Press


“Fierce Landscapes: Conversations about Pilgrimage” 2/28/2021

Columbus Crossing Borders co-director Laurie VanBalen presented a talk on this topic to Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio


Creative Mornings Columbus - 2/19/2021

Columbus Crossing Borders director Laurie VanBalen was the guest speaker on Creative Mornings Columbus. Laurie's presentation, "Our Shared Humanity" included conversation about The Columbus Crossing Borders Project, human rights education and project plans for 2021 .

Creative Mornings is a monthly breakfast lecture series created in 2008, hosting events in 207 cities worldwide. The concept is breakfast and a short talk one Friday morning a month.

  • Patch.com 10 Questions with Laurie 2/16/2020
    • Laurie VanBalen is an energetic force for art. She lives in Pataskala, (OH) located in Licking County near Columbus.

  • Cleveland.com Shaker Heights Exhibit 2/16/2020
    • The Columbus Crossing Borders Project, which explores the refugee experience through the work of 34 artists and includes a documentary by Ohio filmmaker Doug Swift, is coming to Shaker Heights.

  • Patch.com Shaker Heights Exhibit 2/5/2020
    • The Columbus Crossing Borders Project will come to Shaker Heights on Feb. 26-27. The project sheds light on the refugee experience through the work of artists and a documentary filmmaker

  • Margaret W Wong & Associates, LLC 9/14/2019
    • Wednesday, September 11, 2019, we went to the Gallery at Lakeland Community College where we attended a reception, for which Margaret W. Wong & Associates LLC was a vital contributor, regarding the Columbus Crossing Borders Art project where we viewed an art exhibit and watched a screening of the documentary film “Breathe Free” produced in connection with the project.

  • Columbus Crossing Borders Project Viewed by Some 3,000 in the Westerville Community 10/11/18
    • Approximately 3,000 people recently were able to view the Columbus Crossing Borders Project (CCBP), thanks to a new collaborative venture to bring the exhibit to the community.

  • Westerville Crossing Borders: Project's goal is to create awareness of diversity 8/15/2018
    • Four education organizations that support the Westerville City Schools are partnering on a project called Westerville Crossing Borders.


    WCPO News Clips 6/26/2018

    News coverage of the The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center exhibit by 9 On Your Side WCPO Cincinnati.


    WCPO News Clips 6/26/2018

    Sneak Preview of the The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center exhibit by 9 On Your Side WCPO Cincinnati.

    Children’s mural at Pataskala pool meant to erase borders, promote unity 6/11/2018

    When people see the African giraffe, the sun from Uruguay’s flag, the Bhutanese poppies and the Syrian woodpecker painted on a mural at the Pataskala Community Pool, artist Laurie VanBalen hopes they see the potential for central Ohio to become a global community.

  • Film 'Breathe Free' highlights emotion in the experiences of refugees 8/10/2017
    • "When you talk about refugees, what you're really talking about are people who have no other choice"

  • Artists shine light on stories of refugees 5/10/2017
    • PATASKALA - The Columbus Crossing Borders Project is about forging connections. Pataskala artist Laurie VanBalen pulled together 34 different artists for the upcoming travelling exhibit. Using the stories of refugees, the various artists created individual works that "cross" their canvas borders, with interconnecting elements moving from one painting to another to form a 34-piece collage.

  • Exhibit, film to focus on immigrants' stories 5/15/2017
    • What began as a local artist's idea for a small exhibit about refugees and immigrants in Central Ohio has grown into a 34-artist traveling exhibition with an accompanying documentary film.

  • Art exhibition shares immigrants’ perspective 10/25/2017
    • A traveling exhibit of artwork shares the experiences of refugees on canvas. Opening reception is 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 in the Tibbot Gallery. Experience a visual tribute to resilience, strength, and courage in “The Columbus Crossing Borders Exhibit” on display in the Tibbott Center Gallery Thursday, Nov. 2 and Friday, Nov. 3.

  • Nashville Arts Magazine 10/25/2017
    • The University School of Nashville will be hosting an exhibit as a visual tribute to the resilience, strength, and courage of those who have survived incredible hardship within the immigrant community. ​

    The traveling exhibit comes from Columbus, Ohio and will be in Nashville for a two-day event on Nov. 2-3, 2017. The exhibit will present paintings by 34 artists along with an opportunity to view the documentary film Breathe Free by filmmaker Doug Swift.

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