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Columbus, Ohio: Self-guided Walking Tour of Short North Arts District; things to do
SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF SHORT NORTH ARTS DISTRICT
With two arts hotels, multiple arts neighborhoods, three of the nation's most revered major arts institutions (one is a botanical garden), and a private collection that rivals that of many museums, it's easy to see why Columbus is on any art lover's bucket list.
624 N. High St., (614) 280-9780. This sophisticated spot makes a good stop for breakfast as you start this artsy tour. It is located next door to the next stop, The Joseph hotel, for which it does food service. The restaurant is inside a vintage brick building and presents a relaxing atmosphere, with high ceilings, a woodsy decor, and comfortable seating. Some oversize paintings enhance the setting. A selection from a variety of smoothies and fresh juices is a good way to start. I enjoyed a classic eggs Benedict, while my companion enjoyed a colorful granola parfait.
interior of The Guild House in Columbus, Ohio
granola parfait at The Guild House in Columbus, Ohio
620 N. High St., (614) 456-7841. 135 rooms. Formerly known as The Joseph, Le Meridian took over in 2015 and remodeled in a contemporary style. More than 500 pieces of art are displayed throughout. The arrival piece that hangs over the stairs is based on NYC graffiti. Art from 15 local artists is displayed in guest rooms. The art program is designed to drive revenue to local artists, and all pieces are available for purchase. An artsy bonus for hotel guests is that they get free entrance to the Pizzuti Collection by showing their hotel room key.
lobby of Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph hotel in Columbus, Ohio
lobby art in Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph hotel in Columbus, Ohio
lobby art in Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph hotel in Columbus, Ohio
lobby art in Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph hotel in Columbus, Ohio
meeting room art in Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph hotel in Columbus, Ohio
632 N. Park St., (614) 221 6801. W-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. $12, seniors $10. Founded by Ron and Ann Pizzuti in 2011, this small museum was acquired by the Columbus Museum of Art in 2019. It is “dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and educational exchange by championing a diversity of voices from around the globe.” Exhibitions are top-ranked and include paintings, sculpture, film, photography, drawings, and prints. When I visited the show was “Light,” which was attempting to “stave off the darkness of winter” with works that emitted both light and enlightenment. Using a colorimeter and fluorescent lights, artist Spencer Finch’s “Sunset (south Texas 6/20/03)” recreates a South Texas sunset that occurred on June 20, 2003. The long, thin work takes up an entire wall. A sculpture garden surrounds the building.
“Bloody Forever 7,” a light piece by Tim Noble and Sue Webster
neon art at Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio
artist Spencer Finch’s “Sunset (south Texas 6/20/03)” light art at Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio
writer reflected in sculpture in garden at Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio
17 W. Russell St., (614) 565-0314. This tiny gallery showcases artists that make a statement about politics, race, ethnicity, environment, women’s issues, aging, and other cultural and societal issues. The gallery’s motto is “Art is political,” and exhibitions change regularly. When I stopped in, the show was “Real People Don’t Eat Other People,” a selection of work by Sue Cavanaugh that commented humorously on corporate personhood.
artist Sue Cavanaugh beside her work at (Not) Sheep Art Gallery in Columbus, Ohio
686 N. High St., (614) 461-6487. M-Sat 12am-6pm, Sun 1-6pm. This juried gallery of 22 local Ohio artists opened in 1987. It is the oldest artist-owned-and-operated gallery in Columbus. Jury-selected member artists takes turns staffing and creating art onsite.
interior of Studios on High Gallery in Columbus, Ohio
art at Studios on High Gallery in Columbus, Ohio
dramatic ceramic piece at Studios on High Gallery in Columbus, Ohio
work in progress by A.K.Simon at Studios on High Gallery in Columbus, Ohio
694 N. High St., (614) 221-8580. Tu-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 1-4pm. Contemporary ceramic, glass, and three-dimensional fine art including art jewelry are showcased in this gallery.
glass art at Sherrie Gallerie Gallery in Columbus, Ohio
400 N. High St. “As We Are” is a giant 14-foot-high head here that displays an ever-changing selection of 5,000 faces belonging to visitors who have stepped into a photo booth at the artwork’s back to have their picture taken by 29 cameras. I am one of those faces, and I have to say I was shocked by how I look when I am that BIG. The piece is covered with 3,000 LED panels and 850,000 LED lights.
Carole, thanks for sharing this peek inside a self-guided tour of Columbus, Ohio. We have visited this city a couple of times, but our focus was on their amazing zoo. Now we have new reasons to visit.
I have yet to visit Columbus or Ohio and it's nice to see there is amazing art to be found here. The street mural looks incredible. Thanks for sharing a place previously unconsidered but now worth looking into. :-)
Omg, I would live to buy that glass piece of yellow flowers and green leaves from Sherrie Galleries. And ivwsntbto see how my head looks "As We Are."
ReplyDeleteivwsntbto? You'll probably be unpleasantly shocked by how your head looks in the "As We Are" exhibit!
DeleteCarole, thanks for sharing this peek inside a self-guided tour of Columbus, Ohio. We have visited this city a couple of times, but our focus was on their amazing zoo. Now we have new reasons to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this look at the art scene in Columbus, Ohio, Carole. I had no idea it was an art hub.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to visit Columbus or Ohio and it's nice to see there is amazing art to be found here. The street mural looks incredible. Thanks for sharing a place previously unconsidered but now worth looking into. :-)
ReplyDelete