The Scribe - Page 6

OHIO CULTURE The Creative Source of a Community A Vision Takes Shape Source Gallery has lived many different lives. The historic 1837 building began as a church, later evolving into a clock repair shop. But gallery owner Mark Hamilton has made sure this life leaves a lasting impact on the local community. Set just off the main road in Lisbon, Ohio, Source Gallery has been a labor of love from the beginning. The idea began with some uncertainty but in 2020 it quickly came into focus. After the COVID-19 pandemic triggered an early retirement from his corporate job, Hamilton put all he had into the gallery. Meeting local artists was priority number one. “I really wanted this to be like a destination art gallery. I wasn’t going to sell online,” Hamilton explained. Building a Creative Community Many of those artists believed in his vision and offered their work, quickly filling the space with a variety of local creations. Pieces in the gallery now range from pottery and paintings to photographs and hand-bound journals. Hamilton, however, has remained the thread tying everything in the gallery together.“I think it’s a subtle line that you walk. It’s all about the artists, but it’s also about me staging and putting things together,” Hamilton said. “So you don’t necessarily know it’s me and the art stands out.” Hamilton’s background in custom framing has also kept the gallery afloat. Over the years he said he’s noticed shops specializing in framing disappear, as people opt for speed over style. He is one of just a few custom framers left in the area. By Camille Sipple “I really wanted this to be like a destination art gallery.”