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May 2026

Arts, Culture & Literature: The Intersection of Art and Food

Updated 05/07/2026

A watercolor painting of a person in a hat tending crops in a field, with blue sky and distant greenery in the background, placed on a wooden table.

Ohioans have been at the center of American creativity for generations — and they continue to add richness to the American canvas. America 250 – Ohio continues its celebration in May with arts, culture and literature. 

The arts can also play a vital role in the “experience” shoppers have at farmers markets. The enthusiasm children have when painting with vegetables or listening to a food-focused story, or the calm that’s on display when an artist paints a mural…these experiences deepen the connection between people and art, and in our setting, their food system. 

Art is so vibrantly displayed at farms and farmers markets across Ohio. Totes, posters and t-shirts among other things have been a visual aid in marketing, an expression of an artist’s love for food and market, and a beautiful intersection of the relationship between farmers, farmers markets and their communities.

Let us enjoy this intersection of art and food with examples from farms and farmers markets throughout Ohio. 

MURALS

The Fayette County Farmers Market mural depicts a heartwarming rural scene set against a vibrant sunset sky. Visit the market every Saturday, May 9 – October 17 from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm, and every Wednesday, May 13 – September 30 from 3:00-6:00 pm. Click here for market information.

Mural of a young girl hugging a chicken, with a pig, tractor, and farm buildings in the background under a blue sky.
Fayette County Farmers Market
Colorful painted entrance structure for Haymaker Farmers' Market stands beneath a blue bridge, with autumn trees and a brick walkway in the background.
Haymaker Farmers’ Market
Mural with red apples and green leaves reads "Laurelville Fruit Farm, Award Winning Cider, Bowers & Daughters" with a honeycomb and bee illustration.
Laurelville Fruit Farm

Designed by muralist Eric Henn and located on the side of the Kiger and Kiger building in Washington Court House, Ohio.

Created in collaboration with Kent State University’s Wick Poetry Center and submissions from shoppers and vendors who wrote poems for the market’s 30th anniversary.

Designed by Pamela Kellogg Murals at the behest of 3rd generation farm owners, Bob and Sherry Bowers.

SHIRTS & TOTES

Common Greens, the Columbus area parent organization to the Clintonville, Bexley and Upper Arlington Farmers Markets, to name a few, hosts an annual farmers market design contest. Everyone in the community is invited to submit their art. This year’s theme was, “How does food impact community?” For more information about Common Greens or any of their five markets, click here.

Black and white cartoon of smiling vegetables and a flower with a dog, featuring bold text: "Common Greens Farmers Market.
Common Greens
Illustration featuring bread, vegetables, and fruit with text: "Main Street in Bloom Farmers Market, Portsmouth, Ohio. Supported by our Scioto County Commissioners.
Main Street Portsmouth In Bloom Farmers Market

Designed by Juan Daza, whose passion for art has been persistent throughout his own life.

The Garrettsville Farmers’ Market introduces a new watercolor painting each year done by a local farmer and vendor, Ryan Lind of CopperHawk Farms. The art is then printed on shirts and totes available for sale.

Created by Brooke Moore at North Shore Printing in Portsmouth.

A watercolor painting of a person in a hat tending crops in a field, with blue sky and distant greenery in the background, placed on a wooden table.
A woman in sunglasses stands on grass at an outdoor market, holding a tote bag with a dog image. Booths and people are visible in the background.
Garrettsville Farmers’ Market

POSTERS

As an artist and the founder of the Salem Farm Market, Melissa Thompson strives to marry the two. She collaborates with a legendary printer, Typesetters Local owner Keith, who works with old printing presses.

Wooden letterpress type spelling "Saturdays Salem Farm Market" is arranged next to a pink chalk drawing on a blackboard showing "Salem Farm Market June 2024, Salem, OH.
Printed posters advertising the Salem Farm Market held on Saturdays from June to September in Salem, Oklahoma, featuring a yellow carton illustration.

What is your favorite piece of farmers market art? Share it with us on Facebook or Instagram!

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A white T-shirt with a simple landscape and cloud graphic, surrounded by watercolor art supplies, including paint tubes, palettes, brushes, and spatulas, on a light green background.

National Farmers Market Week Design Contest

The Ohio Farmers Market Network (OFMN) invites all Ohio students ages 5-18 to participate in the first annual Ohio Farmers Market Network National Farmers Market Week Design Contest. The winning design will be revealed during the National Farmers Market Week celebration. All participants are invited to join the celebration!

Learn More About It
Submit Your Design

SFMNP Vendor Directory

Find an authorized farmer or farmers market near you!

Find a Market or Vender Near You
A search interface with fields for location and name, filter and reset buttons, and a map showing Kamm's Corners Farmers Market in Cleveland, OH.

Learn more about America250

The U.S. will be celebrating its semiquincentennial (that’s 250 years) in 2026 and Ohio is all-in to celebrate “Ohio Style.” We will highlight Ohio and Ohioans’ unique contribution to the U.S. for 250+ years.

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