Posted by Debbie Conkel on November 23, 2011 

We invite all Central Ohioans to visit State Auto as we celebrate a holiday tradition that began in the 1930s.  State Auto's Christmas Corner, located at 518 E. Broad Street, features a life-size Nativity display in the area just east of our building.  The 75+ human and animal figures of the Nativity have been lovingly restored over the past several years.  Six different scenes from the Nativity story have been recreated with amazing richness of detail.  Descriptions of each scene, along with a cell phone tour of the display are available.

The display is lighted in a special ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 7, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The ceremony, which is free and open to the public, features the Columbus Children's Choir and other dignitaries.  The display will be lighted daily after that through January 1.  Local choral groups perform on weekend evenings at the display; please see schedule below.

The culmination of the Christmas season takes place on Christmas Eve at 7:30 p..m, when the Baby Jesus figure is placed in the manger of the Nativity.  David Harrison, president of Columbus State Community College, will perform the honors.

For more information, please contact Debbie Conkel, Corporate communications, 800-444-9950, ext. 4946.

Choir schedule (all performances begin at 7 p.m.):

Fri., December 9 - Columbus State Gospel Vocal Ensemble
Sat., December 10 - Signs of Christmas Choir
Sun., December 11 - Columbus Maennerchor/Damenchor
Fri., December 16 - Grove City Chamber Singers
Sat., December 17 - Meredith Temple Church of God in Christ Choir
Sun., December 18 - Powell United Methodist Church Choir

Posted by Veda Gilp, November 11, 2011

The Cultural Arts Center will present Convergence, an exhibition of painting; and cutting, printing, and paper art, November 19 - December 24, in the Main Hall Gallery. The Artist will be receiving visitors in the Gallery on December 3 from 1-3 pm. Gallery hours are Mondays from 1-4 pm and 7-10 pm; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 am-4 pm and 7-10 pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am-4 pm; closed on Sundays. Visit online at www.CulturalArtsCenterOnline.org.

The artist explains her exhibit, "Root imagery is a continuation of the trees and electrical wire shapes I used previously which focus on the abstract negative shapes of the images. Juxtaposing and layering images lead to connections both physical and metaphorical. Hanging cutouts in front of and adjacent to each other creates a sense of place and a sense of space. Light plays an important part in the work. The conceptual ideas are what interest me, but the physicality of the processes of cutting, erasing, printing and painting is what keeps me going."

Julie Friedman is an accomplished multi-media artist specializing in drawing, painting, and printmaking. She has exhibited extensively both locally and nationally. She is adjunct professor at Kent State University, Cuyahoga Community College, and John Carroll University; and is the Director of Gallery West at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. 

The Cultural Arts Center is a home for the visual arts, and welcomes both novice and accomplished artists to its studios and galleries. The center is a program of the city's Recreation and Parks Department.

Posted on November 11, 2011 by David Wayne 

The Columbus State Gospel Vocal Ensemble, directed by Emma Easton, will celebrate its fifth anniversary by hosting the Gospel Performing Arts Expo '11, themed "Authentic Joy!" Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19.

The event will feature two days of performances from gospel singers, comedians, spoken word artists, actors and more. There will also be workshops on performing and the business of music, as well as an Artistic Career Fair, Friday, from 4-6 p.m. in the Columbus State Conference Center, WD fourth floor.

In addition to the Gospel Vocal Ensemble, community talent includes the Expo Youth Choir, ages 6-16, The Triedstone Baptist Church Choir, saxophonist Wynueco Washington, Zion's Melody, Vessels of Christ, Malcolm Morgan & New Revelation, Erich Barnes, Michael Haywood, the JELANI  Dancers, Colin/Cedric Easton & Co., Urban Comedy Sketches by StewJacks Entertainment, Lady Louise & 40+ Models, and more. On Friday, NIA Performing Arts presents an after dark theater presentation entitled "Down Memory Lane."

The finale on Saturday includes an awards ceremony recognizing local living gospel legends: Pastor Michael Reeves, Lady Patricia Ross, Bishop Mel Griffin, Mr. Frank Cleveland, Sr., Mr. Ron Ryles, Camille Doughty-Banner, and Mrs. Martha Abbott.

Registration ranges from $10-$35 and is open to the public. The career fair is free.

For more information or tickets, contact Easton at 287-5377, ext. 1677 or visit the Gospel Ensemble website.

Posted by Veda Gilp on November 10, 2011

The Cultural Arts Center will present Paintings from Life, an exhibit of works from Life Painting Classes curated by Susan Ward, through November in the Loft Gallery. The Artists' Reception is Sunday, November 20, 1-4 pm. Talk with the artists at Conversations & Coffee, Thursday, November 17, 12-1 pm. Gallery hours are Mondays from 1-4 pm and 7-10 pm; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 am -4 pm and 7-10 pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am-4 pm; and closed on Sundays. Visit online at www.CulturalArtsCenterOnline.org.

Susan Ward explains the exhibit, "These works demonstrate the wide range of personal interpretations possible when depicting the human form. Nineteen artists are included in this exhibit. Even though the subject is similar throughout the show, the medium, style, and approach to the subject are unique to each individual. Styles range from expressionistic to naturalistic and hit many different balance points between the two extremes."

Susan Ward is the Instructor of the Life Drawing and Painting classes at the Cultural Arts Center. All artworks included in the show are products of students in these classes.

The Cultural Arts Center is a home for the visual arts, and welcomes both novice and accomplished artists to its studios and galleries. The center is a program of the city's Recreation and Parks Department.

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Veda Gilp

Mark your calendars for Nov. 4, 5 - 9 PM when the Cultural Arts Center and the Ceramic Studio will present the annual Ceramics Sale featuring faculty and student work: soup tureens, soup bowls - $10 with soup tasting, and a soup cookbook made specifically for this occasion. One of CAC's most popular events: the soups are deliciously memorable, and the tureens are works of art. The SOUP'S ON cookbook is only $15! There's something for every taste and budget for giving and keeping.  Dessert; wine; entertainment. Free admission and Free event parking in Mound & 2nd lot. www.CulturalArtsCenterOnline.org.

The Cultural Arts Center is a home for the visual arts, and welcomes both novice and accomplished artists to its studios and galleries. The center is a program of the city's Recreation and Parks Department.

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Anne Touvell

You won't want to miss our fifth and final Evenings with Authors of the Fall 2011 season when Karen Russell will read from her debut novel, Swamplandia!

The accolades for this debut novel catapulted it to the top of bestseller lists from coast to coast. Recipient of the National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 Award; featured in The New Yorker's list of "20 Under 40 Authors to Watch"; nominated for the Orange Prize, Karen Russell's stellar talent leaves others breathless in her wake. Swamplandia! is a rundown tourist attraction in the Everglades of Florida, owned by a clan of alligator wrestlers. To reveal more would be to rob the reader of the experience of getting to know the BigTree family, each of them vivid and exuberantly rendered characters set in an equally vivid and exuberant story. With wit and intelligence and heartfelt emotion, Russell has created a brilliantly unique story. She is a native of Florida, and is currently a writer-in-residence at Bard College in upstate New York.

She will be reading on Thursday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue. A book signing and an informal coffee and cookie reception will follow the reading. Tickets are $20 general admission in advance and at the door, with discounts for students and seniors. Tickets are available on our website, www.thurberhouse.org, or by calling 614-464-1032 x. 11.

To purchase tickets: http://www.thurberhouse.org/karen-russell.html

Praise for Karen Russell and her work:

"Lavishly imagined and spectacularly crafted... Ravishing, elegiac, funny, and brilliantly inquisitive, Russell's archetypal swamp saga tells a mystical yet rooted tale of three innocents who come of age through trials of water, fire, and air." - Booklist, starred review

"Brilliant, funny, original... Also creepy and sinister... Karen Russell's SWAMPLANDIA! is every bit as good as her short stories promised it would be. This book will not leave my mind." - Stephen King

"This impressively self-assured debut novel may be the best book you'll ever read about a girl trying to save her family's alligator-wrestling theme park." - O, The Oprah Magazine

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Charmaine Sutton

November events at the Lincoln Theater include:

 Nov 10   Jazz Arts Group - One Night Only - jazzartsgroup.org

Nov 19 & 20 - Thiossane West African Dance Institute - fall showcase 730p  $10  

Wed, Nov 16 - College sharing    6:30p, $5

Nov 22 - CAPA present R& B artist  LEDISI, 8p  $40  

Find more information at: lincolntheatrecolumbus.com

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Columbus Landmarks

Tour begins at Columbus Landmarks, 61 Jefferson Avenue. Saturday, October 22nd; Sunday, October 23rd, Monday, October 24; Tuesday, October 25; and Wednesday, October 26.

Architecturally-interesting Columbus sites - from historic homes and museums to hotels, former funeral homes and Victorian charmers- all have stories to tell! Locations may vary each night on this eerie bus tour as the spirits move us.

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Charmaine Sutton

Don't miss Magic of the Night, celebrating its 5th year as the ultimate "haunted" magic show, featuring spectacular Halloween-themed illusions, ghostly phenomena and awe-inspiring special effects.

Spooky, but not bloody or gory, Magic of the Night is just good, clean, haunted Halloween fun and a one-of-a kind theatrical experience for the entire family.

Seats are disappearing fast. Reserve yours at ticketmaster.com, call the CAPA ticket office at 469-0939 or visit our website.

http://www.magicofthenight.com/

A Haunted Magic Show takes place on Oct 21 at 7PM. 

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Columbus Landmarks Foundation

Come walk with us and see the beauty of one of Columbus' most architecturally-significant neighborhoods by lamplight and lantern. Learn why this street enjoys the reputation of being the most haunted neighborhood in Columbus.

Dates include Friday, October 21; Friday, October 28, and Sunday, October 30. 6:30-9pm.

Tour begins at Topiary Park, 480 E. Town Street. Tickets are $10 for members and $20 for non-members.  

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Sherry Mercurio

While Franklin University continues to grow and adapt to an ever-changing world, the University's commitment to providing students with the academic preparation needed for success remains as strong as ever.  To ensure the academic and physical infrastructure necessary to support our students' continued success, earlier this year the University expanded its Main Campus, downtown with the purchase of a 15,000-square-foot building located at 360 S. Grant Ave.

The addition of the building on Grant Ave. to the University's Main Campus allows Franklin to provide additional professional office environment for its growing number of full-time faculty members. This latest addition further reinforces Franklin's position as the southeast anchor of the city's Special Improvement District, which, along with the completion of the 70/71 split project, will create a new neighborhood gateway on Grant Avenue.

With renovations now complete, the new building houses the University's College of Arts, Sciences & Technology.  Faculty and administrative staff now occupy 34 office spaces, 14 workstations, and multiple huddle and conference spaces.

The purchase and renovation of the building on Grant Ave. is the latest milestone in Franklin University's strategic growth plan, which sets out to strengthen its resources and offerings by expanding educational opportunities to ever greater numbers of students across the country and around the world.

Members of the community are invited to join University officials, members of the University's Board of Trustees, area government, and civic and business leader representatives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Grant Avenue building, on Friday, Oct. 21 from 1:15-3 p.m. The ribbon-cutting will take place at 1:30 p.m.  Please RSVP to rsvp@franklin.edu by Friday, Oct. 14.

Submitted on October 10, 2011 by Charmaine Sutton

ArtFUSION 2011 A Sinful Celebration

Indulge in a night of Italian Mischief. Join us in celebrating ArtFUSION 2011, inspired by Bad Boy of Baroque art - Caravaggio and the history of Italian decadence.  Every autumn, Art network presents ArtFUSION, in conjunction with Art Celebration, to raise funds for the Columbus Museum of Art.  ArtFUSION is the art event of the year for young professionals.  Enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dancing and entertainment in the beautiful Columbus Museum of Art.  October 22, 2011, 8:00 pm - Midnight.  Tickets $100, after October 1^st $125.  To purchase tickets, contact Kristy Emch at 614.629.0344.

Posted by: Charmaine Sutton

STIRRING SPIRITS: CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE FUNDRAISING EVENT 

OCTOBER 7, 2011

Come join the Columbus Architecture Foundation and design professionals from around Columbus on October 7, 2011 at COSI for STIRRING SPIRITS - a black attire event and fundraiser supporting the mission of the Center for Architecture and Design.

Enjoy the beautiful Columbus skyline from the edge of the river. Your ticket include hors d'oeuvres, desserts, beer, wine and a special signature cocktail, and the funk sounds of the Hoo Doo Soul Band. It's a black out so don your favorite black outfit with, naturally, an added splash of color!

For more information, tickets, and registration, please visit the Center For Architecture and Design website, http://columbuscfa.org/.

Posted by David Wayne on September 13, 2011

As the higher education calendar ticks down to the start of autumn quarter, the presidents of The Ohio State University and Columbus State Community College will kick off the beginning of a new and innovative educational partnership in Delaware.

When the quarter begins on September 21, The Ohio State University at Marion will offer a wide range of general education courses on Columbus State's Delaware Campus.

All students attending the Columbus State Delaware Campus will have a variety of options to choose from. It may include enrolling in Columbus State courses at Delaware and transitioning in time to Ohio State courses at the Delaware Campus or at Ohio State Marion or at other Ohio State campuses. Each option can take them toward an Ohio State baccalaureate degree.

"The arrangement is a win-win for both schools," says Dr. David Harrison, president of Columbus State. "The new, state-of-the-art building is already the front door to higher education for 1,000 of our students per quarter. Since it's designed to accommodate 2,000 students we can easily share space with the estimated 400 Ohio State students."

Gregory Rose, Ohio State Marion dean and director, concurs. "The last decade has demonstrated Delaware's desirability as an entry point to higher education for students in northern Franklin and Delaware counties. The Ohio State-Columbus State collaboration in Delaware will serve this growing student base, while providing efficiencies for both institutions."

A public open house will be held beginning at 4:30 p.m. on September 14.  At 5:00 p.m., presidents Gee and Harrison will make brief comments and then, to celebrate the new partnership, will plant a buckeye tree on the grounds of the Delaware Campus.

Posted by Melissa Ricksecker on September 13, 2011

President Barack Obama will discuss his bipartisan proposals to grow the economy and create jobs during a visit to Columbus on Tuesday.

According to the White House, Obama will visit Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School, located at 546 Jack Gibbs Blvd.

He is scheduled to speak at 2:15 p.m.  

Obama will highlight his American Jobs Act proposal to put workers back on the job by rebuilding and modernizing schools across the U.S.  

The American Jobs Act proposes a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure that will modernize at least 35,000 public schools.

Watch Obama's address on 10TV.  If you're not near a television set, you can see it on 10TV.com.

Posted on September 7, 2011 by David Wayne

Columbus State Community College's summer commencement will find students who faced challenges and adversity walk away with diplomas to begin exciting new chapters in their lives. A total of 486 students have petitioned to graduate for the ceremony.

Sharon Wilkins Holley began her journey before her husband passed away seven years ago due to various medical issues. "My husband needed an advocate at the end of his life to navigate the medical system," say Holley, 38. "I found that opportunity through the Paralegal Program. I am now working in a law office on workers' compensation issues and I spend my days advocating for injured workers."

Medical issues of her own led Linda Thumboli, 55, to persevere. Despite fighting cancer and combined with the loss of several family members in recent years, she never gave up. Her medical treatments required the removal of 70% of her stomach. Then Thumboli had to be trained to eat all over again. She will graduate with an Associate of Arts.

For Alexandria Axline, a job in a group home led her to a new career. The 24-year-old had enrolled in the environmental science program. "I was very close to finishing but when I began working in a group home assisting adults with developmental disabilities I started to question my plans," she says. "After weighing my options and praying I changed direction and began studying in the field of human services." Axline's long-term goal is to open her own day habilitation center for adults with developmental disabilities.

Ashley Watts was homeless for a short time with her children before turning her life around. Her original goal was to become a nurse. "After visits with my career counselor I decided that social work is what I wanted to do," says Watts, 26, who will graduate with an Associate of Arts degree. She plans to transfer to Ohio State where she will major in Social Work.

Graduating with his brother was the plan for Eric Rogers. The pair enrolled together in the accounting program. Last year, Eric's brother, Brent Kreuter , 41, died in a motorcycle accident. "The last year has been a constant struggle not having him here to go through this with me, but thanks to the determination and dedication that he showed, I have learned to keep going and work my way through the struggles," says Eric, 37. He will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting.

Reuel Barksdale, Associate Professor of Business Management at Columbus State, is the keynote speaker. Class valedictorian Jacob Goodfleisch, 35, will also speak.

Graduation begins at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 9, 2011, at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, located at 300 W. Broad St., Columbus. The event is free and open to the public. The ceremony will also be available on a live stream at http://www2.cscc.edu/services/graduation/.

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Craig Vander Veen

Broad Street United Methodist Church will be having a Street Fair on Sunday September 18. Come to the church and meet your neighbors. The fair will include live musicians, a magician, a meal provided by City Barbecue and more. The street fair will begin at approximately noon immediately following the 10:45 worship service. All are welcome.

Posted on August 30, 2011 by David Wayne

The Delaware Campus will host a stop on Ohio State's annual Roads Scholars Tour on Thursday, September 1. Each year, The Ohio State University invites new faculty and staff to tour locations where OSU has campuses and partnerships. An estimated 50 people from Ohio State will take part this year. President Harrison will address the group when they arrive at Delaware.

The new partnership between the Columbus State and Ohio State begins Autumn Quarter when the Ohio State Marion branch begins offering classes on our Delaware Campus.

A "Partnership Celebration" for our two schools is planned for Wednesday evening, 4-6 p.m. September 14, at the Delaware campus, where both Dr. Harrison and OSU President E. Gordon Gee will say a few words and plant a Buckeye tree on the campus. 

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Nate Oliver

During the second week of September (9/11 - 9/17), the library will launch "Tech Training Week @ Your Library" which is a technology training promotion week involving all public libraries in Franklin County.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library is a participant in the state wide Connect Ohio / Every Citizen Online technology training program. The training sessions are a part of the federally funded Connect Ohio grant, which is designed to encourage an increase in the adoption of broadband internet service in Ohio. The program includes three technology training classes: Introduction to Computers, Basic Internet and Using the Internet. During Tech Training Week, the library will expand offerings to include classes on social media. All classes are offered at the Main Library as well as Hilltop, Gahanna, Northern Lights, Karl Road, Reynoldsburg and Linden branches. As part of Tech Training week, the library is expanding class offerings to include the Southeast and South High branch libraries. The library will also begin offering classes in Spanish at the Hilltop Branch and Somali at the Northern Lights branch as part of a new partnership with Columbus State Community College.

To sign up for classes, call the library information line at 645-2275.

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Melanie Houston

Join State Auto Insurance Companies and the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus for Jazz on Jefferson, a free concert featuring the Vernon Hairston Trio with special guest, vocalist Mary McClendon. The event will take place at noon on Friday, August 19 at the Jefferson Center in Thurber Park.

Bring your lunch for the concert or enjoy food carts available in the park.

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Georgeanne Reuter

Experience the grandeur of the 19^th century and learn about life in the era of the Civil War, the Underground Railroad and the beginnings of Columbus as a city.

Starting on Sunday, July 3, 2011 the Kelton House Museum and Garden, 586 East Town Street, Columbus, will offer an audio tour of the Museum in addition to the traditional tour led by costumed docents. The audio tour features the voices of Museum Director Georgeanne Reuter and Educational Coordinator Mary Oellermann as they describe the 19^th century home of the Fernando and Sophia Kelton family. Visitors will also hear actors portraying fugitive slaves and abolitionists during their visit to the Underground Railroad Learning Station in the Museum Lower Level in an interpretation narrated by Salmon P. Chase.

On Sundays the audio tour will be available from 1 - 4 pm; the docent led tours will begin at 1, 2 and 3 pm.

Monday through Friday, 10 am - 4 pm, the audio tour will also be available on a drop-in basis.

All tours: Adults $6, Seniors $4, Children 6 and over $2.  For more information, call 614.464.2022.

Posted on August 4, 2011 by David Wayne

Are you fascinated by the work of the professional cook and the culture of the restaurant kitchen?  If so, Find out what it takes to make a chef by experiencing a day in the life of a Columbus State culinary student.

You'll come into our kitchen classrooms and find out how we train professional chefs. The Hospitality Management Culinary Apprentice program at Columbus State is a full-time three- year program accredited through the American Culinary Federation.

Students take a full class load and work full-time as an apprentice to finish the 6,000 apprentice hours they must complete to become an Executive Chef. Experience a small piece of the high pressure grind of classes and apprenticeship. Attend in true "Ruhlman" style. Be prepared to work directly with the students and the teachers.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Garde Manger I: 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

International Cuisine: 1:00-4:30 p.m.

Light breakfast and lunch will be served. Attend one class - or both.

RSVP to Elissa at eschneid@cscc.edu (I have room for 8 in each session).

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Valerie Haulk

The Renaissance Hotel and Latitude 41, together with the OhioHealth Foundation, invite you to join us for an evening of cocktails and culinary delights on August 4, 2011 from 5:30 - 8:00pm.

Featuring:
- Latitude 41
- Barcelona
- Knead
- Middle West Spirits
- Basi Italia
- Black Creek Bistro
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
- Brother's Drake
- Goose Island
- The Refectory
- G. Michael's Bistro
- Tessora Limone 

Proceeds from A Taste of Columbus support Defining Moments, the first ever campaign for cancer care at OhioHealth and Riverside Methodist Hospital. Help us meet our challenge to provide a portal of entry for the differentiated cancer care experience offered to patients and families. Help us on this journey of exceptional cancer care.
Experts at treating people. Experts at treating cancer. 
 

The Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel Pool Deck
Fifty North Third Street, Columbus, Ohio
Valet parking available for $3
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.atasteofcolumbus.com.
Entertainment provided. Business attire.

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Jennifer Poleon

This Friday (July 22) is the return of Game Show 2 at CMA. To give you an idea of what to expect, here's our interview with our fabulous host Susie Starliner.

How would you describe Game Show?
It's really just a classic game show, but with a creative twist and an extra sexy host (me)!

What should we expect from the next CMA Game Show?
Expect more exceptionally witty banter from myself and co-host/hunk Tod Tabler with hot new games, cash bar, prizes and some super secret, super sexy special guest appearances!

Tell us about Wonderland and Fake Bacon's involvement.
Well, I heard that there were a lot of really smart people in those groups, plus who could ignore all of the creativity coming out of Wonderland Columbus and the hilarity of the Fake Bacon crew?  I'm a woman that appreciates the talent that the Columbus community has to offer. Sexy!

What kinds of fabulous prizes can people win?
Anything from video games to spa treatments. All of the prizes are being sponsored by Small Business Beanstalk and come from local, independent businesses.

Do people have to participate or can they just watch and be entertained?
There will be plenty to keep people entertained, however, we encourage participation. It's a chance to display your creativity, and Columbus has some VERY creative people. And, of course, if you press your luck, there's a distinct possibility of a fondue pot in your future.

Can you tell us anything more about the grand finale game that Wonderland is creating?
Well let's just say it will be the sequel of all sequels.

In the spirit of James Lipton...
What is your favorite word?
Sensuous.  It rolls off of my tongue like hot butter.

What is your least favorite word?
Impossible.

What turns you on?
Creativity, bocce ball and '70s soul music.

What turns you off?
Doubters, and when Tod doesn't wash his toupee!

What sound or noise do you love?
Squeals of excitement.

What sound or noise do you hate?
Whistle tips and that wah-wah-wah sound.

What is your favorite curse word?
I love you.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Professional Sherpa.

What profession would you not like to do?
Survey says: Air Traffic Controller.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Whoopee!

Game Show 2 returns to the Columbus Museum of Art this Friday July 22, 2011 from 8 - 10 pm. Purchase advance Game Show tickets or some tickets may be available at the door. You can also RSVP on Facebook.

Art Speaks. Join the Conversation.

Posted by Nancy Colvin on July 15, 2011

In the newest iteration of Ground Control, Kota Ezawa provides a mash-up of audio and video footage through his unique animation. Beatles Über California blends the iconic British band's 1964 performance on The Ed Sullivan Show with the Dead Kennedy's song "California Uber Alles." Seen together, Ezawa provides us with an opportunity to consider the impact of a seemingly revolutionary band, still clothed in suits as opposed to punk rock's preference for ripped tshirts and jeans, in relation to the restraint necessary for a television performance.

Ground Control is an exhibition program of video and sound work by contemporary artists.  Screened within the elevator on the south side of the building, the program will present the work of some of the most innovative media artists working today. 

http://www.columbusmuseum.org/exhibitions/

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Georgeanne Reuter

Throughout 2011, the Kelton House Museum & Garden will commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War through a series of lectures and activities. All programs will be held at the Museum, 586 East Town Street, Columbus. These programs are made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council, a State Affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

An Afternoon with the Colonel's Lady: Apparel of the Mid-19^th Century

Sunday, July 17, 2011, 2:00 p.m. ($5/person)

Always wanted to wear a hoop skirt and portray Scarlett O'Hara? Now is your chance. Lynda Kerr will present a lively look into a woman's life in the era of the Civil War through costume and accessories. Lynda will unveil the secret of the layers of clothing worn by women during the era of the Civil War.

Closest to the skin were the drawers made of cotton or linen and trimmed with lace, a chemise, and stockings held up with garters. The next layer featured the corset and a crinoline or hoop skirt. Next came the petticoat bodice or corset cover, followed by the bodice, skirt (often held up with "braces"), belt and slippers. Over it all was a shawl or jacket, accompanied by gloves, boots, parasol, and bonnet. Ladies would always carry a purse, handkerchief, fan and perhaps a watch pocket. Whew!

Lynda Kerr has been a re-enactor since 1995 when she saw her first Gettysburg re-enactment. She became spellbound by the sites and sounds of the transformed town of Gettysburg and the battlefields. She began to research period attire and to make costumes for family and friends, finally creating a business called the Colonel's Lady Civil War Attire. She is a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust, The Charlotte Civil War Round Table, the United Daughters of the Confederacy--Stonewall Jackson Chapter 220 and the Dixie Rose Relief Society.

Twelve Oaks Barbeque

Sunday, August 14, 2011, 1:00 p.m. ($5/person general admission OR $20/person general admission and barbeque dinner)

Step back into Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind as the book's Twelve Oaks Barbeque comes to life. Hear Scarlett's "fiddle-dee-dee" and experience Melanie's sweet personality. Other characters from the book as well as the period will enlighten and entertain. Help us find Rhett Butler in the Rhett Look-Alike Contest.

Child's Play: Games in 19^th Century America

Sunday, October 16, 2011, 2:00 p.m. ($5/person)

Learn games that never cease to entertain. Ellen Ford will teach your children about how their 19^th century counterparts would have spent their leisure time. Child-appropriate tours of the Museum will be available.

Finding Your Past: Basic Training for Your Civil War Ancestor Research

Saturday, November 5, 2011, 2:00 p.m. ($5/person)

Learn the basics of genealogical research using central Ohio archives and computer resources.

Reservations recommended for all events. For more information, call 614.464.2022 or visit www.keltonhouse.com.

Tours of the Kelton House Museum will also be available during all the programs. Experience the grandeur of the 19^th century and learn about life in the era of the Civil War, the Underground Railroad and the beginnings of Columbus as a city.  Tours are led by costumed docents.

General Information

The Kelton House Museum & Garden is located at 586 E. Town Street in downtown Columbus.  Built in 1852 by Fernando Cortez and Sophia Stone Kelton, the House has been preserved with Kelton family treasures from the 1800's.  Strong Abolitionists, the Kelton family hid fugitive slaves and gave long term support to a particular African-American family. In 1975, when Grace Kelton, the granddaughter of Fernando and Sophia, died, her will entrusted the property to the Columbus Foundation with the stipulation that her family home be preserved and used as a museum of local history and the decorative arts. In 1976, The Junior League of Columbus took on the task of renovating and restoring the house and garden to create a museum of 19^th-century life.

Today, the Kelton House Museum and Garden is a community service of the Junior League of Columbus that offers an ongoing program of house tours, special events and educational opportunities. An active volunteer program provides a training ground for individuals interested in historic preservation, the decorative arts, American History and museum management.

For more information about the Kelton House Museum and Garden log on to www.keltonhouse.com or call 614.464.2022.

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Melanie Houston

Bring your family out to the Topariary Park this Saturday - June 11 - for the first in a series of summer jazz concerts. Jazz concerts are free, so please bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy the tunes. Storytime for the smallest ones begins at 11am, with the concert to follow at noon. For more information, please contact Friends of the Topiary Park.  

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Jami Goldstein

Recognized as one of the top arts festivals in the country, the Columbus Arts Festival is a juried show, with more than 1,000 artists competing for approximately 240 booth spaces. Continuous entertainment, interactive art activities and great food from area restaurants are also featured. The Columbus Arts Festival is one of city's largest and most successful events, attracting approximately 350,000 attendees. Following are some of the new and exciting initiatives happening for the 50th anniversary:

Emerging Artists
This new program has been designed to help promote Central Ohio artists who are new to presenting their work at festivals. Ten artists from Central Ohio will be selected by the Festival jurors and in addition to a lower booth fee they will also receive assistance from Festival staff on how to best present their work to the public and an opportunity to display their work at the Festival Patron Party.

Savor the Arts presented by Dine Originals
In partnership with Dine Originals, Savor the Arts will showcase cuisine as an art form and bring gourmet fare back to the Festival. The Savor the Arts tent will feature special menus developed by local restaurants, wine and beer tastings and more. Participating restaurants include:  Barcelon Restaurant and Bar, Barrio, Black Creek Bistro, Deepwood, Due Amici,  Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus, G. Michaels Bistro, Katzinger's, Mozarts,  Refectory  Restaurant & Bistro, Rigsby's Kitchen, Tasi Cafe and The Top Steakhouse.

All Hands On Art
The Columbus Arts Festival will be expanding the Hands On Activity offerings with the addition of an adult's only area that will open at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4. A perfect gathering place for young professionals groups or friends, creative activities involving glass, metalworking and more will be offered in conjunction with a Signature Bar offering the 50th Festival Signature Belvedere vodka drink, Liquid Art.

Connect a Million Minds Day
Connect a Million Minds Day presented by Time Warner Cable on Saturday, June 4, will explore creativity and imagination through the lens of science. Activities will showcase the different aspects of art and science with the help of  BalletMet, CATCO, Columbus Museum of Art, WCBE and COSI.. These organizations and their artists are committed to helping Festival patrons explore the science behind art and the art behind science. A wide range of art forms will be represented including visual arts, dance, music, theatre and more.

Commemorative Print
As part of the celebration and to engage the central Ohio community, local artists from Franklin and surrounding counties were called to submit designs for the Columbus Arts Festival Commemorative Print to help capture the spirit and vibrancy of the arts in Columbus-and represent the impact the Columbus Arts Festival has had on the city over the past 50 years. The top design by Amy Neiwirth was selected by a public vote.  Click here to view Niewirth's winning design for 50th Anniversary Commemorative Print, Columbus in Color.

The Art of Collecting
On February 24, a panel of art professionals and collectors provided tips on how to purchase art and why Festivals make good options for beginning or building an art collection. The tips shared by the panelists will be used on the Festival Web site as well as through social media and the mobile app.

Expose Yourself
Juried artists as well as local artists will demonstrate how they create their work at the Expose Yourself demonstration tent.

Festival Mobile App
The new Festival Mobile App will allow visitors to locate artists, food vendors and menus, watch the latest weather report and much more. The app will also be used throughout 2011 for the festival's move to the Riverfront, keeping patrons up to date with the new layout, timeframe and special events.

VIP Package
The VIP area will be a tent (next to Savor the Arts) for VIP ticket purchasers, sponsors, special guests and board members to come and relax. A copy of the Commemorative print, a Festival t-shirt, comfortable seating, free water and snacks, a private cash bar, restrooms, personal shopping assistance and other VIP amenities will be available. VIP packages will be sold prior to and during the festival for $95. Couples package with one commemorative print for $170.  Passes are good for the entire weekend.

The Columbus Arts Festival presented by Time Warner Cable will be held June 3, 4 & 5, 2011. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4 and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 5. For more information visit www.columbusartsfestival.org.

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Melanie Houston (Article by Jami Goldstein)

The Columbus Arts Festival, presented by Time Warner Cable and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council will celebrate its 50th year of bringing the best in fine art and fine craft to Columbus, June 3, 4 & 5, 2011. The Columbus Arts Festival is rated by AmericanStyle magazine as one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts hundreds of juried artists from across the United States, as well as a few international artists. Music, poetry and community performance stages, hands-on arts activities for kids and adults, exhibitions of local student artwork and quality food and beverages round out Columbus' favorite outdoor summer event.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Columbus Arts Festival is creating a BIG festival experience-diverse, inclusive and creative with an emphasis on engaging a broader spectrum of the community. The 2011 celebration will incorporate more community partners-local artists, local collectors and patrons, local restaurants and small businesses.

The community can enjoy the history of the Festival at a mini-museum of Festival artifacts (photos, posters, pins etc. from prior Festivals) and also sneak a peek into the future by highlighting the move back to Columbus' Riverfront for the 2012 Columbus Arts Festival.

To view a 50th Anniversary of the Columbus Arts Festival video visit: http://columbusartsfestival.org/anniversary-video.php.

Thurber House is offering a buy one ticket - get one free deal for the upcoming special event with award-winning author, Justin Cronin, at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 17^th, at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.

Cronin’s book, The Passage, was named one of the ten best novels of the year by Time Magazine and is a New York Times bestseller. The first in what will be a post-apocalyptic vampire trilogy; The Passage is a relentlessly suspenseful adventure and an epic chronicle of human endurance in the face of unprecedented catastrophe and unimaginable danger. After a breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment, it takes little time for the world as we know it to die, and another to be born – a new primal landscape of predators and prey.  For more information about this event visit the Thurber House web site at http://www.thurberhouse.org/a-special-event-featuring-justin-cronin.html 

To receive the special deal on tickets, please call Thurber House at 614-464-1032 ext. 11 and mention the Discovery District buy one-get one free deal.  Offer limited to two free tickets with two purchased tickets.  

Hope to see you at the event on Tuesday, May 17, 7:30 pm, at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue. 

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Melissa Ricksecker

AT-A-GLANCE
WHAT: Open house at historic Sloter mansion
DATE: Sunday, April 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
LOCATION: 475 E. Town St. (across from Topiary Park in Columbus' Discovery District)
ADMISSION: $5 suggested admission. Proceeds benefit CCAD Scholarship Fund.

COLUMBUS, Ohio-Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) and Loth, Inc., announce a public open house at the Sloter Mansion, 475 E. Town St. on Sunday, April 17 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. This is the first public viewing of the historic home since it was left to CCAD by Ronald C. Sloter in 2007. CCAD has partnered with Loth, Inc., Coalesse Furniture, and Maharam Textiles to allow visitors to view the home and experience the opulent turn-of-the-century architecture, including a room adorned from floor to ceiling in Rookwood Pottery tiles.

In addition, some unique modern furniture is staged throughout the house, including Danish-inspired Hans Wegner pieces and the emu collection from Coalesse. The settings have been used by Interior Design students from CCAD as backdrops for their hand-drawing / sketching class projects. The sketches will be showcased during the open house.

Loth Director of Sales John Myers said, "We are excited to not only be able to show off this treasure of Columbus architecture but to also highlight the work of the CCAD students."

Suggested admission is $5. Proceeds from the open house benefit the CCAD Scholarship Fund.

For details about the event contact John Myers, director of sales / education environments, at LOTH, Inc. Phone: 614.487.4141; email: jmyers@lothexperts.com.

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Melissa Ricksecker

The CCAD Spring Art Sale is Saturday, April 16 in the Loann Crane Center for Design.

Twice a year, the CCAD art sales are, in a word, successful: in three words, really, really successful. The 2010 Spring Art Sale brought 1,125 guests through the doors, raised more than $8,600 for scholarships, and meant more than $40,000 in earnings to our 100+ student and alumni vendors. Those are some big numbers.

So why do Columbus's most enthusiastic art patrons come to these events year after year? Maybe it's because the work of more than 100 artists, working in a wide range of media, is for sale in one place. Or maybe people come out by the hundreds to support the future education of CCAD students-and the success of those who have already graduated. We like to think it's a little bit of both. We also believe it's because the work created by our students, alumni, and faculty/staff is just that good.

Read more at the CCAD News Blog.

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Pat Shannon

You won't want to miss this very special event with Pulitzer Prize-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Anna Quindlen!  She is returning to Thurber House for a special evening of conversation, hosted by her longtime friend, Pulitzer Prize-winner, bestselling author, and previous Thurber House Literary Picnic featured guest, Connie Schultz!

In what is sure to be a captivating evening full of sharp insights and wickedly funny banter, Anna and Connie will talk about many aspects of Anna's life and career, including a look at her latest novel that the New York Times Book Review calls 'spellbinding.' Every Last One is a riveting story that captures the beauty and breathtaking fragility of family life.

Quindlen is the author of five novels, seven works of nonfiction, and was a columnist for Newsweek and the New York Times, and Schultz is a multiple award-winning writer, columnist for The Cleveland Plain Dealer, and wife of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

Tickets for this blockbuster event are going fast, so act now and don't miss your chance to be a part of this unique and wonderful evening!

This special event will take place on Monday, April 4 at 7:30pm at the King Arts Center, 867 Mt. Vernon Avenue.  Tickets for the reading are $25.  They can be purchased online at www.thurberhouse.org, or by phone at 614-464-1032 ext.11.

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Charmaine Sutton.

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the Center for Architecture Foundation will present, "Stirring Souls: Columbus Master Plans Past, Present and Future" a fundraising event to benefit the mission of the Center for Architecture. Speakers include Keith Myers of MSI Design, Inc., Barbara Powers of the Ohio Historical Society, and Ed Lentz, Local Historian. The event reception, located at 380 E. Broad Street, begins at 6:00pm with the presentation to follow at 6:45pm. Tickets are $50 and space is limited, so rsvp by April 8. Click here to download the full event details.     

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Melissa Ricksecker

They've been featured in the hottest magazines and interviewed byThe New York Times.They have a weekly show on eastvillagerradio.com and a regular DJing gig at Riff Raff's, NYC's fabulous new tiki/nightclub. They just got back from SXSW where they video blogged from the HP Trailer Park. You can check out their creds at their website, www.andrewandrewdotcom.com/ .

Now AndrewAndrew is (are?) coming to The Discovery DIstrict for an unforgettable fundraising event at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD). The mirror-image DJ-duo will perform at Masters of Design, the 2011 CCAD Senior Fashion Show event, Friday, May 13. The self-proclaimed "iPad DJs" are mixing music for the runway and at the highly anticipated "après-runway" dance party.

"The crux of their allure isn't technology, it's their radical commitment to mirroring each other," wrote New York Times journalist Michael Schulman in his article, Mirror Images in the D.J. Booth. "When they moved in together in an apartment in Chelsea, they kept only the clothing that matched, and threw away whatever didn't. Everything else went, too-last names, hometowns, separate identities, separate lives. The only birthday they now celebrate is September 9, the date they made their first official appearance as AndrewAndrew."

Check out www.ccad.edu/fashion for more information about the event and to purchase tickets.

All proceeds benefit CCAD's general scholarship fund.

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Craig Vander Veen

The Broad Street United Methodist Church Chancel Choir and the Chancel Choir of Indianola Presbyterian Church will present K. Lee Scott's Requiem on Sunday morning, April 3,2011 at 10:45 a.m. at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 501 E. Broad Street.  

Scott's Requiem is a non-liturgical Requiem drawing on texts from the Psalms, Revelation, a hymn text by Timothy Dudley-Smith and two texts by John Donne. Over the past few decades, K. Lee Scott has emerged as one of the foremost American composers of music for the Church. His compositions include anthems and hymns that have been included in several recently published hymnals and several large works, including his Requiem.  

Accompaniment for the Requiem will be a chamber group of instrumentalists including cello, flute, harp, timpany and organ. Gary Everts and Doug Slusher, Director of the Indianola Presbyterian Church Choir, will share the conducting. Solos will be sung by Cynthia Mahaney and Nancy Roberts.

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Melissa Ricksecker

CCAD's first-ever evening show is coming up fast... Friday, May 13. Save the date or get your tickets now, before prices rise on March 15!

• 7 p.m. VIP Cocktail Party (Designer Ticket holders only)
• 7:30 p.m. General Admission Cocktail Party Opens
• 8:30 p.m. Runway Show
• 9:15-11 p.m. Apres-Runway Dance Party

For event details, including pricing, visit www.ccad.edu/fashion.

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Charmaine Sutton 

Fashion Designer, Korto Momulu debuted her 2011 Fall collection at the Athletic Club of Columbus Saturday, February, 26, 2011.  The event raised over $6,000 for Amani Liberia, an organization dedicated to the education and empowerment of women throughout Liberia.

The event was hosted by the Women's Committee at The Athletic Club of Columbus.

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Charmaine Sutton

Korto Momolu, international fashion designer and stylist will bring her "2011 Fall Collection" directly from the runway stage of New York to Columbus in the "Peace through Fashion" fashion show.

"Peace through Fashion" will benefit Amani Liberia in the education and empowerment of women throughout Liberia. The show is hosted by The Athletic Club of Columbus' Women's Committee, 136 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215 on Saturday, February 26th. Doors open at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by email: peacethroughfashion@gmail.com.

A preview party featuring Korto will take place on Friday, February 25, time and location TBD. Korto will be available for a limited number of individual interviews on Saturday, February 26th before the show.

The goal of "Peace through Fashion" is increasing awareness and gaining support for the women's empowerment movement that has blossomed in Liberia after the end of a brutal 14 year civil war. Amani Liberia is a nonprofit organization that teaches Liberian women how to create, market and manage projects and businesses through textiles and sewing.

Korto, a native Liberian, will return to Liberia in May to unveil her 27 piece collection designed specifically for the women of Liberia, which will be shown in Monrovia and Yekepa, Liberia. This unique, fashion forward collection will be used to inspire and energize the imagination and creativity of women throughout Liberia.

This will mark Korto's first return visit to Liberia since she and her family left the country due to civil war in 1990. This momentous step demonstrates the significance of the Amani project and the Liberian women's movement. Korto's fresh take on fashion mingled with her heart for women blends into a vibrant opportunity for the women of Liberia.

For more information and updates on "Peace through Fashion" visit the Facebook fan page at: facebook.com/PeacethroughFashion.

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Pat Shannon

Plan to attend and bring a friend to the Discovery District Development Corporation's Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 10, at 4:30 pm in the Forum Room at the Columbus Museum of Art.  Network with neighbors, find out what's happening in the district, and hear the latest plans from our special guest speaker, Jamie Greene, AIA AICP, of ACP Visioning+Planning, Ltd., and Project Manager for the Columbus Bicentennial 2012.  For background information, visit the website at http://columbus2012.org/  Bring your ideas for ways the Discovery District can join the celebration.
 
Following the meeting, take a tour of the recently unveiled renovations at the Columbus Museum of Art. Light refreshments and beverages will be available.  

Posted on January 28th, 2011 by Amanda Fondriest

The opening of "Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven" brought large crowds to the Canzani Center Gallery.

The opening of CCAD's most recent exhibition, produced by the Bureau for Open Culture, brought large crowds and several international and award-winning artists to CCAD's Canzani Center Gallery Thursday evening.

The opening event culminated in a participatory psychic event and a post-party dance party.

Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven features 42 works by 17 artists in a wide range of media, including photography, video, painting, sculpture, social intervention, and sound installation. On-hand for the opening reception were featured artists Dennis McNulty (Dublin, Ireland), Ben Kinsley (Pittsburgh, PA), Lara Kohl (Brooklyn, NY), Jeremy Kost (New York, New York), Alejandro Vidal (Barcelona, Spain-actually, he was stuck in New York do to the weather, but he was there in spirit), Malcolm Cochran (Columbus, Ohio), and Cassandra Troyan (Chicago, IL).

Read more at Columbus College of Art & Design News Blog