Columbus is about to get bolder. Combining art and function, Bold Booths! will transform surface parking lots downtown into art installations like no other. This unique public art project is an extension of Finding Time: ColumbusPublicArt 2012 and features five invited architects and designers as they create innovative parking attendant booths. Malcolm Cochran, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Art at The Ohio State University, will curate the project.

The booths will offer the parking lot attendants shelter but also inspire community dialog about the role of design in expanding the social capital within the city.

Bold Booths! represents a community partnership involving grant funding from The Ohio State University Office of Outreach and Engagement, funds from the Finding Time program, and community support from Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District. The grant from Ohio State will fund the first two installations: one at the Westin designed by Blostein/Overly Architects and the other at the Eckl Parking Company lot at High and Long streets designed by BAWorkshop. There are plans for more installations as additional funds are sourced.

“We’re excited to be a part of this program with The Ohio State University. The University’s involvement in downtown will result in a unique approach to public art with Bold Booths!,” said Capital Crossroads SID Executive Director Cleve Ricksecker.

Project curator Malcolm Cochran has created large-scale objects, installations and public art since the late 1970’s, including Field of Corn (with Osage Oranges) in Dublin and Goodale Park Fountain.

An exhibition of the booth designs is planned for October. Entitled DRIVEBYS, it will be curated by Beth Blostein (Associate Professor, Knowlton School of Architecture) and Bart Overly (Blostein/Overly Architects).