Nice and Nati info
Contact:
Jide’ Fresh (502-592-1725) (https://inflywetrust.com/
In Fly We Trust
inflywetrust859@gmail.com
Nice and Nati: A Love Letter to Cincinnati Through Art, Music, and Community
Nice and Nati is a love letter to the city of Cincinnati. It is an ambitious community art project that brings together 80 local artists to create a collaborative coloring book paired with an original music soundtrack. With an intense focus on community, creativity, and collaboration, the project sends a message of optimism and resilience. It shouts one clear message: We are the city.
Nice and Nati is not only a guide to discovering the unique and hidden parts of Cincinnati, it is also a roadmap for becoming a better citizen and a better neighbor. This project challenges us to see each other and our surroundings in a fresh light. It is designed to introduce new ways to experience the city and to inspire personal growth within our communities.
Jide’ Fresh, the visionary behind Nice and Nati, has been producing adult coloring books for four years that focus on the journey of becoming your better self. Under his banner In Fly We Trust, he has played a significant role in Blink 2024, created a mural at Christ Cathedral, and has led numerous workshops in collaboration with his business partner Shaquanna Metcalf. His work is dedicated to celebrating personal and communal transformation.
The essence of Nice and Nati lies in its collaborative spirit. The project brings together 60 visual artists (fashion designers, photographers, models, and illustrators) and 20 musicians who have never worked together before. These diverse creatives are organized into groups that conceptualize fashion and photoshoots. From these sessions, an illustrator transforms the energy and vision into a unique coloring page for the Nice and Nati coloring book. The Nice and Nati soundtrack is a compilation of original music created by local artists, all inspired by the dynamic spirit of Cincinnati.
Among the extraordinary talent involved in this project are Alicia Lee, Ayana Ames, Rico Engleman, Tejido de Lucy, Maddie Cain, Jennave Traore’, Javarri Lewis, Ryan Nicole Leary, Turtle Child, Siri Imani, Napoleon Maddox, Devin Burgess, Ingrid Woode and many more. These artists were selected out of a deep respect for their passion, skill, and commitment to connection. Donise Coleman, serving as project manager, has been instrumental in organizing and working closely with the artists to ensure every element of Nice and Nati resonates with the vision of the city.
Nice and Nati reflects the true soul of Cincinnati – its neighborhoods, businesses, cultural landmarks, and the people who make up its diverse tapestry. It offers a tactile, lasting experience as opposed to fleeting digital impressions. The project gives local businesses a unique opportunity for long-term visibility in a creative, emotionally engaging format that lives on the pages of the book, in the memories of its readers, and in community conversations.
The launch of Nice and Nati will be celebrated with three special events in October 2025. On October 9, the project will support Starfire’s event at the Cincinnati Art Museum, featuring Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General, focused on building community in the face of epidemic loneliness. On October 10, in collaboration with Swiss collective [Y]Our 2040, a one-day futures workshop will explore the future of Cincinnati. Finally, on October 11, an artist showcase will celebrate the contributions of the creative minds behind Nice and Nati while officially debuting the book.
Following its release, the book will be distributed through artist networks, retail locations, and partner organizations. The goal is to reach a broad audience of Cincinnati residents and the 26 million annual visitors passing through the city, showcasing what makes Cincinnati unique and inspiring everyone to be a better part of the community.
“This project is just the beginning,” says Jide’ Fresh. “It is a celebration of our city, a guide to hidden gems, and an invitation to grow as individuals and as neighbors. We invite everyone to join us in writing the next chapter of Cincinnati’s story.”
Media inquiries, interviews, and advanced review copies are available upon request.
