Rick Baker and Linda Harris with Fairfield National Bank present David Scheffler, President Main Street Lancaster Board, with a check for $1,200 for the Downtown Sculpture Program

Lancaster hosted its inaugural Gus Macker tournament this past August and was successful in setting a Gus Macker record for first year communities with 285 teams signed up to participate in the weekend-long festivities. The tournament was organized by Lancaster’s Downtown Main Street program, designed to create events and projects to promote the revitalization efforts and sustainability of the historic downtown district. The organizational committee for the tournament was made up of representatives from the Main Street organization, City of Lancaster, Chamber of Commerce and downtown business owners.

Karen Rotkis, Downtown Main Street director for Lancaster said, “The Gus Macker Tournament in August was a tremendous success for our community in raising awareness for our Heritage District, our facilities, our history, and cultural assets. All of our success, of course, can be attributed to the tremendous amount of partnership between our local government, dedicated volunteers, local business and organizations.”

The Gus Macker organization has indicated that they have chosen Lancaster for the site of their 2010 conference due to its central location to their market along with the facilities the historic downtown can offer to its guests over the conference weekend.

Gus Macker Founder Scott McNeal stated that “we are looking forward to hosting the 2010 Conference in Lancaster. We really want to start highlighting our host communities and with Lancaster’s success for their first tournament this past summer it feels like a perfect place to educate and entertain our other host communities from around the country.”

“This is great win for the Lancaster community and its businesses. Like the tournament this past August, anytime we can host and entertain guests from outside our community we create an opportunity to showcase what Lancaster has to offer and provide incremental revenue for our local businesses,” said Travis Markwood, President of the Lancaster/Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce.

Main Street Lancaster exists “to enhance downtown’s business climate while preserving and promoting our historic identity as a center of cultural activity.” With the support of the city’s Special Improvement District members and more than 150 downtown merchants and neighbors, Main Street Lancaster is undergoing a period of rejuvenation and growth that is both surprising and pleasing to everyone involved.

Additional information about Main Street Lancaster is available through their website at www.mainstreetlancaster.com, or by calling 740.215.8617. Main Street Lancaster is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and tax deductible contributions or sponsorships are always welcome.

Enjoy “Lunch Downtown” with Main Street Lancaster to get the latest On Community Events, Local Businesses,
and Revitalization.

WLOH and Main Street Lancaster
Present “Lunch Downtown!”
Every Wednesday 12pm-1pm

WLOH and Main Street Lancaster host “Lunch Downtown.” This LIVE broadcast is an interactive radio show to interview your business, find out about your history, discover who your customers are and understand what services and products you offer!

Tune into 1320AM with Mark Bohack, talk radio personality, to hear what’s going on downtown every Wednesday from 12:00 noon until 1:00pm. Each Wednesday we move to a new venue and generate excitement about your business and let you tell your story. Feel free to participate by offering a lunch special, unique activity, special promotion or discount. "Click here to listen"

Together we’ll put the focus on downtown every Wednesday.

To schedule your business for a
Free LIVE Broadcast
Or
to mention your business during a broadcast…
Email: David@mainstreetlancaster.com
 Fax (740) 653-7074
Phone (740) 653-8251
Cell (740) 215-8617
Quick Fax Form

Main Street Lancaster sponsored by the Special Improvement District  

11/19/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
10/22/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
09/17/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
07/16/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
06/18/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
05/21/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
05/21/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
04/16/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
03/19/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)
02/19/09: Karen Rotkis: Main Street Lancaster (MP3)

Your $75.00 donation supports downtown Lancaster and personalizes a 4” x 8” brick paver with your inscription and location of choice. Be aware that this process takes approximately 6-8 weeks as we work the pavers in with regular projects in the downtown area.

To Order
Main Street Lancaster
109 N Broad St Suite 100
Lancaster Ohio 43130
(740) 653-8251 Tel
(740) 653-7074 FAX
Order Form

As part of revitalization efforts Main Street Lancaster works closely with the City of Lancaster and the Historic Lancaster Commission to encourage the historically correct signage and vignettes that engage pedestrians and motorists!

In December of 2008 the Historic District realized a long-term goal to rewrite New Historic District Design Guidelines and Ordinance. To review the new ordinance visit: conwaygreene.com/Lancaster

   The Main Street Lancaster organization in collaboration with the Mid-West Sculpture Initiative (MSI) has assembled a public exhibit of twelve pieces of sculpture. This 12 month exposition encourages the community to interact with and experience art, visitors to explore the city on foot, and offers needed exposure for regional artists. The program curator, Ken Thompson of MSI, is a sculptor of national and international acclaim. He is known for his direction of countless outdoor sculpture exhibits in Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Japan. Mr. Thompson also has commissioned pieces on display at Georgetown University, the University of Toledo, and Ohio Wesleyan University among others.
   Additionally, the other artists represented are known nationally and have work displayed in Portland, Seattle, Williamsburg, and Dallas. “We were real lucky to get MSI to work with us. They are sought after in the art community and are securing bids for international projects,” Rotkis stated. “There’s nothing like it in Fairfield County or in Central or Southeastern Ohio, the only cities in Ohio with anything that could compare might be major metropolitan areas like Cincinnati or Cleveland.”

Sculpture Donors 2008-2010

First, a few words on the benefits of public art from our current curator,
Ken Thompson of the Midwest Sculpture Initiative...

Why public art?

“The better question is why not? Public art has been with us for time eternal beginning with the cave man. He drew murals on the walls of his cave to illustrate or advertise to others about his fruitful hunt, the size of his family and his day-to-day survival. Early inhabitants of the British Isles built Newgrange and Stonhenge to show their power and to mark their existence. The Egyptians constructed pyramids to honor their pharaohs and in the process created long-lasting reminders of their once great empire. Or consider the Greeks and the Romans, true masters of the carved edifice and statuary, a huge influence still felt today.

As Americans, we’ve come to this party a bit late and possibly a bit misdirected. Up until the late 1960’s, most public art in American was that of creating monuments to our heroes and memorializing wars; there is an important place for this honored art form. But, the 1960’s taught us that it is O.K. to make art for art’s sake, and that we don’t have to have a purpose! By the 1980’s, many cities and states were forming public art committees and sponsoring sculpture and mural competitions to engage the artists with their communities.

As we enter the new millennium, the engagement continues with temporary outdoor sculpture exhibits. These exhibits have gained appeal because of their accessibility and affordability (as many municipalities cut funding for the arts). Who benefits from these exhibits? Everyone. The exhibits serve to increase awareness of the visual arts, assert that a community is forward thinking and energetic, improve the quality of life, dress-up the urban landscape and provide artists with a venue to showcase and sell the work. Not to mention the economic impact which can be significant.

It is tough in these difficult times to justify public art in any form, but remember: art is created not necessarily to sustain life but to enhance it.”

We hope you will take advantage of the chance to participate through art in our community.

Revitalization is Incremental
We Need Everyone’s Help to Make Our City Great!

Main Street Lancaster partners with the United Way of Fairfield County each fall for “Community Clean-Up Day” in downtown. Students from Fisher Catholic High School donated over 335 labor hours to the beautification of the Historic District this year. Impressive!

Dedication of Public Art at the Lancaster Municipal Building 9/29/09: Sam and Jane Hurley, longtime supporters of the arts in Lancaster, commissioned this piece of modern sculpture for the City of Lancaster in 2008. Here pictured from left to right are Sam Hurley, Ric Leichliter (Sculptor), Mitch Overton (City Parks), and Mayor David Smith. There are currently 14 pieces of modern sculpture on display in Historic Downtown Lancaster for the enjoyment of our community. Thank you to all Champions of the Arts! -photo submitted by Main Street Lancaster