Columbus has made a name for itself with its collection of cutting-edge, forward-thinking architecture. To complement that, ArtFEST will offer visitors a chance to see the world-renowned designs and the works of more than 100 local, regional and national artists.
The fourth annual ArtFEST will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 24 in the downtown Columbus Arts District. The event is free. Other art exhibits and activities will occur on Aug. 23 offering visitors two days of arts-related activities in Columbus.
In conjunction with the juried show – which includes mixed media, ceramics, fiber, leather, furniture, glass, jewelry, printmaking, sculpture and woodwork – the Columbus Area Arts Council is hosting Meltdown, its annual Iron Pour and Glass Forming Workshops, where participants can create their own art objects. Lisa Pelo of Hot Blown Glass Studios will lead a glass-blowing demonstration and hands-on workshops where 40 participants will make their own glass paperweights.
Artists and foundry employees will work side-by-side for iron pour demonstrations where they will pour molten iron into 3D forms and scratch blocks to create pieces of art. Lead sculpture artist Jim Brenner considers Columbus the perfect place for an iron pour, because of the city’s historical relationship between artists and industry. Columbus is home to Cummins, which designs and manufactures diesel engines. The iron pour will take place on Aug. 24 from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.
“Out of the Earth: metal, stone, & glass” is an invitational group show featuring 3D works from nationally-recognized artists working with glass and metal. Many of the artists leading the Iron Pour are featured in the show at Jackson Contemporary Gallery.
“YuYu Columbus” by Boston artist Mark Cooper, an Indiana native, collected items from Columbus residents in creating more than 20 sculptural pieces and two-dimensional produced in collaboration with Columbus Museum of Art and Design (CMAD) and Indiana University Center for Art+Design (IUCA+D).
The weekend also features a quilt exhibit by nationally known artist Daren Pitts Redman of Brown County, a downtown Farmer’s Market and a philharmonic brass ensemble.
“ArtFEST is the perfect time for people to experience Columbus,” said Lynn Lucas, executive director of the Columbus Area Visitors Center. “In addition to the festival, local shops and restaurants will be open, and there are a variety of walking and bus tours.”
The Columbus Architecture Tour is at 10 a.m. Friday, and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tours of the Miller House (the country’s most highly regarded example of a mid-century modern residence, which epitomizes the international modernist aesthetic) are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 23 and 11 a.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Aug. 23.Reservations are required for all tours.
For more information about ArtFEST or to schedule a tour, go to: www.columbus.in.us.
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