Carol Hershey’s Legacy
After being a working artist her whole life, Carol Hershey began investing in the artist community when, at age 60, she bought a 200-year-old house in Worthington. Working tirelessly, she restored the historic home that had fallen into disrepair, converting it into a gallery space for the local community. High Road Gallery was born with a primary mission to serve the artist community and thus has never taken any commission from any artwork sold. High Road Gallery has hosted at least 8 shows a year for 23 years (excluding Covid years) thus serving hundreds of artists from all over Ohio and beyond. Carol has always taken an active role in seeking out both up-and-coming artists, and more established pillars of the community. She took special care to show the diversity of art, encouraging collaboration between artists, and sought to have a mix of 2D and 3D elements in every show.
In 2015 Carol decided to change the use of her gallery’s space, when she began to host individual artists by dividing the home into 13 individual artist studios, while still maintaining a main gallery space that would continue to host a diverse array of artists. Carol continued to stand by her mission, and offered the studios to artists at minimal cost, just enough to cover utilities. Carol continued to be an active member of the community of artists she created to the end. She worked in a variety of mediums in her studio, right next to the gallery entrance, inviting guests to enjoy High Road Gallery to its fullest.
Carol was a supportive audience for her resident artists through their monthly critiques. She was nothing if not outspoken! She showed genuine interest in all kinds of artwork and discussed it with them. Knowing that there is an interested and supportive audience can boost an artist's confidence and motivation. She also promoted the residents’ art to her patrons and acted as a go-between.
Carol has shared her resources by making her art studio spaces affordable, well below the going rate for an art studio rental. She financed the house and its upkeep, and generously provided the visiting artists receptions at her own expense.
Carol has always encouraged the resident artists to experiment with new media, new themes and new ways of working—sometimes through gentle persuasion and leading questions. But more often she led through her own example as she worked next to us, experiencing breakthroughs in her own artistic development. To name a few, she has gone from life drawing to watercolors and oils, to intaglio printmaking with Sid Chafetz at Ohio State University, to polymer clays, to many other media, exploring no less than the abstract color and form of the universe.
Carol has provided a safe place where all artists feel able to express themselves without fear of judgment. She sold her own art at regional festivals for many years, so she knew how important exposure is for new opportunities and recognition.
Carol has created a community of artists. She has connected her artist residents through the years with the visiting artists. These dynamics will continue to bring networking, new ideas, collaborations and opportunities for growth into the future all over Ohio and beyond. Carol was committed to the meaningfulness that art can bring to one’s life and the intellectual stimulation that inspires deeper artistic expression.