COLUMBUS, Ohio — The third-annual Columbus Open Studio & Stage (COSS) event will take place Sept. 29-30. Presented by the Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) and Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art, COSS invites the public to step into 31 different Columbus artist studios, see behind the scenes at six local performance spaces and to explore eight community arts partners.
“The first two Columbus Open Studio & Stages were a resounding success, with more than 4,200 studio visits and nearly $27,000 in art sales for the 2017 tour,” said Jami Goldstein, vice president of marketing, communication and events at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. “We’ve been thrilled with the response from visitors the first two years of the event, and we’re excited to continue our mission of highlighting the incredibly talented artists of our city and allowing people to see behind the scenes of the artists’ creative process.”
To participate, the public can order a map and preview this year’s artists online at columbusopenstudioandstage.com. Maps are now available for pick up at most of the community partner sites, and will serve as each participant’s pass for admission into participating studios. Participants will also be able to download an app for their smartphones with a complete map of COSS sites; a receipt or a physical map will still be required for entry. Registered participants will also be invited to sign-up for timed group tours at six Columbus performance venues, including a backstage look at the Palace Theatre as it wraps up six months of renovations.
Many artists will include demos in their studios, and community arts partners will be open to the public (no COSS ticket required) to host demos or hands-on activities. Tours are self guided, as participants use the map to choose their destinations throughout the weekend.
Artists showing their studios include: Laura Alexander, Kyle Asperger, John Bolzenius, Elena Osterwalder Bonny, Christy Brand, Richard Duarte Brown, Katherine Crowley, Anita Dawson, Hani Hara, Heidi Heacock, Pilgrim Heidi Kambitsch, Simon La Bozetta, Linda Langhorst, Cory Mitan, Ramona Moon, Theresa Morbitzer, Bryan Moss, Jurate Phillips, Chris Rankin, Rebecca Rea, Stephanie Rond, Laurie Schmidt, Briden Schueren, Mindy Staley, Melanie Stanley, April Sunami, Sheila Terry, Kendric Tonn, Brian Williams and Charles Wince.
Visitors can get to know the artists’ work prior to the studio tour by visiting a special exhibition at the Carnegie Gallery in the Columbus Metropolitan Library main branch from Aug. 29 through Sept. 30. An opening reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6.
The event includes tours at the following performance venues: CD102.5 Big Room, Palace Theatre, PromoWest Express Live!, Shadowbox Live, the Short North Stage’s Garden Theatre and the Southern Theatre.
Additional community arts partners include the Cultural Arts Center, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Guitar House Workshop, Igloo Letterpress, Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative, TRANSIT ARTS, Upper Arlington Concourse Gallery and Wild Goose Creative.
Columbus Open Studio & Stage will take place throughout the city on Sept. 29 and 30 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Maps can be purchased on columbusopenstudioandstage.com. Maps are $10 for one, $18 for two or $35 for four. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information visit columbusopenstudioandstage.com.
Produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council as part of the Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art campaign. Sponsors include Crane Group, Cardinal Health and Ohio Health. The official media partner is CityScene. Columbus Open Studio & Stage was founded by Columbus-based artists Amy Leibrand, Lisa McLymont, Stephanie Rond and Catherine Bell Smith.
The Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art campaign is supported by: American Electric Power, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, PNC, and The Sol Morton and Dorothy Isaac, Rebecca J. Wickersham and Lewis K. Osborne funds of The Columbus Foundation. Major media sponsors include the Dispatch Media Group, ABC6/FOX28 and CD102.5. columbusmakesart.com
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, the Arts Council funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. The Arts Council is supported by the city of Columbus, the Ohio Arts Council, and individuals and businesses throughout the community. www.gcac.org
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
