FREE ART TOURS TO BE OFFERED SATURDAY

(Columbus, November 3, 2017)  — Free 45-minute guided tours of the largest contemporary collection of Central Ohio art will be offered prior to the Short North Gallery Hop on Saturday, November 4 at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC).

Tours will meet inside the North Atrium located at Goodale and High Streets, the facility’s “gateway” to the Short North Arts District, and will be led by Senior Customer and Guest Experience Manager Amy Huggins. Parking at the posted rate is available at the 800-space Goodale Garage connected to the facility.

Tours will feature the interactive “As We Are” sculpture by Matthew Mohr of Columbus College of Art & Design. This 14-foot-tall, three-dimensional universal human head sculpture contains a photo booth capable of shooting 3-D pictures. After each photo shoot, the guest emerges from the booth to see his or her portrait projected as the enlarged face of “As We Are.”

Visitors wishing to experience “As We Are” are assisted by GCCC Guest Services ambassadors Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended hours based on facility and area event schedules.

 “As the gateway to the Short North Arts District, we are excited to share our beautiful artwork collection with the community and offer these tours the same day as the Short North Gallery Hop,” said GCCC General Manager John R. Page.

The GCCC’s collection is part of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority’s (FCCFA) overall portfolio, which was bestowed with a Community Arts Partnership Award by the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Other local art can be found in the FCCFA’s three parking garages and award-winning Hilton Columbus Downtown. In total, the FCCFA has invested more than $3.5 million in local public art on exhibit in its buildings.