Art al Fresco consists of three distinct components:

The Usual Suspects

Many of the galleries of the Short North will be featuring enhanced experiences for the day. Special installations. Artists at work. Interactive elements. Even celebrations. In addition, the district will feature a broad range of artwork on display in the many  non-gallery venues (boutiques, restaurants, personal service salons, etc…). Over 25 destinations in all.



Unexpected Guests

Three dozen visiting artists will create temporary public art installations in surprising outdoor spaces throughout the district: parks, courtyards, trees, even the sides of buildings. Mobiles and chandeliers will occupy random spaces. Graffiti will be allowed and encouraged (in specific spots – don’t go crazy).  Water will melt and a parking meter will wilt.  Trees will sprout interesting limbs.  Surprises wait around every corner. Most of the installations can only be experienced on the 15th, but a few will be on display longer, depending upon the durability of the materials used. Many of the artworks will be visible all day, but several projection and light-based installations will only be visible after the sun sets.

PeeP Show

From theatrical troupes to celebrity impersonators, from sculptors and painters to models and mimes, artists and performing artists will pepper the strip by taking over merchants’ display windows, or settling into the many alcoves of the District to entertain passersby.

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Selected Art al Fresco Highlights



Sherrie Gallerie

Artist Scott Dooley will demonstrate hand-building from 4-8pm.

Studios On High Gallery

Artists will demonstrate their crafts in the front windows from Noon – 10 pm.

Terra Gallery

Shintower Music will be performing live outside the gallery in Poplar Park. A raffle of Ohio artists will take place and all proceeds will benefit Pets without Parents. Gallery hours will be extended to exhibit the ongoing Abstracted Landscape and Cityscape show.

The Art Exchange

A display of artwork featured at The Arty Party will be on display.

Yasue Sakaoka

Yasue’s piece, entitled “Family Group”, will be based on a lost world using large-scale electrical wire and white wire coat hangers.

Helma Groot

Helma will explore the concepts of “home” through an outdoor mobile using plywood, paint and primer, hardware and some mysterious miscellaneous supplies.

David Murphy and Sharon McJannet

Entitled “Jam Tomorrow”, David and Sharon’s piece will be created with large-scale steel cages and bread. A visually unexpected sight to see birds moving freely outside the cages, taking the bread.

Carol Boram-Hayes

Carol’s piece, entitled “Entropic Landscape” will use bands of metal of different types, forms, sizes and thicknesses to draw attention to the poignancy of the history that can be found in our everyday buildings and the kinds of remains we will leave behind.

Ben LaPlaca, Clint Davidson and Scott Williams

The winners of Art al Fresco’s 2008 “Best of Show” award will be back to create another dramatic mini-mural. Their 2008 installation was a striking study on the plight of the bumblebee (pictured at above).

The Convergence – Peace, Hope, Faith

A collaboration of Capital City Grace Church, Veritas Community Church and Ekklesia Columbus.  The partners will be hosting performance art by Darrin Hoover (entitled 6 Boxes), interactive art featuring an 8′ x 8′ map of Columbus where visitors will answer the question “You are here, but where are you from?”, and a wide variety of music throughout the day and into the evening. Musical acts will include local artists Station Two, Broken Ukulele, Chris Bell, and Couch Forts.

Arty Party by Ohio Art League

The Art Exchange will host Ohio Art League’s “Arty Party”, an art swap celebrating OAL’s 100 year anniversary. Starting at 6 pm, Brickel Alley will be filled with art, music and entertainment. All current OAL members will receive 1 raffle ticket for the art swap, including artwork by Ohio artists. Those choosing to become new members of the OAL will be given 5 raffle tickets. Tickets can also be purchased for $5 each. Partake of beverages and local music, with bands provided by CD101.

Up-to-the-Minute Details

Full details of art exhibitions and performances (including times and locations) will be posted beginning the week of August 3 on www.shortnorthartalfresco.com. The day of the event, merchants throughout the district will have posted schedules and maps to help visitors navigate the many destinations.

What:    Short North’s Art al Fresco

When:    Saturday, August 15, Noon – Midnight

Where:    Short North Arts District

Who:    The Short North Arts District, the Ohio Art League,

Sponsors:

Adm:    Free