CCAD student artists transform High Street in the Short North Arts District with construction art

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan 22, 2018

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Beginning on Monday, Feb. 5, sidewalks along High Street within the Short North Arts District will be transformed by a new temporary public art project in the most unexpected of places: on construction barricades.

With the addition of streetscape construction in the heart of the Short North Arts District in 2018, construction barricades, which help provide safe and continuous walking paths, will be a frequent occurrence. To help engage the public and beautify the District during the year ahead, the Short North Alliance is launching a series of public art projects in 2018, the first of which is ArtPaths.

Celebrating Harrison West Jazz by Alma Kim

Celebrating Harrison West Jazz by Alma Kim

ArtPaths is an art walkway program that features 23 unique artworks created by Columbus College of Art & Design students on over 400 construction barricades that line streets throughout the Short North Arts District. As the barriers will move virtually daily, the artworks were created so that no matter how the barriers are shifted or configured, the artwork will be seen and a cohesive story will be told.

“This is a first-of-its-kind project for not just the Short North Arts District, but for Columbus,” said Betsy Pandora, Executive Director of the Short North Alliance. “The idea for this project came from our business community and we are thrilled that the City of Columbus was so supportive of allowing public art to be a part of the streetscape construction projects and barricades. Our goal is to provide exciting experiences for visitors, patrons, and community members in the Short North Arts District during a very atypical year of construction. While the construction might bring some temporary inconveniences, we hope the artworks will help people want to discover the District and support our unique small business community in the year ahead.”

“The Short North Arts District is an important part of the Columbus experience for both leisure visitors and convention attendees,” said Brian Ross, President and CEO of Experience Columbus. “This temporary project using construction barricades literally takes art to the street and demonstrates in an unexpected way the creative vibe that is at the heart of the Short North Arts District. Kudos to the Short North Alliance for its inspired and artistic solution to the inconvenience that comes with neighborhood improvement.”

Columbus Pride by Christabel Ramos

Columbus Pride by Christabel Ramos

The original artworks were created by a team of seven talented student artists at Columbus College of Art & Design. The students created a series of artworks called Waldo Short North, which depicts community inclusivity and community experiences in a style reminiscent of the popular children's book, Where’s Waldo?

“At Columbus College of Art & Design, students learn to create works of art and design that change culture and commerce,” said Dr. Melanie Corn, President of Columbus College of Art & Design. “As part of that learning process, CCAD often partners with businesses and organizations. Through CCAD’s partnership with the Short North Alliance, students gained experience working with a real-world client and gained exposure working on such a visible project.”

Alma Kim, a sophomore studying Animation at Columbus College of Art & Design, said she enjoyed working on the ArtPaths project along with six other CCAD students.

“We were really excited to create art that reminds the public of the vibrant and vivid spirit of the Short North Arts District,” said Kim, who helped lead the project. “It was a big project that took about three months and provided us with great real-world experience. We learned how to overcome challenges, like visually telling a story on barricades that are below eye level and merging the visions of multiple artists.”

ArtPaths was made possible with partnerships and support from the following:

  • Columbia Gas of Ohio
  • The City of Columbus
  • Columbus College of Art & Design
  • Complete General Construction
  • Greater Columbus Arts Council
  • Ohio Arts Council
  • Orange Barrel Media
  • Short North Alliance

“The Short North Arts District is a great arts district and a vital part of Columbus culture. The Greater Columbus Arts Council and Art Makes Columbus campaign is proud to support the Short North streetscape project, helping the artists and small businesses that are such a critical part of our community,” said Tom Katzenmeyer, President and CEO, Greater Columbus Arts Council.

Short North Life by Sidney Gale

Short North Life by Sidney Gale

 

“The Short North Alliance’s reputation for inclusivity, innovation, and engagement are the foundation for ArtPaths,” said Donna S. Collins, executive director of the Ohio Arts Council. “It all begins with empowering leadership, listening to our partners, and putting the power of the arts into play. Residents and visitors alike will enjoy the public art making and performances that make Columbus a great place to live, work, and play. The Ohio Arts Council is a proud investor of public dollars for this project.”

“Columbia Gas of Ohio is committed to supporting innovative and thoughtful community projects which help everyone to discover our incredible city,” said Kelli Nowinsky, Communications & Community Relations Manager with Columbus Gas of Ohio. “As one of many utility companies involved in making upgrades to our services in the High Street area, we are pleased to be a supporter of this project.”

Artworks will be installed beginning on Monday, Feb. 5, and will be up in the District throughout 2018.

In addition to ArtPaths, two additional public and performing construction art projects are planned throughout 2018. Calls for artists for those projects are open now through March 5 and are available at shortnorth.org/arts-galleries/public-art. Artists and performing arts groups throughout the Columbus community are invited to apply.


Image: Celebrating Doo Dah Parade by Alma Kim (Animation, 2020)


ArtPath’s Artist Bios and Individual Artworks

Alma Kim, Lead Artist and Artist Coordinator

Alma Kim is an illustrator and a children’s book writer currently living in Columbus, Ohio. She was born and raised in South Korea, but she lived in Sri Lanka for the half of her teenage years. Her illustrated works have been used on the cover of a special section of The Columbus Dispatch and in CCAD Student Agency publications. Through the whimsical styles of art, she seeks to bring positive changes on the community. She is a sophomore studying Animation at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Celebrating Doo Dah Parade by Alma Kim

Celebrating Doo Dah Parade by Alma Kim

Celebrating Harrison West Jazz by Alma Kim

Celebrating Harrison West Jazz by Alma Kim

Celebrating Gallery Hop by Alma Kim

Celebrating Gallery Hop by Alma Kim

 

Christabel Ramos, Artist

Christabel Ramos is an artist from Charleston, West Virginia. She has a strong interest in urban fantasy, nature, and folklore. Though taught with traditional methods and materials, she hopes to blend both digital and traditional aspects in her work, particularly when it comes to animation. She is a junior studying Animation at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Columbus Pride by Christabel Ramos

Columbus Pride by Christabel Ramos

HighBall Halloween by Christabel Ramos

HighBall Halloween by Christabel Ramos

Cydney Wiedenbeck, Artist

Cydney Wiedenbeck is a visual development artist from Wisconsin. Nature has a strong influence on her work, which has been displayed at the Society of Illustrators and CCAD Art of Illustration shows. She is interested in making art for immersive, virtual reality experiences. She is a senior studying Illustration at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Feet of the Short North Community by Cydney Wiedenbeck

Feet of the Short North Community by Cydney Wiedenbeck

Community Festival by Cydney Wiedenbeck

Community Festival by Cydney Wiedenbeck

Ice Cream Dream by Cydney Wiedenbeck

Ice Cream Dream by Cydney Wiedenbeck

 

Hailey Corrigan

Hailey Corrigan is an illustration major with a creative writing minor, currently attending Columbus College of Art & Design, although she’s originally from Boston. Hailey works with bold colors and dynamic shapes to create exciting and creative narratives that dance between reality and fantasy. She’s done several freelance projects, as well as illustrations for the 2017 Columbus Fashion Week, and hopes to work on concept art as well as children’s books once she graduates. She is a junior studying Illustration at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Gallery Hoppers by Hailey Corrigan

Gallery Hoppers by Hailey Corrigan

Mermaids of Goodale Park by Hailey Corrigan

Mermaids of Goodale Park by Hailey Corrigan

HighBall Haunts by Hailey Corrigan

HighBall Haunts by Hailey Corrigan

 

Khaila Carr

Khaila Carr is an artist living in Columbus, Ohio. Her work spans digital, print and three-dimensional forms, often accompanied by a sense of humor, vibrant color, and aspects of her everyday life. Khaila’s work has been exhibited at Wholly Craft, Surprise Modern Party + Cocktail Goods, the CCAD Student Agency, Spitball: A CCAD Comics Anthology, and Bob’s Burgers. She is a senior studying Illustration at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Dog Dreams by Khaila Carr

Dog Dreams by Khaila Carr

Food Dreams by Khaila Carr

Food Dreams by Khaila Carr

Pizza Dreams by Khaila Carr

Pizza Dreams by Khaila Carr

Plant Dreams by Khaila Carr

Plant Dreams by Khaila Carr

 

Sidney Gale

Sidney Gale is a Columbus native who is currently an animation major at Columbus College of Art & Design and is expected to graduate in 2020. Her focus is 2D animation, but she strives to take risks and experiment artistically. She is involved in CCAD’s Animation Student Collective, Queer Alliance, and Empowering Feminists of Campus organization. Her dream is to someday create her own show for Cartoon Network, but as long as she can bring smiles to the faces of her friends and family, she'll feel fulfilled. Right now, she’s creating the art she wants to see more of in the world: work that educates, provides a voice for those in need, and goofy stuff that makes people laugh. She is a sophomore studying Animation at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Cool Cat Yoga by Sidney Gale

Cool Cat Yoga by Sidney Gale

Short North Life by Sidney Gale

Short North Life by Sidney Gale

Short North Scenes by Sidney Gale

Short North Scenes by Sidney Gale

Pride Parade by Sidney Gale

Pride Parade by Sidney Gale

 

Thomas Tran

Thomas Tran is an artist from Houston, Texas, with a deep interest and love for storytelling. He believes with a good story you can change the world. He wishes to work as a character designer and concept artist for major productions, i.e. movies and video games. He is a senior studying Illustration at Columbus College of Art & Design.

Doo Dah Heads by Thomas Tran

Doo Dah Heads by Thomas Tran

Harrison Jazz by Thomas Tran

Harrison Jazz by Thomas Tran

Walking Fields by Thomas Tran

Walking Fields by Thomas Tran

Dog Bikes by Thomas Tran

Dog Bikes by Thomas Tran

See more at shortnorth.org/artpaths.


About Columbus College of Art & Design 

Columbus College of Art & Design teaches undergraduate and graduate students in the midst of a thriving creative community in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1879, CCAD is one of the oldest private, nonprofit art and design colleges in the United States, offering 12 four-year undergraduate programs and two graduate programs in art and design that produce graduates equipped to shape culture and business at the highest level. For more information, visit ccad.edu.


Media contacts

Jeannie Nuss
Senior Media Relations Specialist
Columbus College of Art & Design
614.222.6162
[email protected]

 

Betsy A. Pandora, MCRP
Executive Director, Short North Alliance
614.299.8050
[email protected]