Local artist Shari Fry has loaned her red/white/blue piece celebrating America’s 250 Anniversary to The Historical Society of Columbiana & Fairfield Township Log House Museum for the 2026 summer season. (Submitted photo)

COLUMBIANA – Shari Fry, a self-taught artist, has practiced some sort of art since childhood. Realizing after 20 years as a secretary, she was unfulfilled in her career choice, she began to teach herself the faux-finishing trade and saw this as a chance to do something that she loved and make a living at it. She has used her fine art background to create murals and custom commissions, including animal figures still seen in the Children’s section of the Columbiana Public Library.

Now retired, she is pursuing her love of fine art, immersing herself in her new love of watercolor.

Fry is a member of the North East Ohio Plein Air Group and the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society. She is a Columbiana resident and has had her art chosen in several juried shows including the annual Artist Show at the Butler, Womens Art Show at the YWCA and the annual Hoyt Regional Art Show in New Castle, Pa.

On loan to The Historical Society of Columbiana & Fairfield Township Log House Museum is a red/white/blue piece celebrating America’s 250 Anniversary.

Fry explained, “The 250 Flag quilt came about thinking how my mother, as a quilter, ‘stitched things together.’ As I was studying quilt patterns, I found the Ohio Star Quilt Block, a perfect choice. I came across Old Glory, the flag kept in a quilt during the Civil War. Last, I learned our current American Flag was designed by a high school student living in Ohio as a history project. The ‘stars aligned’ and this piece was born. I think in today’s world, we could all use a little ‘stitching together.'”

Also on display is Fry’s recent donation to the Historical Society “Fix the Sticks” project, a watercolor of the 1890 Stick Chapel as the restoration is near completion.

This art and other local works created by Fry may be seen at the historical society Friday and Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. for the 2026 summer season.