Nonprofit in Steubenville Aims To Build Community Through the Arts
Christopher Dacanay Trending
Revolution of Tenderness, a local nonprofit aimed at generating community through arts and culture, is further establishing its roots in Steubenville with a new creative space on Sunset Boulevard.
The Studio, located in Suite 12 of the Gallery Building, 2700 Sunset Blvd., opened its doors for the first time on Dec. 8 with a weekend full of guest talent exhibitions and classes. Activities ranged from stretching and dance classes to jam sessions and crafts.
Suzanne Lewis, founder of Revolution of Tenderness, said the community center will continue to host free art and music events for children and adults, simultaneously serving as the nonprofit's headquarters. Features of the multi-room space include a green room and kitchen, gift shop, performance space with a stage, plant propagation area, children's nursery and learning and art areas.
The Studio will be open during scheduled classes, Lewis said, though there are hopes to incorporate open hours in the future. Individuals can monitor the Revolution of Tenderness Facebook page to see upcoming events.
Having a physical space for the nonprofit has been a long-awaited dream come true, Lewis said. Until now, the organization has been based wherever Lewis was, having been founded in 2016. The goal is fostering connectedness, primarily through cultural events and its own publishing house.
"We're trying to promote collaboration, friendship and dialogue among peoples," Lewis said.
Lewis, who has master's degrees in social work and fine arts, has lived in Steubenville with her husband since 2005. Before the nonprofit was formed, the two had hosted three cultural festivals in Pittsburgh, inspired by a large festival they had attended in Italy.
Seeking a way to receive funding through tax-deductible donations, Lewis established the organization and named it after a phrase used by Pope Francis. Since then, the nonprofit has hosted Festivals of Friendship -- cultural, community-centered events with exhibits and speakers -- in Pittsburgh and Steubenville.
Other events included a literary festival at Leonardo's Coffeehouse, an online J.R.R. Tolkien reading group and a large online festival in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that festival, Lewis had been introduced to composer Richard Danielpour of the University of California, who appreciated the group's mission and contributed music to the next year's to "promote healing during the pandemic," Lewis said.
That story illustrates an important aspect of Lewis and the organization: the power and reach of friendship. Lewis has been aided in her events through contributions from various friends and connections from unlikely corners of the world -- "whoever we have in front of us."
Fleming said anyone with a skill is encouraged to share their talents in a free class -- he hopes to host a life skills class. Keeping events free is integral to the Studio, Lewis added.
Individuals have already expressed interest in evening, after-school classes, Fleming said, adding that he and Lewis want to "create opportunities for people who feel they don't have them."
Fleming is excited to teach guitar to a particularly interested student who is left-handed. Currently, Lewis and Fleming are brainstorming how to overcome the challenge of transportation -- providing a way for downtown residents to get up the hill.
As The Studio continues to take shape, Lewis said it will be guided by a "working hypothesis" adapted from Italian friar and hymn writer Jacopone da Todi: "Everything and all things together cry out for just one thing: Love."
Lewis said, "With this as our working hypothesis, we can approach anyone and become friends with anyone."