Artomatic 419

The first Artomatic 419! was held at 1717 Adams Street in Uptown Toledo in September of 2006.  Over 100 local visual artists and 40 local performing arts groups filled 12,000 sq. ft of underutilized space with their art and creativity. Approximately 5,000 people attended the event during its four Saturdays. Within several months after this event, the building at 1717 Adams was rented out after seven years of vacancy. 


2007:  In September of 2007, Artomatic 419! presented a condensed event, called Artomatic 419! Lite at Fort Industry Square in downtown Toledo.  Over the Saturday and Sunday of the event, 3000 visitors enjoyed the talents of over 150 local visual artists and 50 local performing arts groups distributed throughout 25,000 sq ft of under-leased commercial space. 

2009:  Artomatic 419! 2009 saw more than 200 artists and performers, occupy 25,000 sq. feet of newly vacant space in Toledo’s Arts Zone/Warehouse District located at 201 Morris Street next to the Oliver House restaurant complex.  More than 6,000 people attended the event over its three Saturdays.

Artomatic 419! 2011 took place in two neighboring buildings at 407 Washington and 25 S. St. Clair Street, located adjacent to 5/3 Field (the Mud Hens stadium), in the heart of the St. Clair Village. Nearly 400 visual and more than 150 literary and performing artists participated in the event. Over it's three days, nearly 10,000 people came through the doors to see Toledo's Creative Community on display. Each Saturday evening was capped with an official Artomatic 419! After-Party at the nearby Event Center featuring local and regional live bands and entertainment.

Artomatic 419! 2013 was anchored in near North Toledo/Vistula District inside two neighboring buildings at 911 N. Summit and the former Westminster Gym on the corner of Superior and Locust.  The first floor of the Duket Architects building at 830 N. Summit was also activated as an annex space for the additional Makers Mart event for the second Saturday of the event.  Over 800 visual, literary and performing artists combined showcased their talents during the event.  Over it’s three days, over 12,000 guests witnessed the 4-1-9 creative community.  Guests also had a chance to participate in expanded hands-on-activity programming and to experience added artists on-site demonstrations, Artomatic 419! Cinematheque, along with docent-led tours of the exhibition space.

 The Arts Commission hosted Artomatic 419 five days in April 2015 on three vacant floors of One Lake Erie Center in downtown Toledo.  The exhibition was open and supported by music, literary, and other performances and film showings on April 11, 16, 18, 19, and 25.  More than 7700 visitors were “clicked in” over the five days of activity, with an estimated additional attendance of artists, volunteers, vendors, and repeat visitors of 5000+.  Artomatic 419 is a free program which celebrates the diversity of arts in Toledo in an accessible, inclusive format, builds community among artists, and increases awareness of, and appreciation for, the quality and breadth of Toledo arts.

400 visual artists were represented in group endeavors and another 175 in individual endeavors. 265 individual literary and performing artists participated in Artomatic 419, presenting spoken word poetry and literary readings, all styles and genres of live music and DJ, theatre, dance, fashion, and performance art. 

In 2024, Artomatic 419 returned as part of the Momentum Festival, bringing together over 60 local artists for a three-day exhibition at the Gardner Building. The event provided a space for artists to showcase their work, connect with the community, and celebrate creativity in a dynamic and welcoming environment.