The Artsy Side of Columbus

By Mary Casey-Sturk

When you think about Columbus, Ohio, what comes to mind? Football? Politics? The Ohio State Fair?

Columbus is home to all that, plus attractions including the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and the Columbus Zoo. Columbus is also home to many arts organizations, from galleries to theaters, let’s take a visit to the artsy side of Columbus!

On the campus of The Ohio State University, you will find the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Housing the world’s largest collection of materials related to cartoons and comics, you’ll find hundreds of pieces of original comic and cartoon art on display as well as objects relating to this art form. The displays and images will certainly bring back memories and draw out a smile of two! Their library is extensive and available by appointment for research purposes. Appropriate for families. Check in advance for hours and events.

Steps away from the Billy Ireland is the Wexner Center for the Arts. Dedicated to contemporary art, it offers a rotation of exhibitions, films and music. Please note that some exhibitions or films may have adult themes.

Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) always impresses. Their downtown location features a permanent collection including works by Edward Hopper, Claude Monet, and Kehinde Wiley as well as temporary exhibitions and a sculpture garden. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon enjoying art. This classical building has a modern addition-the best of both worlds! Its Schokko Café offers up an inventive menu to top off your visit. More to explore- The Pizzuti is CMA’s satellite campus in the Short North Arts District focuses on the museum’s commitment to contemporary art through exhibitions, performances, and public programs. Check in advance for hours and events.

Art and Nature

Heading outside from the CMA, take a short walk to Topiary Garden Park. Here you will find art brought to life! Georges Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” is recreated in a sculptured evergreen garden featuring larger-than-life human figures, animals and boats. Beyond the impressive topiaries, the park has many vibrant flowers and a tranquil pond. Perfect for sunny afternoons!

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (dating back to 1895) is not just a stunning place to observe over 400 species of plants from around the world within its historic glasshouses, it’s also home to multiple pieces of glasswork created by artist Dale Chihuly. Currently, 17 permanent installations highlight Chihuly’s work, taken from the Conservatory’s collection, the largest private collection in a botanical garden.

Fancy giving glassblowing a try yourself? In the North Courtyard, the Hot Shop features daily glassblowing demonstrations by local, professional gaffers. Their website shares, “The gaffers will walk guests through every step of the glassblowing process as they gather molten glass and transform it into a finished piece of artwork. The Hot Shop also offers popular studio classes where participants can get hands-on, guided experience with glassblowing and sculpting. Participants must register for classes in advance. For an even more in-depth glassblowing experience, request a Personal Glassblowing Session for up to two individuals.” Check in advance for hours and schedules. The Conservatory also has a gift shop and café.

Theaters

From large to small, Columbus has theaters offering both Broadway hits and intimate performances.

The historic Ohio Theatre is visually stunning. Its Spanish-Baroque architecture, dazzling details on the walls and ceiling and a 21-foot-high chandelier will add to your memories of a night out. It’s home to the Broadway in Columbus series and more.

As part of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), it and other theaters including Palace, Lincoln and Garden Theatres have a vast array of performances year-round for all ages and interests.

This is just a sampling of the vast array of art experiences available in Ohio’s capitol city. For a long weekend, or more, an artsy adventure to Columbus in just two hours away!