Learning Through Art Cincinnati

✨ As we celebrate Juneteenth, we reflect on the stories, music, and cultural traditions that continue to shape our communities.

This week, audiences experienced LTA's two-time regional Emmy-nominated Sounds From The River, an immersive journey tracing America's musical evolution from Africa and the Caribbean through the rivers of North America.

Through storytelling, music, and dance, this production honors the resilience, creativity, and enduring contributions of Black communities throughout history. ❤️🖤💚

You can watch the full original live production here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg2TjTOWHf4

Enjoy your celebration! ✨

✨ What an incredible evening of poetry, creativity, and connection!

Last week, Learning Through Art and Books Alive! For Kids® gathered with our community at the Krohn Conservatory to celebrate the culmination of our NEA Big Read featuring You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón.

From inspiring poetry slam performances and creative responses to music, family activities, and reflections on the healing power of nature, the evening was a beautiful reminder of how art brings people together. 🌿📖

Thank you to everyone who shared their voices, artwork, stories, and creativity throughout this journey. We are grateful to our partners, participants, and community members who helped make this celebration so meaningful.

Together, we explored who we are, where we are, and how poetry can connect us to each other and the natural world around us. 💚

🏆 🏆 Learning Through Art, Inc. is proud to announce that its acclaimed production, Sounds From The River, powered by America's River Roots, has received two Regional Emmy Award nominations, recognizing the powerful storytelling, artistry, and cultural impact of this groundbreaking work!

And TOMORROW, Wednesday June 17, you can experience the original LIVE production of Sounds From The River at Jazz in the Camp hosted by Jazz Alive and hosted at the American Sign Museum !

Journey through the music that shaped America—from the first drumbeats in Africa to gospel, blues, jazz, bluegrass, country, and zydeco. Featuring National Storyteller Omope Carter Daboiku (whose performance has earned an Ohio Valley EMMY nomination!), live music led by Jason Alexander Holmes of the May Festival and the Sounds From The River band, with choreography by David Choate and original dance from Revolution Dance Theatre in this immersive performance that brings America's musical roots to life.

📍 American Sign Museum
🗓 Wednesday, June 17
⏰ 6:30–8:30 PM

✨ Don't miss this unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and history.
Learn more on our website: https://rb.gy/1j6r82

✨ Poetry. Art. Music. Community. 🌿🎶📖

Join Learning Through Art and Books Alive! For Kids® for our NEA Big Read Poetry Slam & Celebration at Krohn Conservatory!

Inspired by the poetry collection You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón, this free community event features:
🎤 Poetry readings from 15 local poets
🎨 Artwork inspired by You Are Here
🎶 Music with dj pillo !!
🤝 Community connection and celebration

📍 Krohn Conservatory
📅 June 11, 2026
⏰ 6–8 PM

Come celebrate the creativity, stories, and voices that bring our community together. We can't wait to see you there!

What can poetry reveal when the world feels overwhelming? 🎶 🌍 📖

Jason Alexander Holmes reads “Staircase” and “To Think of Italy While Climbing the Saunders-Monticello Trail” in this NEA Big Read feature with Ada Limón.

His reflections explore climate, emotional honesty, mental wellbeing, and our connection to nature.

✨ Watch Jason's full panel reflection on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iUOkO-YSIc&list=PLvAfBne-mKMJUEFfRvwE9-fuuVUAHKYtN&index=5&t=27s

🌿 Join Learning Through Art and Books Alive! For Kids® as we celebrate the magic of our NEA Big Read with friends from Cincinnati Parks at our Poetry Slam & Celebration at the Krohn Conservatory! ✨📖

Enjoy an evening of poetry, creativity, community, and connection inspired by You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón. We can’t wait to celebrate with you in one of Cincinnati’s most beautiful spaces 🌱

📍 Krohn Conservatory
🗓 June 11, 2026
⏰ 6–8 PM

What does it sound like when memory, music, and poetry meet? 🎶📖🌿

In this NEA Big Read feature, vocalist Ciara Harper reads and reflects on the poem “Hackberry,” and shares a deeply personal connection to place, family, and memory.

As a longtime performer with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Ciara brings soulful depth rooted in church music and classical performance. In her reflection, she connects poetry to her own lived history - family streets, childhood summers, and the spaces that shaped her story.

✨ Watch Ciara’s full panel reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-3lNprMy_M&t=1s

A few reminders for your week inspired by You Are Here by Ada Limón 📖

Slow down.
Step outside.
Notice the small things. 🌿

Poetry has a way of bringing us back to ourselves and the world around us, and we’re so excited to celebrate that through this year’s NEA Big Read ✨

✨ There’s still time to submit your artistic response inspired by nature and You Are Here!

We’re accepting:
• Poetry
• Visual Art
• Music
• Multimedia Pieces

📖 Submit to: [email protected]
✨ Deadline extension ending soon!

Which reminder do you need most today? 🌿

🌿 Poetry Slam & Celebration at the Krohn Conservatory 🌿

There’s still time to submit your poetry and creative responses inspired by You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón ✨

Creators of all ages are invited to share work inspired by the natural and emotional landscapes around them.
📧 Submit to: [email protected]

Selected works will be showcased during our Closing Celebration on June 11, 2026 from 6-8 PM at !