Columbus, GA – The Department of Art and Friends of Art at Columbus State University is pleased to welcome acclaimed artist, designer, and writer Jon Key for a special lecture and book presentation, Untold Stories, on April 16, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Illges Gallery, Corn Center for the Visual Arts, 921 Front Avenue. This free event invites students, faculty, and the community to engage with Key’s dynamic exploration of identity, heritage, and personal narratives through art and storytelling.
Born in Seale, Alabama, Jon Key is a multidisciplinary artist known for his bold use of color and geometric compositions, weaves themes of Black identity, artistic practice, Southern heritage, and queer experience into his work. His book Black, Queer, and Untold: A New Archive of Designers, Artists, and Trailblaizers further expands on these themes, offering a profound reflection on personal and collective histories that shape cultural landscapes. The lecture will delve into his creative process, inspirations, and the significance of storytelling in contemporary art.
“We are honored to host Jon Key and provide a platform for meaningful discussions about identity and representation in the arts,” said Hannah Israel, Gallery Director. “This event is an incredible opportunity for students and the broader Columbus arts community to engage with a distinguished artist whose work resonates deeply on multiple levels.”
The evening will conclude with a book signing, allowing attendees to meet the artist and gain further insight into his work. Copies of Black, Queer, and Untold: A New Archive of Designers, Artists, and Trailblaizers published by Chronicle Books will be available for purchase provided by Columbus Bound Bookstore before and after the lecture.
This event is made possible through the support of CSU Friends of Art and The Mildred Miller Fort Foundation.
Event Details:
Jon Key – Black, Queer, and Untold: A New Archive of Designers, Artists, and Trailblaizers, Lecture and Book Presentation
April 16, 2025, | 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Illges Gallery, Corn Center for the Visual Arts, 921 Front Avenue, Columbus, GA
Free and open to the public