After months of community events like Market Street Festival and Sounds of Summer canceled due to COVID-19, downtown Columbus will welcome the 2020 Art Walk on Thursday, Sept. 24.
“This is the first event of the year in downtown Columbus — hard to believe!” said Main Street Columbus Executive Director Barbara Bigelow. “Yes, it will be a little different this year, with the wearing of face masks and social distancing, but we are embracing the temporary change and encouraging safety.”
The Downtown Art Walk presented by Main Street Columbus and the Columbus Arts Council from 5:30-7:30 p.m. will feature about 25 artists inside and outside participating businesses. Original work ranging from paintings, candles and ceramics to stained glass, yarn art and more will be available. Shoppers are urged to come prepared with cash or checks.
“We have several new artists this year,” said Bigelow. “We’ve had people calling us, asking if they can participate.”
Musicians will also perform throughout downtown.
“I look forward to networking and seeing all the other artists and what they have to bring and hopefully collaborating with people,” said Art Walk painter and The W alumna Anstacia Doughty. “I’ll be happy to see other people out.”
Mask contest
If masks are required, why not make it fun by holding a Face Mask Contest?
“Get creative, decorate a face mask any way you want and wear it,” said Bigelow. Then stop by the photo booth at the intersection of Main and Fifth Streets to have a photo taken as an entry in the contest. Downtown merchants have donated prizes. The contest winner will be announced Monday, Sept. 28.
The Downtown Art Walk that began in 2013 has been named a Top 20 Event for 2020 by the Southeast Tourism Society.
“We always enjoy partnering with the Columbus Arts Council so this fabulous event can take place in our historic downtown area,” Bigelow remarked. “We’ve just got to make certain everyone is responsible, wears a mask and maintains social distancing. We’re so excited to finally bring a downtown event to our community.”
Don’t miss
As of Sept. 10, Art Walk participants include Montero Baker, Amy Ballard, Angie Basson, Annabelle Brislin, Molly Chain, Anstacia Doughty, Pricila Harvey, Heather Hewett, Leah Jeremiah, Carol Jones, Sarah Labensky, Joe MacGown, Kelly McKellar, Nedra Mitchell, Anita Montgomery, Bob Nolan, Ralph Null, Clara Ortega, Sonya Price, Andre Ray, Haley Rountree, Amanda Slaughter, Kenneth Smith, Jerry Stennett, Lukuise Swanigan, Millie Todd and Jenny Vega.
Participating businesses include A Southern Gathering, Bank of Commerce, Coffee House on 5th, Columbus Arts Council, Faithfabulous Boutique, Hollyhocks Gift Shop, Edward Jones, Mira Mira Boutique, Park Place Boutique, Impressions by Susan, The Paint Store, The Pop-Up Shop and Three Sisters Pie Co.
For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305, or the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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