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Art appreciation in Salem

By Staff Report 2 min read

SALEM -- Downtown Salem was filled with artists, art and art lovers Saturday for the 2026 Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Creative Arts Expo. 

Businesses and community organizations set up art displays, plein air art demonstrations, interactive art stations, and live music throughout the downtown area, all at no costs to participants. 

The POW Building at 315 E. State St. served as the primary hub for this year's expo with a display of 556 5- by 7-inch canvases painted by local artists, many of which were available for purchase for a donation to the Chamber Gallery of Art, and artwork by famed painter Charles E. Burchfield on display from the Burchfield Homestead Society. 

Chamber Gallery Chairman Jennifer Adams said that more than 150 people had already visited the display Saturday afternoon.

During the event, the Coordinated Action for School Health (CASH) Coalition hosted a chalk art outline as part of its "You Matter Here" campaign. 

CASH Coordinator Melissa Galbreath said that the campaign works to help children feel supported and valued within their community and to form meaningful and positive relationships with adults in their community. 

Galbreath said that as part of the program, the CASH Coalition partners with local businesses to create dedicated spaces where children can feel welcome, gather, and form those positive relationships. She said that participating businesses receive a decal to post in their window and photos with the program banner posted to social media. 

Any businesses interested in joining the campaign can contact Galbreath at 330-424-9591 ext. 55185.

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