We invite you to this space to meet each other from the bordes.

Un territorio para leer y leernos en una lengua que nos sujeta a un lugar cuya geografía es cada vez más movediza, que se desplaza y nos desplaza a habitarnos en las palabras.

A territory for reading and being read in a language that binds us to a place whose geography grows ever more fluid — a language that shifts and shifts us, until we come to inhabit ourselves in words.

If you wish to participate, all genres welcome, all levels welcome.
We encourage you to do so in Spanish or in other languages.

This is a call for poets, storytellers, filmmakers, photographers, playwrights, actors, and creators in general to get in touch and be part of the monthly program of this space.

This Thursday, October 30, join us for a bilingual poetry reading with poet María Paz Moreno, followed by an open mic (all languages welcome).

About the Author

Maria Paz Moreno is a poet, essayist and literary critic. She holds a Licenciatura in Spanish Philology from the Universidad de Alicante and a Ph.D. In Spanish Literature from The Ohio State University. She is Professor of Spanish in the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures at the University of Cincinnati. Her research focuses on Spanish contemporary poetry and especially the works of Juan Gil-Albert, poetry by women authors, and the cultural importance of gastronomical literature, in particular cookbooks. As a poet, she has published nine books and has been included in a number of anthologies, among them Poetisas Españolas 1976-2001 (Spanish Women Poets 1976–2001), Mapa, Antología poética. 30 poetas valencianos en la democracia (Map: A Poetic Anthology. 30 Valencian Poets of the Democracy and El poder del cuerpo (The Power of the Body).

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María Paz Moreno es poeta, ensayista y crítica literaria. Es licenciada en Filología Hispánica por la Universidad de Alicante y doctora en Literatura Española por la Universidad de Ohio State (EEUU). En la actualidad es profesora de lengua, literatura y cultura españolas en la Universidad de Cincinnati. Su investigación académica se ocupa de la poesía española contemporánea, en especial la obra de Juan Gil-Albert, la poesía escrita por mujeres, y la importancia cultural de la literatura gastronómica. Como poeta, es autora de nueve libros y ha sido incluida en varias antologías, entre ellas Poetisas Españolas (1976–2001) (Editorial Torremozas, 2003), Mapa. Antología poética. 30 poetas valencianos en la democracia (Carena Editors, 2009) y El poder del cuerpo (Ed. Castalia, 2009).

Discussion with Sue Spaid on her new book, Making Values Explicit: On How We Are Moved to Do, Act, Care and Change

This book explores a wide range of topics to demonstrate how relevant values (rather than virtues, affects, emotions or beliefs) motivate people to act in ways that structure their identities, inspiring others to treat them as they see themselves (or want others to see them).

During this discussion we’ll be covering the first chapter of the book, Making Values Explicit. Prior reading is not required to take part in this discussion but encouraged.

https://ethicspress.com/collections/hardback/products/making-values-explicit

To receive a free copy of the book in pdf form, please email us at swellartcafe@gmail.com

Tickets available here.

Join artist Erika Nj Allen for a relaxing afternoon of expression and togetherness. Whether you come with friends, family, coworkers—or that special someone—you’ll spend meaningful time painting a pound of porcelain bananas.

I mean—when was the last time you bought a pound of bananas and actually painted them?

Experience the calming rhythm of ceramic glazing in good company.
A $25 ticket includes:

• • One pound of porcelain bananas to paint and glaze
  • All materials provided—porcelain, glazes, and firing included
  • A cozy, creative atmosphere—just bring your curiosity and spirit
  

Food, cocktails, wine, and beer will be available for purchase throughout the event.

Choose your colors, slow down, and enjoy the meditative joy of glazing.

What is glazing, you ask?
Glazing is the process of applying a special mineral-based coating to ceramics that, when fired in a kiln, melts into a smooth, glass-like surface.
Your bananas will be fired and ready for pickup within two weeks—so the experience lingers long after the event ends.

A bit about Erika NJ Allen:
Erika NJ Allen is a Cincinnati-based artist whose work explores nourishment, ritual, and belonging through ceramics and photography. She holds an MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA in Photography from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Her practice often centers the banana as a symbol of cultural memory, labor, and resilience.

She is a recipient of the 2024 NCECA Emerging Artist Fellowship and the 21c Artadia Award, among other recognitions. She has also participated in prestigious artist residencies, including the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts and Byrdcliffe, as well as other national programs focused on material exploration and creative practices. Her most recent solo exhibition at the Weston Art Gallery is on view until August 20th, 2025.

Investors, partners, neighbors, and anyone interested in being a part of swell meeting bi-monthly to ideate, check in on progress, event plan, and build the cafe!

Space limited - Reserve your free tickets here!

Join us for a compelling conversation to celebrate the release of The Prison Industry: How It Works and Who Profits. The event will feature a panel conversation offering a deep dive into the complex dynamics of the prison industry, the false ethics of carceral capitalism, and its far-reaching consequences on communities.

Speakers:

Tamaya Dennard, Programs and Partnerships Manager of Represent Women

Tyra Patterson, Community Outreach Strategist & Paralegal at Ohio Justice and Policy Center

Bianca Tylek, Executive Director of Worth Rises

The Prison Industry: How It Works and Who Profits is a groundbreaking exposé that uncovers the vast network of corporations and government entities profiting from incarceration. Written by Bianca Tylek, a leading advocate for criminal justice, and Worth Rises, a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industry, this book reveals the economic forces that sustain mass incarceration in the U.S.

Through meticulous research and compelling narratives, The Prison Industry sheds light on industries that thrive off incarceration, from telecom and healthcare to food services and community corrections. In doing so, it provides a powerful call to action for policymakers, business leaders, and the public to challenge and dismantle the prison industry.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES

Bianca Tylek is the Founder and Executive Director of Worth Rises. She is one the nation’s for most experts on the prison industry and a nationally recognized leader in criminal justice advocacy more broadly. Bianca is best known for her innovative strategies and successful campaigns to secure free prison phone calls and eliminate financial exploitation across the criminal legal system. Bianca’s work has been featured on the TED stage as well as in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. She is based in New York City. 

Tamaya Denard is the Programs and Partnerships Manager at RepresentWomen. Inspired by Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan and an abiding belief that everyone deserves a non-tokenized voice in what’s happening in their community, in 2017, Tamaya became the first openly gay woman elected to public office in the City of Cincinnati and served as President Pro Tem of Cincinnati City Council. Her focus in office was dismantling legislation rooted in systemic racism, classism and sexism and creating equitable policies that gave everyone an equal opportunity to succeed.

In addition to being the Chair of the first City Council committee focused exclusively on issues of equity, inclusion and young people, among her proudest legislative moments is the creation of Cincinnati’s Salary History Ordinance and the Girls in Government program.

Tamaya studied at the Toulouse School of Business in Toulouse, France, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from the University of Cincinnati. In her spare time, you can find Tamaya sitting courtside rooting for the University of Cincinnati Women’s Basketball team, playing golf or pickleball and listening to 90’s RnB and hip-hop (the golden era).

Tyra Patterson: On December 25, 2017, Tyra Patterson walked out of prison after serving 23 years for crimes she did not commit. While incarcerated, Tyra discovered and fostered her artistry, first as a mechanism of survival and second as a means of expression.

Today, Tyra travels all over the country as an artist and an activist, speaking at law schools, colleges, prisons, conferences and high schools, leveraging her story and art to educate people on social justice. She currently lives in Cincinnati and works at the Ohio Justice & Policy Center, where she is the Community Outreach Strategist. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Just Media, Life After Justice, ArtWorks Cincinnati, Represent Justice and Black Art Speaks. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Art Academy of Cincinnati, where she received an honorary Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in 2020.

Her story has been featured by media outlets, including Rolling Stone, Essence Magazine, The Guardian, ABC News, CNN and many others.

Tyra Patterson is an artist-activist who works to leverage her platform and privilege to help other justice-impacted artists gain visibility.

Worth Rises is a nonprofit organization dedicated to dismantling the prison industry and ending its exploitation of incarcerated people and their families. Through narrative change, policy advocacy, and corporate activism, Worth Rises has successfully influenced legislation and changed industry practices nationwide.

SWELL is so excited to be here serving drinks, food, and books - we can’t wait to celebrate with you. While we’re not quite ready to be open regular hours with full service just yet, please come to check out our new space and catch some vinyl music, good vibes, and yummy libations. It will be swell!

Discussion with Sue Spaid on her new book, Making Values Explicit: On How We Are Moved to Do, Act, Care and Change

This book explores a wide range of topics to demonstrate how relevant values (rather than virtues, affects, emotions or beliefs) motivate people to act in ways that structure their identities, inspiring others to treat them as they see themselves (or want others to see them).

https://ethicspress.com/collections/hardback/products/making-values-explicit