The Heritage Center near Winesburg hosted the 9th annual Amish & Mennonite Artist Gathering on Oct. 24–25, bringing together artists from across Ohio and neighboring states to display and sell work rooted in Anabaptist traditions. The event combined exhibitions of painting, woodworking and other media with hands-on demonstrations and workshops, creating a public forum where craft, faith and local identity intersected.

Organizers framed the gathering around the idea that creativity is a form of faith expression and a way to strengthen social ties within and beyond Holmes County’s large Anabaptist population. The mix of sales, instructional sessions and live demonstrations made the weekend both a marketplace and an educational event: visitors could observe traditional woodworking techniques, learn about painting practices passed down in Mennonite and Amish communities, and purchase pieces directly from makers.

Artists attending came from a regional catchment that extended beyond Holmes County, signaling continuing interest in Anabaptist-influenced arts across the Midwest. The ninth iteration of the gathering indicates sustained commitment to the event and its mission: preserving craft traditions while creating opportunities for artisans to earn income and engage the public. For many local makers, sales at events like this provide a direct revenue stream and an opportunity to reach new customers who travel to Winesburg for heritage and crafts programming.

Beyond immediate economic effects, the gathering serves as a cultural anchor for Holmes County. By foregrounding the craftsmanship embedded in Amish and Mennonite life, the event contributes to cultural preservation and local identity formation. Workshops and demonstrations function as informal apprenticeships, helping transmit specialized skills—such as joinery or traditional brushwork—that are less visible in mass-produced markets. Such transmission supports the longer-term viability of these crafts and the small-scale businesses that rely on them.

The gathering also has implications for local tourism and small-business activity. Arts events that blend demonstration, education and direct sales tend to extend visitors’ stays and spending in nearby communities—on food, lodging and other services—although specific attendance and sales figures were not released. For Holmes County, which markets itself in part on heritage tourism, events at the Heritage Center reinforce the county’s appeal to visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences.

As the gathering moves beyond its ninth year, it underscores a broader trend toward valuing regional craft and faith-linked artistic expression. For residents of Holmes County, the event offered both a reminder of local traditions and a tangible way to support the makers who help preserve them, while inviting neighbors and visitors to engage directly with the work and stories behind the region’s distinctive material culture.