What better way to spend a relaxing summer afternoon than exploring and benefitting Muskingum County’s local art and artists? You’ll be able to do just that August 2 – 3 in Zanesville, Ohio, and it’s free to attend. The Artist Collective of Zanesville, known as ArtCoz, will host the 14th annual Y-Bridge Arts Festival showcasing dozens of local artists and artisans. The intersection of 4th and Shinnick streets will be blocked off to accommodate more than 60 booths from a variety of artists and craftsmen bridging the Secrest Auditorium and the Zanesville Welcome Center.
This year will see the return of founding artist Paul Emory, who has been instrumental in the rehabilitation of downtown Zanesville and the inception of the local art collective, the Zanesville Appalachian Arts Project (ZAAP). ZAAP will have its own tent for the event, featuring many of its contributing artists. People’s Choice award winner John Shaeffer will also be returning to the festival. The studio of nationally acclaimed sculptor Alan Cottrill is located on 6th Street for those wanting to visit.
The festival begins at 2 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and lasts until dark. Throughout the day, festival-goers will have the opportunity to explore downtown Zanesville, peruse the various artists’ displays, and enjoy entertainment from local dance troupes and musicians. Once the sun begins to set over the Muskingum River on Friday and Saturday evenings, local jazz and blues bands Big Fat Dog and The Groove Band will take the stage.
The Zanesville Museum of Art is sponsoring an indoor children’s educational art area where children can learn about and make art alongside talented community artists. The children’s exhibit and other artist booths will be located in the Heritage Room of the Welcome Center, offering a reprieve from the summer heat.
In case you work up an appetite enjoying all the fantastic art, there will be a plethora of local food trucks, including Weasel Boy Microbrewery, to satiate your hunger and quench your thirst.
Craving more art outside of the festival? Zanesville has plenty of year-round art galleries such as the ZAAP, Jess Spires’s “BunkoJess,” Ron Cole’s Aircraft, and the city’s own art museum featuring a life-size Snoopy exhibit. ArtCoz also hosts monthly art walks around the city on the first Friday of each month.
For those traveling from out of town, visiting Zanesville has never been easier or more exciting. Seasonal tourist packages are available via their website; previous season packages have included fabulous swag and dining gift cards.
For more information about the Y-Bridge Arts Festival or other fun things to explore in Zanesville, go to the Visitor’s Bureau’s website at visitzanesville.com.
Plan your summer adventures today by visiting Compass Ohio.
