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The 2023 Columbus Arts Festival Will Feature Over 200 Artists

This post is sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council. But rest assured, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

The Columbus Arts Festival returns this summer to celebrate over 200 artists.

From notable local artists to fantastic national artists, the 2023 Columbus Arts Festival will feature artists representing 32 states and the province of Ontario. The festival, produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) and presented by the American Electric Power Foundation, will run June 9-11 on the Columbus downtown riverfront.

Ten of the 2022 award-winning artists are returning this year: Jeanne Akita of North Richland Hills, TX (fiber); Thomas Bothe of Washington, PA (ceramics); Niko Culevski of Mukilteo, WA (fiber); Penny Dobson of Northport, AL (2D mixed media); Benjamin Lamb of Columbus, OH (3D mixed media, 43224); Tina Leto of Chicago, IL (photography & digital photography); Nick Molignano of Oneonta, NY (wood); Zach Vincent of Columbus, OH (leather, 43214); Paige Whitcomb of Springfield, MO (photography & digital photography); and Richard Wilson of Greenville, NC (drawing).

Festival-goers browse work from photographer Don Ament. Photo credit Joe Maiorana.

“We’re thrilled to see the 2023 Festival taking shape as we welcome our slate of exhibiting artists from all over the country,” said Alexis Perrone, Arts Festival director. “Year after year, we’re impressed by the outstanding quality of their work, and I think Festival-goers will be delighted to re-connect with the many returning artists and meet many new faces coming this year.”

Over 50 artists from Ohio will be participating in the festival this year. Central Ohio artists include: Mary Barczak of Columbus (painting, 43222); Michael Bonardi of Columbus (jewelry, 43206); Gabriel Guyer of Columbus (2D Mixed Media, 43224); Jeff Kuhlman of Columbus (photography, 43220); Camille Martin of Columbus (painting, 43201); Kim and Katherine McClelland of Columbus (2D Mixed Media, 43206); Rachel and David McFarlane of Reynoldsburg (wood, 43068); Cody Miller of Columbus (2D Mixed Media, 43224); Kate Morgan of Columbus (2D Mixed Media, 43224); Noah Mynes of Lewis Center (wood, 43035); Evangelia Philippidis of Grove City (printmaking, 43123); Rebecca Rea of Columbus (ceramics, 43220); Joshua Schottenstein of Columbus (ceramics, 43201); Angela Stiftar of Columbus (printmaking, 43215); Leah Storrs-Fisher of Columbus (printmaking, 43206); Kaname Takada of Upper Arlington (ceramics, 43221); and Matt Tisdale of Westerville (painting, 43081).

Of course, the festival also features artists that were chosen by the jury panel to participate in the Emerging Festival Artist program. The program gives artists who have limited or no experience exhibiting at national festivals the opportunity to do so here.

A central Ohio band draws Arts Fest attendees with their performance on the Big Local Stage. Credit: Joe Maiorana.

Artists must be residents of Franklin or the surrounding counties (Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union) to be eligible. Emerging Festival Artists are offered a lower booth fee and the opportunity to participate in two artists’ boot camps to learn about everything from booth layout and decor to pricing and selling practices.

Eighteen central Ohio artists were invited to take part in the Emerging Festival Artist program this year: Miriam Baranov of Columbus (painting, 43207); Crystal Blake of Orient (2D mixed media, 43146); Brittany Cosgrove of Columbus (painting, 43205); Douglas Daniels of Marysville (digital art, 43040); Nicole Derifield-West of Columbus (3D Mixed Media, 43224); Dan Gerdeman of Pickerington (painting, 43147); Glenn Gustafson of Columbus (ceramics, 43204); Jaiymie Kiggins of Lancaster (sculpture, 43130); Sara Krivicich of Columbus (painting, 43228); Juhi Iodha of Lewis Center (fiber, 43035); Amanda McGee of Galena (painting, 43021); Brionna Mendoza of Columbus (fiber art, 43202); Brad Noble of Columbus (3D Mixed Media, 43205); Emily Sekerak of Newark (printmaking, 43055); Anna Sokol of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43209); Emily Strange of Columbus (painting, 43206); Ellen Thomas of Columbus (painting, 43214); and Evan Williams of Columbus (digital art, 43232).

225 Artists, including Emerging Festival Artists, were selected from over 800 applicants through a blind jury process to participate in the 2023 Columbus Arts Festival.

The application process included digital submissions of artwork and booth set-up, which was then reviewed anonymously by a jury of art experts. Participants were chosen based on the merit and quality of their art, as well as their booth presentation.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Arts Festival. Credit: Nick Dekker

This year’s festival will take place June 9-11, downtown at the riverfront. The festival will be open Friday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about the Columbus Arts Festival, call (614) 221-8625 or visit columbusartsfestival.org.