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Despite Blazing Heat, Residents, Visitors Discover the Art at the 2008 Columbus Arts Festival
The Columbus Arts Festival presented by Time Warner Cable in early June experienced some of the hottest days on record this summer with heat indexes each day at around 110 degrees. But more than 250,000 eager fans braved the elements to explore the Festival’s new location in downtown’s Discovery District.
After more than 20 years along the riverfront, the Columbus Arts Festival moved to the Discovery District due to construction in the riverfront area. The Festival is scheduled to be in the Discovery District at least through its 50th anniversary in 2011.
The Discovery District site was much easier to navigate than the riverfront, according to tremendous feedback from participating artists and visitors. Many also commented that the “artsy neighborhood” atmosphere of the Columbus Art Museum, Columbus College of Art & Design and Columbus State Community College campuses was a great fit for the event. Artists appreciated the availability of CCAD’s Loann Crane Center for Design to take a break and cool off, along with the close affordable parking and easy access to and from the site.
Several cultural institutions in the Discovery District invited Festival-goers to learn more about their organizations by offering discounts and special programming, including the Columbus Museum of Art, which offered free admission over the weekend.
The Festival’s Artists’ Market consisted of exhibitors from 38 states and Canada and represented 15 different mediums. Over 25% were first-time exhibitors to the Columbus Arts Festival.
Even with the heat, several artists claimed having great sales. Mary Christian, a fiber artist, said, “It was my first year at the Columbus Arts Festival, and I had a really great time. It is a great venue to buy and sell your artwork at, it’s very well organized.”
Mary’s husband, Kerry Christian, a metal artist and SWACO’s Trash to Treasure award winner at the 2007 Festival, said, “Love the new location. It was my BEST show.”
The Festival would like to thank presenting sponsor Time Warner Cable and the Discovery District team—Columbus State, CCAD and the Columbus Museum of Art—for their support, hard work and collaboration during the event.
Thanks also to sponsors NBC 4, alive!, AEP, The Motorists Insurance Group, SWACO, Giant Eagle, Salon Schools Group, Michelob Ultra Amber, Barefoot Wines and Design Communications for helping to make this year’s Festival a great success!
The 2009 Columbus Arts Festival will take place June 5, 6 and 7.
Photo: The 2008 Columbus Arts Festival (photo by Greg Bartram).
info@gcac.org © 2008 Greater Columbus Arts Council. All Rights Reserved.
GCAC appreciates and acknowledges support from: City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council
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