The shops and streets of historic downtown Columbus will bloom with all manner of artistic expression during the second annual Art Walk Downtown Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Main Street Columbus and the Columbus Arts Council are coordinating this showcase which pairs almost 30 artists with more than 20 host merchants. The result is a unique family night out.
“The public is invited to join us in a festive evening as we show the work of area artists in businesses throughout Downtown Columbus,” said Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow. “You can purchase fine art, meet the artists, take advantage of in-store discounts and promotions, enjoy music in the streets by local entertainers and dine in our local restaurants.”
This event highlighting the artistic community will feature oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, drawings, pottery, jewelry, fused and leaded glass, mixed media work and sculpture.
“Uncle Bunky (Robert Williams) will be on hand with his ‘crazy’ animals and drawings at Party and Paper, and a stylist with Pandora Jewelry will be at The Purple Elephant to assist in redesigns of your Pandora bracelet,” Bigelow said, citing a sampling of Art Walk attractions. Saum Chiropractic Clinic will also offer spinal screenings at Party and Paper.
Business owners are getting ready.
“I think it was a great turnout last year, and I hope it will be even bigger this time,” said David Richardson, owner of The Paint Store on Main Street. Richardson hosts artist Ralph Null Thursday, as he did for the 2013 art walk. “I think it’s wonderful to have local artists’ work seen.”
Be part of the art
A special way for the community to participate is by stopping in the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center at 501 Main St. to make an origami butterfly destined to be part of an upcoming art installation. All supplies will be provided. “All you have to do is find your ‘artistic’ side and have fun!” said Bigelow.
Outside the Arts Center, Columbus potter Cathryn Boyer of CB Pottery will conduct demonstrations.
“I’ll be doing work on the potter’s wheel,” said Boyer, who will also have finished pieces to sell. “I love that our community respects the arts enough to have something like this. We have so many artists for a small town, and I hope we have a good turnout for all of them.”
Arts Council Executive Director Tina Sweeten-Lunsford said, “Art Walk Downtown strives to make the public aware of the diversity and quality of art in our community. The Art Walk is all about building relationships between artists, downtown businesses and the public.”
Host businesses will serve light refreshments. Maps of participating merchants and artists will be available at each location.
“This was so much fun last year and should prove to be even more eventful this year,” said Bigelow.
For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Don’t miss
Art Walk host/artist pairings as of Aug. 27 are:
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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