Artists Open Studio opens new location downtown

NORWALK — Artists Open Studio opened the doors of its new downtown Norwalk location for the first time on Friday. The studio, which is located at 32 E. Main St., features artwork from Huron County artists with developmental disabilities. Managing director Jackie Hug is excited to showcase local artists at a centralized location. "It all goes back to our mission of supporting our artists," Hug said. "(We are) creating space for them, facilitating the creative process and we're starting to engage the community." The art at AOS includes paintings and ceramics. Artists earn a commission when their work is sold and the rest of the money is used to fund AOS. AOS used to showcase artwork at the Huron County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Artists found success selling their work at the annual art show, but the location made it hard to attract new buyers outside of that event. "It was like singing to the choir," said Deb Lucal, whose son, Nate, is among the artists featured at AOS. "The only people coming were friends and family and people that already support them anyway." The Lucal family is uniquely connected to AOS. Nate, who has Muscular Dystrophy, joined the organization as a high school student. Nate said he enjoys creating art because it helps distract him from whatever stresses he's facing. "It's relaxing," he said. "You can take your mind off of all the other things that are going on." That's been especially important for Nate in recent years. On Nov. 12, 2015, he lost his older brother, Matt, to complications of Muscular Dystrophy. On the same date four years later, Nate's father, Ray, died after a surgery designed to help his Peripheral Artery Disease. On top of all that, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented Nate from socializing with his fellow AOS artists. "It's been a rough couple years," Deb said. "He needs (art) more than normal. This gives him more to strive for." Ray recognized the how much his son valued art. So before he died, he earmarked some money to buy a new studio. Deb always liked the space at 32 E. Main St., and she knew the owner. So when the building became available, she reached out to Hug. Hug got the keys in February. And since then, she's re-organized the studio for her AOS artists. She was still hanging projects as late as Thursday evening. Now the work is done, the doors are open and the art is for sale. Deb Lucal said she hopes the artists sell more artwork at the new location. "Not just money, but for the self esteem," she said. "It inspires them." It goes even further than sales, though. For some AOS artists, their work is their main form of expression. Now that AOS is open, Norwalk residents can see what the artists have to say. "We honor them as artists in the community," Hug said. "For some people, it's their literal voice. So, we're helping them speak, and hopefully, people will listen."