Welcome to July, folks.
I know there’s so much going on, but I encourage you to incorporate the arts into your routines. There are plenty of opportunities for socially distanced and virtual arts, and they provide a way to entertain, educate, challenge and help make sense of the world around us.
I searched the calendars on ColumbusMakesArt.com and found a long list of concerts, poetry readings, exhibitions, film screenings and much more this week:
- The ReelAbilities Film Festival Columbus offers a virtual showing of Margarita With a Straw on Wednesday, July 1.
- CATCO is Kids wraps up a series of free virtual classes in the art of theater. Artist and educator Krista Lively Stauffer presents mini lessons in acting and playwriting this Wednesday, July 1 and this Friday, July 3 at 10 a.m.
- If you’re comfortable going out in public, the Bobby Floyd Trio plays Natalie’s Grandview tonight – Wednesday, July 1.
- Natalie’s also hosts what sounds like an amazing night titled She Burns: A Night of Punk AF Rock, Art & Poetry on July 3.
- Glass Axis launched an exhibition featuring 35 years of work by Andy Hudson, one of the founders of the organization. It runs through Aug. 1.
- Catch the collaborative video exhibition Waving Goodbye (Or Hello) to the Sun from artist Layla Muchnik-Benali, as part of the Urban Arts Space’s summer series.
- This Wednesday is also the last day to see Keny Galleries’ 40th anniversary exhibition.
- ROY G BIV closes a trio of exhibitions on July 4, from artists Lorena Molina, Cristyn Steward and Amery Kessler.
- This Sunday, July 5 is the next virtual concert in the Johnstone Fund for New Music’s New Music Ohio series, featuring Alicia Hui on violin.
- Hammond Harkins Galleries opened two new exhibitions recently: one from Melissa Vogley Woods and one called #fromthestudio.
- This week the Ohio Prison Arts Connection launches a new Facebook live event every Friday at 11 a.m., featuring conversations with different artists. It starts this Friday, July 3 with a conversation with Jessica Kehn.
Stay safe, everyone, look out for each other. And for goodness’ sake, wear a mask!
Nick is Marketing, Communications, & Events Administrator for the Arts Council. He also leads culinary tours and blogs about breakfast at breakfastwithnick.com. Seriously, wear your mask!