COLUMBUS, Ohio — Notable local and national artists representing 31 states and the province of Ontario, Canada will exhibit and sell their work at the 2025 Columbus Arts Festival, produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) and presented by the American Electric Power Foundation, June 6-8 on the Columbus downtown riverfront.
“Once again, our lineup of exhibiting artists represents some of the top creators from across the country,” said Alexis Perrone, Arts Festival director. “We’re excited to see central Ohio well represented by dozens of established artists and 19 Emerging Festival Artists. Pair that with 10 of last year’s award-winners returning, and the 2025 Columbus Arts Festival will be a can’t-miss weekend for our community.”
Ten of the 2024 award-winning artists are returning this year: **Rachel McFarlane David** of Reynoldsburg, OH (wood); **Penny Dobson** of Tuscaloosa, AL (2D mixed media); **Joe Engel** of Staunton, VA (2D mixed media); **John Fesken** of New Orleans, LA (3D mixed media); **Nicario Jimenez** of Naples, FL (3D mixed media); **Valerie Lamott** of Columbia, SC (jewelry); **Lauren Lane** of Atlanta, GA (painting); **Lisa Norris** of Chattanooga, TN (2D mixed media); **Rebecca Rea** of Columbus, OH (ceramics); and **Kate Tillman** of Walkteron, IN (photography).
Fifty-five artists from the state of Ohio will participate in 2025’s Festival. In addition to David and Rea, central Ohio artists include: **Emily Cline** of Columbus (ceramics, 43224); **JD Davison** and **JD Shipengrover** of Upper Arlington (jewelry, 43221); **Brian Duran** of Columbus (painting, 43204); **Bryan Fumo** of Hilliard (glass, 43026); **Amy Haggard** of Columbus (painting, 43229); **Katie Hofacker** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43235); **Jeff Kuhlman** of Columbus (photography, 43220);**Benjamin Lamb** of Columbus (3D mixed media, 43224); **Kim and Katherine McClelland** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43081); **Emily Morgan** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43202); **Kate Morgan** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43224); **Said Oladejo-Lawal** of Columbus (painting, 43229); **Evangelia Philippidis** of Grove City (printmaking, 43123); **Joshua Schottenstein** of Grandview (ceramics, 43212); **Leah Storrs-Fisher** of Columbus (printmaking, 43026); **Kaname Takada** of Upper Arlington (ceramics, 43221); **Matt Tisdale** of Westerville (painting, 43081);**Zach Vincent**of Columbus (leather, 43214); **Xantha Ward** of Columbus (fiber, 43068); and **Evan Williams** of Columbus (digital art, 43232).
In addition to the established artists who exhibit, the Columbus Arts Festival features artists who were selected by the jury panel to participate in the Emerging Festival Artist program.Created in 2011, the Emerging Festival Artist program is for artists who have limited or no experience exhibiting at national festivals. In order to be eligible, artists must be residents of Franklin or the surrounding counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union. In addition to a lower booth fee, Emerging Festival Artists participate in two artist bootcamps to learn about booth layout, décor, pricing and best practices for sales. The Emerging Festival Artist program is supported by the Paul-Henri and Erika Bourguignon Charitable Trust.
Nineteen central Ohio artists were invited to take part in the Emerging Festival Artist program this year: **Rhobah Arman** of Westerville (painting, 43082); **Mireya Campos** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43222); **Marcus Dixon** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43219); **Matt Gaberell** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43202); **Yahfa Guerra** of Columbus (painting, 43229); **Santiago Gutierrez** of Columbus (2D mixed media, 43215); **Christopher Hartway** of Columbus (3D mixed media, 43228); **Yorckh Jacome** of Columbus (painting, 43201); **Julia Jones** of Canal Winchester (painting, 43110); **Hannah Maltry-Cantrell** of Columbus (painting, 43240); **Jennifer McCracken** of Westerville (2D mixed media, 43147); **Preethi Pushpam Nallalaguraja** of Galloway (wood, 43119); **Jena Reif** of Dublin (painting, 43016); **RJ Reuter** of Columbus (photography, 43201); **Rich Robinson** of Columbus (painting, 43235); **Jillian Renee Siefert** of Columbus (painting, 43224); **Bridget Taylor** of Worthington (painting, 43085); **Ira Tecson** of Columbus (fiber, 43202); and **Alison and Emily Winnard** of Columbus (jewelry, 43202).
In total, more than 230 artists, including the Emerging Festival Artists, were selected from 1,035 applicants through a blind jury process. To apply, artists submitted digital images of their artwork and booth set-up through ZAPPlication™. A jury of art experts reviewed the entries, identified only by number, and selected the work based on merit and quality, as well as booth presentation.
See the festival’s Artist Gallery at columbusartsfestival.org/visit/artist-gallery/.
Festival Hours: Friday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note: on Friday and Saturday artist booths close at 9 p.m.; artists have the option to stay open later.)
To volunteer at the Columbus Arts Festival, please go to columbusartsfestival.org/engage/volunteer.
For more information on the Columbus Arts Festival, call (614) 221-8531 or visit columbusartsfestival.org.
For a selection of high-res images, visit the Festival’s press media page.
The Columbus Arts Festival is produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
The 2025 Columbus Arts Festival is presented by the American Electric Power Foundation. Additional sponsors and community partners include Bank of America, Bath and Body Works, Battelle, Bell Tree Productions, CAS (a division of American Chemical Society), Compton Construction, Columbus Crew, COSI, Downtown Columbus, Edwards Communities, Encova, Event Source, G&J Pepsi, Go Brewing, Graeter’s, High Bank Distillery, Holiday Inn Downtown, Hotel LeVeque, Huntington, IGS Energy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, OSA Technology Partners, Paul-Henri and Erika Bourguignon Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Nationwide Insurance, Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, Rhinegeist, Shadowbox Live, Sheetz, South Wind Motel, Sonesta, Toyota, Vintage Wine The Westin Hotel, White Castle, Whole World Lemonade and ZenGenius. Media sponsors include ABC6/FOX28, Columbus Radio Group, Dispatch Media Group, Lamar Outdoor, _Ohio Magazine_, Orange Barrel Media, Urban One Columbus, WCBE and WOSU Public Media.
Mission of the Greater Columbus Arts Council:To champion and elevate the arts and cultural expression of Greater Columbus. www.gcac.org
The Greater Columbus Arts Council receives major financial support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County Commissioners, Ohio Arts Council and The Ohio State University. None of these funds are used for the production of the Columbus Arts Festival.