Our Story

The idea for what is now known as Art on Main was conceived in 1998 after the development of an art program in the Adult Services Program of the Champaign County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Urbana, Ohio. Staff members Jamie Porter and Sharon Evans put their heads together to set up an art program for those they served with developmental disabilities. Sharon became the art teacher and Jamie provided motivation and creativity.

Sharon was able to assist individuals in the DD program, some with severe physical limitations, to create remarkable pieces of artwork. Some individuals were found to possess innate artistic ability while others had little; through Sharon's natural teaching skill and her persistence and knowledge of each artist, she was able to help them increase their skills to improve the quality of their work so that it became marketable.

No one was ever turned away. Many individuals timidly entered her classroom saying they wanted to create art, but were not good enough. Part of Sharon’s classes became the process of explaining to her participants that they could create quality artwork; if they had the desire and dedication, they just had to try.

Two gentlemen who attended classes offered there, Bob Fricke and Ed Durham, demonstrated talent as exceptional artists and began to receive recognition. Bob won first place in the 1998 Champaign County Fair Fine Arts contest in Urbana, Ohio and Ed was asked to exhibit at the 1999 International Art and Soul Festival held in Los Angeles, California.

Bob and Ed are no longer with us, but we will never forget them for giving us the insight and inspiration to create this program. They are remembered for their artistic contributions every year at our Lawnview Industries Banquet when an artist is awarded the Fricke/Durham Art Scholarship.

Since 1998, participating artists have exhibited work throughout Ohio and California through Key Bank's Accessible Expressions Ohio; the Champaign County Arts Council; VSA Arts Ohio; as well as others.

After several artists were recognized for their work from several different agencies throughout Ohio and in Los Angeles, California, Jamie realized that the program could become an opportunity for change not only for artists with disabilities in Ohio, but also many other artists with disabilities as well as the average person.

In 1999, Jamie was finishing her Masters Degree at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. She was able to develop Art on Main from the art program that she and Sharon were currently operating into a not-for-profit business as her thesis project. With the assistance of the Champaign County Board of DD and Lawnview Industries, the mission of Art on Main was established and the company was created.

Everyone involved is very proud of the hard work and dedication that so many individuals have put into Art on Main, especially the artists themselves, for having the courage to push themselves beyond their former limits and to display these personal creations to the world.

Art on Main participants currently have their original artwork, cards and prints featured in their gallery at 1250 E. Rt. 36 in Urbana, Ohio. They continue to sell and show their artwork at festivals, conferences and art exhibitions.