Bernita Reese, Director of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, has unilaterally banned nude figure drawing models at the Cultural Arts Center, gutting a fundamental part of art education with no transparency, no consultation, and no legitimate justification.

This decision directly harms artists, students, and educators, denying them access to a core component of art education. Many of us have relied on these classes to hone our skills, build our portfolios, and engage with the broader Columbus arts community. Now, one of the few affordable and accessible life drawing spaces in the city has been gutted—not because of complaints or legal issues, but due to vague and baseless “liability concerns.”

Why Nude Figure Drawing Matters
For thousands of years, artists have learned their craft by drawing the human body in its natural form. Life drawing (drawing from a live nude model) is not some modern eccentricity; it has been a core part of art education for thousands of years​. From the sketches of Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci to contemporary art school studios today, studying the nude human figure is considered the best way to learn essential skills – anatomy, proportion, light and shadow, pose, movement, and more​. In fact, most university art programs require students to practice drawing nude figures, because it "helps the artist understand muscle structure to be able to portray the body accurately"​. In simple terms: if an artist can draw the complexity of the nude human form, they can draw just about anything. This time-honored practice is entirely non-sexual and educational in nature – the nude model is a subject to study form and structure, just like a bowl of fruit in a still life, only vastly more challenging and instructive. 

By banning nude models, the Cultural Arts Center is abandoning an academic tradition that has produced countless great artists. It is turning its back on a practice that has proven critical for developing observation skills and artistic confidence. Generations of artists honed their talents through life drawing; it is often called a foundational experience that shapes one's ability to see and depict the world accurately.

This decision sets a dangerous precedent for censorship in the arts. If Columbus starts removing essential artistic subjects from publicly funded spaces, what’s next? Will paintings and sculptures featuring the human form be deemed inappropriate? Will artists be forced to alter their work to fit arbitrary standards of acceptability? This is not just about one class—it’s about the freedom to create, learn, and express ourselves without unnecessary restrictions. Cities that stifle their art communities lose talent, vibrancy, and cultural identity. We cannot let Columbus become one of them.

We must send a clear message that Columbus stands for art, education, and artistic freedom—not censorship and fear. The Cultural Arts Center is a publicly funded institution, and it should serve the interests of the public, not bow to illogical restrictions. Sign this petition to demand that the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Mayor Andrew Ginther, and city officials reverse this ban immediately. Let’s protect art in Columbus—for current and future generations.