40 Years of Impact | Celebrating 40 Years of the Duncanson Program

A Duet of Artistic Inspiration | In Conversation with Duncanson Artists-in-Residence Kathy Wade and Tracy Walker

27 April 2026

In January 2026, two Cincinnati-based musicians with a passion for art and shared history as Duncanson Artists-in-Residence came together in a spirited dialogue in celebration of the program’s 40th anniversary. Jazz vocalist and CEO and Founder of Learning Through Art, Kathy Wade (1988) and singer-songwriter Tracy Walker (2011) explored their personal journeys through art, their introductions to and passion for music, their influences, and the ways the Duncanson Artist Residency shaped not only their artistic journeys but the community around them. 


Learn more directly from these artists and experience how two artists, decades apart, found meaning in their experiences as Duncanson Artists-in-Residence in the following excerpts from their conversation:


Who was Ragnar Lodbrok?

08 July 2026

Henrik Møller, a skilled goldsmith, was one of the foremost proponents of the Norse-revival Dragon Style. His creations feature strange beasts, mythical figures, and intricate patterns, often accompanied by rune-like texts. Møller showed his work at major expositions and catered to a wealthy cosmopolitan clientele. One of his standout creations is this silver tureen that tells the tale of Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary Viking king and hero. His exploits unfold across the surface, from his complicated courtship with his wife Áslaug to his dramatic death in a snake pit.

Ancestral Serendipity: In Conversation with Ayana Ross

07 July 2026

Seeking to celebrate, preserve, and contextualize the stories and histories she loves, 2026 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence and visual artist Ayana Ross uses paintings as a means to do so with love and craft. In this interview with Jae Washington from Cincinnati's Conscience, Ross explores her personal history, familial histories, the serendipity of the Duncanson Program finding her, and the ways these all align.

Researchers Search for Robert S. Duncanson’s Life Story

30 June 2026

Much biographical information known about Robert S. Duncanson is unknown. Researchers utilize historic newspaper clippings to fill in the gaps of knowledge and build a timeline of his existence in the 19th century as a Black American artist. Studying online newspaper databases, we can track his work history, public reception of his race, and the contextualization of his art with concurrent events like the American Civil War.


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