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    Columbus Makes Art Presents: Don Dodrill, Co-Founder of the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

    In 1966 Upper Arlington residents Don Dodrill and Louise Lamboley decided to have an “outdoor art exhibit featuring works by local area artists.” Don shared, “Labor Day seemed to be an appropriate time for such an event as people would be out and about enjoying the last holiday of summer.” The first year there were just 12 artists who showed their work in Miller Park; they chose a grassy area near the library. More artists and fewer parking spaces forced a move to Mallway Park a few years later. Since that time the Labor Day Arts Festival has grown considerably and moved to Northam Park. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Festival, which is being held on Monday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Northam Park. We caught up in Dodrill to chat about the festival’s history.

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    Lynette: When did you decide to partner with us to manage the festival?
    Don Dodrill: In 1972, with 30 artists participating, we decided to hold the show on the front Lawn of the Municipal Services Center, and with the formation of the Cultural Arts Commission that year, ask them to manage the event. The name of the event was changed to Labor Day Arts Festival to accommodate the addition of performing arts, craft, children’s activities and food booths. Now it’s a huge event. Never did I imagine all that it would grow to be.

    Lynette: What did you appreciate most about the festival?
    Don: The festival has given me the opportunity to meet many artists from different locations, see old friends and neighbors, to sell paintings and accept commissions from visitors. It has always been a part of my arts career. I believe it is significant in making the arts an important part of the community living.

    A painting by Don Dodrill of Northam Park. Photo courtesy City of Upper Arlington.
    A painting by Don Dodrill of Northam Park. Photo courtesy City of Upper Arlington.

    Lynette: How many years did you exhibit?
    Don: With the exception of a year in the 80s when I was very ill, I’ve exhibited at 45 festivals. I stopped exhibiting in 2011, and am honored you have given my old booth #82 to another U.A. resident, Sonja Sheriff.

    Lynette: Describe your perfect day.
    Don: At 94 it begins with waking up! In the mornings I like to sketch a bit and a special day includes meeting friends for lunch. There are a group of artists who I used to show with that keep in touch and we meet for lunch occasionally.

    In 2006, on the occasion of our 40th anniversary I asked Don to paint a picture of Northam Park, where the Festival is held. This watercolor means so much to us and the history of the Festival here in U.A. We made prints of the piece and give it to our award-winning artists each year so they can share our history.

    The 50th annual Labor Day Arts Festival is Monday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Northam Park. Visit uaoh.net/ldaf to learn more about the event and how you can be a part of the art. Snap a selfie at the festival using @colsunderground and be one of the first five to stop by HQ to receive a set of four festival coasters and a commemorative poster.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at how #artmakescbus.

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    Lynette Santoro-Au
    Lynette Santoro-Au
    Lynette Santoro-Au is the director of ROY G BIV Gallery for Emerging Artists.
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