More than 200 artists will fill Hyde Park Square on Sunday, Oct. 4, for the 60th Annual Hyde Park Square Art Show, billed by organizers as the largest one-day outdoor art show in Greater Cincinnati.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Erie Avenue will be closed from Edwards Road to Michigan Avenue to make room for the open-air gallery, according to the event's organizers.

Artists from across the country will display and sell original work in categories including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber art and woodcarving. A panel of professional artists and art educators selects exhibitors through a juried process, and a separate panel awards cash prizes on show day. The top award, Best of Show, carries a $600 prize. First through third place earn $500, $400 and $300, and an Honorable Mention winner receives $150.

Janet Smith, who has helped organize the show for 30 years, told Movers & Makers in August that the lineup mixes veterans and newcomers. "We're excited to bring both returning favorites and first-time artists to the Square …" Smith said.

The judging panel rotates every year. Smith told Living Magazines in September that the rotation helps "keep the show new and fresh."

Joe Sumner and Bill Ferrera founded the show in 1966. Six decades later, proceeds from artist application fees still support art programs in local public schools. This year's college scholarship recipients are Max Cleghorn of Xavier University for graphic design, Skylar Daniel of Northern Kentucky University for ceramics, Tram Dao of the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning for fashion design, and Carr Smith of Mount St. Joseph University for art education.

Beyond the art, the show features a youth art competition, live jazz, food stalls and family activities.

Residents who normally visit the Hyde Park Farmers' Market on Sunday mornings should note the market will not meet Oct. 4 because of the Art Show. The market resumes Oct. 11.

Coming up on the Square

  • Sunday, Oct. 4: 60th Annual Hyde Park Square Art Show, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24: Trick-or-Treat on the Square.