Columbus Storytellers: Cody F. Miller to tell why grandparents' neighbors raised him

Danae King, The Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
Mixed-media artist Cody F. Miller poses for a portrait in his studio in Columbus. At 7 p.m. on June 15, Miller will join four other local residents to tell a true, live story from the stage of the Columbus Athenaeum for the Columbus Storytellers Project event Neighbors. Get your tickets at dispatch.com/attendstorytellers.
Mixed-media artist Cody F. Miller poses for a portrait in his studio in Columbus. At 7 p.m. on June 15, Miller will join four other local residents to tell a true, live story from the stage of the Columbus Athenaeum for the Columbus Storytellers Project event Neighbors. Get your tickets at dispatch.com/attendstorytellers.

Cody F. Miller is known for being a local mixed-media artist, but few know much about two people who shaped his early life and continue to influence his art.

Miller, 50, will take the Columbus Athenaeum stage 7 p.m. June 15 with four other community members to tell his story on the theme Neighbors as part of the Columbus Storytellers Project.

The event is presented by The Columbus Dispatch.

Read more: A Columbus Dispatch profile on Cody F. Miller

His story, titled Grace, is inspired by Bob and Jan, a couple who were strangers to him before becoming pivotal figures in his young life.

Bob and Jan were a couple Miller, his mother and brother met on a visit to see his grandmother in Florida. The couple lived next door to his grandmother and took an interest in the young family, eventually giving up everything to move to Ohio and help his mother raise her two sons.

Like the title of his story, Miller’s art constantly explores the theme of grace.

Get your tickets! See Miller tell his story live June 15 at the Columbus Athenaeum

Bob and Jan helped raise him and were a stable influence during his childhood.

“Honoring those who have played such huge roles in our lives strengthens us to be that person in the lives of others,” Miller said.

He hopes to convey that people are not alone in the world.

“It’s so important to remember all those who love and have loved us and worked towards our good,” Miller said.

How to attend the June Columbus Storytellers Project event

WHAT: The Columbus Storytellers Project event Neighbors presented by The Columbus Dispatch

WHO: Artist Storyteller Cody F. Miller and four others — Sophia Fifner, Sheridan Hendrix, Sara Abou Rashed and Felicia DeRosa — will share their stories.

WHERE: Columbus Athenaeum, 32 North 4th St., Columbus

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15. Doors open at 6 p.m.

COST: General admission is $12 at dispatch.com/attendstorytellers

FAQs: Everything you need to know about the Columbus Storytellers Project

Artist Cody F. Miller focuses his paint-and-paper works on the subject of grace. He often draws inspiration from his own life and events, such as those who helped him in a troubled childhood, or the current pandemic. On June 15 at 7 p.m., Miller will join four other local people to tell a true, live story from the stage of the Athenaeum for the Columbus Storytellers Project event Neighbors. Get your tickets at dispatch.com/attendstorytellers.

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus artist Cody F. Miller to speak at Storytellers Project