MARIANNE LANNAN

THE LAMP SHADE

Celebrating its 17th year in the Short North Arts District and 50th year in business, The Lamp Shade has been a guiding light as a small business in Columbus. After selling shades from her home and station wagon for several years, Rita Quinn opened The Lamp Shade in Bexley in May of 1973. She built a business specializing in friendly, personal service in a warm, homelike setting. Shortly after Rita’s death in 1988, Marianne Lannan purchased The Lamp Shade in 1995. Marianne has maintained the same warm atmosphere and personalized service that has attracted customers for years, while also remaining an engaged member and supporter of the Short North Arts District community. 

DEE KATES

NEIGHBORHOOD VOLUNTEER

For the past 36 years, when she wasn’t helping businesses and individuals through their financial journeys at First Commonwealth Bank, Dee Kates could be found volunteering at numerous local events, fundraising for various cases, or strutting around in her famous artfully crafted shoe collection. More than just a friendly and well-known face in the Short North Arts District community, Dee also provides a helping hand at countless community events and causes. Dee was also heavily invested in providing a space for emerging artists to showcase their work in the Short North, hosting regular monthly exhibitions at the bank and programming during Gallery Hop.

PASTOR JOHN WOODEN

STONE VILLAGE CHURCH

John Wooden has been a long time resident and community member in the Short North area, having served the community through King Avenue United Methodist Church and now Stone Village Church. Throughout his tenure in our community, he has established numerous ministries that benefit individuals in need. At Stone Village Church, a church he founded, his service ministry has grown to be one of the only organizations dedicated to providing financial and administrative support to help individuals through the arduous process of obtaining state-ID cards and birth certificates – an essential step to secure employment and housing. John is the very definition of what it means to be an unsung hero in our community and we are grateful for his leadership and service to all.

MARCUS GRIMES

SHORT NORTH AMBASSADOR, BLOCK BY BLOCK

It might not always be a pretty job, but you will always catch Marcus Grimes with a smile. Overseeing the Short North Alliance Ambassador Team since August of 2021, Marcus Grimes elevated the Ambassador services to new heights, providing an unprecedented level of care when it comes to looking after the environment, safety, and all persons in the Short North Arts District. From keeping the public art and streets clean and checking in on businesses, to providing guest information and helping individuals in need, Marcus epitomizes the mission of the Short North Alliance – to nurture our community as vibrant, creative, inclusive, and artful.

BOBBY THAXTON

RESIDENT & VOLUNTEER

When he’s not busy supporting New Americans through the legal practice he leads, Bobby Thaxton always takes the time to volunteer for and support his beloved neighborhood, the Short North Arts District. He has been an incredible asset to Short North over the years. For many years, Bobby devoted his time serving as president of The Short North Home and Garden Tour, as well as president and a member of the Short North Civic Association. Bobby has been an instrumental leader in working on efforts to engage residents throughout the Short North community and improving key safety initiatives. 

THE COLUMBUS GREEK FESTIVAL

ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

In 2023, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church celebrates its 50th anniversary of the festival and 113 years of existence. From the festival’s humble beginnings in the early 70s as a simple dinner dance, to the current 4-day celebration of Greek culture, the Greek Festival has truly become a Central Ohio Labor Day weekend tradition, and a fixture of the Short North Arts District. Now, each year, around 40,000 guests attend the festival to enjoy authentic, hand-made Greek food and entertainment, participate in tours of the historic buildings, shop artists’ showcases of paintings, photography, sculptures and more, and above all else, celebrate Greek Culture.

MARK WOOD

THE WOOD COMPANIES

Through his 30 years of holding many titles with The Wood Companies, serving as its President for the last two decades, Mark Wood has facilitated the birth and growth of so many businesses in the neighborhood, and has brought so many businesses to the Short North. He instills the core values of The Wood Companies: creating and preserving architectural significance, building a better living experience than has been done thus far, finding the most interesting experiential restaurant/gallery/retail partners to populate High Street spaces, and supporting independent businesses that help the city thrive. These core values have provided the Short North with a foundation for its unique success in being a mature neighborhood that continually reinvents itself with different buildings, businesses, and ideas that draw in new generations.

In addition to his more than 10 years of service on the Short North Special Improvement District Board of Directors, Mark has maintained an impeccable record of integrity and a reputation as someone who will consistently do the right thing for the neighborhood.