“Sawdust: Walnut Hills” was the culmination of Jim Tucker’s 2024 residency with ArtWorks Cincinnati, where he led seven Gallery Fellows through his personal art-making process. Under Jim’s mentorship, the fellows explored foundational techniques in woodworking, spray painting, and graphic arts, ultimately producing their own original works for the exhibition.

Jim contributed four installation pieces and three original prints inspired by his time in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. Since relocating to Cincinnati in 2021, Walnut Hills has held a special place in Jim’s practice—the very first project he worked on in the city was assisting AJ Sunami on a mural just a few blocks south of the V² Gallery.

His contributions to Sawdust reflect the long, hot, and joyous summer spent in the neighborhood—drawing from historic imagery, contemporary characters, and his signature situational automatic painting to celebrate the people of Walnut Hills and the layered identity of the community.

Gallery Fellows:
Aminata Thiam, MK Hensley, Chay Mills, Will Boone-Hall, Henry Hittle, Julia Patterson, and Ellie Rockford.

Special thanks to ArtWorks Cincinnati for the opportunity to collaborate on this meaningful exhibition, and to Jim’s collaborators: Gary Dangel, Daniel Iroh, Frank Young, and Cryptogram.

Exhibition poster
Jim Tucker Entranceway installation
Exhibition description for 'Sawdust' led by artist-in-residence Jim Tucker, featuring ArtWorks Gallery Fellows learning artmaking techniques. Includes a biography of Jim Tucker and mentions the exhibition's focus on 2D and 3D art. Presented with deco
Jim Tucker installation #1
Jim Tucker installation #2
Colorful posters on a wall featuring abstract and psychedelic designs with figures and artistic patterns.
Jim Tucker decorated ceramics #1
Jim Tucker decorated ceramics #2
Jim Tucker decorated ceramics #3
Jim Tucker installation #3
Fellow art piece
Fellow art piece
Fellow art piece
Fellow art piece
Fellow art piece
Fellow art piece
Fellow art piece
Wooden folding chair with a white cushion, featuring a colorful invitation or card placed on the seat.
Three young people posing indoors; one in a gray blazer with a floral boutonniere, another wearing a "Flipturn" T-shirt, and a girl in a floral dress.
People conversing in an art gallery while observing colorful abstract artwork on the wall.
Two people smiling and posing for a photo inside a gallery or open space, with other people in the background.
Three people smiling in a brightly lit room, with one wearing a pink flower on their lapel.
Group of people engaged in conversation, smiling, and laughing in a bright, open room.
A group of people gathered in an art gallery, engaging in conversation. A vibrant, yellow and pink mural adorns the wall behind them. The setting suggests a social or networking event with various individuals interacting casually.
Three people having a conversation in an indoor setting, with others in the background. Two of them are holding cards, and one is making a gesture with their hand. They are dressed casually and adorned with flowers.
A person in a light purple shirt stands in a room with folding chairs facing a colorful wall mural. The mural features abstract, stylistic portraits and figures in yellow, pink, and orange hues. An "Exit" sign and informational plaque labeled "Sawdus
Three people in a well-lit room, engaged in conversation or discussion, with one person playfully gesturing and another holding their hand to their mouth. The setting appears casual with daytime lighting.
Person photographing colorful mural with smartphone, wearing beanie and pink shirt.
Three people having a conversation indoors with natural lighting. One person is facing away, wearing a light blue shirt. Another is wearing a pink T-shirt and beanie with long dreadlocks. The third person is in a red hoodie with bandana patterns.
People in an art gallery with colorful murals on the wall, writing on papers placed on white pedestals.
Two individuals standing in front of a colorful, artistic mural featuring cartoon-style human figures and designs in pink and yellow hues. One person is wearing a red hoodie and blue pants, while the other is in a pink shirt and a beige hat, both pos
People interacting at an art gallery event, with a person in a black top holding a decorated container, smiling at another person in a red cap handing over money. Other attendees in the background are engaged in conversations.
Two people posing in front of vibrant, multi-colored artwork featuring various abstract and stylized human figures.
Musical accompaniment from Ben Levin
Group of people socializing in an art gallery
A group of people standing and talking at an indoor event with art on the walls.
Two people at an art exhibition looking at a colorful print with an abstract design, surrounded by other attendees and artworks on the walls.
Three people standing and conversing in front of colorful abstract artwork hanging on a white wall.
People at an art gallery exhibition, observing artworks on the walls.
Colorful abstract drawings pinned to a gray wall display board.
People interacting at an art gallery with colorful wall mural.
Group of people engaging in conversation indoors; a man and three women are visible in the forefront, with others in the background. They appear to be smiling and interacting casually in a well-lit setting.
People attending an art exhibition in a gallery, viewing colorful artwork on walls.
A group of people gathered indoors, with one person speaking into a microphone while holding a clipboard. Others stand near the window, some wearing flowers. Several people are seated on folding chairs, observing the scene.
A group of seven people standing indoors, with one holding a microphone, during an event.
People applauding at an art gallery event, with paintings on the wall in the background.
Group of people standing indoors, with one person holding a microphone and clipboard, presenting in front of an audience.
Two people engaged in conversation at an art gallery with colorful sculptures and paintings in the background. A third person is partially visible on the left.
Group of people at an indoor event, one person speaking into a microphone, others standing by large windows, listening attentively.
People observing colorful art pieces in a gallery setting.
People in a workshop or seminar taking notes, sitting on wooden chairs, with one person playing a keyboard in the background.
A woman handing out markers to seated attendees at an indoor event with colorful artwork on the wall.
A group of people seated indoors, focused on writing or drawing on notepads. The scene appears to be a workshop or seminar. The foreground shows a person in a blue hoodie and pink cap.
Man holding a colorful card and microphone, wearing striped blazer with flower lapel pin, standing by window with a parked car outside.
Two women writing on small pieces of paper in front of a colorful abstract painting in an art gallery.
Group of people in a gallery with colorful art in the background, two men smiling and writing on notepads, and a woman pointing.
A group of people writing on notepads, standing in an art gallery with colorful paintings on the wall.
People participating in an interactive activity while sitting in chairs, with some writing on cards and others smiling and engaging with one another.
Four people crouching on the floor, writing on colorful cards with markers in an indoor setting.
A group of people interacting in a bright room, including two young children with adults around them. One child is wearing a colorful sweater and the other is in a blue dress, while several adults are standing and kneeling nearby. The room has large
A young child wearing a knitted sweater holds a drawing with colorful scribbles. Another person is leaning over to look at the drawing. The setting appears to be indoors with a gray floor.
Two men standing indoors, smiling and engaged in conversation, with artwork mounted on the wall behind them. One man is wearing a colorful shirt and the other a striped blazer with a floral shirt.
People interacting at an art gallery event with various artworks on display.
person drawing with marker on paper
Group of children and adults in an art gallery with children engaging in activities at a white table with markers and notes.
Group of people indoors at an art gallery event, featuring colorful artwork on the walls.
Smiling person wearing a denim jacket and cap, showing a peace sign, with a camera around their neck, standing in front of colorful wall art with people in the background.
Group of seven people smiling, standing indoors with floral decorations in a gallery setting.
Three people smiling and posing in an art gallery with artwork in the background.
Group of people conversing at an art gallery with colorful art pieces on the walls.
Three people standing indoors, two making peace signs, one holding a camera, one wearing a floral button on a blazer, and all holding rolled papers, in a room with art on the walls.
A man and a woman standing together in an art gallery, both smiling. The man has a beard and glasses, and the woman has long hair. They are wearing casual clothing. In the background, there are people looking at artworks on the wall.
Person standing next to a colorful fish-themed art piece on a white wall.
Two people smiling at an art gallery event, with one wearing a necklace and the other a gray blazer adorned with origami and a flower.
Three individuals standing together, smiling and wearing flowers pinned to their clothing, with colorful artwork displayed in the background.