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CALL FOR ART — Wanderlights

trees in the Columbus Commons covered in pink and blue lights during the holidays
Tue, September 30 - Sat, October 25, 2025
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Urban Arts Space Corridor

Overview

Urban Arts Space and Downtown Columbus, Inc. (DCI) are proud to announce a collaborative exhibition to complement DCI’s Wanderlights winter light experience. Wanderlights is Downtown Columbus’s premier holiday destination, featuring over half a million lights in a one-mile trail, illuminating the heart of our city.

As part of this magical winter experience that transforms Downtown Columbus with lights and experiences from Columbus Commons to Bicentennial Park, we invite visual artists to contribute works that capture the essence of community connection, nostalgic wonder, and the luminous spirit of the season. This exhibition will serve as an artistic complement to the large-scale outdoor light installations, creating an immersive cultural experience that celebrates both individual artistic vision and collective community joy.

We seek submissions across diverse visual mediums, including painting, light art, projection, video art, photography, mixed media, and innovative new media works. Artists are encouraged to explore themes that resonate with the Wanderlights experience: the warmth of gathering, the magic of illumination, childhood memories of winter celebrations, and the way light creates moments of shared wonder.

Deadline: Saturday, October 25 at 5:00 PM ET

 

Submit Here

Exhibition Context

This exhibition runs parallel to the city-wide Wanderlights celebration. Your artwork will be part of this larger narrative of light, community, and seasonal celebration that draws families, couples, and visitors from across the region to experience Downtown Columbus in a new way. 

Key Dates & Timeline

Submission Period: October 1–25, 2025
Selection Process: October 26–November 4
Artist Notification: November 5–7, 2025
Work Drop-off: November 11–13, 2025 at Urban Arts Space
Installation: Week of November 17, 2025
Exhibition Duration: November 25–December 31, 2025

Budget & Compensation

Artist Stipend: $200 per selected artist (limited spaces available)
Installation Support: Professional installation assistance provided
Marketing Support: Marketing provided by Urban Arts Space 

Artistic Vision & Themes

We seek artwork that explores one or more of the following interconnected themes:

Nostalgia & Memory

  • Childhood wonder during winter celebrations
  • Family traditions and seasonal rituals
  • The way light triggers personal memories
  • Collective cultural memories of community gatherings

Community & Connection

  • How light brings people together
  • Shared experiences in public spaces
  • The role of art in creating community dialogue
  • Celebration as a form of social bonding

Light as Medium & Metaphor

  • The transformative power of illumination
  • Light as hope, warmth, and guidance
  • The interplay between artificial and natural light
  • Seasonal transitions and the return of light

City Celebration

  • Downtown Columbus as a canvas for wonder
  • The intersection of architecture and illumination
  • How celebrations transform familiar spaces
  • The energy of collective experiences

Accepted Mediums

Traditional Visual Arts:

  • Painting
  • Drawing and illustration
  • Photography
  • Sculpture (lightweight, suitable for hanging or small pedestals)

Light-Based & New Media:

  • Light art and illuminated sculptures
  • LED installations and programmable lighting
  • Projection
  • Video & digital art 

Mixed Media & Experimental:

  • Collage incorporating reflective or translucent materials
  • Textile arts with embedded lighting
  • Found object assemblages
  • Community-generated collaborative works

Submission Requirements

For All Submissions:

  1. Project Title(s) with a maximum of two individual works
  2. Work Description including title, medium, dimensions, and installation requirements
  3. Artist Statement (250 words) describing your connection to the Wanderlights themes
  4. Technical Specifications for any electrical, projection, or interactive requirements
  5. Installation Plan describing how the work will be displayed
  6. Artist Bio
  7. High-Resolution Images (multiple angles, if applicable)

Exhibition Space

Urban Arts Space Corridor:

  • High-traffic passageway connecting to downtown activities
  • Track lighting and electrical access available
  • Specific dimensions available upon inquiry or visit our space at 50 W Town Street, Suite 130 in Downtown Columbus

Special Considerations:

  • Works must be suitable for high-volume foot traffic
  • Installation weight limits: 20lbs per hanging point
  • All electrical installations must meet city safety codes
  • Interactive works should accommodate diverse audiences, including families with children

Selection Criteria

Artistic Excellence (25%)

  • Technical skill and craftsmanship
  • Originality and creative vision
  • Effective use of chosen medium

Thematic Relevance (25%)

  • Clear connection to Wanderlights themes
  • Meaningful exploration of community, nostalgia, or light
  • Cultural resonance with diverse audiences

Installation Viability (25%)

  • Appropriate scale and technical requirements
  • Safety and durability for public exhibition
  • Compatibility with venue spaces and capabilities

Community Impact (25%)

  • Potential to generate meaningful conversation
  • Accessibility to diverse audiences
  • Contribution to the overall Wanderlights experience

Artist Support & Community

Professional Development:

  • Artist talk opportunities during exhibition run
  • Networking with Downtown Columbus, Inc. and local arts organizations
  • Documentation of installed work for portfolio use

Community Engagement:

  • Opportunities to interact with Wanderlights visitors
  • Potential for artist-led tours or informal discussions
  • Connection to Columbus's growing creative community

Questions? Contact Urban Arts Space at uas@osu.edu.

About the Partners

Urban Arts Space is a contemporary gallery, experimental art lab, and community-engaged space connecting The Ohio State University with the Central Ohio community. Founded in 2008 and located in Downtown Columbus’s historic Lazarus Building, UAS presents free exhibitions, performances, and events that challenge and inspire broad audiences.

Downtown Columbus, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Downtown Columbus a vibrant, equitable, and welcoming destination for all through strategic development, community support, and inclusive programming.

Together, we’re committed to making Downtown Columbus a destination where art, community, and celebration converge to create unforgettable experiences.

Wanderlights Pop-Up Exhibition is part of the larger Wanderlights celebration, Downtown Columbus's ultimate holiday destination featuring over half a million lights and special experiences. Learn more at downtowncolumbus.com/wanderlights/.

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