Arts on the River! is a cultural arts festival held each October in various locations near the Columbus
Riverwalk overlooking the Chattahoochee River,currently in the median of the 1100 block of Broadway. It
evolved from the Columbus Artists’ Guild’s Fall Arts Festival, held for many years in various locations --
Wynnton Shopping Center, then for eight years at Main Street Village in the northern part of town. When that
event was discontinued, the show became a part of the Columbus Uptown Jam for two years, utilizing the old
Cunningham Building. Though a good opportunity, the Guild found that this venue was not the ideal event for
the fine arts, and in 1996, struck out on its own with no sponsors, to the Green Space at the foot of 10th St. In
2006, the Guild removed itself as a sponsor, and the event continues in partnership with WTVM, the local ABC
affiliate, and Uptown Columbus, Inc., the 501c3 sponsor to whom donations are tax deductible.
Moving from the oval Green Space due to construction, it moved to the Chattahoochee Promenade south of the
Coca Cola Space Science Center, and in 2008 was moved to the 1100 block of Broadway amidst the new
Streetscape and sculpture walk. Little else has changed in the format; all members of the Columbus Cultural
Arts Alliance are invited to participate, and exhibits by Historic Columbus Foundation, Historic Linwood
Foundation, the Columbus Ballet, The Columbus Symphony, the Columbus Museum, and Rankin Arts Center
can be expected, to name a few. Artists visiting from out of town are advised to bring cameras and sketch pads,
as the beautiful river area is a great resource for new material. Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day,
budget permitting, and a few local food vendors are on site, ads well as local restaurants and shops within easy
reach. The event is free to the public, allowing access to anyone who may be interested, and the entire event is
handicapped accessible. The Rankin Arts Center has art related activities for children, with hands-on
experience.
The art show is juried, in that representative work of all participating artists is reviewed to assure that the show
remains fine arts only. Slides or photographs are required from first time exhibitors -- who nearly always seem
to ask to be invited back. The awards for the fine arts show have attracted the attention of artists from
throughout the southeast. A judge from outside the area is brought in to disperse the honors. Attempts are
made to bring new and varied media to the show, which now accepts original computer art and fine art jewelry
as well as the traditional forms of presentation. The result is a unique collection of paint media, photography,
metal work, glass, hand thrown pottery, sculpture, and wood carving. Artists are encouraged to demonstrate
their expertise during the show, and talk to interested persons, especially children who may become the artists
of tomorrow. The show is extremely artist-friendly with an easy jurying process and lots of Columbus
hospitality. The web site has a monthly newsletter, and artists entering the show are offered free web pages for
the months surrounding the show.
In addition to the entry forms sent to potential artists, local companies and corporations are offered the
opportunity to sponsor an employee, who is an artist, and be listed on that person’s booth tag as a sponsor in
the show. These artists are subject to the same jury process as the other artists, but the entry fee may be paid
by the employer. Helpful hints for first time exhibitors are available at no charge from the event committee.
A student art show was held in conjunction with the adult fine art show at one time, and there are hopes to bring
back this portion of the event. This is totally dependent on getting a sponsor and MCSD coordinator.
A “Special Purchase Award” began in 2000, with donations collected for the purchase of a painting which is then
donated to a local facility such as Columbus Hospice, the Ronald McDonald House, or Heritage Hills, the
Alzheimer’s care facility.
For visiting artists who decide to spend the weekend, maps and accommodation information is furnished, and
the 12 mile Riverwalk offers a great opportunity for biking, walking or jogging. The event also serves as an
opportunity to bring visitors to Columbus, be they artists or shoppers, who will then hopefully return to visit the
other sights and locations in the city. Working in conjunction with the Columbus Visitors’ Bureau, efforts are
made to draw people from outside the community and to promote the advantages of Columbus as a tourist
destination.
CONTACT: Lois M. Tryon (706) 323-8139 or ltryon@infionline.net
Riverwalk overlooking the Chattahoochee River,currently in the median of the 1100 block of Broadway. It
evolved from the Columbus Artists’ Guild’s Fall Arts Festival, held for many years in various locations --
Wynnton Shopping Center, then for eight years at Main Street Village in the northern part of town. When that
event was discontinued, the show became a part of the Columbus Uptown Jam for two years, utilizing the old
Cunningham Building. Though a good opportunity, the Guild found that this venue was not the ideal event for
the fine arts, and in 1996, struck out on its own with no sponsors, to the Green Space at the foot of 10th St. In
2006, the Guild removed itself as a sponsor, and the event continues in partnership with WTVM, the local ABC
affiliate, and Uptown Columbus, Inc., the 501c3 sponsor to whom donations are tax deductible.
Moving from the oval Green Space due to construction, it moved to the Chattahoochee Promenade south of the
Coca Cola Space Science Center, and in 2008 was moved to the 1100 block of Broadway amidst the new
Streetscape and sculpture walk. Little else has changed in the format; all members of the Columbus Cultural
Arts Alliance are invited to participate, and exhibits by Historic Columbus Foundation, Historic Linwood
Foundation, the Columbus Ballet, The Columbus Symphony, the Columbus Museum, and Rankin Arts Center
can be expected, to name a few. Artists visiting from out of town are advised to bring cameras and sketch pads,
as the beautiful river area is a great resource for new material. Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day,
budget permitting, and a few local food vendors are on site, ads well as local restaurants and shops within easy
reach. The event is free to the public, allowing access to anyone who may be interested, and the entire event is
handicapped accessible. The Rankin Arts Center has art related activities for children, with hands-on
experience.
The art show is juried, in that representative work of all participating artists is reviewed to assure that the show
remains fine arts only. Slides or photographs are required from first time exhibitors -- who nearly always seem
to ask to be invited back. The awards for the fine arts show have attracted the attention of artists from
throughout the southeast. A judge from outside the area is brought in to disperse the honors. Attempts are
made to bring new and varied media to the show, which now accepts original computer art and fine art jewelry
as well as the traditional forms of presentation. The result is a unique collection of paint media, photography,
metal work, glass, hand thrown pottery, sculpture, and wood carving. Artists are encouraged to demonstrate
their expertise during the show, and talk to interested persons, especially children who may become the artists
of tomorrow. The show is extremely artist-friendly with an easy jurying process and lots of Columbus
hospitality. The web site has a monthly newsletter, and artists entering the show are offered free web pages for
the months surrounding the show.
In addition to the entry forms sent to potential artists, local companies and corporations are offered the
opportunity to sponsor an employee, who is an artist, and be listed on that person’s booth tag as a sponsor in
the show. These artists are subject to the same jury process as the other artists, but the entry fee may be paid
by the employer. Helpful hints for first time exhibitors are available at no charge from the event committee.
A student art show was held in conjunction with the adult fine art show at one time, and there are hopes to bring
back this portion of the event. This is totally dependent on getting a sponsor and MCSD coordinator.
A “Special Purchase Award” began in 2000, with donations collected for the purchase of a painting which is then
donated to a local facility such as Columbus Hospice, the Ronald McDonald House, or Heritage Hills, the
Alzheimer’s care facility.
For visiting artists who decide to spend the weekend, maps and accommodation information is furnished, and
the 12 mile Riverwalk offers a great opportunity for biking, walking or jogging. The event also serves as an
opportunity to bring visitors to Columbus, be they artists or shoppers, who will then hopefully return to visit the
other sights and locations in the city. Working in conjunction with the Columbus Visitors’ Bureau, efforts are
made to draw people from outside the community and to promote the advantages of Columbus as a tourist
destination.
CONTACT: Lois M. Tryon (706) 323-8139 or ltryon@infionline.net
