City Center Demolition

We've been following and documenting the recent demolition of City Center mall across the street. Its fascinating seeing a side of the building blasted open. To me it almost looks like a big mouth. It seems like they are pulling out and piling up scraps of metal reinforcements in the middle of the yard...we're curious if they could be recycling the metal for the rest of the project. What do you think? We'll try and keep you posted on the progress, but you can click here to see pictures from the very first moment of the demolition.

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space

"Art Squatters" Final Showing Event, Don't Miss This!

If you haven't seen this already, you should check out today's OSU's Image of the Day page and the WOSU Arts Blog, where you'll find more information about this awesome "Art Squatters" installation downtown. The last chance to view this first-ever project by OSU artists is this Saturday, October 3rd, from 6 - 10 PM in the area around High and Gay Streets.

-Leigh Lotocki, Social Media Assistant at the OSU Urban Arts Space

Restaurant Week, Dine Locally!

Another awesome event going on right here in Columbus is Restaurant Week, presented by Dine Originals Columbus. There's still time to catch the last two days of this semi-annual event, going on through September 13th. 40 local restaurants are participating, creating sassy fixed-price menus for as low as $20.09. Check out the Dine Originals Website to find participating restaurants. Discover the eateries that make Columbus unique, for cheap!

-Leigh Lotocki, student intern at the OSU Urban Arts Space

A How-To for Finding UAS

This entry is partly in honor of my dear mother, who, when I told her I would be writing for the blog at the OSU Urban Arts Space, she squabbled, “Why don’t you write about how to find the place??” Turns out other staffers’ mothers have made similar squabbles about the road access around the Lazarus building being a little funky, and that its been causing some confusion when they try and find us. I have to admit, as per usual, my mother is right. We’ve got construction all over the place, and its pretty daunting to have to drive around here. Even being tucked cozily away from High Street makes us less visible from the main thoroughfare. This blog is distinctly dedicated to helping you, dear readers (and all of our mothers) master the art of finding the Space.

From High Street, just keep on the lookout for the beautiful red banners on the Town Street-side of the Lazarus building that say “OSU Urban Arts Space”. Standing underneath them, you can peek into the Space through the huge, street-level glass windows and even see some of the current, colorful exhibition. Just down the slope you will reach the building’s galleria opening; you can't miss it. Just inside on the right is the Space! Easy.

Be sure to look at the series of plaques that run all the way down Town Street, either on your way in or out. They tell you all about the history of the wonderful Lazarus building, which is not only very interesting, but very central to the history of downtown Columbus, and to its flourishing future, too.

-Leigh Lotocki, student intern at the OSU Urban Arts Space

What to do? What to do? Downtown Columbus : August 29th and beyond

Tonight, Friday 29th

8pm: Ballet Met on the Scioto River. Come see Ballet Met dancers perform highlights from previous seasons in addition to excerpts from the 2008-09 season. Come early and watch the dancers warm up proir to the performance. At the Riverfront Amphitheater. 

Saturday August 30th

11am to 6pm: Last day to see our totally-hyped Ways of Knowing Water exhibition. I'll be here until 6 to offer you your own personal tour of the artwork.

After noon: The Shelf gallery is having a yard sale event. 

Walk away with affordable original artworks among other things. Dance Party included. Yo! Find it all at 57 E. Gay Street.

Thats all I guess. Sheesh.

Community dialogue, wine, rooftop garden

We have a really great evening planned for August 28th.
Shape your world!

4 to 6 pm : community dialogue : free
When Art Builds Bridges: Art, Environment, and Community
Reconnecting the natural and the built environment is an essential part of creating a sustainable future. Join in a community dialogue and brainstorming session—with artists, architects, educators, designers, scientists, arts and water advocates/activists and Ways of Knowing Water co-curators Rick Livingston and Prudence Gill—about the place of art and river ecology in the reinvention of civic identity.

6 to 8 pm : wine tasting : cash only
featuring organic and biodynamic wines

6 & 6:15 pm : informal gallery tours : free

7 & 7:30 pm: tours of the building’s rooftop garden : free

also downtown on the 28th:
The band Conspiracy will begin at 5:30 pm (‘til 9 pm) in Derby Court outside the Hyatt on Capitol Square (corner of State and Third streets).

Wex Drive-in Outdoor Film Fest is downtown for the first time, with a free open-air screening at dusk (around 9 pm) of The Talk of the Town (1942), a romantic comedy about justice starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur, projected onto a huge screen set up on the Ohio Statehouse lawn (West Plaza). Visitors are welcome to bring blankets and chairs; the party starts at 8 pm with free Jeni’s ice cream, with additional food and beverages for sale. Call (614) 292-3535 or visit wexarts.org for more information.

All The Time in the World / August 9th

Art events in downtown Columbus Ohio for the next few days...

Saturday the 9th
7:30-11 pm
Water on the Fire tonight at the Riverfront Amphitheater in Genoa Park. This is right behind COSI on Washington Blvd. I have never been to any of these events, but seems like a good way to chill with one of the best views of our lovely little city. Musical entertainment by Outpost.

Monday August 11
8pm
Experimental Jazzie hoopla at Cafe Le Spritz house (594 E. Rich St.). Featuring the stylings of Marina Peterson, Larry Marotta, Ryan Jewell, Dan Godston. Styrofoam on a snare drum sounds really really good, but also super intense, OK.

Tuesday August 12
11:45 am- 1:15 pm
As part of the Music in the Air concert series, the Topiary Garden / Deaf School Park hosts, Vocal Impact: Soulful harmonies with dynamic jazz arrangements. 11:45 a.m. 480 E. Town St.

Wednesday August 13th
noon-1pm
Screen Works | The Wonderful World of Dogs. A film by Mark Lewis. 52 mins.
This is happening here at the Urban Arts Space.
Bring your lunch and enjoy more Dog Days of August each Wednesday with us. See a women whose Chihuahua is carried off by a hungry pelican...and a dog with a sixth sense... The Wonderful World of Dogs explores the myths, the obsessions, and the wide variety of attitudes people harbor towards our four-legged friends by introducing a few of the barkers, bullies and roamers that make up the canine population.

Thursday August 14
5:30 - 7:30
Dialogue| Ways of Knowing Water here at the Urban Art Space.
Get With the Flow...Find Out How!
Learn from those who know! Representatives from MORPC (Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission), and local watershed organizations such as FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed), FACT (Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries), and other groups who work to protect our waters will be on hand to discuss creating a more river-friendly, greener Columbus. Become a river steward!

7:30 -11pm
After the talk at UAS, unwind with Cocktails at the Franklin Park Conservatory rooftop garden in the Palm House, where James Turrell has his new light installation. This is a new thing happening at the conservatory every Thursday. Full bar selection along with small plate hors d’oeuvres from Cameron Mitchell Catering. I think this place is gonna be amazing, (I like Turrell's work). I'll let you know. ( No cover – 21 and over – Free Parking)

All The Time in the World / August 7th

If I had all the time in the world to spend downtown at art events in the next few days this is the stuff I would do. (Columbus, Ohio)

Tonight, Thursday August 7th.
8pm
The Shelf Gallery, at 57 E Gay Street, is hosting an acoustic music event that is going to be perfect. All these bands can be found on myspace, but trust me, I think you'll really like it.

Friday, August 8th
12 pm
VOX - Columbus Gay Men's Chorus this just seems awesome. If someone can actually make it to this, please let me know what you think.

7pm
Horton Hears a Who is showing at Genoa Park on the Riverfront behind Cosi, 303 W. Broad St.
I will be at this. The film starts at 9ish and will surely give you alot to think about.

Saturday, August 9th
Mad Theatre presents Stripped Away.
"Carol is burning the candle at both ends. By day she is a sociology professor. By night, as part of her latest sociological study, she is a waitress at The Itchy Kitty, the tri-state's #4 gentleman's club. On top of that, her relationship with her boyfriend is crumbling, her sister wants to date the club DJ, her boss wants to fire her, and she'll do about anything to keep it together." Check out the trailer. This is gonna be super zany.

All The Time in the World

If I had all the time in the world to take in the arts of Downtown Columbus Ohio, this is what I'd do for the next few days. What fun!
-Eva Ball, exhibition preparator and guide

Friday, August 1st

12pm: Summer Fridays at the Statehouse: Opera Columbus
Free lunchtime performing arts and music series held on the West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse. Broad St. & High St.

1pm:Midwestern Visions of Impressionism: 1890 - 1930
I think I am really going to this during my lunch break.
Christine Fowler Shearer, curator, will conduct a guided tour of the new exhibit at the The Riffe Gallery, located in the Vern Riffe Center for the Government and the Arts, across from the Statehouse on High Street in Downtown Columbus: 77 S. High

6pm: Happy Hour at Tip Top!!


8pm:Oliver Mtukudzi & The Black Spirits
This is super awesome afro-pop at Riverfront Amphitheater at Genoa Park, which is in front of COSI, i.e. Washington Blvd. between Town & Broad Streets.

"Called the Grand Master of Zimbabwean traditional pop, Oliver Mtukudzi is truly one of Southern Africa's greatest musicians."

Saturday, August 2nd

7-11pm: One Man's Junk Is Another Man's Treasure: Photography by Gina Christoffersen at ZenGenius Gallery 243 N. Fifth St.

Tuesday, August 5

11:45 am: The Ark Band
This concert is at my current favorite park in the city: The Topiary Garden / Deaf School Park at 480 E. Town St. The Ark Band is local reggae. This event is catered, but I think you have to buy your lunch. But a good way to get out of the office.

Wednesday, August 6th

12pm – 1pm: Read Aloud Program at the Urban Arts Space
Bring your lunch, sit back, and listed to author Charlene Fix read one of Thurber's dog stories and share her own poetic reflections on dogs -- from Elkhound/Keeshond, Collie/Shepherd, Great Pyrannes, to Basset Hounds.

"Charlene Fix is a Professor of English at the Columbus College of Art Design and a member of The House of Toast Poets. She has received poetry fellowships from the Ohio Arts Council and the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and has published poems in various literary magazines, among them The Journal, The Manhattan Review, The Cincinnati Review, Alimentum, and Poetry."

6pm: Brock Clarke at the Thurber House

Brock Clarke will read from his latest novel for the final installment of Thurber House's 2008 summer Literary Picnics Wednesday.