Butterflies, Orchids, and Oscar Nominated Shorts in Columbus Today

Discover Nature and Art This Monday in Columbus

Welcome to your columbus.news guide for Monday, March 9, 2026. While Mondays are often seen as a slow start to the work week, our city is buzzing with vibrant cultural activity today. From tropical escapes to the pinnacle of short-form cinema, Columbus offers a variety of ways to engage with art, nature, and history.

Exhibitions at Franklin Park Conservatory

The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens remains a centerpiece for local activity today, hosting three major exhibitions that cater to nature lovers and art enthusiasts alike. These displays are accessible during the Conservatory’s regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Blooms & Butterflies: Experience a tropical paradise in the heart of Ohio. Located in the Pacific Island Water Garden, this exhibition allows visitors to walk among hundreds of exotic butterflies as they glide through lush greenery and vibrant nectar flowers. It is a peaceful environment perfect for a morning or afternoon stroll.
• Orchids: This is a critical week for orchid enthusiasts, as the annual exhibition is entering its final days. Over 2,600 stunning orchids are currently on display in the North Conservatory. The intricate colors and shapes of these rare blooms are woven throughout the permanent collections, creating a spectacular visual experience that concludes on March 15.
• A Beautiful Journey: Works by Lance Johnson: For a contemporary art fix, visit the Cardinal Health Gallery. Artist Lance Johnson uses a combination of collage, graffiti, and stencils to create textured, urban-inspired works that explore themes of growth and transition.

History and Heritage at the Ohio Statehouse

If you are looking for a more educational experience today, the Ohio Statehouse is hosting its current historical exhibition, "Mapping the American Revolution." This exhibit features rare cartographic materials that illustrate the strategies and geography of the Revolutionary War. It provides a fascinating look at how the early American landscape was understood and contested. The exhibit is open to the public throughout the day during standard Statehouse operating hours.

Cinema: 2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts at Gateway Film Center

Film aficionados can head to the Gateway Film Center for a dedicated afternoon and evening of award-caliber cinema. The center is hosting screenings of the 2026 Oscar Nominated Shorts, providing a rare opportunity to see these global masterpieces on the big screen before the upcoming awards ceremony.

• Live Action Shorts: Screening begins at 4:00 p.m.
• Documentary Shorts: Screening begins at 4:30 p.m.
• Animated Shorts: Screening begins at 7:15 p.m.

Whether you choose the serenity of the botanical gardens or the excitement of independent cinema, Columbus has plenty to offer this Monday. Enjoy the quieter pace of these local treasures today.