When we try to explain the vitality of arts and culture in Coshocton (city population 11,000; county 32,000)–an undeniably small community–we point to two things besides the water: 1) Coshocton is the birthplace of the Advertising Art Industry and in the 1900’s boasted the second highest per capita population of artists east of the Mississippi and 2) our deeply rooted Appalachian citizenry.

Here’s our assumption: New folks brought by industry mixing with the local population in our geographically isolated community brought us, over time–the Community Band, Big Band, Footlight Players, Community Choir, Canal Quilters, Carving Guild, Johnson- Humrickhouse Museum with its nationally recognized collections, Historic Roscoe Village, and an array of accomplished artists and musicians. The Pomerene Center, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, is the baby of the group.

Collaborating with the community, the Pomerene employs new strategies and technologies in new places to bring attention to the creative identity of our community. We seek to encourage playfulness and vitalityand in particular, a creative community vision that heads us into the future.