2025 Exhibit Columbus Preview

Yes And Exhibit Columbus is Bringing the City to Life!

If you have ever wanted to see a city transform into a playground of creativity and design, Columbus, Indiana, is the place to be.

Exhibit Columbus is back, and this year’s installations are more exciting than ever. From interactive art to thought-provoking structures, these works are not just something to look at—they are something to experience.

All exhibits will be on display through the end of November and a few even longer!

Exhibit Columbus

Exhibit Columbus is a program of Landmark Columbus Foundation and an exploration of community, architecture, art, and design that activates the modern legacy of Columbus, Indiana.

J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize Recipients

Accessing Nostalgia 

Adaptive Operations  from Chicago, IL

Site and Partner: The Crump Theatre 

The historic Crump Theatre is getting a new twist with Accessing Nostalgia by Adaptive Operations. Imagine looking through “portals” into the past—both literally and figuratively, while also catching glimpses of how this beloved landmark can shape the future. If you love a mix of history and innovation, this installation will be a must-see.

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Ellipsis 

AD—WO from New York, New York

Site: The Former Irwin Block Building

Partner: The Office of Downtown Development 

AD—WO’s Ellipsis reclaims a space lost to fire, creating a thought-provoking structure that honors Black and Indigenous histories while offering a place for movement, contemplation, and community gatherings. With elements inspired by cultural burnings, this project blends architecture, history, and nature into a powerful experience.

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Joy Riding

Studio Barnes  from Miami, Florida

Site: Jackson Street Parking Garage 

Partner: City of Columbus 

Who knew a parking garage could be a celebration of sound, culture, and movement? Joy Riding by Studio Barnes is turning this everyday space into a vibrant tribute to Black car culture, complete with massive sculptural speakers and a booming bass that will make you want to dance. This is one stop you will not just see, you will feel it.

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LIFT

Studio Cooke John  from New York, New York

Site and Partner: First Christian Church 

With flowing fabrics that rise like kites above the courtyard, Lift by Studio Cooke John creates a colorful, welcoming space for all. Whether you are looking for a quiet moment of reflection or a stunning photo op, this installation is sure to uplift your spirits.

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University Design Research Fellows

Inside Out 

Chandler Ahrens, Constance Vale, and Kelley Van Dyck Murph, Washington University in St. Louis College of Architecture Sam Fox School

Site: Columbus Area Visitors Center 

Partner: Bartholomew County Public Library 

Ever wondered what’s behind Columbus’ iconic buildings? Inside Out, created by Washington University in St. Louis, brings a playful twist by transforming the city’s architecture into a giant, interactive dollhouse. Designed to spark curiosity and storytelling, it is a fun and immersive way to engage with the city’s design legacy.

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Pool/Side 

Akima Brackeen, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign School of Architecture

Site and Partner: Bartholomew County Public Library 

In the heart of downtown Columbus, right outside the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, Pool/Side invites you to slow down, cool off, and engage with history in a whole new way. This installation is not just a shallow pool, it’s a space for gathering, playing, and reflecting on the hidden stories embedded in the city’s architecture.

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The Steel Horsie 

Andrew Fu, Aaron Goldstein, and Aleksandr Mergold, New Jersey Institute of Technology Hillier College of Architecture and Design

Site and Partner: Bartholomew County Historical Society 

From trains to automobiles, Columbus has always been a city on the move. The Steel Horsie by a team from NJIT reimagines the lost industrial cityscape, creating an installation that connects past, present, and future through art, storytelling, and community memory.

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Apart, Together 

Michael Jefferson and Suzanne Lettieri, Cornell University School of Architecture

Site: Ovation Plaza 

Partner: Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center and Ovation Technology Group 

What is better than a summer night movie? A larger-than-life cinema screen that doubles as an interactive art piece! Apart, Together by Michael Jefferson and Suzanne Lettieri blends color, movement, and film screenings into a vibrant gathering space at Ovation Plaza.

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Public / School / Grounds

César Lopez, University of Virginia School of Architecture 

Jess Myers, Syracuse University School of Architecture  

Amelyn Ng, Columbia University GSAPP 

Germán Pallares-Avitia, Rhode Island School of Design 

Site: Central Middle School 

Partner: Central Middle School and Columbus Signature Academy (CSA) Lincoln Elementary School 

What if classrooms were not just rows of desks but dynamic spaces for movement and exploration? PUBLIC/SCHOOL/GROUNDS flips traditional learning on its head, transforming education into an interactive, hands-on experience. Inspired by Columbus’ modernist schools, this outdoor installation invites students to climb, explore, and collaborate on colorful, textured platforms designed for creativity and curiosity.

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Communication Design

Motions 

Sing-Sing from Los Angeles, California 

Site and Partner: Columbus Area Visitors Center

From spontaneous performances to bold visual graphics, Motions by Sing-Sing is an ever-evolving, interactive experience that captures the heart of creativity. Think of it as an invitation to embrace play, movement, and unexpected moments of joy.

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Design Education Team

Valence

High School students from Brown, Bartholomew, Jackson, and Decatur Counties in Indiana, in coordination with C4 instructor Darin Johnson

Advised by Indiana University’s Sidney and Lois Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design professor Spencer Steenblik

Site: J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program

Partner: Bartholomew County School Corporation (BCSC) C4 Columbus Area Career Connection

Designed by local high school students in partnership with Indiana University, Valence is a vibrant pavilion that blends science, sustainability, and creativity, all built with community in mind. Inspired by chemical valence bonds, this colorful, modular structure uses a custom-designed joint system to create a flexible space that shifts throughout the day: morning workouts, outdoor classes, casual meetups, and evening hangouts.

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How could your favorite downtown Columbus building be re-envisioned for the future?

Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation

Science Technology Engineering and Math Elementary Students with Davida Harden

The STEM Labs at Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation give K–6 students an inclusive, hands-on environment to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through inquiry-based learning. By encouraging meaningful exploration and questioning, the program helps students become critical thinkers and problem-solvers with a deeper understanding of the world around them.

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Credit: Photo by Hadley Fruits for Landmark Columbus Foundation

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