Exhibit Columbus Reveals 13 Design Concepts for the 2025 Exhibition

PressExhibit Columbus
Written By Jamie Goldsborough

From top: J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize Recipients Adaptive Operations, AD—WO, Studio Barnes, Studio Cooke John; University Design Research Fellows Chandler Ahrens, Constance Vale, and Kelley Van Dyke Murphy; Sarah Aziz; Akima Brackeen; Andrew Fu, Aaron Goldstein, and Aleksandr Mergold; Michael Jefferson and Suzanne Lettieri; and César Lopez, Jess Myers, Amelyn Ng, and Germán Pallares-Avitia; and Design Education Teams.

The 2025 Design Presentations showcased groundbreaking concepts that are connected to local organizations and will strategically transform downtown from August 16–November 30, 2025

Columbus, Indiana — Exhibit Columbus wrapped up its highly anticipated 2025 Design Presentations on February 22, marking a pivotal moment in the fifth cycle of this internationally recognized exploration of community, architecture, art, and design. During public presentations, participants, curators, partners, and community members gathered to witness the unveiling of installation concepts that will shape the 2025 Exhibit Columbus Exhibition, Yes And, which opens on August 16.

The event featured presentations from four J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize Recipients, six University Design Research Fellows, two Design Education Teams, and Communication Designers. Each participant introduced their site-specific installations, developed in response to the curatorial theme, Yes And, an approach that fosters collaboration and transformation within Columbus’ built environment. Each participant was aligned with a community organization to underscore this collaborative approach.

"We were amazed and energized by the all-day attendance, support, and enthusiasm at the Design Presentations," said the Curatorial Partners. “The shared collaborations and conversations between the attendees and participants reflect our hope that this cycle is building a collective, positive narrative about Columbus’ legacy. We are excited to continue supporting the participants as they incorporate the feedback from Design Presentations and develop their installations with their community partners. Yes, and we’ll see you in August!"

Each of the 13 installations will be built over the summer within the context of a specific site and in close collaboration with community partners. Fabricators, volunteers, and students are often involved with building each project. Exhibit Columbus evolves from this event to be more than a display of art and into an interactive experience that happens until the end of the year.

“Exhibit Columbus creates transformative change at a community level and is a model for other cities to examine and emulate” said Richard McCoy, Executive Director of Landmark Columbus Foundation, the organization that produces Exhibit Columbus. “We are working together to build a community that cares about the future of public spaces and the people that inhabit them, and best of all, we have a great time doing it.”

About Exhibit Columbus Participants

J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize Recipients

University Design Research Fellows

Communication Design

Design Education Team(s)

Public by Design Book Launch

As part of the 2025 Design Presentations, Exhibit Columbus proudly launched Public by Design, a publication that chronicles the previous cycle of Exhibit Columbus and explores the ways in which public engagement and collaborative design shape the built environment. The book features essays from partners, reflections from curatorial partners, and a visual journey through the installations that defined the last exhibition. Attendees had the first opportunity to engage with the publication, celebrating the collective impact of design on Columbus and beyond. The publication is for sale at Landmark Columbus Foundation’s website.

Variety Show Brings Creative Energy to Exhibit Columbus

The two-day Design Presentations event began with a Variety Show on February 21 at The Commons, celebrating the theme Yes And through an exciting lineup of performances. The show was headlined by turntablist duo Da Odd Couple (DJ Rob Swift and Mista Sinista), whose dynamic set energized the audience. Other performances included Liah Mazz, a sword-wielding belly dancer; Daryl Holenquest, a comedian known for his sharp wit; Allie Burbrink, a folk musician and clogger; magician Adam Schill; and the acclaimed jazz ensemble Premium Blend.

The Variety Show provided a platform for local and national talent to engage with the Columbus community, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. Attendees praised the event’s diverse and inclusive lineup, which set the stage for the design presentations that followed.

With the conclusion of the Design Presentations, participants will now refine and develop their concepts for installation. The 2025 Exhibit Columbus Exhibition will officially open on August 15–16, 2025, and run through November 30, 2025.

For more information on Exhibit Columbus and upcoming events, visit www.exhibitcolumbus.org.

For Press → Click here to download 2024–25 Participant Installation Concepts and Project Descriptions

Media Contact
Jamie Goldsborough
jamie@landmarkcolumbus.org

About Exhibit Columbus
Exhibit Columbus is a program of Landmark Columbus Foundation and an exploration of community, architecture, art, and design that activates the modern legacy of Columbus, Indiana. It creates a cycle of programming that uses this context to convene conversations around innovative ideas and commissions site-responsive installations in a free, public exhibition. exhibitcolumbus.org

Jamie Goldsborough
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