On the Lookout
The lights will be much brighter this year, as BLINK moves into Newport for the first time!
BLINK, Illuminated by ArtsWave, is the nation’s largest public art, light and projection mapping spectacle, The added festival experiences in Newport and Covington are made possible by a generous investment from meetNKY, Northern Kentucky's official tourism and convention services bureau.
“BLINK is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to showcase the Cincy Region's creativity, drive for inclusion and ability to create unique tourism experiences,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY. “Through this investment, we are making this a truly regional event, which will help further illuminate the uniqueness and unbridled spirit of the Northern Kentucky communities.”
During this biennial event, BLINK draws artists and attention from across the globe, and entertained an estimated 2.1 million attendees from 29 states. For this year’s festival, held Oct. 17–20, BLINK will create a connection for those attendees between these two iconic Kentucky river cities.
“Increasing BLINK’s footprint into Newport is about more than the location,” said Justin Brookhart, executive eirector of BLINK. “Northern Kentucky artists are also part of this expansion, and we are eager to see how they take on these new creative opportunities.
BLINK draws artists and attention from across the globe, and in 2022, an estimated 2.1 million attendees from 29 states experienced the biennial event.
“BLINK drives cultural vibrancy in our region, and we are proud that region is expanding,” said Brendon Cull, president and CEO of Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “Creating connection among attendees, creators, artists – and now, cities – is what BLINK is all about.”
Attendees will experience new projection mapping displays at Newport on the Levee, and other locations in Newport, including a unique installation near MegaCorp Pavilion and the Fourth Street Bridge, just steps from Covington.
Covington’s BLINK experience will include favorite spots like Hotel Covington, and will also move further east to better connect to Newport, creating a more immersive and continuous experience for attendees.
New this year in Covington will also be a Laser Bridge display near the Roebling Suspension Bridge. This new installation will incorporate the latest in laser light technology to cast a one-hundred foot wide array of light stretching from Covington Landing to Sawyer Point on Cincinnati's riverfront.
Another hallmark of BLINK is its monumental fiscal impact, with $126 million direct economic impact for the Cincinnati region. The 2022 edition featured 71 total artists – 18 international, 21 U.S.-based, and 32 local – establishing BLINK as truly universal, exposing people to art from around the world and the magic of Cincinnati.
Learn more at blinkcincinnati.com.