49th Annual Columbus Arts Festival Hits Downtown’s Discovery District this June
Columbus, OH – The Columbus Arts Festival presented by Time Warner Cable, consistently ranked nationally as one of the country’s best juried festivals, will celebrate its 49th year this June 4, 5 & 6. The 2010 Festival, located in downtown’s Discovery District, will feature fine art and fine craft from approximately 230 nationally acclaimed artists, along with continuous live entertainment, gourmet food and hands-on art activities for all ages. Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and diverse backgrounds are expected to attend and discover the art at Columbus’ “kick-off to summer” event.
“The Discovery District has welcomed the Festival with open arms,” said Leah Alters, Festival Director. “In addition to the tremendous support from our presenting sponsor Time Warner, State Auto Insurance Companies and Motorists Insurance Group have really come on board in a big way hosting our patron party and sponsoring our Artist’s Breakfast. And as always we couldn’t do the festival without the power behind it, our volunteers, supported by AEP.”
Begun in 1962 as the “Downtown Festival of the Arts” on the Ohio Statehouse lawn, the Columbus Arts Festival has been providing the central Ohio community with the best in visual arts, music, poetry and local foods three days a summer, for over forty years. Featuring a relaxed, gallery-like setting perfect for browsing the best selection of art, the festival has attracts over 1,000 fine art and craft applicants from across the country each year, chosen by a jury of visual arts professionals to bring their work to Columbus.
Among several attractions returning again this year are great hands-on activities, where Festival visitors are encouraged to get involved and create a “masterpiece” to take home. All activities and performances are free and open to the public.
“Artists recognize the Columbus Arts Festival as one of the finest outdoor arts and crafts festivals in the country,” said Leah Alters, Festival Director. “And the people of Columbus have made our Festival the city’s favorite community event of the summer. Through the support of our dedicated volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors, the Columbus Arts Festival continues to be a rousing success.”
Date and Times: The three-day festival will be held June 4, 5 & 6. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., June 4 and 5 (Fri. & Sat.), and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 6 (Sun.).
The Festival is easy to get to and parking is plentiful. Columbus’ downtown offers cheap, accessible meter parking, dozens of above ground lots and parking garages close by – all inexpensive and within walking distance of the Festival.
For more information on the Columbus Arts Festival, call (614) 224-2606 or visit the Columbus Arts Festival’s website at www.ColumbusArtsFestival.org.
The Columbus Arts Festival is presented by Time Warner Cable. Additional sponsors include: American Electric Power, State Auto Insurance Companies, The Motorists Insurance Group, Giant Eagle and The Westin. Media sponors are WOSU and alive! Additional media support provided by CD101, Classic Hits 103.9/WMNI. WCBE, WBNS 10TV and Ohio Magazine.
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. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support.
CONTACT: Jami Goldstein
(614) 221-8492
jgoldstein@gcac.org
