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COLUMBUS ARTS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 50 YEARS BUT REMAINS YOUNG IN SPIRIT WITH EXCITING NEW PROGRAMS

in Press Releases January 24, 2011 5 min read

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Arts Festival, presented by Time Warner Cable and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council will celebrate its 50th year of bringing the best in fine art and fine craft to Columbus, June 3, 4 & 5, 2011. The Columbus Arts Festival is rated by AmericanStylemagazine as one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts hundreds of juried artists from across the United States, as well as a few international artists. Music, poetry and community performance stages, hands-on arts activities for kids and adults, exhibitions of local student artwork and quality food and beverages round out Columbus’ favorite outdoor summer event.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Columbus Arts Festival is creating a BIG festival experience—diverse, inclusive and creative with an emphasis on engaging a broader spectrum of the community. The 2011 celebration will incorporate more community partners—local artists, local collectors and patrons, local restaurants and small businesses.

The overall Festival ambiance and atmosphere will be enhanced through lighting inside and outside tents at night, standing cabaret tables, landscaping throughout the Discovery District including plant and flower placement around stages and special activity tents. The Discovery District—just east of downtown—is home to some of the city’s great cultural institutions and attractions including the Columbus Museum of ArtThurber House, the Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Columbus College of Art & Design and more.

The community can enjoy the history of the Festival at a mini-museum of Festival artifacts (50th Anniversary Festival video, photos, posters, pins etc. from prior Festivals) and also sneak a peek into the future by highlighting the much-anticipated move back to Columbus’ Riverfront for the 2012 Columbus Arts Festival. The newly revitalized Scioto Mile Park along the river will feature lush green spaces, a charming promenade and mesmerizing water features along with plazas, paths and bikeways.

Following are some of the new and exciting initiatives happening for the 50th anniversary:

Emerging Artists
This new program has been designed to help promote Central Ohio artists who are new to presenting their work at festivals. Ten to 12 artists from Central Ohio will be selected by the Festival jurors and in addition to a lower booth fee they will also receive assistance from Festival staff on how to best present their work to the public and an opportunity to display their work at the Festival Patron Party.

Savor the Arts with Dine Originals
In partnership with Dine Originals, Savor the Arts will showcase cuisine as an art form and bring gourmet fare back to the Festival. The Savor the Arts tent will feature special menus developed by local restaurants, wine and beer tastings and more. Participating restaurants include:  Barcelona, Barrio, Black Creek Bistro, Deepwood, Due Amici, The Elevator, G. Michaels, Katalina’s Corner Cafe, Mozarts, The Refectory, Rigsby’s, Tasi’s and The Top.

All Hands On Art
The Columbus Arts Festival will be expanding the Hands On Activity offerings with the addition of an adult’s only area that will open at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4. A perfect gathering place for young professionals groups or friends, creative activities involving glass, metalworking and more will be offered in conjunction with a Signature Bar offering beer, wine and the 50th Festival Signature Belvedere vodka drink, Liquid Art.

Connect a Million Minds Day
Connect a Million Minds Day presented by Time Warner Cable on Saturday, June 4, will explore creativity and imagination through the lens of science. Activities will showcase the different aspects of art and science with the help of local arts organizations and artists who are committed to helping Festival patrons explore the science behind art and the art behind science. A wide range of art forms will be represented including visual arts, dance, music, theatre and more.

Commemorative Print
As part of the celebration and to engage the central Ohio community, local artists from Franklin and surrounding counties were called to submit designs for the Columbus Arts Festival Commemorative Print to help capture the spirit and vibrancy of the arts in Columbus—and represent the impact the Columbus Arts Festival has had on the city over the past 50 years. The top design by Amy Neiwirth was selected by a public vote.  Click here to view Niewirth’s winning design for 50th Anniversary Commemorative Print, Columbus in Color.

The Art of Collecting
On February 24, a panel of art professionals and collectors provided tips on how to purchase art and why Festivals make good options for beginning or building an art collection. The tips shared by the panelists will be used on the Festival Web site in a featured section of the Festival Guidebook as well as through social media and the mobile app.

Expose Yourself
Juried artists as well as local artists will demonstrate how they create their work at the Expose Yourself demonstration tent.

Festival Mobile App
The new Festival Mobile App will allow visitors to locate artists, food vendors and menus, watch the latest weather report and much more. The app will also be used throughout 2011 for the festival’s move to the Riverfront, keeping patrons up to date with the new layout, timeframe and special events.

 

VIP Package
The VIP area will be a tent (next to Savor the Arts) for VIP ticket purchasers, sponsors, special guests and board members to come and relax. A copy of the Commemorative print, a Festival t-shirt, comfortable seating, free water and snacks, a private cash bar, restrooms, personal shopping assistance and other VIP amenities will be available. VIP packages will be sold prior to and during the festival for $95. Couples package with one commemorative print for $170.  Passes are good for the entire weekend.

 

The Columbus Arts Festival presented by Time Warner Cable will be held June 3, 4 & 5, 2011. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 5. Participating artists will be announced in mid-February. For more information visit www.columbusartsfestival.org.

The Columbus Arts Festival is presented by Time Warner Cable. Additional sponsors to date are American Electric Power, State Auto, Bella Giardino, Coca-Cola, Glazer’s, ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars and Dine Originals. Media sponsors include alive! WBNS 10TV, WOSU, CD101@102.5FM, WCBE 90.5FM, WMNI/Classic Hits 103.9 FM.

About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, GCAC funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support.

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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org