Devante Goins

Transit Arts Performer

About Davante:

Devante Goins is 17 years old and is a student at South High School. He was born in Dayton, Ohio and moved to Columbus when he was 2 years old. He is a dancer, painter, writer, and musician. He started drawing in the third grade when he was inspired by his older brother who is also an artist. He started studying dance with BHB at the age of 15. He has studied visual arts with Richard Duarte Brown, Aaron “Monastic” Thomas, and Craig Gardner. He has also studied writing with Speak Williams, Jai Carey and Barbara Fant.  He is a member of the TRANSIT ARTS Performance Group and has performed dance, music, poetry and live painting at numerous venues including: Grange Insurance, Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival, BHB’s Hip Hop Expo, Hot Times Festival, ComFest, Independents’ Festival, Community Shelter Board Annual Luncheon, COSI, First Night, King Arts Complex, and many more. He has exhibited his artwork at Black Creek Bistro, The State Office Tower, The Columbus Arts Festival, Bluestone, and the New Media Middle School. He is interested in apprenticing under a tattoo artist, pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and Theory as well as Music Composition. In the future he sees himself as an entrepreneur and plans to start several businesses including a tattoo shop, restaurant, clothing store, health care clinic, and an after school program for youth. He is known for his leadership skills, for keeping a joyous mood, willingness to take positive risks, and staying optimistic in the worst of situations. He would like to help change the world through mainstream media and truthful acknowledgment of world issues. He would promote welfare and peace through music, articles, and public speaking.  He would also like to go throughout the city and put artwork/murals on abandoned buildings for the community to look at. He would like to tell other young people that the way to leave your mark on the world is to leave something behind that people can look at in the future. A legacy. “They should remember that your first impression should be the best impression because it will follow you.” He suggests that youth avoid peer pressure by doing only do what makes them feel comfortable within themselves. They should step out if they feel they are going too far. Advice for adults.  “Be more lenient and less judgmental. When I’m grown I want kids to pursue their passion – whatever it may be – and stay out of trouble. I would help them by supporting their performances and buying their paintings. I would give them a place to pursue their passion. I think it would be helpful for the kids to have someone to look up to – someone to show them the right way to do things.”