Hilltop Arts Collective announced its annual community arts festival, Summer Jam West, will take place on Saturday, July 8 at Westgate Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This year’s festival theme is “Tell Your Story.” The festival aims to provide a platform for individuals to enjoy and experience a variety of art forms, foster community connections, and share personal and community stories through day-long programming. Summer Jam West is free to attend, family-friendly, and features a wide range of activities for all ages, including original music performances from six bands; 45 artist vendors offering unique, handcrafted items; 10 diverse food vendors; 15 community partner booths; six professional chalk artists; two kids art areas; and more.
Activities for children include face painting, balloon twisting, art-making, t-shirt and tote bag painting, chalk art, and complimentary kids bike helmets provided courtesy of the Columbus Police.
New for 2023 – A full day of indoor arts programming in the park’s enclosed shelter house.
The Wexner Center will host an Elder Open Mic storytelling event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Latino Arts for Humanity will provide activities from yoga and mindfulness to drum circles, folklore dance to a permaculture gardening lecture, and more. We Amplify Voices, a westside-based arts organization working to amplify and empower underrepresented voices through creativity, will serve as the emcee for the festival’s music stage. They will share stories and songs from their transformative workshops and highlight the incredible talent and creativity of the young artists in the westside community.
This year’s music lineup features the following local musicians:
- Cedars Brothers
- Lily Bloom
- OG Players
- Jared Mahone
- Honey and Blue
- Whirlybirds
Summer Jam West is organized by Hilltop Arts Collective, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to empowering the Hilltop through arts and culture. For more information about the “Tell Your Story” festival and the Hilltop Arts Collective, visit www.hilltoparts.org.
