Who We Are

The Art Association of Randolph County (AARC) is your headquarters for art and art experiences. Our goal is to provide the community with quality opportunities to enjoy and participate in the Visual, Performing, and Cultural Arts!

The Arts Depot is an original passenger train station from Union City’s railroad history. Remodeled for gallery, classroom, and office space, it is a popular location for organizations and families to hold meetings and events.

Our History

About the Art Association of Randolph County:

Founded in 1955, The Art Association of Randolph County was originally made up of a small group of artists who held an annual art show. From those humble beginnings, the AARC has become an organization that serves thousands of citizens with a variety of events throughout the year.

Through the efforts of AARC, Union City’s legacy as a railroad passenger depot has been preserved. For many years the Art Association had longed for a permanent home for the arts. In 1980—with $250 in its checkbook—the AARC began a restoration effort estimated to cost $100,000 for the 1913 passenger depot that had been deserted for 25 years.

First, the organization achieved recognition on the National Register of Historic Places. Next, a National Parks Service grant provided one-third of the budget. The remaining funds came from individuals, businesses, and industries within the county, matched with hundreds of volunteer hours of hard physical labor. In May of 1986, the restoration won a state award for Best Renovation Project from the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Historic Preservation.

Events ranging from jazz to bluegrass concerts, drama to dance, art classes to art shows, poetry readings to photography displays are offered by the Art Association. AARC’s programs serve over 15,000 people per year. By bringing the arts into every corner of Randolph County, East Central Indiana, and Western Ohio, the association has proven that the Arts are indeed crucial to a community’s quality of life.

Our Staff

Pam Fraizer, Executive Director

Pam has been a fine artist, graphic designer, and illustrator for over 30 years. She founded her business, FraizerDesigns, LLC, in 2002. Her clients included many Indianapolis-based non-profits, such as IYG, Legacy House, Dress For Success, Planned Parenthood, and ACLU.

In 2016, Pam and her best friend, author/educator, Lisa Combs formed Best Friend Books, LLC. Best Friend Books has published more than 36 children's titles which are available on Amazon. Best Friend Books are used in several Ohio school systems to support their state-required social-emotional curriculum.

During the pandemic, Pam completed and exhibited two portrait projects, “Legends of Starr-Gennett” and “Bombshells”. “Legends of Starr-Gennett Studios" features 34 pioneers of American Music. “Bombshells” is a series of portraits featuring influential women.

Pam holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ball State University.

Board of Directors

Shannie Denney, Interim President

Chuck Gaucker, Vice President

Mary Depman Beuchat, Secretary/Treasurer

Jordan Auger

Shannie Denney

Gary Elliott

Scottie Harvey