Columbus Arts Festival

06/03/2026

Last but not least! Meet our final 2026 Emerging Festival Artist: Lauren Bakker!

“Hey! My name is Lauren Bakker and I am a ceramic artist and art teacher from Columbus. I first fell in love with using clay in art class in elementary school, and I never looked back! My love of art flourished in the art classroom, which inspired me to pursue my own career as an art educator to help foster that love of art in my students for the last nine years.

“My work is inspired by nature and the beautiful small details in the world around us. I throw each of my pieces on the wheel and decorate them using the ancient technique of sgraffito. Using special tools I carve away the black underglaze to reveal the white porcelain clay beneath. Drawing inspiration from landscapes, variegated plants, flowers, colorful skies, and even insect wings, I layer my glazes to reflect this magnificent natural color palette. I look forward to sharing my work with you at the 2026 Columbus Arts Festival as an Emerging Artist!”

(Thanks to J.P. Morgan for its support of the Emerging Festival Artist program!)

06/03/2026

Who’s ready for some great art shopping at the Columbus Arts Festival next week?! With hundreds of exhibiting artists from Columbus, around Ohio, and across the country, you’ll find something for every interest, style, and medium.

Get ready for the Columbus Arts Festival, produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and presented by the AEP Ohio Foundation, June 12-14 on the downtown riverfront!

06/03/2026

Friday and Saturday nights of the Festival, be sure to catch Re:Vision, an immersive lighting and projection installation under the West Rich Street railway bridge. Created by Mural ReMix Digital Art Collective, Bell Tree Productions, and Franklinton Arts District, it's the perfect complement to evening music performances on the Rich Street Stage!

06/02/2026

We're excited for Austin & The Syd Experience to headline the Bicentennial Park Stage, sponsored by WSYX ABC 6, on Saturday, June 13 at the Columbus Arts Festival!

Check out our interview with vocalist Syd Alexis on Columbus Underground today!

Austin & The Syd Experience, a funk and rock band, headlines Saturday evening, June 13 at the free Columbus Arts Festival!

06/02/2026

There's still time to purchase your VIP Package for the Columbus Arts Festival! Packages include a variety of amenities, including an invite to the Friday night Patron Party at the Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, sponsored by Bank of America.

VIP Packages include drink tickets to the Patron Party, complimentary water, art concierge services, and access to the VIP hospitality area, supported by Edwards Communities.

Purchase yours here: https://www.columbusartsfestival.org/visit/vip-package

06/02/2026

Fashion show at the Fest!

We're excited to welcome back Fashion As Art, a runway show sponsored by Encova Insurance - Friday, June 12 at 8 p.m. on the Genoa Park Stage.

Four Columbus-based designers will feature multiple looks on the runway accompanied by DJ Moxy Martinez:
* Aspen Grazier
* Logan Baldauf
* Kaia Armstrong
* Tracy Powell

06/02/2026

Start your Saturday at the Columbus Arts Festival with a little yoga!

On Saturday, June 13, replenish: the spa co-op hosts a FREE yoga session in Bicentennial Park starting at 8:45 a.m.

Attendees will need to bring their own mat and water bottles, which can be filled at the free WET station nearby.

Advanced registration is requested here: https://tinyurl.com/yogaattheartsfest

06/01/2026

The Big Local Arts Village features dozens of Columbus-area artists selling and demoing their work! Stroll along West Rich Street to browse the artists, watch them at work, grab a beverage, and catch music on the Rich Street Stage.

Stick around Friday and Saturday evenings to enjoy digital light and art installations from Mural ReMix Digital Art Collective, Bell Tree Productions, and the Franklinton Arts District underneath the railway overpass!

BONUS: keep the party going on Friday, June 12 by visiting Franklinton for Franklinton Fridays, with gallery open houses, studio tours, local bars and restaurants!

05/31/2026

Get to know another one of our Emerging Festival Artists, Viv Locker!

"Hey there! I’m Viv, a multidisciplinary artist currently focused on needle felting. My work is centered around my own spiritual practice, Occult symbology, Tarot, and folklore. I draw heavy inspiration from nature and the rhythm of sacred death in our world. Whimsy and fables have been a guiding light for me. I graduated from CCAD’s illustration program in 2017, where I honed my visual storytelling skills. After unexpectedly losing my father in 2018, I shifted away from the corporate design world and began the journey of honoring him by pursuing my passions.

“My creative practice aims to deconstruct the boundary between ‘art’ and ‘craft,’ the mundane and the magical. Fiber art is a natural extension of that, a woman-dominated field that is often looked down upon and dismissed in formal settings. It transforms raw materials into items of function and beauty. I’m honored to be a part of the Columbus Arts Fest this year and connect with our community."

(Thanks to J.P. Morgan for its support of this program!)

05/31/2026

The Kids Hands-On Activities Village, hosted on Dorrian Green next to COSI and sponsored by Battelle, is always a popular stop at the Columbus Arts Festival, June 12-14! Dozens of local organizations host fun activities for all ages.

Things to note:
✅ Most activities are free, although some require a small fee!
✅ Columbus Children's Theatre hosts a variety of performances on the stage at the Activities Village during the weekend!
✅ COSI - Center of Science and Industry is hosting The Science of Big Machines next to the green, included in general admission

Hands-On Activities Village hours:
🕰️ Friday, 11a-7p
🕰️ Saturday, 10a-7p
🕰️ Sunday, 10a-5p