The Ohio Craft Museum's new exhibit marks Columbus' bicentennial by celebrating the city as a community of collectors and creators of contemporary American craft.

The opening reception for Columbus Collects Fine Craft will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at the museum, 1665 W. Fifth Ave.

The exhibition, which runs through Oct. 28, features more than 80 objects drawn primarily from 19 private collections, including pieces from two collectors from Grandview Heights and two from Upper Arlington.

The variety and quality of the pieces featured in the exhibition demonstrate the quality and taste of Columbus-area collections, museum Executive Director Sharon Kokot said.

"There is such an impressive number of collections out there in our community that we can hopefully someday do a Phase 2 exhibition," she said.

The museum knew there were many avid collectors of fine craft from meeting people who have come to view previous exhibitions, museum Artistic Director Betty Talbott said.

"It was so much fun," Talbott said. "We'd go out and poke around and see what we could find."

"It was truly amazing to see the collections people have in their homes," Kokot said. "We had an idea we'd find some impressive pieces, but there were more high-quality collections than we imagined. It makes you feel proud to live in a city with so many serious collectors."

The exhibition features pieces representing each of the five major craft mediums: clay, glass, fiber, wood and metal.

Works by outsider artists including Elijah Pierce, Mary Merrill and Mary Borkowski are featured, as are pieces by nationally known artists, Kokot said.

Following the local theme, a number of central Ohio artists also are featured, including Nancy Crow, Aminah Robinson, Queen Brooks, Dorothy Gill Barnes, Linda Fowler, Marjorie Bender, Judy Rush, Mary Forker and Eric Marlow.

Works by Upper Arlington artist Janis Mars Wunderlich and Grandview artist Juliellen Byrne, who co-owns the Clay Cafe located across the street from the Craft Musuem, are included in the exhibition, as well.

The exhibition is presented with the assistance of the Sherrie Gallerie and Keny Galleries.

During Sunday's opening reception, Sherrie Riley Hawk of Sherrie Gallerie will present "Conversations on Collecting" at 2:30 p.m.

On Sept. 23, Columbus artist Queen Brooks will present a CraftView Afternoon program, "Zentangle: Drawing on Wood," from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Participants will use wood-burning tools to develop intricate, repetitive patterns on a wooden plaque.

The fee for the program is $15, $12 for Ohio Designer Craftsmen members. Registration is required and can be made by calling 614-486-4402.

For more information, visit ohiocraft.org.