Artists' Open Studio, Inc

01/13/2026

Tuesday Testimonial from AOS Artist Julee Gross 💛

"It just makes me so happy knowing somebody likes something I do."

Artists like Julee deserve a place where their creativity is celebrated and where confidence can grow into pride. Donate to our Annual Campaign today so more artists can create, be seen, and thrive at AOS in 2026.

*𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠

01/10/2026

Pour into your morning + inclusive art 🎨☕

Get your one-of-a-kind fun mug on our website, today! Now available to ship anywhere in the US! 🚚
(Link in bio + comments)

01/08/2026

If you’ve never made it into our studio, let this year be your year to do so! We have many unique, local handmade art and jewelry always in stock as well as kid friendly, coloring activities.

After a much needed reset, we will be back open Thursday, January 8th from 10- 5 PM! Stop & shop with us, gift cards available too!

12/30/2025

Instead of a Tuesday Testimonial, we want to honor and highlight Deb Lucal.

Deb showed up for people; consistently, authentically, and with her whole heart. Watching the way she supported Nate and his art over the years was something we will never forget. She believed in him, celebrated him, and made sure others did too.

That same steady love extended to Artists’ Open Studio. Deb gave her time, her energy, and her resources for years, volunteering, pitching in behind the scenes, and generously investing in our mission.

When AOS began taking steps toward a new space in 2019, Deb was one of the first voices saying, “Yes. You can do this.” She helped rally support and played a meaningful part in helping us land and launch that first year on East Main Street.

We’re grieving a true advocate, someone who lived service and led with compassion. Deb, thank you for believing in artists like Nate and for believing in us. You’ll be deeply missed and your impact will keep living here.

12/26/2025

Visitation, funeral service, and obituary information for Deb.

Deborah Jean (Smith) Lucal, age 69, of Norwalk, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at UH Cleveland Hospital.

She was born October 15, 1956, in Fort Myers, FL to the late Raymond J. and Mary Elizabeth (Hierholzer) Smith. She was a 1975 graduate of St. Paul High School and attended Associated Travel School in FL and was a lifetime member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Norwalk serving various committees and church boards. In her earlier years she was a merchandising supervisor at Kmart from 1978 until 1990 and was a pharmacy tech at Discount Drug Mart in Norwalk from 1991 until retiring. She served 14 years on Norwalk City Council and served in the First Ward and active with the Huron County Democratic Party. She worked at IGA and enjoyed helping with the Meals on Wheels program and traveling with the Senior Enrichment Services. She was also a greeter at Evans Funeral Home and a member of FCEDO and the Norwalk Elks Lodge #730.

She volunteered when her boys were active with Boy Scouts of America from 1993 until 2003; also, Girl Scouts, Muscular Dystrophy Association and later continued volunteering and serving on the boards with Artists’ Open Studio and When Pigs Fly until present. She was an avid Cleveland Guardians baseball fan and enjoyed Ohio State and Cleveland Browns football.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Anna (Richard) Weisenberger of Norwalk; brother, David Smith of Norwalk; brother-in-law, Richard (Donna) Lucal of West Chester, and her beloved rescue dog, Hershey; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Raymond L. Lucal in 2019; sons, Matthew R. Lucal in 2015 and Nathan A. Lucal in 2022; brothers-in-law, David Lucal in 2019 and Donald Lucal in 2022.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, January 1, 2026, from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 2, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 38 W. League Street, Norwalk with Father Anthony Recker officiating. Internment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Mary Catholic Church, 38 W. League Street, Norwalk, OH 44857, Artists’ Open Studio, Inc., 32 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 or The Piggyback Foundation, P.O. Box 436, Norwalk, OH 44857 or Muscular Dystrophy Association, 1044 Belmont Ave., Youngstown, OH 44504 or online mda.org.

12/24/2025

Rest in Peace Deborah Lucal. Your support of Nate and his artistry, support of all artists at AOS, and volunteer hours in the studio are a huge part of why we are where we are today. We are beyond grateful for your service and are sending prayers to your many friends and family.

In Loving Memory of Deb Lucal -Our hearts are heavy as we share the news of the passing of our dear friend, dedicated volunteer, and valued board member, Deb Lucal.
Deb lived a life of remarkable purpose and strength. While she was a devoted mother and wife—preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray, and her two sons, Matthew and Nate—her spirit of service extended far into our community. She was a dedicated volunteer for many organizations and served as a City Councilwoman.
At the Piggyback Foundation, Deb was a true blessing. After retiring from Drug Mart, she found her second calling volunteering at our "When Pigs Fly" shop. Every Thursday, she could be seen greeting customers, cleaning, and beautifully decorating the shop.
Having experienced firsthand the challenges of a life-threatening illness in her own family, Deb joined the Piggyback Foundation board as a Liaison. Her personal passion and insight were invaluable, helping us better serve families in need.
We are profoundly grateful for her service, her dedication, and the infectious passion she brought to everything she did. Deb will be deeply missed by all of us—the staff, fellow volunteers, and the community she served so well.
Rest in peace, dear Deb.
We will share details regarding memorial services as they become available.

12/23/2025

Tuesday Testimonial from AOS Artist Nikki Paliwoda 💛

“𝑨𝑶𝑺 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖… 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆… 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰’𝒎 𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝑶𝑺 𝑰 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆.”

That’s what AOS is about: belonging, creative freedom, and a community where artists can truly be themselves.

Your generous donation to our Annual Campaign helps fund AOS 2026 programming, so more artists can create without judgment, feel embraced, and discover their voice.

*𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠.

12/20/2025

We’re almost 50% to our Annual Campaign goal! 🎨💛

Look for our “Pour Into AOS” progress sign in the studio window on Main St in Norwalk and scan the QR code to donate.

Every gift helps us keep inclusive creativity flowing.

12/19/2025

Here fishy fishy!

Loving Shea’s ceramic fishies! Stop and shop with us today— open until 2pm!

12/18/2025

We will be closed December 22nd-January 7th! Get your final shopping days in with us before the end of the year! 🎁🖼️🎄

3 DAYS LEFT TO SHOP!
Stop in TODAY, we are open 10am - 5 PM!
THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY open 10-2pm!

12/18/2025

Shop small this holiday season! We have the perfect gifts for those on your list—all local, handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces! Stop in and check us out! OPEN TODAY 10-5pm! 🩵🩷💛

12/16/2025

Tuesday Testimonial courtesy of AOS Artist Timothy Schnee's parents. (Full testimonial in comments)

"𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑨𝑶𝑺 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒖𝒔, 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚… 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑻𝒊𝒎.”

If you would like to help us provide these opportunities for more artists, please consider donating to our Annual Campaign supporting our 2026 programming here >> https://www.gofundme.com/f/aos-annual-campaign