‘Home Is Where the Art Is’ reception and sale concludes ArtFest 2026 in Columbus
A Columbus program empowering unhoused and underserved people through art is hosting a public event to celebrate those artists while also raising money for the supplies to keep them painting.
The “Home Is Where The Art Is” reception is scheduled for April 30 from 5-7 p.m. at the Bo Bartlett Center, 921 Front Ave. in downtown Columbus. Admission to the exhibition and sale is free.
“Each artist that sells a painting, they get 100% of the proceeds from their work,” Bo Bartlett artist and the center’s namesake, told the Ledger-Enquirer.
The event also will include an auction of some of his paintings, Bartlett said, with all proceeds going to buy art supplies for the program and to pay any volunteers that need compensation.
“Most people’s art will go for around $30 or something like that,” Bartlett said, “and it’s not a large investment to make, and take something home that the people who made it are very proud of.”
Participants paint alongside Bartlett and volunteers Thursday mornings at Second Baptist Church, 2800 Second Ave. in Columbus. They’ are provided with canvases, paint, brushes, advice and help at no cost.
“It’s so much fun to watch even new people that have never been before come for the first time and start to put paint down, and how it allows them to work through their feelings in their own private way, with no expectations and at all levels,” Bartlett said.
Wendy Crabtree said she has been coming for one year and loves the class and the people involved. She has learned to draw and paint subjects important to her.
“I drew my dog,” she said, “and Bo Bartlett says, ‘if you love something, you’ll do it. You’ll create it. You know what you love,’ and I did. I drew my dog and painted my dog and everything.”
During the April 23 class, Crabtree wore a T-shirt emblazoned with a sunflower and Proverbs 3: 5-6. as she carefully began her newest painting, a sunflower.
“They said to do whatever you see every day,” she said. “I see flowers every day.”
When coming up with lessons and prompts for each class, instructor Mackenzie DeClue said she pulls from everyday sights, experiences and feelings.
“I think it’s important, especially in the day and age that we’re in, to really just observe what’s around us.,” DeClue said. “So often, we’re like, head down in a phone or not really interacting with the people or the places around us.”
This year’s show will be hung salon style and feature paintings created during the past year. Robert Anthony, who has participated for several years, said the reception is an “awesome experience.”
“It’s so neat just to have someone there saying, ‘I love this picture’ and everything,” Anthony said, “and so that means a lot to me right there.”
Sadie Mae Burkes said she started coming to paint with her twin sister, Janie Cunningham, years ago.
“She loved coming here,” Sadie said of her sister. “She loved to draw. She was a good drawer.”
Janie died in 2025, but Sadie has continued to paint.
“It’s been great to see Sadie continue on,” Bartlett said. “At first, she slipped away after Janie passed, but now she’s come back and is making her own paintings on her own terms.”
Bartlett said Janie Cunningham’s work will be on display.walls. Edwin Grier, another participant, also died in 2025. His work will also be at the exhibition.
“Edwin was extremely helpful,” Bartlett said. “He was like another volunteer basically. He would give advice to all the students. What a big loss and a good painter as well.”
Don Wilhite, pastor of Second Baptist Church, said hosting the program is a joy and an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love in a real and tangible way.
“Come in and let us bless you,” Wilhite said. “No expectations. Just come and let us love on you.”
“It’s a healing process. It really is,” Bartlett said, “It’s healing from the hurts that we’ve had in the past and how they can work through those feelings in their own way.”
DeClue agrees.
“I really just believe in the power of art,” she said, “and its ability to provide people with a way to care about themselves and really heal themselves.”
