And we’re headed into another busy week with the Columbus arts! While scanning the calendars on ColumbusMakesArt.com, I’m finding enough events to fill several weekends. But I’ll try to whittle it down to several that caught my attention:

• It’s a busy week for Columbus College of Art & Design! On Thursday, May 9 they present the 2024 CCAD Fashion Show at Kemba Live!, and on Friday, May 10 is Chroma: Best of CCAD, a free student exhibition at the college.
• On Thursday, the Short North Stage opens its newest production, Hair. Catch the famous counter-cultural musical through June 9.
• That same night, visit the McConnell Arts Center for a presentation by Isaya Oleporuo, a Maasai warrior from Tanzania who will present Growing Up Maasai, in which he’ll demonstrate Maasai dance, dress, song and other traditions.
• Head to the Bexley Library on Friday, May 10 for the free Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival, with art, music, food trucks and more.
• This Saturday, May 11 is an amazing-sounding event called Schooled on Poetry. It’s the culmination of a year-long spoken work poetry project from local high schools, and features performances from student poetry slam champs alongside professional poets like Hanif Abdurraqib and Cynthia Amoah.
• That same day, We Amplify Voices and Hilltop Art Collective join together for the Hilltop Spring Jamboree. The free event runs from 1-7 p.m. at Hilltonia Park, and features live music, a musical instrument petting zoo and more.
• The Magpie Consort celebrates 25 years with a pair of performances titled One for Sorrow, Two for Joy this Saturday and Sunday, May 11 (at Maple Grove United Methodist Church) and May 12 (at King Ave United Methodist Church). It’s free with a suggested donation of $20.
• May 11-12, Vadim Gluzman reunites with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra at the Southern Theatre for their season finale focused on Tchaikovsky.
• CoMo Dance performs its annual Mother’s Day Tea in the Garden Saturday and Sunday at the Topiary Park downtown. It’s free, although RSVPs are required.

There are several new spring exhibitions opening this week. Here are a few highlights!

• Ohio Designer Craftsmen’s Best of 2024 juried exhibition opened last weekend. The free show features 78 works from contemporary artists.
• Today – Wednesday, May 8 – the Ohio Art League opens its 2024 Spring Juried Exhibition at the Upper Arlington Concourse Gallery. The free show is curated by Natalia Arbelaez.
• On Friday, May 10, a new exhibition of refugee-centered artwork from the Columbus Crossing Borders Project opens at the Miller Gallery at Otterbein University. It’s free and runs through May 24.
• This Saturday, May 11, the Dublin Arts Council officially opens Dwelling: A Snail’s Journey. It’s a collection of large snail sculptures created by Italian artists. They’ll be on view through June 8.

CAPA, Ohio Designer Craftsmen, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Short North Stage and Thurber House receive an Operating Support grant from GCAC, while CCAD's Beeler Gallery, Summer Jam West, The Magpie Consort and We Amplify Voices are Project Support recipients.

(Image credit: CoMo Dance Mother’s Day Tea)

Nick is marketing, communications, & events administrator for GCAC. He’s also a food/travel writer penning works for Columbus Monthly, Ohio Magazine and his own site BreakfastWithNick.com. Less than one month until the Columbus Arts Festival. Please send coffee.