COLUMBUS, Ind. – As preparations are being made to launch the fifth Exhibit Columbus exhibition in mid-August, organizers are reviewing the impact of the last exhibition. Each installation in Exhibit Columbus is designed to activate downtown Columbus, connect with a community partner, and spark conversations about the intersection of community, architecture, art, and design.
Four installations from the 2023 exhibition, Public by Design—THE PLOT PROJECT (Mill Race Park), Ground Rules (4th Street), InterOculus (4th and Washington Streets), and A Carousel for Columbus (NexusPark)—are transitioning from “temporary” to “here to stay,” highlighting that the impact of Public by Design continues to shape everyday life in Columbus.
Additionally, the two-year cycle is documented and archived in the exhibition catalog, Public by Design, which shows how the cycle of events evolved as a dialogue—one that invited participation at every level and left a lasting impact on Columbus’ public spaces and community relationships.
“What began as temporary urban design experiments has become part of everyday living in Columbus,” said Creative Director of Landmark Columbus Foundation (LCF) Jamie Goldsborough. “The continued presence of each installation underscores the role of design in shaping meaningful public experiences, and LCF’s commitment to stewarding public spaces that spark joy, invite connection, and cultivate belonging.”
LCF extends its gratitude to the City of Columbus, Columbus Parks and Recreation, NexusPark, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Columbus Area Arts Council, Cummins Inc., Tracy L. Haddad Foundation, Johnson Ventures, Mark & Wendy Elwood Foundation, Ovation Technology Group, and the many volunteers and donors who made these legacies possible.
