We created The Art of Change, our new series of digital and in-person events, to bring together artists and changemakers to address some of the biggest challenges facing Ohio. We invite you to join us at our first event!

The Art of Change: Redefining Environmentalism 

May 13, 2021 7:00pm-8:00pm

During this virtual live performance, we’ll hear from poet Barbara Fant and musician Eric Rollin (accompanied by David Wong). Following Barbara and Eric’s performances, Callia Tellez, OEC Policy Fellow, will lead a panel discussion focused on the intersectionality of art, the environment, and social justice. Join us for these moving performances and insightful discussions!

ABOUT OUR ARTISTS

BARBARA FANT

Barbara Fant believes in the transformative power of art and considers poetry her ministry. She has been writing and performing for 14 years. She has represented Columbus in 9 National Poetry Slam competitions. She is a 2008 Rustbelt Champion, 2x Rustbelt Indy Finalist, 7x Grand Slam Champion, and placed 8th out of 96 poets in the 2017 Women of the World Poetry Slam.

Barbara is a TEDx speaker, a Columbus Makes Art Campaign artist, and was named a 2017 Columbus Alive People to Watch. Her first poetry collection, Paint, Inside Out, was published by Penmanship Books (NYC) in 2010 when she was awarded the Cora Craig Award for Young Authors. She is the author of several chapbooks, the co-author of two stage productions, and has been commissioned by over ten national organizations. Her work has been featured by Button Poetry and Def Poetry Jam, and published in the Academy of American Poets, Electric Literature, Harness Magazine, the McNeese Review, and The Ohio State University Press. Installations of her work can be found in the Columbus Museum of Art, The Columbus Foundation, and Crimson Cup (Easton Town Center).

Barbara has received residencies from Idyllwild Arts in Idyllwild, California and Connect Arts in Havana, Cuba. She holds an MFA from Antioch University Los Angeles and a Master of Theology from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

The founder of Bloom Barb Fant, LLC., she teaches poetry in correctional institutions and schools. Currently, she is the Artistic Director for Harmony Project, the Training and Replication Manager for the Arts for Healing and Justice Network, a teaching artist at Transit Arts, and co-curator of the reading series Paging Columbus. Her newest collection of poetry will be released on Sundress Publications in Fall 2021

ERIC ROLLIN

Eric Rollin, a professional singer/songwriter, educator, mentor and audio engineer, is a native of the greater Columbus area and graduate of Gahanna Lincoln High School. He is the founder of the Columbus Chicken and Beer Festival, co-founder and singer/songwriter for the national band Mistar Anderson, and founder of the local music initiative "The Break"— the longest running free style hip-hop open-mic night in Columbus. He is also a member and/or advocate of various non-profit organizations dedicated to community music development.

Mr. Rollin currently serves as the songwriting instructor at Franklinton High School. For the past 16 years, he has been writing music professionally and empowering youth by encouraging the use of positive and creative outward expression as a tool to increase socialization skills, academic success, and to overcome behavioral and emotional challenges. His passion for improving community by inspiring individual works of freedom makes him a great leader and role model for today's youth

Your attendance at The Art of Change supports the Ohio Environmental Council's mission to secure healthy air, land, and water for all who call Ohio home. Thank you for your support!

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