Art in Columbus: Does the city have enough murals and public art?
Local artist Dillon Beck mused about his small and large works while painting a mural on the side of Rubino’s Pizza before the Bexley Mural Festival.
- Franklinton Fridays is a free community event held on the second Friday of each month showcasing local artists and vendors in the Franklinton Arts District.
- The event features a variety of art forms, including paintings, sculptures and handmade jewelry, with many artists present in their studios.
- Attendees can explore art, enjoy food trucks and visit local breweries and coffee houses.
The Franklinton Arts District supports Franklinton Fridays, which is an event series that brings together arts and the Columbus arts community along West Rich Street and adjoining streets every second Friday of the month.
Franklinton was founded by LucasSullivant in 1797 and named after Founding Father, diplomat and scientist Benjamin Franklin. Twenty-first century Franklinton has emerged as a neighborhood, buzzing with a creative vibe. As you approach the event, there are buildings with murals and echoes of the century-old houses being renovated for another generation to call home.
Franklinton Fridays is a free community event series encompassing several blocks along West Rich Street with rows of booths selling (mostly) Ohio-made wares and honey. Lots of honey.
Get a bite to eat at any number of food trucks lining the side streets. Pick up some peaches from The Peach Truck. Slake your thirst at the neighborhood breweries and coffee houses. Then, look at more art. Even the buildings in the area have murals painted on them.
Franklinton has become a hub of artistic activity in Columbus, and you can view works by professional, working artists and purchase a picture or two to take home. Not just paintings, ranging from postcard-sized works to murals, but sculptures, artwork with found objects, with living plants and crystals and handmade jewelry.
Many of the artisans are there on-hand in the studio to answer questions about their processes and talk about what inspires them to create.
One of the main attractions is 400 W. Rich St., a complex housing dozens of artist’s studios. The building has transformed from its humble beginnings in the 1920s as a refrigerated drinking-fountain company to an arts warehouse.
In 2011, urban revitalization began in the area and the location, Chromedge Studios, Strongwater and the Vanderelli Room were all renovated to meet modern city code. The Promenade Gallery also participates in the events.
Shops are open across the street. Venture inside the large art studios along West Rich Street to view large- and small-scale art exhibitions. Most of the art is for sale and ranges from portraiture and nature scenes to fantastical imagery, such as large-scale murals created by Paul Giovis, who also does tattoos.
Nature and still-life works by John Gillam were on view in a corridor. Henry Hess’ paintings and life-sized figures are based on characters from classic children’s films and literature. In another gallery is a large scale — and scaley — dragon’s head popped out from a wall. Limes Design Studio and Gallery held an essay contest based on a painting.
This very large collective of artists ranges in level from those who are self-taught to those who have advanced degrees and hold prizes from competitions. What binds them together is the creative atmosphere running throughout the studios.
There is no overarching theme to the event. So, the subject matter of the works varies from studio to studio. The eclectic nature of the art makes Franklinton Fridays exciting to behold. The event is not a competition, but artists sharing their sometimes-very-personal work with the world.
A good reason to visit these galleries is that they provide up-and-coming artists with the opportunity to present their work to the public. This is an exciting opportunity for emerging artists to meet and get to know arts patrons as they build their careers.
These are creative spaces where artists can be observed at work and are accessible to arts patrons. The 400 West Rich Street studio directory provides a comprehensive list of artists in residence at 400westrich.com/studio-directory.
You may become so inspired by the artwork that you want to try your hand at creating your own glorious works, without getting another degree. The location is also home to the 400 Workshop Series, where art enthusiasts of all skills levels can take classes in painting, print-making, jewelry-making and other arts.
When I went online to check classes schedule and fees, I received the message to “check back soon.” Perhaps after Labor Day, courses will be listed.
If you are looking for a studio or event space to rent in Franklinton, attending a Franklinton Fridays event is a great and fun way to check it out. The Bridge Gallery, located inside 400 W. Rich St., partners with Strongwater to provide gallery and event space for special occasions.
The Photo Lab at Chromedge Studios offers industrial space for photo shoots. For artists and creative teams, studio space is currently available in the complex.
The next Franklinton Fridays event is on Aug. 8 from 6-10 p.m.
On-street parking near the enclosure is available if you arrive early. There is a fee to park from the ParkColumbus app. You may also consider wearing comfortable shoes to enjoy an evening of walking through all of the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Amy Drake, M.A., M.S. MCM, is a Telly Award-winning filmmaker, playwright and actor. She can be reached at draketheatrical@gmail.com.
