Explore Dublin Arts Council’s Art in Public Places

A 12-foot-tall tribute to Indigenous Wyandot Chief Leatherlips looks out over Scioto Park. The “Leatherlips” sculpture was unveiled in 1990 and kicked off what has grown into Dublin Arts Council’s Art in Public Places collection. Located in various settings across a 25-mile radius in the Columbus suburb of Dublin, the collection features more than 70 pieces, including large and small permanent, temporary and interactive public artworks.

“It’s very unique artwork, and we are a very unique organization in terms of what we do for the community,” says Dublin Arts Council executive director David Guion. The nonprofit arts organization is dedicated to a mission of engaging the community, cultivating creativity and fostering lifelong learning through the arts.

Art in Public Places includes sculptural pieces such as Olga Ziemska’s “Feather Point” at Thaddeus Kosciuszko Park and Michael Tizzano’s “Daily Chores,” located at the corner of Bridge and High streets in downtown Dublin. 

Gain a deeper understanding of the artworks by engaging with the mobile tour (audio recordings are accessed by dialing a phone number), which provides information from the artists or art council administrators about the 21 different pieces on the tour. 

Some of the art encourages interaction, including the Dublin Art Council’s Riverboxes — artist-made vessels inspired by hobbies such as letterboxing and geocaching. Designed like a treasure hunt, visitors can use GPS or maps to locate the boxes and learn fun facts about the area’s history and environment. Bring along a stamp of your choice to leave your mark at each location, while also filling your own journal with artist-made stamps you discover.

“Dublin is a really special place and is very forward thinking,” says Guion. “The public art allows things to be different in a positive way. It enlivens the environment.” The audio tour is accessible by dialing 614/368-6999. For more information, visit dublinarts.org.

102 Days and Nights of Summer | What’s New at the Zoos | Hot Air Balloon Festivals | Dayton’s Aviation Trail | Car Cruise-ins and Races | Sylvania’s Fossil Park