Artbeat: collaboration is the key to lifting up art in the community
Begun in 2012, Artbeat brings together artists and art organizations from all over the community for three weeks of events designed to “engage, energize, educate and evoke reaction.”
Now in its seventh year, Artbeat is bigger than ever, with more than 50 affiliated events, which highlight the best Columbus has to offer in art, music, theatre and fun. Three weeks of events also make a significant economic impact. Peter Bowden, CEO of VisitColumbus, estimates roughly 1,000 visitors spending roughly $50,000, never mind the increased economic activity of Columbus locals.
Rick McKnight, director of education at RiverCenter, who serves on the organizational committee for Artbeat, spoke to us and highlighted just a few of the events that “lift up and connect all of the artistic events in the community.”
“We are a connector,” McKnight says, “the largest group of arts organizations that come together for art itself, and I think that’s what makes [Artbeat] really spectacular.”
Art Walk, on April 6, runs all along Front Avenue. Guests will visit the new Bo Barlett Center, a distinguished educational destination with programming for students, scholars, artists, collectors and anyone seeking to learn more about the power of art. In the Corn Center, guests can see the astonishing work of CSU art students. At the WC Bradley Museum, guests will encounter the works of Bruno Zupan, the Slovenian-born artist who fled to Paris in 1962, landing in the United States in 1964, soon after becoming a US citizen. Zupan’s work has been celebrated in more than 150 one man shows all over the world, and can be found in prestigious collections on three continents. At the Frank Brown Education Center, canvases from local middle school students will be on display, evidence of the artistic flourishing among the community’s youth. All along the walk, guests will enjoy music and food, and after the tour, they are encouraged to enjoy larger Uptown Columbus, as the event coincides with the year’s inaugural First Friday Concert on Broadway.
On Saturday, April 7, Art is For Everyone is a family-centered celebration all around the Riverwalk and Uptown Columbus. The event kicks off with Strut the Hooch Parade, a show-your-silly-side amble around Uptown that defines kooky and fun in Columbus. At The Springer Opera House, enjoy a ‘make it, take it’ ongoing art workshop, where kids of all ages can get creative and take home their work, bringing home a little of the Artbeat vibe. Spark Art will be on hand for more fun projects, there will be puppetry and a puppet parade, and another chance for kids to make art in the Frank Brown Center with the CSU Education and Art departments.
Speaking of Strut the Hooch, we caught up with parade founder and grand master Captain Hooch (aka Steve Scott). This year’s parade will feature Shrine clowns, mascots, super heroes, the Muscogee Roller Girls, whitewater guides, Springer academy kids and belly dancers. New this year to the parade is an Army brass band, decorated golf carts, horses and a Mardi Gras float. For Captain Hooch, the parade is all about creating a space where “people can celebrate their differences and be good to each other for an hour.” He delivers this line with a characteristic grin and says, “I want to weave the personality of the people into the essence of downtown.” With Strut the Hooch, where all are truly welcome to have a goofy good time, Captain Hooch certainly leads the funniest, most fun parade around.
A special theatre experience invites guests to the historic Lion House on April 13 and 14. Behind Closed Doors brings guests through various rooms of the historic home for ten minute plays by local playwrights tailored to the environments. Admission is limited due to space, but the after show cocktail party on the Lion House grounds promises to be a social mingle to remember. Also on the 14th, be sure to visit the Phenix City side of the pedestrian bridge for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Phenix City Art Park, which will feature statuary and host art events throughout the year.
Artbeat also completes a significant three-year project in 2018. Rick McKnight is excited to announce the completion of the Artbeat coloring books. The books feature line drawing replications of various Artbeat installations, and make a perfect gift for artists of all ages.
To unite all of these organizations and events under the umbrella of Artbeat is no small feat, and McKnight stressed the vital role played by so many in the community. The team at Uptown, Inc, including Becca Zajac and Haley Greene, have been instrumental in promoting this year’s events. Captain Hooch pointed out just how many of the events and projects have been spearheaded by a single person or small team, not only his parade but also such projects as Spark Art, which is also responsible for the wildly popular Columbus Rocks movement.
Artbeat runs for 22 days in April, and offers events for all ages. All Artbeat-related events in our calendar have been marked with a special button, but you can find the complete listing of events and more information at artbeatcolumbus.org.