05/28/2026
RIVERSIDE ART CENTER CELEBRATES
"20 Years of Creativity and Community"
Creating and sustaining an art center in a small town is no simple task. It takes more than funding and planning. It takes belief. It takes people who are willing to invest their time, their energy, and their hearts into something that may not always be easy but
is deeply meaningful.
For 20 years, the Riverside Art Center has been in exactly that kind of place in Wapakoneta. It is more than a building. It is a space where creativity is given a home, where artists are given a voice, and where people who might otherwise go unseen are
finally able to share what they have created.
Because of the dedication of its supporters, artists, and volunteers, the center has become a living reflection of the community itself. It nurtures creativity, celebrates individuality, and brings people together through something as simple and as powerful
as art. For many artists, especially those without access to galleries or connections, Riverside Art Center offers something invaluable: a chance. Membership is open to anyone willing to take that step, also giving artists a place to display their work and authors a place to share their stories. It is not limited to one style or medium. It is open, welcoming, and built on the idea that everyone deserves to be seen.
Inside the gallery, between 45 and 48 artists have their work on display at any given time. Each piece represents not just talent, but courage, the willingness to put something personal out into the world. Visitors are not just browsing; they are connecting with the people and stories behind each creation. They walk out with
something special, including Wapakoneta memorabilia from cups, post cards, and art and books that is for sale.
The center also reaches beyond its walls through classes that invite people of all ages to explore their own creativity. “Everyone is invited to the classes being offered,” said Janice Belgiovane.
Debra Henkener, an artist who also teaches classes at the art center, sees firsthand what those experiences mean to people.
“We have classes on journaling as well as painting, stained glass, watercolor, and more,” Henkener said. But what happens in those classes goes far beyond learning techniques. It is about connection. It is about people finding confidence, discovering something new
about themselves, and sometimes simply having a place where they feel they belong. Meeting new friends and enjoying the time together while they work with their creative side is also a bonus.
That sense of belonging extends into the events the center hosts. From wine and bourbon tastings, artist exhibits and classes to community gatherings, each event is another opportunity to bring people together in a way that feels relaxed, welcoming, and real.
“The cigar and bourbon tasting involved the men, but it evolved into the women because they were so interested,” Deb Fischer said. Even events like the outdoor Moon Market, now in its eighth year, reflect the center’s commitment to giving artists opportunities, to showcase their work.
Another project is the Artist Avenue, located at the corner of Willipie and Auglaize Street, is a constantly evolving showcase of local creativity. Every three months, the displayed images are thoughtfully refreshed, featuring selections drawn directly from
current exhibits. Once the display period ends, each print is returned to the artist who created it, reinforcing a meaningful connection between the space and its creators. This
initiative, supported in part by RAC board member Rich Dorsett and the Blosser Family in honor of Linda Blosser, this exhibit highlights both the vibrancy of the arts community and the center’s commitment to celebrating and uplifting local talent.
The planning continues because the mission matters. The mission to continue more arts in Wapakoneta. Working with other art centers in the area helps to find ways to spread the word about what art is about.
At its heart, Riverside Art Center is about community. “The heart of Riverside Art Center is being downtown and community,” Belgiovane said. “It is promoting not only artists but authors and businesses.” That commitment has been there from the very beginning.
The center was created by a group of artists who saw something missing in Wapakoneta, a lack of space for creative expression, and decided to change that. Led by individuals like John Rausch, Larry McClain, Dick Chenowith, Cindy Staples, Janice Belgiovane, and Deb Henkener, the early vision was simple but powerful: create a place where artists could gather, share, and grow. “We used to tell each other that ‘if you build it, people will support it,’” they recalled. And over time, that belief proved true.
With the help of the community, local organizations, and countless supporters, Riverside Art Center grew from a small idea into a lasting presence. It evolved, adapted, and found new ways to survive, even becoming a small retail space to help sustain
itself. “We had no idea at the time we would become the little tourist shop in Historic Downtown Wapakoneta,” Fischer said. “This is all because we just said yes, why not, and got out of our box.”
Through it all, what has remained constant is the impact it has on the people involved. People from out of town love to come in and just look and comment how beautiful the things are and how much they like the center. “I love the variety of art on display and the continuing interest of new artists, especially young people,” Henkener said. “I enjoy my students the most. They have
taught me so much more about life than I can repay in classes.”
Moments like those are what define Riverside Art Center. Not just the artwork on the walls, but the relationships, the growth, and the shared experiences that happen inside.
“I am so proud of how RAC has evolved and become such a bright spot in our community,” Henkener said, crediting Fischer with helping shape its transformation. If we need something, Deb finds a way to make it happen, Debra stated. She is our go getter and finds a way to make the Riverside Art Center even better.
Today, the center includes around 100 members and continues to reach even more people through its events and online presence. Visitors often describe it as one of Wapakoneta’s best kept secrets, a place that quietly changes lives without always seeking recognition.
“We can’t wait to raise a glass with you,” the organizers said.
For those who walk through its doors, whether as artists, students, or visitors, Riverside Art Center offers something lasting. It offers a place to be seen. A place to be heard. And for many, a place to finally feel at home.
Article by Pam Egbert — Deb Frischer, Debra Henkener, and Janice Belgiovane share a lunch together, reflecting on how the Riverside Art Center first began and the journey that shaped it into what it is today, while also looking ahead to future plans.
Riverside Art Center recently lead the latest art project, the WAPAKONETA MURAL on the Miller's Textile Building, "We saw a blank canvas and immediately thought of ART!"
Visit Riverside Art Center at 3 W Auglaize Street Wapakoneta, Wednesday - Friday 10am-4pm & Saturday's 10am-2pm. Extended hours during special exhibits and downtown events.
Sara would be happy to share our latest classes with you
Call us at 419-738-2352
You can support Riverside Art Center by becoming a member here:
https://www.riversideartcenter.org/support-us
