Leadership of Wapakoneta's Riverside Art Center: A Natural Time for Transition
For the past three years, Melissa Shroyer has served as the Wapakoneta Riverside Art Center executive director. Originally from Texas, Shroyer moved to Wapakoneta to be closer to family. When Covid hit, however, Shroyer's life was put on hold. An unexpected, amazing opportunity, however, came with the challenges of Covid. “I had only planned on being here for six months before heading to England and New Zealand, said Shroyer. “I was working on custom chalks for a fundraising effort for children's programs overseas, and then Covid happened and the world shut down and I was left with nothing to do. I told Deb Fischer that I have no plans – my life had been temporarily cancelled – so whatever you need me to do I can do.” It turns out that Shroyer was needed, and she continued her service to Riverside Art Center well beyond the six months for which she was originally committed.
In July of 2022, as the world was opening back up, Shroyer's contacts in New Zealand reached back out to her to see if she was still interested in coming. Shroyer responded with a “yes,” and the process of acquiring necessary travel documents and other materials began. It was now the right time for Shroyer to move forward with her original plans.
In January of 2023, Anita Byrne began her position as the new executive director of the Riverside Art Center. A 30year veteran of marketing and executive sales in the trucking industry, Byrne was not yet ready to settle down at home. She has always been interested in the downtown business community and how it interacts with the public, and she has always wanted to be involved. It was the perfect fit at the perfect time. “I grew up here in Wapak but have been traveling for work for the past 30 years, so it's been a warm welcome back and it was time for me to be involved,” said Byrne. “I see no major changes in the future. I'm focused on promoting the Art Center, getting the word out to businesses downtown, and letting people know what we offer.
I want to focus on the elderly and bring art into nursing homes.”
After Byrne's father passed away a year ago, it's been her desire to bring art into nursing homes and to encourage residents to be involved. “This [the Art Center] is not an intimidating place, this is a welcoming place, you do not have to be an artist to come in and appreciate what is offered here,” added Byrne. “There are books and souvenirs from the Wapak area. People can enjoy the quiet and the beauty, and not be intimidated by the fact that it's called an art center.”
Byrne encourages Wapakoneta residents to come out to the Center and to become involved, “There really is something here for everyone.” The Center offers free classes that are announced on Facebook and on the Art Center's calendar. Activities such as paint and sip, and cookie decorating are available, and the Center also sells art. “The community is great. If you would like to be a vendor or submit artwork for sale, you do need to be a member of the Art Center,” said Byrne. “Artwork needs to meet certain criteria for community standards, but its a great place to display your work. Artists set their own price per piece, and then agree upon a percentage of sales that goes back to the Art Center.
The Riverside Art Gallery is a nonprofit organization that relies on grants, sponsorships, membership drives, and community support to stay open and to continue to thrive.