BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)— A creative outlet in Bucyrus, the Crawford County Art Center, has been serving the community since 2013.

The Crawford County Art Center is the brick-and-mortar expression of the Crawford County Art Council. The Art Council was started as part of the Crawford 2020 Vision and is the only surviving nonprofit organization that was spun out of that broader community-wide effort. 

The Art Center has two employees: Kaylee Powers, who serves as the executive director part-time, and Taylor Smith, who teaches the Creation Station classes part-time. 

“We really started out as just a group of folks who wanted to promote the arts in Crawford County and bring creativity out into the community—through things like Art in the Park, going to the schools, tabling, all of that good stuff,” Powers said.

In another effort to make more people aware of the Center and its new location, the Art Center is hosting the Bratwurst Festival Art Show this August. It is usually held by the Crawford County Art Council in City Hall, but this year it will be at 117 N. Sandusky. More information will be available on the Bratwurst Festival website. 

“I think that the art center is important for our community because it really offers an outlet for expression and creativity. And not only that—the most basic value of art, of course, is that creativity and expression. But we also see that the art center provides a place for the community to really come together,” Powers said. “So we really try hard to be that third space. We have free coffee and tea, water, bathrooms—all of that. We want people to come in and have conversations and meet their neighbors and work on projects together. So that, I would say, is really the importance of the art center: one, to foster that creativity; but two, to really become a place that the community has somewhere to go and then bringing art out into the community.”

Previously located on East Mansfield St., the Art Center now resides at 117 N. Sandusky. And while located in Bucyrus, the Center serves the whole county. 

“I would say I’d really like to highlight the expanded capabilities we have in our new space since moving here in January. We have more room and even a separate kitchen now, which lets us host private event rentals—an important new revenue stream to help keep our nonprofit running. We’re completely funded by grants, private donations, and sponsorships. No tax dollars go toward this,” Powers said. “Being able to host events like birthday parties, grad parties, nonprofit meetings, and even a rehearsal dinner for a wedding has been huge for us. You can simply rent the space, or we can organize a private class or activity too.”

With the new space, the Center has expanded the kinds of art that can be supported with the recent addition of sewing machines, thanks to outlets in the floor. The staff is also working on adding more advanced classes like stained glass.

“In addition to our physical space, which features an art gallery full of local art and classes, we also take our show on the road to community events—Chamber of Commerce Third Friday in Galion, Safety Day, the Community Expo… We also partner with other artistic groups like Bucyrus Little Theatre, Galion Community Theatre, and Crawford Theatre Company, and any other orgs interested in featuring art,” Powers said. “We do all sorts of make-and-take items. For Third Friday in Galion, we did DIY felt flowers. We’ve also done painting events at the Galion Golden Age Center. This summer in July, we’ll be hosting a guest class at the Galion Public Library. Currently we have a special exhibit called Art2You at the Bucyrus Public Library.”

This initiative reflects the Art Center’s larger mission: to weave creativity into everyday life. By bringing artwork into public and professional settings, the program allows community members to experience and connect with local art in the places they already visit—sparking inspiration where it’s least expected.

The Art2You exhibit at the library, funded by the Community Foundation for Crawford County and an Ohio Arts Council ArtsNEXT grant—for innovative arts programming—is part of a project where they take prints of local artwork and install them at businesses all over the county—doctors’ offices, banks, nail salons—in order to be viewed, in hopes that individuals will want to buy a copy.

“Each piece has a QR code that links to our website. Anyone can scan it, order a high-quality print of that artwork from A1 Printing, and have it shipped to their door—for the same price you’d pay at a big box store,” Powers said. “Right now, the Bucyrus Public Library is featuring the originals of those Art2You works, thanks to their ‘Color Your World’ summer reading theme.”

When it comes to picking what projects will be done, the Center’s staff members usually take suggestions on the matter. 

“We really listen to what folks say they’re interested in and consider what works well in a class format. We also try to make sure people can leave with a finished piece—or at least the instructions to finish it. Classes generally fit in a one- to four-hour range. Instructors often pitch ideas, or community members suggest what they’d like to learn. The sky’s the limit—we just want people to tell us what they’re looking for,” Powers said.

To help keep classes affordable and the gallery accessible, the Center relies on memberships and artist participation.

The Art Center serves not only as a space for creating art but also as a storefront. Member artists in the organization from around the area are welcome to bring their pieces in to be sold. With split commission on the pieces, the funds serve as one of the Center’s main sources of income. 

In addition to their scheduled programming, open studio nights are every Monday from 6–9 p.m. for adult members to work on projects using the Center’s tools. The Center’s open hours on Tuesdays from 1–6 p.m. or Sundays from 2–6 p.m. are when the public can shop the gallery or bring in their own project to use the studio space.

“And then for any other posted events or classes, people are still welcome to come in and shop the gallery,” Powers said. “So if you see that there’s a class on a Wednesday night from 6 to 8, you are welcome to come in and shop and purchase things. Any time the doors are unlocked, you’re welcome to come browse. You don’t have to buy anything. Of course we love the support, but it’s also about showcasing the incredible talent in this community—many of whom don’t get noticed otherwise.”

Many people feel intimidated by the idea of stepping into an art space—but the Crawford County Art Center strives to break down those barriers. Whether you’re a practiced painter or someone who’s never picked up a brush, the space is designed to make creativity feel approachable.

“It really only takes that one spark for a little artist to see, ‘Wow, that was amazing,’ or to even have someone older who has just never really explored what their capabilities are, come out and take a class and find that expression. Because it’s not necessarily about being good. The act of making the art is the purpose of the art, and that’s what we’re really trying to get across to people. I hear all the time, ‘Oh, I’m not an artist.’ Everyone is an artist. Every single human being is an artist. You just have to find what you like and give yourself permission to like it—to enjoy it,” Powers said.

Individual membership to the Center is $25/year and gives you $5 off most classes. If someone wants to show work in the gallery or teach a class, it’s $35/year. That lets you sell unlimited pieces with no per-piece fee. Those who teach classes are compensated.

Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up on their website, and there is a newsletter sign-up form with a volunteer checkbox. You can also message them on Facebook or email info@crawfordcountyartscenter.com.

For more information, visit the Crawford County Arts Center Facebook page or their website.