This is the first in a series on Ada artists and artisans showing original works for sale at Gallery for the Arts, 115 S. Main St., Ada. The gallery is an Icon advertiser.

Featured artist Karen Ward, photographer
Ward, a 25-year Ada resident, is a photographer. Several of her photographs are available at the gallery. These include cards, framed photos and 8-by-10 inch unframed photos.

She describes her photography this way:
“I’d photograph more people if I could capture their innocence and not their posed portrait. But, to do so would be sort of sneaky and that isn’t very acceptable this day and age. 

- MORE PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF THE STORY

“Photography of the mundane is probably my specialty. Capturing something we all see day in and day out. I endeavor also to paint and create as time allows."

Earlier this winter Ward produced a book of 50 photographs of the Ada community, titled “Scenes of Ada, Ohio.” It includes photos of Ada covering the years that Ward has lived here.

In an earlier Ada Icon feature, the book was described this way:

"It includes familiar places (ONU, Wilson's, the parks, churches, grain elevator) and the unfamiliar, only what a creative artist might see (weathered siding, weeds blooming along a roadside, snow scenes)."

Ward says she has always enjoyed taking photos of Ada because it is quaint, beautiful, and historic place. The book, mostly a collection of photographs, does have some text, including this comment, "Ada may be small, but it is a place of big hearts."

Gallery for the Arts is located at 115 S. Main St., Ada. It is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is also open by appointment. Ruth Roider of Ada owns the gallery.