art projects and residencies
Creative renewal arts fellowship 2023
Traveling to Kathmandu, Jones immersed himself in myriad cultural landmarks such as the Swayambhunath Monkey Temple and the profound Hindu cremation ceremonies at The Pashupatinath Temple. He hiked a 6-day trek in the Annapurna region of the mountains, meeting local families along the way. He stumbled upon the Teej Festival in Patan, which celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
“The journey challenged me outside my comfort zone, reinforcing the value of listening and embracing diverse perspectives. Gratitude became a constant companion, as my life underwent a transformation shaped by the landscapes, people, and experiences I encountered. Beyond personal artistic growth, my Creative Renewal instilled a renewed sense of responsibility towards my community. The exposure to diverse global practices prompted a reevaluation of my role in shaping the artistic landscape of Indianapolis. Armed with newfound insights, I returned with a commitment to contribute meaningfully to the local arts scene.”
Major Taylor: Fastest Cyclist in the World
In 2022 I composed a sound piece to the “Major Taylor: Fastest Cyclist in the World” exhibition, which will at the Indiana State Museum. The Major Taylor exhibition—devoted to the Black bicycle racer who grew up in Indianapolis—boasts an impressive roster of Indianapolis artists who did work behind the scenes, including visual artist Walter Lobyn Hamilton (with his 11-year-old son, Xavier), poet Januarie York, photographer Keith “Wildstyle” Paschall, writer Mark Latta, voice actor Dominique Shelby, videographer Bayette George, actor Milicent Wright and costume designer Cathy Fritsch. In 2020, I was riding my bike like crazy. During peak shutdown, I rode my bike a lot. So I tried to picture Major Taylor himself riding his bike and scored it to that. I also followed the pace of (Januarie York’s poem). So essentially, when you’re hearing it, it’s very subtle, but it’s like visualizing someone on the track and controlling their pace. It has a heart BPM element to it, and it intensies. 
“Far from anything like the movie”
In February 2019, Jane sun Kim and oreo jones flew to Madagascar in hopes to uncomfortably disconnect; it worked. The Island of the Moon is home to around 200,000 plant and animal species and has some of the most breathtaking scenery you could ever imagine. Unfortunately 90% of their rainforests are gone along with species uprooted due to deforestation. There's a divide between the native Malagasy that belong and are acclimated to the pace of life in the island off the Indian Ocean. An abundance of ethnicities, sex trafficking, climate change, extreme poverty, and the longest humanly possible commute in a taxi brousse."Far From Anything Like The Movie" is a photo/ mixed media exposé documenting the rode less traveled. Kim and Jones have no formal artist training and began this journey with the yearning to save their relationship.This show was made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts ,Tube Factory Artspace, Indy Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission, City of Indianapolis, Allen Whitehill Clowes, and the Christel Dehaan Family Foundation“A Prisoner within the mind”
IIn 2018, Oreo Jones lived in the basement of the old nurses' administration building at the historic Central State Mental Hospital as part of a unique artist residency. With the support of Rob Funkhouser, Mark Tester, Brian Allen, and The Deoc Ensemble, we summoned a few spirits in the beautiful 1899 ballroom.
LISten hear and 99.1 wqrt
In 2016, Oreo Jones joined the Indianapolis based arts non profit Big Car Collaborative. Through a grant via the National Endowment for the Arts, Jones began as an artist in resident managing and curating LISTEN HEAR. Listen Hear, was a sound art project of Big Car, highlighting sound as a material in art while bringing people together; give focus to the importance of our daily soundscape; engage new listeners with tools and techniques related to deep listening; and provide opportunities to new and uninitiated audiences to experience sound as art. In 2024, the project has moved on air to 99.1WQRTFrom 2020-2024, Jones managed the low powered fm radio station 99.1 WQRT Indianapolis. 99.1 FM WQRT-LP is a non-commercial, experimental on-air home for contemporary art, music, and community. Licensed by the FCC with a reach of most of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana (500,000+ people), WQRT is owned and managed by Big Car Collaborative — a nonprofit arts organization and cross-discipline collective of artists. Please learn more about the amazing things Big Car and WQRT are doing at bigcar.org and wqrt.org.
