2024 Columbus Arts Festival to Welcome More Than 250 Local and National Artists
For immediate release
February 5, 2024Contact: 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 2024 Columbus Arts Festival, produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) and presented by the American Electric Power Foundation, June 7-9 on Columbus’ downtown riverfront.
“In 2023 we again welcomed huge crowds to the Columbus Arts Festival, and we’re excited for another adventure-filled event this year,” said Alexis Perrone, Arts Festival director. “We love that the Festival kicks off the summer for our city through excellent art-shopping, exceptional performances, great food and drink, family activities and much more. This year we’re especially excited to feature a music line-up of all Ohio artists, most of which are from the Columbus area.”
More than 250 artists were invited to exhibit at the 2024 festival, including all 12 award-winners from 2023. More than 75 Ohio artists are represented as well. In addition to the established artists who exhibit, the Columbus Arts Festival invited 22 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 central Ohio artists who have limited or no experience exhibiting at national festivals.
Other highlights of the 2024 Columbus Arts Festival include:
Music, Dance, Theater & Spoken Word Performances
The Arts Festival features multiple stages that host Columbus-based musicians, dance troupes, theater companies, poets, storytellers and spoken word artists throughout the weekend.
Big Local Arts Village
The Big Local Arts Village, sponsored by Bank of America, 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, ceramics to blacksmithing and more.
Kids Hands-On Activities Village
Always a popular attraction for kids and their families, the Festival’s Kids Hands-On Activities Village, sponsored by Battelle, 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 and Teen Art Gallery
Kids play art collector in the Children’s and Teen Gallery located near the Hands-On Activities Village. On Saturday and Sunday the galleries – one for children ages 12 and younger, and one for teens 13-17 – feature 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 7 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, June 9 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) 221-8531 or visit columbusartsfestival.org.
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 2024 Columbus Arts Festival is presented by the American Electric Power Foundation. Additional sponsors and partners include Bank of America, Bath and Body Works Foundation, Battelle, COSI, Downtown Columbus, Edwards Communities, Encova, G&J Pepsi, Go Brewing, Graeter’s, High Bank Distillery, Holiday Inn Downtown, Hotel LeVeque, Huntington, IGS Energy, The Junto, King Business Interiors, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, OSA Technology Partners, Paul-Henri and Erika Bourguignon Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, Rhinegeist, Sonesta Columbus Downtown, South Wind Motel, Visit Savannah, The Westin Great Southern Columbus, White Castle and Whole World Lemonade. Media sponsors include ABC6/FOX28, Columbus Radio Group, Dispatch Media Group, Lamar Outdoor, Ohio Magazine, Orange Barrel Media, WCBE, WOSU Public Media and WWCD Radio.
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. None of these funds are used for the production of the Columbus Arts Festival.
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