Inaugural Columbus Open Studio and Stage Allows Individuals a Look into the Creative Process

For Immediate Release
Wednesday August 10, 2016

COLUMBUS, Ohio—The inaugural Columbus Open Studio and Stage (COSS) event will take place this fall, Oct. 8-9. Presented by Columbus Open Studio and Stage in partnership with the Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) and the Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art campaign, COSS invites the public to step into select Columbus artist studios, behind the scenes at local theaters and to explore community art collectives.

“Columbus Open Studio and Stage gives people a chance to peek behind the scenes of the creative process, while also providing them with an opportunity to talk with and get to know local artists,” said Jami Goldstein, vice president of marketing, communication and events at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. “This event fits perfectly with the Arts Council’s Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art marketing campaign, which highlights the incredibly talented artists of our city and introduces new audiences to Columbus’s unique arts scene.”

To participate, the public can order a map online, starting Aug. 10. Maps will be available for pick up in several central Ohio locations starting Sept. 22, and will serve as each participant’s pass for admission into participating studios. Registered participants will also be invited to sign-up for group tours at seven Columbus performance venues. Many artists will include demos in their studios, and community arts partners will have demos and (in some locations) hands-on activities. Tours are self guided, as participants use the map to choose their destinations throughout the weekend.

“COSS hopes to showcase the progression of art making that happens before most audiences see the work,” said Stephanie Rond, one of four founding members of Columbus Open Studio and Stage. “We’ve seen similar events be successful in other cities and felt that Columbus could definitely put its own stamp on the concept.”
 
Artist’s showing their studios include: Brooke Albrecht, Laura Alexander, John Bolzenius, Queen Brooks, Richard Duarte Brown, Katherine Crowley, Anita Dawson, Katerina Harris, Maira Hashmi,  Lisa Horkin, Pilgrim Heidi Kambitsch, Linda Langhorst, G.W. Leach, Julie Macala, Michael McEwan, Kristin Morris, Elena Osterwalder, Jeff Regensburger, Nikos Rutkowski, Carol Stewart, Joshua Stewart, April Sunami, Stephen Takacs, Brian Williams, Roger Williams and Matt Wolcott.

The event  includes tours at the following performance venues: CD102.5 Big Room, Lincoln Theatre, Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, PromoWest Express Live, Shadowbox Live and the Short North Stage’s Garden Theatre.

Additional community arts partners include Central Community House, Cultural Arts Center, Feverhead, Glass Axis, Guitar House Workshop, TRANSIT ARTS, Upper Arlington Concourse Gallery, The Vanderelli Room, and Wild Goose Creative. 

Columbus Open Studio and Stage will take place throughout the city on Oct. 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Maps can be purchased on columbusopenstudioandstage.com. Maps are $10 for one, $18 for two or $35 for four.  For more information visit columbusopenstudioandstage.com.

This event is built in partnership by: Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art, Columbus Open Studio and Stage, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and official media partner CityScene. 

Columbus Open Studio and Stage was founded by Amy Leibrand, Lisa McLymont, Stephanie Rond and Catherine Bell Smith.

The Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art campaign is supported by: American Electric Power, Cardinal Health, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, PNC, and The Sol Morton and Dorothy Isaac, Rebecca J. Wickersham and Lewis K. Osborne funds of The Columbus Foundation. Major media sponsors include the Dispatch Media Group, ABC6/FOX28 and CD102.5 visit columbusmakesart.com.

About the Greater Columbus Arts Council
Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advanced 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. For more information, visit gcac.org.

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