COLUMBUS, Ohio — The love of art has taken Columbus native Kate Morgan across the country and introduced her to many types of art forms and artists. 

She describes her work as every style she loves, put into a blender and poured out. 

“I love the Byzantine icons. I love, and most people recognize the gold moons as the icon halos, but German expressionism, folk art,

She has spent countless hours creating 20 pieces for the Columbus Arts Festival, an annual favorite of hers, returning for the first time in two years because of the pandemic. 

“Every minute that I have, I'm going to try and make sure that it is just full of making art, and finishing, framing, sealing. The Columbus Arts Festival is one of my biggest and best and happiest places,” said Morgan.  

Vice President of Marketing for the Greater Columbus Arts Council Jami Goldstein said more than 200 exhibiting artists from across the world will take part in the event this year, which also includes “the big local arts village.”

“There are going to be demos and work for sale by Columbus-based artists exclusively, many of whom don't have the time or the wherewithal to do a big booth by themselves to get into this process because it is a commitment,” said Goldstein. 

Morgan said the Columbus Arts Festival is unique because it provides that one-on-one engagement. 

Although she's been attending the festival for more than a decade, she never takes the experience for granted. 

“It's such a rich, art-supportive community. It's really, really fun to interact with people, and just share what I love doing with somebody who wants to see why I love it or connects with it in any way,” says Morgan. 

For more information, there's a Columbus Arts Festival app on the Apple and Android platforms. 

The 60th Annual Columbus Arts Festival runs through 5 p.m. Sunday, June 12 along the Scioto Riverfront.