More than 30 artists are creating their inventory of original paintings, hand-poured candles, woodworking, pottery, jewelry and more as the Downtown Columbus Art Walk approaches. Set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, the art walk organized by Main Street Columbus (MSC) and the Columbus Arts Council (CAC) pairs artisans at businesses and locations throughout downtown. Musicians on the street will add to a festive atmosphere.
Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow said, “This year we have added extra street musicians, which will really add to this fun event. The art walk brings people from all walks of life together. Whether you’re an avid art collector or a novice one, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
In addition to the vibrant gathering of artists and musicians, participating merchants will offer after-hours shopping and in-store promotions.
“It’s really cool to have so many artists and so many businesses working together to share the arts with our community,” said Arts Council Executive Director Jan Miller. “And it really lets people know how fortunate we are to have so many active and talented artists here.”
At Steel Forest Furniture Co. on Fifth Street South, manager Heather Rivera is looking forward to her third art walk.
“It’s a really good buzz for downtown. We have a really good turnout,” she said. “People enjoy the live music on the street, and everybody gets out for it.”
The sentiment was echoed by Kelly Kalinowski, co-owner of A Southern Gathering on Main Street.
She said, “It’s a time where friends and neighbors get to meet people and see things they may not even have known people did — like ‘I’ve been knowing you 10 years and didn’t know you painted!'”
Artists are able to reach an audience and be part of a collective positive energy.
Keegan Wright and his wife, Aislinn Noltie, were launching Clover & Leaf, their fiber art and woodworking business, about the time of the 2018 art walk.
“It drew a lot of foot traffic, and it definitely gave us the confidence that people wanted to buy our products,” remarked Wright, who will take part again this year.
Some locations will host more than one artist. Three will be partnered with the Columbus Arts Council at the intersection of Main and Fifth Streets.
“We’re excited to have so many artists get to show and that people will be able to come to the arts council and see other artists’ work that we carry throughout the year in our Gallery2 shop,” said Miller.
Bigelow added, “We enjoy partnering with the Columbus Arts Council and the City of Columbus each year so that this fabulous community event can take place in our historic downtown area.”
Merchant/artist pairings
As of press time, participating musicians include Mea Allen, Jacob Baker, Taylor Corder, William Meadows, Only Everything, Dylan Osmon, Robbie Ross and Suzuki Strings.
For more information, contact MSC, 662-328-6305, or the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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