Friday, July 8 is the 7th anniversary for Ada's Gallery for the Arts, 115 S Main St. The gallery is a project devised and run by retired art teacher Ruth Roider, who opened the shop when she was downsizing and needed a place to do her own art work.

Roider operates the gallery as a non-profit, cash-only showcase and sales outlet for local artists. She pays the rent and doesn’t take a commission. Every penny goes back to the artists.

Although the pandemic initially made the gallery a non-essential service, it proved to be a very good outlet for Roider and others during the past two years. She says it “helped pull her through.” In addition to displaying her own pencil and pen drawings, she has worked on making the space as comfortable as possible. A recent rearrangement puts a cosy seating area at the front of the shop.

You’ll also find items about Ada’s history, which is why some folks call it a mini-museum and why it draws so many out-of-towners.

Artists who currently have artwork in the gallery are:

● Karen Ward, photography and post cards

● Andrew Steingass, cermanics

● Virginia O’Connell, jewelry

● Les Thede, woodworking

● Darlene Bowers, textiles

● Laura Nichelson, pencil paintings

● Ruth Roider, pencil and pen drawings

● Neal Williams artificial floral arrangements

● Felt ornaments benefit the Ada Historical Society

Miscellaneous items available at the shop are free books, some commercial Ada postcards (not the fine art cards) and free Welcome to Main Street, Ada cards with businesses and eateries listed. Roider and Ward have plans to make an Ada Bits and Pieces card with details about various village locations.

Hours this weekend will be 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

What brought Roider to back to Ada? Her family moved here in 1945. She went on to work as an elementary art teacher and taught in New York state, California, Lima and North Royalton near Cleveland. When she retired in 1993, Roider came back to Ada to look after her parents.

Another way to learn about Roider is to take a look around the gallery at her drawings including a selection of text-filled designs and barns.