Columbus, Ohio – The Greater Columbus Arts Council’s Community Arts Partnership Awards program, now in its 27th year, recognizes the community’s crucial contributions to the arts including financial support, non-cash contributions, volunteer involvement and board participation. Strong partnerships between businesses, community members and the arts stimulate economic growth, promote the city’s revitalization, encourage tourism and enhance Columbus’ cultural image and give life to the city.
The event will honor winners in six categories at a luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 14 at COSI Columbus, 333 W. Broad St.
Each year, as part of the program, GCAC purchases the work of three local artists to present to the three business honorees. Ten local artists were selected to show two works each at the CAP Art Selection show in August. Three works were chosen through a jury process by GCAC’s Board of Trustees to present at the awards program in October.
Artists whose work was chosen to present to this year’s business honorees:
Jennifer Belt: Belt earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Akron in 1998. In 1999 she started freelancing as an interior designer for friends and family and in a short time began professional consultations in Columbus. As the demand for Belt’s time and services grew, she moved to Columbus and started her own interior design business. Belt co-owns Ruby Rose Studio in Bexley.
Sarah Fairchild: Working with fluorescent paint on paper is a relatively new media for Fairchild. In the past, working with oil paint on canvas, her flower forms and patterns adorned still lifes and interior spaces. Fairchild’s current work is simple—modern versions of the classic botanical print. Paintings of flowers give life, vibrancy and importance to these common forms.
Stephen Paris: Paris was born in Youngstown in 1962. He graduated from Youngstown State University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, but then decided to follow the path of a high school classmate and enroll in the illustration program at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1986. Since then he has worked on different series of works in several different genres.
In addition, the work of Will Shively, acclaimed local photographer and an official photographer for BalletMet Columbus will be presented to the individual award winners.
GCAC will announce the winners of the Arts Educator, Emerging Arts Leader and Arts Partner awards prior to the event; Large, Medium and Small Business award winners will be announced at the event.
Additionally, GCAC will present the Artistic Excellence Award of $10,000, given annually to an arts organization that has demonstrated innovation, risk and artistic excellence in a performance, exhibition or program. Nominees for the Artistic Excellence Award are chosen by the GCAC staff members, and the winner is chosen by the board and announced at the event.
Contact Jennifer Sadler at 614-221-8492 or jsadler@gcac.org with any questions about the nomination process or the event.
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, we fund exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. Thanks to the City of Columbus, Franklin County, the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for their ongoing support.
IMAGES OF ARTWORK AND PHOTOS OF ARTISTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
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CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
