New sculptures hit right note at Elm Street Plaza

Elm Street Plaza added four permanent sculptures to expand the growing public art presence around the revitalized downtown Convention District.

The new works are “Coloratura” by AGAR Studios, “Freeforms” by Luke Lehenbauer; “True American Music” by Jason Snell and “Funk Glasses” by the nonprofit Black Art Speaks. The project developer was 3CDC.

The city unveiled the sculptures during an event in front of the First Financial Center, where speakers — including Patti Collins, president of the Bootsy and Patti Collins Foundation, project partners and community members — emphasized public art’s role in strengthening communities and highlighted the influence of King Records as the central theme shaping each piece. Each builds on the nearby Tristan Eaton mural on the 84.51° headquarters, an 18,000-square-foot piece that highlights Cincinnati’s musical history.

“Black Art Speaks is proud to be part of that vision, ensuring artists and stories rooted in this city are visible at the scale they deserve,” said Alandes Powell, an artist and the nonprofit’s CEO.

Making connections through public art

The sculptures are part of a broader public art initiative tied to the $264 million reimagining of the convention center. AGAR and Black Art Speaks joined a group of local arts organizations in 2024 to shape public art inside and outside the site, a collaboration that produced 13 interior installations in addition to the new sculptures.

3CDC said placing the sculptures at Elm Street Plaza connects the convention center with the surrounding district and encourages conventiongoers to step outside and explore the city. The plaza — which opened in November, about two months ahead of the convention center — also draws visitors from nearby Fountain Square and surrounding hotels.

“Elm Street Plaza represents the kind of civic canvas we love to activate, where art, environment, and community energy come together in a way that feels uniquely Cincinnati,” said Andrew Salzbrun, managing partner at AGAR.