Our Story

Forty-eight years ago, a small art show opened at the Fairmount Center for the Arts to honor the 1776 bicentennial celebration. Back then, the show was called the Fairmount Russell Art Exhibition and was organized by the Russell Women’s Civic Club. After several successful years, it developed into a fundraiser to award scholarships for residents of Russell township and to help with community needs such as fire, police, and road maintenance.  

Over the years, the show has grown and evolved but has always remained focused on regional artists. In 2003, Fairmount Center for the Arts took over the show from the Women’s Civic Club and in 2011 the name of the show changed from the Fairmount Russell Art Exhibition to the Fairmount Arts Exhibition. In an effort to preserve the past and reimagine the future, the Fairmount Art Exhibition continues to serve as one of the many celebrations throughout the year to honor Fairmount’s rich history and exciting path forward.

The exhibition had an overwhelming response last year, with almost 400 entries from across Ohio and surrounding states. The 2023 show featured 140 pieces from artists in several mediums.