SOS ART

Join us on Sunday, August 9, for the Kenyan Movie Mini-Festival at the Esquire Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220)!

This week's featured film is Nairobi Half Life (2012), directed by David "Tosh" Gitonga. The film follows Mwas, a young aspiring actor from rural Kenya who dreams of making it big in the city. Despite the concerns of his family, he travels to Nairobi—the city of opportunity—in pursuit of his ambitions. As he navigates the challenges of urban life, he is drawn into a world of crime, forcing him to balance his dreams with the realities of survival.

Following the screening, we invite you to stay for an open discussion about the film and its themes.

📍 Venue: Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220
🗓 Date: August 9
🕑 Time: 2:00–5:00 PM

While you're exploring Kenyan culture through film, don't miss the Voices from Kenya exhibition, currently on view at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center through August 22. The exhibition features prints by 42 established contemporary Kenyan artists, offering diverse perspectives on Kenyan life, culture, and society.

We hope to see you tomorrow at the Kenyan Movie Mini-Festival at the Esquire Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220)!

Tomorrow's featured film is A Small Act (2010), directed by Jennifer Arnold. This inspiring documentary follows a rural Kenyan student who, after graduating from Harvard, sets out to find the woman whose sponsorship transformed his life. It is a powerful story about generosity, opportunity, and the lasting impact of a single act of kindness.
Following the screening, we invite you to stay for an open discussion about the film and its themes.

📍 Venue: Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220
🕑 Time: 2:00–5:00 PM

While you're exploring Kenyan culture through film, don't miss the Voices from Kenya exhibition, currently on view at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center through August 22. The exhibition features prints by 42 established contemporary Kenyan artists, offering diverse perspectives on Kenyan life, culture, and society.

The Kenyan Movie Mini-Festival complements the exhibition, creating a unique opportunity to experience Kenya through both visual art and cinema. We hope you'll join us for this special afternoon!

FINAL CALL‼ Tomorrow is the last date to apply now for the Autumn Cycle (October- December 2026) of our Artist in Residence Program! Offered in collaboration with the Fitton Center, this residency, targeted primarily toward Greater Cincinnati Artists, is designed to encourage creators engaging with themes of Peace and Justice in their artistic practice. With support from SOS ART and the Fitton Center, selected artists will spend three months creating, curating, and collaborating on a project to share with our community. The residency is open for artists, curators, educators and creators.
To know more visit our website https://sosartcincinnati.com/
Applications are now open for the Autumn cycle (October- December 2026).
Application deadline- August 1, 2026

Time is runinng out to apply for the Autumn Cycle (October- December 2026) of our Artist in Residence Program! Offered in collaboration with the Fitton Center, this residency, targeted primarily toward Greater Cincinnati Artists, is designed to encourage creators engaging with themes of Peace and Justice in their artistic practice. With support from SOS ART and the Fitton Center, selected artists will spend three months creating, curating, and collaborating on a project to share with our community. The residency is open for artists, curators, educators and creators.
To know more visit our website https://sosartcincinnati.com/
Applications are now open for the Autumn cycle (October- December 2026).
Application deadline- August 1, 2026

While the Voices from Kenya exhibition continues to inspire visitors at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, we're taking the conversation beyond the gallery with a Kenyan Movie Mini-Festival this August at the Esquire Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220).

Join us on the first three Sundays of August for screenings of acclaimed films that explore the richness, complexity, and diversity of life in Kenya. Each film offers a unique perspective on Kenyan culture, history, and society, and will be followed by an open discussion where audience members are invited to share their thoughts, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversation.

Whether you've already experienced the Voices from Kenya exhibition or are looking for a new way to connect with Kenyan art and culture, this film series is a wonderful opportunity to continue the journey. Check out the film lineup and screening times below. We look forward to seeing you at the movies!

Dates of the festival and the films that will be screened are as follows:
SUN, AUG 2, 2PM-5PM : A Small Act (2010), Directed byJennifer Arnold
SUN, AUG 9, 2PM-5PM : Nairobi Half Life (2012), Directed by David “Tosh” GitongaI
SUN, AUG 16, 2PM-5PM : Rafiki (2018), DIRECTED BY Wanuri Kahiu

📌Venue- Esquire Theatre (320 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220).

The event is Free and Open to the Public

LAST ONE WEEK to apply for the Autumn cycle our Artist in Residence Program! Offered in collaboration with the Fitton Center, this residency, targeted primarily toward Greater Cincinnati Artists, is designed to encourage creators engaging with themes of Peace and Justice in their artistic practice. With support from SOS ART and the Fitton Center, selected artists will spend three months creating, curating, and collaborating on a project to share with our community. The residency is open for artists, curators, educators and creators.
To know more visit our website https://sosartcincinnati.com/
Applications are now open for the Autumn cycle (October- December 2026).
Application deadline- August 1, 2026

We are now receiving applications for the Autumn Cycle (October- December 2026) of our Artist in Residence Program! Offered in collaboration with the Fitton Center, this residency, targeted primarily toward Greater Cincinnati Artists, is designed to encourage creators engaging with themes of Peace and Justice in their artistic practice. With support from SOS ART and the Fitton Center, selected artists will spend three months creating, curating, and collaborating on a project to share with our community. The residency is open for artists, curators, educators and creators.
To know more visit our website https://sosartcincinnati.com/
Applications are now open for the Autumn cycle (October- December 2026).
Application deadline- August 1, 2026

OPPORTUNITY ALERT! Apply now for the Autumn Cycle (October- December 2026) of our Artist in Residence Program! Offered in collaboration with the Fitton Center, this residency, targeted primarily toward Greater Cincinnati Artists, is designed to encourage creators engaging with themes of Peace and Justice in their artistic practice. With support from SOS ART and the Fitton Center, selected artists will spend three months creating, curating, and collaborating on a project to share with our community. The residency is open for artists, curators, educators and creators.
To know more visit our website https://sosartcincinnati.com/
Applications are now open for the Autumn cycle (October- December 2026).
Application deadline- August 1, 2026

Thank you to all the creatives, the food vendors, and those actively involved in setting up and organizing the Kenyan & African Cultural Festival on Saturday at Kennedy Heights Arts Center. Many thanks to the visitors who participated despite the inclement weather and our gratitude to Kennedy Heights Arts Center for providing the venue and opportunity.
Incase you missed the event, join us this Wednesday between 10am and 12pm for a tour of the Voices from Kenya exhibit. The event is part of the Afrifest week celebrations.