Columbus is not a bad place to live

Some people seemed a bit surprised when they read that a Hollywood actress was moving to Columbus.

That was the story circulating on Facebook earlier this week about “The Avengers” star Scarlett Johansson. We found out later that the whole thing was a hoax, but only after a few people had conniptions on social media. “Why in the world would she move here?” posted one disgusted Facebook friend.

But what if there was a famous person like Johansson moving to Columbus? Would it really be that shocking?

Columbus is a great town, with a lot to offer, and there are plenty of people moving here all the time. Just ask Najee Dorsey, an artist from Blytheville, Ark.

I first wrote about Najee in 2014 when he held an exhibit at the Columbus Museum titled “Leaving Mississippi — Reflections on Heroes and Folklore.” The exhibit won Najee many local fans, including Aflac CEO Dan Amos and his wife, Kathelen, who later donated $100,000 to the Columbus Museum for a black art initiative based on their love for Najee’s work. Aflac also purchased one of his pieces.

Najee and his wife, Seteria, are also art dealers and owners of a business called “Black Art in America,” a global social network for black visual artists, collectors and art enthusiasts. In addition to managing three robust websites, with more than 100,000 supporters from 180 countries, the couple holds art shows in New York, Miami, Kansas City, Atlanta, Houston, Washington and other areas.

Well, since coming to the area for Najee’s exhibit about 20 months ago, the couple has decided to make Columbus their headquarters. They recently opened an art gallery called the BAIA House at 1433 17th St., across from Durham Pharmacy. Tours are available by appointment.

I asked the couple why they decided to settle in Columbus, of all places, and Najee said the art community welcomed them with open arms. They also sensed a renaissance in the air with the revitalization of downtown and other areas.

“I had always thought that a smaller market might be a better scenario for us, as opposed to Atlanta, because everything is so spread out there,” he said. “I did things nationally but I never really found the support base in Atlanta. And so, it just seemed like the timing was perfect.”

The couple found the house for the gallery while driving around Lakebottom Park. It sits next to an art studio and is now decked with black art from all over America. The gallery had its first show on March 6, featuring Eugene Foney, a close friend and private art dealer with 40 years of experience. He worked with John Biggers, a famous black muralist who came to prominence after the Harlem Renaissance.

Najee said about 70 people attended the event, packing the four-room gallery. One man drove all the way from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Those who attended included the Amoses and representatives from the Columbus Museum.

“That’s what makes any space or city special,” Najee said. “It’s finding your base, finding new friends and building community.”

This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 4:49 PM with the headline "Columbus is not a bad place to live."