Fancher is a photographer, author, and educator who specializes in creating in-camera effects, often employing the use of bold colors and dramatic lighting. He is particularly known for his efficient method of working, which is with the use of minimal gear and often in unconventional locations. Nick graduated from Ohio State University with a BFA in photography in 2005 and has authored several books on his techniques including Studio Anywhere 1 & 2 and Chroma. Nick Fancher is based in Columbus and Los Angeles and is available for photo commissions worldwide.

See more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBPemm

SEPTEMBER EVENT PHOTOS

September’s global theme: Reflection

Columbus speaker: Amy Turn Sharp

Amy is a poet who happens to earn a living as a content director at IBM. Her work is noted for drawing an emotional reaction from audiences. Amy has bylines in national magazines and websites including Ladies’ Home Journal and Disney Corporation and is a sought-after speaker, appearing at influencer conferences such as Blogher, Alt Summit, Mom 2.0 and Etsy World Headquarters in NYC. With over 24K followers on instagram, she is invited to work with brands like Kate Spade and others to perform her typewriter on demand poetry at events. She runs coaching sessions and poetry workshops for people all over the world from her Cbus art gallery, Secret Studio. Lots and lots of people tell her stories and secrets. Since she was a child she has always taken people in her arms and helped them when they were sad. She’s had two poetry/ art solo shows and is writing a novel slowly in the early mornings before her family stirs. She’s a believer in creativity and you.

See more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBJTQZ

INTERVIEW: Megan Leigh Barnard

AUGUSTS EVENT PHOTOS

August’s global theme: Ritual

Columbus speaker: Jesse Cale

Jesse Cale is a multi-artist from Columbus, OH. He was worked professionally as a music producer & composer since the age of twenty, earning himself a number of awards including two RIAA certified gold records for his work in the genre of hip hop. Concurrent to his work in music, Jesse started a boutique poetry publishing company and has published a number of original poetry collections that have taken him on tours in the UK, EU, and US. In 2022, Jesse started hOm, which holds monthly sound baths rooted in traditional sound healing principals and modern sound therapy practices with the added element of Jesse’s experience in musical composition. hOm has become the most successful event series of it’s kind in the Midwest and even held the world’s largest sound bath at the Columbus Commons in 2023. Jesse has since halted all other artistic pursuits in order to focus on hOm, which he states is “his favorite thing he’s ever had the opportunity to be a part of.”

See more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBETzT

INTERVIEW: Rod Chu