Dr. Mark Lomax, II

For Immediate Release December 18, 2018

U.S. Congress, Ohio General Assembly, Senator Rob Portman, Columbus City Council, Franklin County, and Columbus City Schools Honor and Recognize Dr. Mark Lomax, II

Contact: Ben Weiss, Director of Strategic Partnerships
(614) 859-0276-3000 bweiss@400AnAfrikanEpic.org

“You have worked tirelessly to develop your special talents of expression, and through your music, you have touched, inspired, and gained the respect of many.”  Representative Jim Hughes

Dr. Mark Lomax, awardee of a 2018-1019 Artist Residency Award at The Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts, is being recognized and honored for his musical achievements, his excellence as a musical artist, and his commitment to better communities by a growing number individuals, organizations, and government bodies. With its Artist Residency program the Wexner Center recognizes artists working in all disciplines. The program is global in scope, including recipients from four continents and numerous countries since its inception in 1989. Dr. Lomax is the first local artist to be so honored.

Dr. Lomax received a Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) specifically acknowledging Dr. Lomax’ soon-to-be-released masterwork 400, An Afrikan Epic, his Wexner Center Artist Residency award, and his impact as both a lecturer and musician on the citizens of Columbus and beyond. U.S. Senator Rob Portman, in a letter to Dr. Lomax, wrote: “I applaud your dedication to spreading culture through the Columbus community and the state of Ohio.”

Representative Jim Hughes (District 24) of the Ohio General Assembly presented Dr. Lomax with recognition on behalf of the House of Representatives. Representative Hughes stated: “Your success is a justifiable source of pride for you and your family, and we are certain that as you continue to delight audiences with your artistic interests, you will make even more invaluable contributions to your community and the to the world around you.” In a recognition from the Ohio Senate, Senate President Larry Obhof and four of his colleagues state: “…you have worked diligently to advance the arts, and your music has helped perpetuate its long-standing tradition [a strong musical heritage within our communities] of excellence.”

Columbus City Council honored Dr. Lomax with a resolution celebrating his accomplishments as a musician, a community activist, and a leader at the Columbus Foundation in developing grant-making strategies to reduce disparities and create opportunities for at-risk youth. In particular the resolution recognized his life-long commitment to his home town, building community through his music, and his 2018 Wexner Center Artist Residency award. Franklin County Commissioners presented a resolution that thanked him “…for bringing a high level of musical, artistic and cultural merit and in achieving international recognition for the Ohio State University, as well as making immeasurable contributions to the Central Ohio quality of life.”

Columbus City Schools, which Dr. Lomax attended from kindergarten to high school graduation, celebrated his accomplishments at its Fall Spirit of Success event. The CCS Board of Education honored him for his “outstanding support of our country and community.”

Dr. Lomax earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Music Arts degrees at The Ohio State University. He has performed on over 40 albums, most of them under his leadership. He has also recorded and performed with many of the most prominent musicians in the genres of jazz, classical, and gospel music. In January 2019 Dr. Lomax will release his music masterpiece - 400, An Afrikan Epic - a 12-album cycle that explores pre-colonial Afrika, the Ma’afa (the 400 years between 1619 and 2019), and Afro-futurism, a vision of community strength and unity in the next 400 years. He will premier the 400 at Columbus' Lincoln Theater on January 26 with a concert featuring the 400 Years Suite. Thereafter he will begin a series of national engagements at universities, symphonies, and cultural institutions to engage students, teachers, and the general public in an experience that educates and entertains, as well as inspires and uplifts the human spirit through the power of music.
 
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