By the Artists. For the People.

On June 20th, local artists, community partners, neighbors, and BLINK organizers gathered in OTR next to a blank wall and patiently waited for the sun to fade. When it did, two brand new Barco projectors hummed to life, the music got a little louder, and the people gathered received the first look at the unbelievably talented artists that will be participating in BLINK? 2024, October 17-20th. The first image on the wall was simple: By the Artists. For the People.

I clicked through what must have been hundreds of Instagram posts in the hours after the launch, and to tell you the truth, I was awed. Artists and creative cultural leaders from all over the world were posting about their excitement about participating in BLINK. And maybe even more exciting to see were the local artists, individuals like Javarri Lewis and organizations like Spotted Yeti, that are the backbone of our local creative and artistic economy.

This is, in my opinion, the most impressive roster of artists of any BLINK, by far. My colleague Justin Brookhart , the executive director of BLINK, along with partners from AGAR , ish Cincinnati , and Cincy Nice , worked with a group of curatorial advisory members (made up of local artists and curators) to evaluate over 950 applications from artists all over the world interested in exhibiting their artwork on the streets and buildings of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. The BLINK team has collectively created a brilliant palette of light-based installations, murals, and projection art that will dazzle you for four days this October.

Looking for a little insider tip on an installation to be excited about? French artists collective, AVextended, has illuminated beautiful basilicas and icons like the Eifel Tower across Europe. This October, they will be one of four artists (including two local artists) who will have their work featured on the historic fa?ade of Cincinnati's Music Hall. It will be a can't miss experience.

Of course, none of this is possible without our founding investor Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation , our illuminating sponsor ArtsWave , the City of Cincinnati , Hamilton County, Ohio , meetNKY Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau , 宝洁 , Kroger , Fifth Third Bank , Duke Energy Corporation , altafiber , Western & Southern Financial Group , and dozens of other companies and supporters. We're still working to deliver on more art and the best BLINK experience yet, and we would love for more companies and organizations to get involved. Let us know how you'd like to help.

I believe Justin said it best: "Cincinnati is a place for people to gather and meet and discuss new ideas... BLINK is an invitation for people across the country and the world to experience Cincinnati as a wholly immersive and innovative destination."

We're one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the world, and this fall at BLINK, we're going to remind people of it every night. See you then.

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