The Short North Arts District has announced its honorees for the 2026 Short North Gala, recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions have shaped the Columbus neighborhood’s cultural and civic identity. The annual event spotlights contributors working across arts, business, and community engagement in one of the city’s most-visited districts, which draws more than 12 million visitors each year.

In the Unsung Hero category, Caroline Stinziano was recognized for her work with the Short North Civic Association, including expanding the Short North Tour of Homes into a signature neighborhood event and advocating for quality-of-life improvements for the district’s more than 17,000 residents. The Business Beacon category honored Travis Samson of SAMSON Men’s Emporium, a lifelong Short North resident whose store is ranked as Columbus’s top fashion retailer and has been featured in national Google Small Business campaigns. Also in the Business Beacon category, Deborah Quinci of Quinci Emporium was recognized for founding Freedom a la Carte, a program teaching culinary skills to human trafficking survivors.

Columbus Museum of Art at The Pizzuti, housed in a renovated historic building in the Short North, received recognition as a Business Beacon for combining contemporary art with international cultural programming. Community Partner honorees included the Community Shelter Board, which coordinates housing security efforts across Central Ohio, and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, which manages public spaces and permits dozens of annual festivals in the district.

Source: Short North Arts District