Rising Stars: Meet Crawford County Art Center of Bucyrus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Crawford County Art Center.

Hi Crawford County, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Crawford County Art Center (CCAC) prides itself on being an open and inclusive gathering place for artists and community members needing friendship, support and inspiration. At the beginning of 2025, we moved to a new location in uptown Bucyrus at 117 N. Sandusky Avenue. We are happy to be closer to the center of town and more accessible to residents in Crawford County. Humble beginnings in 2012 has turned into a vibrant community center, offering air-conditioned cool and warmth to all when the weather temperature flares, as well as the ability for ALL to make and enjoy art, no matter their socio-economic status. We have memberships for all artists and ages, and strive to encourage all to make and enjoy art.

My name is Alena Fox, I am the Interim Executive Director of the Crawford County Art Center. (I am pictured with the “Art2You” kiosk, a portable art experience that brings art into public areas and enables people in small towns to view and purchase art prints made by local artists at affordable prices. These prints are made locally as well, supporting a collaboration with our small business partners and a planned installation at a new park in town to promote local art to travelers and nature lovers.
I am pleased to share our story with you, as I have cherished the time I spend here, and the people I meet. Please allow me to introduce you to a couple of our members, as I believe their experience highlights the atmosphere and vibe here. Recently, two of our members developed a greater friendship as a result of coming to CCAC. Gail Griffith and E. Victor May are new friends and talented in their own right. We asked them to share their story on how the Art Center has added to the quality of their life and friendship.

Gail states: “It is hard to put into words the magic that occurs at our center. To me, the art center is a sanctuary-one built on kindness, encouragement, and the belief that there is no such thing as bad art. It’s where I learned to trust my own creativity, where people I barely knew became friends, and where I’ve grown more in the two years than I ever expected. It has given me a sense of belonging and filled a meaningful space in my retirement.
It is also a nourishing, inclusive space where creativity feels alive, and community gathers. People of all ages come to make, rest, and connect-whether it’s Second Saturday or Creation Station, both open to young and old alike. Alongside these free community offerings, the center provides a variety of paid programs for members and non-members, expanding opportunities for learning and exploration. The center has awakened a part of me I didn’t know existed, offering joy, purpose, and a sense of belonging during my retirement, as well as the quiet magic of creating art together.

CCAC serves as a true community sanctuary environment grounded in kindness, encouragement, and the belief that creativity belongs to everyone. Through its welcoming, judgment-free atmosphere, I discovered a creative voice I never knew I had. The relationships I’ve built and the personal growth I’ve experienced over the past two years demonstrate the center’s impact on individual well-being and community connection. It has provided purpose and belonging during my retirement, filling a meaningful gap in my daily life.
CCAC’s programming is intentionally inclusive and intergenerational. Second Saturday and Creation Station are open to participants of all ages, fostering shared creativity across generations. In addition to these free community offerings, the center provides a range of paid programs accessible to both members and non-members, expanding opportunities for skill development and artistic exploration. These programs reduce isolation, strengthen community bonds, and ensure that creative expression is available to everyone. The art center is not simply a place to make art-it is a supportive, inclusive hub that nurtures growth, connection, and lifelong learning.”

Victor shared that “The Art Center means so much to me. I’ve had a lot of issues making friends during both my childhood and adult life. Finding CCAC has helped me truly find ‘my people’. I don’t know what I’d do without the friends I’ve met there.”

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The Crawford County Art Center began in 2012 as a group of passionate local artists. They moved into a small location in 2013, and we moved from that hidden gem into our current location in December of 2024. Our current location has given us greater visibility and accessibility for those that lack transportation. We still struggle to raise awareness with little-to-no advertising budget and parked vehicles blocking the view of our storefront, but we are committed to overcoming that challenge. We believe we are the best kept “secret” in town!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Gail: “Right now, I am following my whimsy. Exploring different genres and mediums to see what truly resonates with me. With so many possibilities and the freedom to experiment, it can be hard to focus. Part of me feels like I should choose one direction, but that takes the fun out of the discovery. I’m still wandering, still learning what most feels like home.”
Gail’s piece “Nyla Plays On” is a great example of her open exploration and whimsical style. Her use of line and color are pleasing to the eye, drawing you in to bask in the visual experience before you.
“Thank you for allowing me to express what the center means to me. It truly is a magical place.”

Victor: “I’ve been able to explore my creativity (more than I would normally) with the help of CCAC. I am mainly a portrait artist–and I’ve been doing that for 10 years– but with the classes that are offered, I have had the chance to try many different types of art, and I’m very glad for that.
I’ve taught classes at CCAC and I think that has really been a great opportunity for me to grow not only as an artist, but as a person. It gets me involved in the community. I help others to learn how to draw portraits. It helps me to learn how to better work with others, to help them learn drawing skills they might not otherwise develop. I love being able to help and volunteer at CCAC whether I am simply doing the (social media/advertising) graphics for classes or teaching a class. I’m always happy to help because I really love this place.”
Victor created a series of five pieces using multiple inks and media to illustrate the struggles of maintaining emotional balance and mental illness (pictured). They felt so strongly about this issue due to lived experience, and even went the extra step of promoting awareness and fundraising to those touched by this art series to donate to our local NAMI affiliate (as these pieces are not for sale). Victor’s works are emotionally charged and expressive, visually bringing the viewer to almost feel the pain, torment, and anguish felt by the artist.

We at the Crawford County Art Center are proud and grateful for this gallery haven to enjoy with one another, and we welcome even more to join us. Activities and events are posted regularly on our Facebook page and website. You can call 419-834-4133 for more information. Please stop and visit!

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Art is what sets us apart from most other beings on Earth. There are some birds and sea creatures that display artistic skills in their mating and nesting rituals, but human beings are the most creative species on Earth. Art is such a fulfilling way to communicate, express, and enjoy our fellow humans. It is proven to elevate mood and “eye candy” is calorie-free!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://crawfordcountyartcenter.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crawfordcountyartcenter