A talented local artist who has spent decades painting scenes of Cincinnati neighborhoods is now fighting to avoid homelessness as he faces eviction from his Over-the-Rhine residence. Anthony Stollings, 71, is desperately hoping to sell his artwork to generate enough income for stable housing after his Social Security benefits proved insufficient to cover rising housing costs.
Stollings, who grew up painting alongside his father in Lincoln Heights, has dedicated his artistic career to capturing the essence of Cincinnati's diverse neighborhoods through his detailed paintings. Despite winning awards and achieving recognition for his work throughout his career, the veteran artist finds himself in a precarious financial situation that he describes as "living in hell."
"My name is Anthony Stollings. I've won awards. I've done all this stuff. I thought by the time I got to my age, I'm thinking it should be easy by then," Stollings explained. "This economy, this situation with housing, it's like living in hell. My Social Security check, I guess like most people, just wasn't enough."
The artist's journey has been marked by both success and struggle. Having traveled across the country participating in art shows and even appearing on PBS, Stollings returned to Cincinnati only to discover that all his previous work was gone and he had nowhere to live. During one of his exhibitions at Music Hall, an advisor warned him not to reveal his homeless status, saying people would be afraid of him.
A compassionate individual eventually provided Stollings with temporary accommodation on Liberty Street, but his relief was short-lived. He was recently informed that he must vacate the premises, leading to his appearance in eviction court. The artist now faces the daunting prospect of finding new housing in Cincinnati's increasingly expensive rental market.
Stollings' artistic focus has been deeply rooted in community representation, particularly in showcasing African-American life and culture in Cincinnati. He believes there is a significant gap in artistic representation of the city's diverse communities. "I just felt like not enough artists, especially African-American artists, just weren't painting enough of the city," he said. "And they had to learn to appreciate the city by showing this is where I live, too."
One of his notable works depicts scenes from a local market, including two performers who used to entertain visitors. He fondly recalls one performer who "used to play like Sam Cooke" and was "great," while the other helped clean up at the market before becoming seriously ill. These personal connections to his subjects demonstrate Stollings' commitment to documenting the human stories within Cincinnati's neighborhoods.
The artist's dedication to his craft remains unwavering despite his current circumstances. "I get up painting, I go to sleep painting," Stollings said, emphasizing his complete devotion to his art. His primary goal now is simple yet challenging: "I would like to be able to sell enough work so I can get a stable place to stay, no matter how it seems to evade me."
Stollings' artistic contributions to the community extend beyond neighborhood scenes. In 2001, following the September 11 attacks, he created a tribute painting honoring the first responders who rushed to the World Trade Center. During a previous interview about that work, he expressed his belief in art's power to unite people: "This is a chance for everybody to get together and show that there's enough love in this country to carry it from 2000 and beyond."
This historical piece demonstrates Stollings' ability to capture significant moments and his desire to contribute meaningfully to national conversations through his art. His body of work spans both intimate neighborhood portraits and broader cultural commentary, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
For those interested in supporting Stollings through purchasing his artwork, he can be reached at 513-400-2016. He also maintains a presence on social media platforms, including Facebook at facebook.com/pandtdesigns and Instagram at @stollingsanthony, where potential buyers and supporters can view his work and connect with him directly.
Stollings' situation reflects broader challenges facing many senior citizens and artists in American cities, where fixed incomes often fail to keep pace with rising housing costs. His story highlights the vulnerability of creative professionals who may lack traditional retirement savings or employer-provided benefits, relying instead on Social Security and sporadic art sales for survival.
The artist's current predicament underscores the ongoing gentrification pressures in Over-the-Rhine, a historic Cincinnati neighborhood that has undergone significant changes in recent years. As property values and rents continue to rise, longtime residents, particularly those on fixed incomes, increasingly find themselves priced out of areas they've called home.
Despite the challenges he faces, Stollings continues to create art that celebrates Cincinnati's communities and tells the stories of its residents. His persistence in both his artistic practice and his search for stable housing exemplifies the resilience many artists must demonstrate to continue their creative work while navigating economic hardship.
