Exploring Art in Columbus: A Bit of Creativity for Your Mental Health
Columbus may not scream “art city” the way that Austin or Los Angeles might, but there’s plenty of creative work around the city. To fortify your mental health, engage with the artistic world around you. Columbus presents a wealth of opportunities.
The city’s creative spaces offer a chance to slow down and reflect. When was the last time you took a break by visiting an art gallery? From the quiet of a museum to the energy of street murals, Columbus is full of spots where you can breathe, think, and reset.
Here are some of the best places to experience art in Columbus, where creativity meets calm—and where you just might find a little more peace of mind.
Columbus Museum of Art
This is the big one, the most obvious starting point. You might find yourself mingling with out-of-towners and local school field trips, but the Columbus Museum of Art ultimately is a space designed to pull you away from the chaos and into something more peaceful, more reflective.
The rotating exhibits give you fresh perspectives, inviting you to get lost in creativity. Consider Ming Smith’s Transcendence, running through January 2025. You’ve got a chance to see the work of world-class artists right here in town. In a world that never stops spinning, this museum offers a moment of pause.
Wexner Center for the Arts
If you’re looking for artists that challenge your thinking, the Wexner Center for the Arts is where you want to be. The Wex hosts incredible speakers who can get you thinking about life in different ways. Rotating exhibits provide a bit of modern flair to downtown Columbus.
This is the kind of place where you’re invited to see the world differently and, perhaps, walk away with a new outlook on a question you’ve been mulling over in your head. With its minimalist design and bold, contemporary exhibits, the Wex creates space for deep reflection. It’s as much about the silence in between as it is about the art itself. How’s that for a paradigm shift?
Short North Arts District
Want something with a little more buzz? Head to the Short North Arts District, where creativity spills out onto the streets. Enjoy a cocktail or a non-alcoholic beer and peruse a local gallery. This is a great spot for both daytime relief and nighttime fun.
Murals, galleries, pop-up exhibits—they’re all part of the experience here. The energy in Short North is contagious, and the neighborhood seems to be changing in unexpected ways each year. You can’t help but feel recharged after strolling through its vibrant streets, especially during one of their monthly Gallery Hops.
It’s art with a pulse, and it’ll remind you that creativity is everywhere.
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
At Franklin Park Conservatory, art and nature blend into something magical. We’ve written about Franklin Park before, and we love revisiting this place; walking through gardens intertwined with installations feels like a breath of fresh air for both body and mind. The serene environment allows you to disconnect from the outside world while reconnecting with yourself.
Whether you’re marveling at a Chihuly glass sculpture or soaking in the peaceful plant life, it’s a space that invites mindfulness.
Urban Arts Space
Looking for something off the beaten path? Urban Arts Space downtown offers art that’s a little more raw, a little more experimental.
This isn’t your typical gallery—it’s a place where you can engage with art that tackles big ideas: social issues, identity, community. It’s the kind of art that makes you think twice, that stays with you after you leave.
Art As a Reset Button
Let’s face it: life is busy, and sometimes overwhelming. We know this.
But the art in Columbus offers a way to press pause, reconnect, and find some mental clarity. Whether you’re wandering through a gallery or soaking up the murals on the street, these spaces remind you to breathe, to reflect, and to just be.
So when the stress piles up, take a moment, explore the art around you, and let the creativity reset your mind.