The 2026 Columbus Arts Festival will feature more than 230 exhibiting artists representing 32 states, the province of Ontario, Canada, and the city of Budapest, Hungary when it returns to the Columbus downtown riverfront June 12–14. The festival is produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and presented by the American Electric Power Foundation.

Ten award-winning artists from the 2025 festival are returning, including best-in-show winner John Fesken of New Orleans (3D mixed media). Other returning 2025 award-winners include Jennifer Akese-Burney (fiber), Melissa Helene Bossenbroek (drawing), Mireya Campos of Columbus (2D mixed media), Ingrid Humphrey (3D mixed media), Karina Llergo (painting), Jaana Mattson (3D mixed media), Kwame Boama Mensa-Aborampa (painting), Stephanie Lavender (3D mixed media), and Mick Whitcomb (sculpture). Thirty-nine central Ohio artists are participating, working in media including ceramics, painting, glass, jewelry, fiber, leather, and drawing.

The 2026 festival also features 19 artists selected for its Emerging Festival Artist program, open to artists with limited national exhibition experience who live in Franklin County or the surrounding seven counties. Emerging artists receive a reduced booth fee and attend two bootcamps covering booth layout, pricing, and sales practices. “Our roster of exhibiting artists once again represents some of the top creators from across the country and beyond,” said Alexis Perrone, arts festival director. The Columbus Arts Festival is free and open to the public. More information is available at columbusartsfestival.org.

Source: Columbus Arts Festival