This all-inclusive, month-long, by-artists, open-to-everyone multimedia arts extravaganza features the largest non-juried art show in NW Ohio, as well as multi-weekend performances of music, poetry, dance, and dramatic arts. Artomatic 419! has contributed to a coherent, cohesive arts scene in Toledo, encouraging boundary-pushing experimentation, along with networking and professional development. Artomatic 419! is a biennial event, being held every other year in a different location, primarily in un-used, or under-utilized buildings that can benefit from public exposure. 

This event offers an opportunity and some space for local artists to showcase their talents, new ideas, current projects, or artistic collaborations to their community. The event is open to any artist of any caliber, and in any stage of their career. 

Artomatic 419! hopes to engage a larger audience for the arts as well as providing a backdrop and forum for continuing to build Toledo as an arts community. 

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 a year after this event, the building at 1717 Adams was rented out after seven years of vacancy.  

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. 

Artomatic 419! 2009 saw more than 200 artists and performers, working in every medium, occupy 25,000 sq. feet of newly vacant space in Toledo’s Arts Zone/Warehouse District. More than 5,000 people attended the event over its three Saturdays. Immediately following Artomatic 419! the building at 201 Morris St. where the event was held underwent renovations to become a new events venue and rental facility. 

The event dates for Artomatic 419! 2011 will be April 2nd, 9th, and 16th, the first three Saturdays in April.  

Artomatic 419! is a program of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo’s Live Work Create Toledo initiative.