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A Photography Contest & Exhibit
Diversity in Delaware
Artists part of historically underrepresented groups that reside in Delaware County were invited to participate in a photography exhibit competition that depicts Diversity in Delaware.
See below the winners of our photography contest and all the entries that celebrate Diversity in Delaware!
12 Winning Photographs
"Jim"
"Winter Wonderland"
"Winter Wonderland"
by Richard Kolb
Artist Statement:
The photo “Jim” is an example of someone from the 60+ year old age group. Like myself, Jim loves music and is a bass player.
Artist Biography:
Richard Kolb has been a musician, specifically a bass player, in the central Ohio area for the past 40 years. Art was always a part of his home life growing up, but he was mostly a spectator and admirer, not a participant. That all changed when, in 1999, he received a camera as a gift from his wife and had a brand new world opened up to him. “I’m always looking for a new way to look at the world around us."
"Winter Wonderland"
"Winter Wonderland"
"Winter Wonderland"
by Saynab Dirir
Artist Statement:
In this photo we called it winter wonderland! we finally got snow and decided to take it to our advantage get dressed up and do a full blue cold theme as you can see from her eye makeup.
Artist Biography:
I am a 17 year old who loves taking photos and seeing things through a different lens. I finds it so entertaining and rewarding when you see the vision in your head turn into the outcome on your camera.
"Ray"
"Winter Wonderland"
"The Harvest"
by Richard Kolb
Artist Statement:
I love the fact that in my neighborhood there reside older folks, kids, and black people and other ethnic groups. This diversity is the spice of life. My photo “Ray” is an example of someone 60+ years old and is an age group I can relate to. Ray was also a veteran.
Artist Biography:
Richard Kolb has been a musician, specifically a bass player, in the central Ohio area for the past 40 years. Art was always a part of his home life growing up, but he was mostly a spectator and admirer, not a participant. That all changed when, in 1999, he received a camera as a gift from his wife and had a brand new world opened up to him. “I’m always looking for a new way to look at the world around us.”
"The Harvest"
"Roots Run Deep: The Threads that Bind Us Through Generational Gardening"
"The Harvest"
by Dawn Wright
Artist Statement:
Watching the farmer harvest his field of soybeans on a perfect autumn day combines modern technology with the raw beauty of nature. The thick trail of dust rising behind the combine is a striking visual that represents the culmination of months of labor, with the hazy sun lighting up the lines of clouds above. Diversity of a different kind, right in our backyard.
Artist Biography:
I moved around the U.S. quite a bit as a kid --moving to Delaware October of my senior year of high school should have been a bad thing, but instead I felt like I'd come home. I went to Ohio Wesleyan, moved out of state for a job after college, then back to Columbus and finally Delaware to marry and raise our family. Throughout the years I have always had an interest in art, primarily drawing, painting (trying to) and photography. Combining this interest with my love of animals, nature, the outdoors and candid shots of people with photography makes me happy. Delaware has the best combination of city and country allowing me to pursue this lifelong love of art and photography. Hopefully I am able to share with others the beauty I see right in my backyard.
"Dressed for the Dream"
"Roots Run Deep: The Threads that Bind Us Through Generational Gardening"
"Roots Run Deep: The Threads that Bind Us Through Generational Gardening"
by Maureen Nafula
Artist Statement:
In this photo, I am seated on a concrete blacktop dressed in a black suit and tie and holding a children's doll. This photo connects to me in the way that growing up can feel like a trade-off of the childhood you have—even an erasement of it. As I've grown up I've naturally grown out my usual likes, though I've also forgotten my common joys because it seems like the "mature" action to take. I also feel that growing up is more pressured for me as an individual with Ugandan, Black skin. The immigrant parent who brought me here for a better life expects me to give myself that. I always hear; "Don't you hang out with the wrong crowd"; "Don't you engage with drugs"; "Don't you wear those clothes"; and most importantly "Don't speak too loud so WE get sent back." These choices would be what improved my adult image, and separated me from the word, childish.
Artist Biography:
Hello, my name is Maureen Nafula, and I am proud to descend from Uganda, Africa. Although I have made ties and relationships in my current hometown of Delaware City, I hope to always express myself artistically and characteristically in the African manners I have been taught and own.
"Roots Run Deep: The Threads that Bind Us Through Generational Gardening"
"Roots Run Deep: The Threads that Bind Us Through Generational Gardening"
"Roots Run Deep: The Threads that Bind Us Through Generational Gardening"
by Jessica Garrett
Artist Statement:
May the hands that grow our food and flowers be blessed. Seeing my hands holding the bounty grown in our Lily and Thyme backyard gardens reminds me of the generations of Appalachian women and men before me who tended the soil for their sustenance. May we never lose the thread to our history while we create a new future.
Artist Biography:
Jessica Garrett is a dried floral artist in Delaware, Ohio. You can find her managing Lily and Thyme with her partner, Sara, eating local foods and making custom dried floral art from homegrown blooms and locally foraged items.
"Urban Legends"
"Marry Me on Winter Street"
"True Color Within"
by Connie Reda
Artist Statement:
The items in the picture are things that I have collected over the years from family. My Grandmother's depression glass, and pottery from a southern Ohio mill, where my Great Aunts worked. The Banjo reminds me of the Family reunions we had at our house in Ostrander, where the men would play music. The sewing machine represents the sewing and quilting knowledge my mother and her mother passed down to me. Two things I continue and enjoy. All of the items and knowledge are things I plan to hand down to future generations.
Artist Biography:
My name is Connie Reda, I have lived in Delaware County since I was born in 1971. My parents lived most of their lives in Delaware County. I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. All but 1 reside in Delaware County. My maternal and Paternal family have ties to the Appalachian Culture. From Southern Ohio, down to Johnson City Tennessee. I confirmed my Appalachian heritage through Ancestry DNA testing.
"True Color Within"
"Marry Me on Winter Street"
"True Color Within"
by Madison Quinn Bordine
Artist Statement:
These photographs display my viewpoint of our colorful world and an acceptance for all those who live in it, especially those who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community.
Artist Biography:
Quinn is a sophomore at Olentangy Orange High School and is driven with a passion for photography, theatre, and art in general. She is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
"Marry Me on Winter Street"
"Marry Me on Winter Street"
"Harvesting Hope: Finding Resilience In the Rainbow"
by Betty Elswick
Artist Statement:
A gay couple ( Chandler and Dylan White) walks down a main street in Delaware, Ohio. The couple represents the equality generations fought for safety and acceptance. The marquee in the theatre behind them highlights other facets of equality.
Artist Biography:
Betty is an activist and photographer that lives in Marysville, Ohio with her family. She focuses with clients on highlighting LGBTQIA+ community. You can find her work in various local political campaigns and Vogue photography.
"Harvesting Hope: Finding Resilience In the Rainbow"
"Harvesting Hope: Finding Resilience In the Rainbow"
"Harvesting Hope: Finding Resilience In the Rainbow"
by Jessica Garrett
Artist Statement:
Moving to Delaware brought both fear and excitement. At the intersection of farming, agriculture, local food and the LGBTQ+ community, you can find us- Lily and Thyme. The weekly harvest from our crops last year reminds me of my constant choice and the bounty that comes from standing in courage rather than fear.
Artist Biography:
Jessica Garrett is a dried floral artist from Delaware, Ohio. You can find her managing Lily and Thyme with her partner, Sara, eating local food and creating custom pieces of art from fresh grown flowers and locally foraged items.
"Casa Aficionado II"
"Harvesting Hope: Finding Resilience In the Rainbow"
"Casa Aficionado II"
by Patricia Khalaf
Artist Statement:
The pictures show our full commitment to Diversity here at Casa Aficionado.
Artist Biography:
I, Patricia Khalaf, owner at Casa Aficionado, support all levels of Diversity here. This lounge is the First Women Certified Lounge in the State of Ohio. We welcome every Race, Ethnicity, and anyone who wants to enjoy a Great Cigar. We support all levels of Military, First Responders, Veterans, and Law Enforcement. Feel free to come see us and enjoy your day here.
"Life is Beautiful"
"Harvesting Hope: Finding Resilience In the Rainbow"
"Casa Aficionado II"
by Sayed Imran Noor
Artist Statement:
I visit High Banks Metro Park with my wife and son often for photography and hiking. My favorite season there is Fall, because you can witness the beauty of all the changing colors of the foliage. This photo is of my son at High Banks.
Artist Biography:
I immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh in 2008 and settled in Columbus, Ohio. I moved with my wife to Powell (Delaware County) in 2016. Our son, Zayan, was born in 2022. Along with nature and wildlife, Zayan is now one of my favorite subjects to capture on camera.
All Entries
Thank you Ohio Arts Council for funding this contest!
Meet the Panel of Judges
Jeff Nilan
Jeremy Rosario Maldonado
Devin Taylor
Jeff Nilan received an MFA from Indiana University in 1999. His work has been shown throughout the United States and is housed in multiple photography and artists’ book collections. Growing up in Nebraska, Nilan’s art draws influence from the landscape and culture of the Midwest. He is interested in the ways art reflects and shapes the
Jeff Nilan received an MFA from Indiana University in 1999. His work has been shown throughout the United States and is housed in multiple photography and artists’ book collections. Growing up in Nebraska, Nilan’s art draws influence from the landscape and culture of the Midwest. He is interested in the ways art reflects and shapes the mythology of a region. Jeff resides in Delaware, Ohio and is Professor of Fine Arts at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he has taught for the past 15 years.
Devin Taylor
Jeremy Rosario Maldonado
Devin Taylor
My name is Devin Taylor I am a first generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Ohio Wesleyan University. I strive to be a well rounded individual personally and professionally, and most of my leadership experiences have been diversity based. Diversity, Equity, and Incl
My name is Devin Taylor I am a first generation college graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Ohio Wesleyan University. I strive to be a well rounded individual personally and professionally, and most of my leadership experiences have been diversity based. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has always been something that is monumental in my life and of great importance to me. My diversity work started in High School at Laurel School as a Diversity Fellow. Diversity Fellows were in charge of creating and facilitating programs for the community. I continued to pursue DEI work after I graduated from Laurel as well.
As an intersectional feminist, I was a part of the Sexuality and Gender Equality House at OWU and facilitated campus wide events through this membership. I did work through the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the costume shop in the Theater Dept., the Fine Arts Dept., etc. In terms of my B.F.A., I immerse diverse elements into the intention behind my photography and some of my ceramic work/ reflect personal experiences into my pieces. During the spring of 2020, my senior year, I had a solo exhibition in the Werner Gallery in Edgar Hall at OWU. In my show, There is More in the Reflection, I was able to share my informed experiences through my black and white photography and a few ceramic sculptures. During my journey as an Upperclassmen at OWU, I won 2 awards. Paul W. Hawks Award is an award given to a student demonstrating excellence in photography and The Merit of Distinction Award is an award not given every year, only when a student has a piece that is deserving of it, and the piece that won showed the interesting complexities surrounding identity in the 21st century. After graduating I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I have found a current purpose at my newly acquired job.
I look forward to what is to come as the new Recruitment & Retention Coordinator in the LGBT Center at Case Western Reserve University. I have been here about 5 months now and it is a healing experience and a creative place to be. When I was in school, I wished there were programs designed to help queer students smoothly adjust to college and that transition period in life, and I am grateful to be in charge of the Queer Peer Mentoring Program here. This is one of my various responsibilities and is designed to guide first year students in navigating the complexities of their intro period into college, but also, it keeps them engaged in the Center. I am also working on Parent Space, for parents of gender diverse children, and a Queer Faculty and Staff Symposium coming soon. Through these programs and others produced by the center, students feel a sense of belonging and that greatly affects their overall experience at CWRU. I am dedicated to making sure students feel visible in the spaces they are a part of, that they feel empowered to make a difference in the world and face challenges head on. I want them to know that no matter what, they should stand strong in who they are, strive for growth and support others as well.
In addition to growing the Center here at CWRU, I look forward to my own personal and professional growth. I plan to apply and attend Law School as a part of my endeavors and to continue to make a difference in the world. To sum up, I believe that representation matters a lot and I have been able to serve in that capacity in a variety of fields in my life thus far and I will continue to do that so I can pave the way for someone else like me.
Jeremy Rosario Maldonado
Jeremy Rosario Maldonado
Jeremy Rosario Maldonado
Born in Puerto Rico, Jeremy began art studies at the Escuela Central de Artes Visuales. He holds a BFA in advertising and design from the Columbus College of Art and Design. He currently works as a VP, associate creative director at FCB Health in New York City.
Experienced creative problem solver with a demonstrated history in the design a
Born in Puerto Rico, Jeremy began art studies at the Escuela Central de Artes Visuales. He holds a BFA in advertising and design from the Columbus College of Art and Design. He currently works as a VP, associate creative director at FCB Health in New York City.
Experienced creative problem solver with a demonstrated history in the design and advertising industry. Award-winning creative leader trusted by global brands in the pharmaceutical space to bring their stories to life through work that understands and connects with people.
His mission is to use creative thinking and art to help brands engage emotionally with their audiences and gain market share in innovative ways. Creativity Moves Us Forward.