2023 Columbus Arts Festival to Welcome More Than 200 Local and National Artists
For immediate release
February 22, 2023Contact: Jami Goldstein
jgoldstein@gcac.org
(614) 221-8492
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Notable local and national artists from around the country will exhibit and sell their work at the 2023 Columbus Arts Festival, produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) and presented by the American Electric Power Foundation, June 9-11 on Columbus’ downtown riverfront.
“Following the success of our 2022 Festival, with some of the biggest crowds and best sales ever, we’re excited to continue growing the Columbus Arts Festival,” said Alexis Perrone, Arts Festival director. “The Festival is a prime welcome-to-summer event that draws visitors for exceptional visual art, music, dance, theater, food, film, family activities and so much more.”
More than 200 artists were invited to exhibit at the 2023 festival, including 11 of the 12 award-winners from 2022. More than three dozen Ohio artists are represented as well. In addition to the established artists who exhibit, the Columbus Arts Festival invited 18 artists who were selected by the jury panel to participate in the Emerging Festival Artist program. Created in 2011, the Emerging Festival Artist program is for artists who have limited or no experience exhibiting at national festivals.
Other favorite features of the Columbus Arts Festival include:
Music, Dance, Theater, Film & Spoken Word Performances
The Arts Festival features multiple stages that host local musicians, dance troupes, theater companies, local filmmakers, poets, storytellers and spoken word artists throughout the weekend.
Big Local Arts Village
The Big Local Arts Village sits at the Festival’s Franklinton entrance on West Rich Street. More than 60 artists from Central Ohio will sell their work, while select artists demonstrate everything from woodturning to Japanese calligraphy, clay-throwing to blacksmithing and more.
Hands-On Activities Village
Always a popular attraction for kids and their families, the Festival’s Hands-On Activities Village sits in Dorrian Green next to COSI. Representatives from local organizations offer activities such as printmaking, painting with acrylics, creating fantastical creatures, building kinetic sand castles and more.
Children’s Gallery
Kids play art collector in the Children’s Gallery. On Saturday and Sunday children ages 12 and younger are invited to experience the unique kid-sized gallery—located near the Hands-On Activities Village—with artwork donated by exhibiting artists. Each piece is priced at $5 and under.
Meet the Art Shark
Always on the move, the beloved mascot of the Columbus Arts Festival will appear on both sides of the river. Festival-goers can say hello and take a selfie with Arthur S. Hark at various spots around the Festival grounds.
Festival Hours: Friday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note: on Friday and Saturday artist booths close at 9 p.m.; artists have the option to stay open later.)
To volunteer at the Columbus Arts Festival, please go to columbusartsfestival.org/engage/volunteer/.
For more information on the Columbus Arts Festival, call (614) 221-8625 or visit columbusartsfestival.org.
Download the Columbus Arts Festival app through the Apple app store or Google Play at guidebook.com/app/cafg/.
For a selection of high-res images, visit the Festival’s press media page.
The Columbus Arts Festival is produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
The 2023 Columbus Arts Festival is presented by the American Electric Power Foundation. Additional sponsors and partners include Art for Life, Bank of America, Bath & Body Works, Battelle, Cardinal Health, Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, COSI, Deloitte, Encova, Graeter’s, High Bank Distillery, Holiday Inn Downtown, Hotel LeVeque, Huntington, IGS Energy, JP Morgan Chase, The Junto, King Business Interiors, ML Concessions, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, OSA Technology Partners, Paul-Henri and Erika Bourguignon Charitable Trust, Pepsi, Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, Rhinegeist, Toyota, The Westin Great Southern Columbus, White Castle and Whole World Lemonade. Media sponsors include ABC6/FOX28, CD92.9, Dispatch Media Group, Lamar Outdoor, Ohio Magazine, Orange Barrel Media, RSVP, WCBE, WOSU Public Media and WSNY/Mix 107.9.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council: To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the city of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, Ohio Arts Council and The Ohio State University. There are no funds from the city of Columbus, Franklin County or Ohio Arts Council used to support the production of the Columbus Arts Festival.
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