Three Ways To Make Art A Part Of The Holiday Season In Columbus

For Immediate Release
Wednesday December 07, 2016

COLUMBUS, Ohio--- Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday have come and gone. Those still seeking that perfect gift can look at Columbus’ thriving art scene as a source to solve their holiday shopping needs. Here are three ideas for the art fan in your life. 

Idea One: Hops, Shops and Fairs 
There are art fairs and pop up shops all across Columbus. Many local artists offer one-of-a-kind works only offered this time of year. Here are some places to find unique jewelry, ceramics, clothe, cards and more.  

•The Craftin’ Outlaws Holiday Show on Dec. 10 offers free admission and more than 100 vendors. 

• Cheers! Art + Music Market on Dec. 11 at Strongwater Food and Spirits will feature more than 35 vendors selling handmade items.

• Oakland Nursery’s Oakland Park Ave. location will host a pop up holiday sale Dec. 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. that will include Columbus Makes Art Campaign Artist Lisa McLymont’s mixed media artwork.

• Hammond Harkins Galleries at the corner of High and Russell in the Short North Arts District will host Small & Wonderful through Jan. 8. It’s an annual holiday tradition that features contemporary works from artists throughout Columbus and Ohio. Additionally Columbus Makes Art Campaign Artist Laura Alexander’s art is on display at Hammond Harkins this month.

• Glass Axis will host its 10th annual holiday glass sale from Dec. 9-11. The event is free and open to the public. More than 20 glass artists will display their favorite holiday themed glass. 

• The Festivus Franklinton Holiday Market will offer food trucks, open studios and three days of entertainment the weekend of Dec. 9-11. 

• The Clayspace holiday sale will offer one of a kind handmade ceramics for everyone on your list Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11.

Idea Two: Add Some Song and Dance To The Holiday
It’s hard to imagine the holidays without music and dance. Columbus will host a series of concerts and performances to dazzle eyes and ears alike. 

BalletMet’s rendition of The Nutcracker, featuring Art Makes Columbus campaign artist Michael Sayre, will be at the Ohio Theatre from Dec. 9-24 and will draw families from near and far with its merry characters, gorgeous set and healthy dose of holiday nostalgia.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is a holiday classic performed by the Columbus Children’s Theatre about a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant. It runs through Dec. 18 at its Park St. Theatre. 

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra presents the Messiah Sing-Along on Friday, Dec. 9 at the Southern Theatre. Orchestra students and area music directors join ProMusica musicians on stage for this joyful community event.

The Columbus Dance Theatre's beloved holiday classic Matchgirl returns on Dec. 9-10 for its 17th year. This timeless tale written by Hans Christian Andersen was created as CDT's annual family ballet more than a decade ago by CDT Artistic Director Tim Veach. 

Holiday Hoopla, called "The granddaddy of all holiday shows," mixes sketch comedy with seasonal music and is Shadowbox Live's longest running show. It features Columbus Makes Art campaign artist Amy Lay and runs through Dec. 30.

The Ladies of Longford, featuring Columbus Makes Art Campaign Artist Hilda Doyle, will bring their high energy and beautiful harmonies to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for a performance of traditional Irish and Celtic music on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. Free with admission

A Seussified Christmas Carol at CATCO Is Kids offers a whimsical reinvention of Dickens' most beloved Christmas story with zoot-fruited juices and binka bird geese. Performances run through Dec. 11 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.

Art Makes Columbus campaign artists The Salty Caramels will rock with their sassy yet nostalgic tunes featuring unique instruments like the saw, kazoo, washboard, glockenspiel and more at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Free with admission.

Idea Three: Give A Gift That Lasts All Year
The Columbus Museum of Art, Wexner Center for the Arts, Franklin Park Conservatory, and COSI are just some of the locations around Columbus that offer memberships and gift shops that can offer tangible items and experiences that can be utilized 365 days a year. 

About the Greater Columbus Arts Council 
Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, the Arts Council funds exemplary artists and arts organizations and provides programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. The Arts Council thanks the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support.  The Arts Council has been recognized as one of the “5 NonProfits to Watch” in 2014 by The Columbus Foundation.

About Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art
Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art is the theme of a sustained five-year campaign to demonstrate the vitality, the innovation and the connectivity within the Columbus arts community. Highlighting the personal stories and artistic ventures of local individual artists from across all disciplines, this unprecedented collaboration between and within the arts, business and philanthropic communities underscores how deeply ingrained creativity is in the fabric of Columbus. Art Makes Columbus/Columbus Makes Art features a cutting-edge website, columbusmakesart.com, with an interactive calendar that serves as an all-encompassing, go-to resource for arts events, showings, activities and tickets. Engaging videos of Columbus artists telling their own stories are housed on the website. The campaign can be seen around Central Ohio via digital billboards, movie theaters, concert venues, social and print media, electronic and digital advertising, and public service announcements.

###