The American Society of Ephesus (“ASE”), in cooperation with ArtSpace/Lima, has announced the winners in the younger age categories of the Design Competition for the new Our Lady of Fatima Shrine at Indian Lake. Those winners are:
Elizabeth James, of Delaware, Ohio;
Anna Pizzino, of Dublin, Ohio;
Aidan Latham, of Lima, Ohio; and,
Anthony Pizzino, also of Dublin, Ohio;
A reception will be held at ArtSpace/Lima, 65 Town Square, in Lima on Saturday, October 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. at which the winning entries will be revealed and cash prizes handed out. Checks will be presented to the winners by ASE board members Chas Quatman and Vanessa Damschroder, both of Lima. “We are very excited to host this reception and to recognize these young artists,” said Sally Windle, Executive Director of ArtSpace/Lima. “They had some very creative ideas,” she added.
The state-wide Design Competition for the new shrine opened in June after the original shrine was destroyed by a tornado that hit the Indian Lake region on March 14, 2024. The original shrine was built in 1964 and was nearly 60 years old. “The local community begged us to build the shrine back and we felt it was important to get input from the community on what we should build. So, a state-wide design competition was created to get the best ideas from Ohio’s artists of all ages,” said Bill Quatman, president of ASE. A 5-person jury reviewed the designs that were submitted and made the selections. “We received a total of 18 entries,” Sally Windle said. “Three finalists in the Over 18 age category are currently being reviewed by the jury, which will then rank those as first, second, and third, with cash prizes to all three,” Ms. Windle added.
“We are also reviewing proposals from local architects to work with us on the new shrine, using some of the ideas from the winning entries,” said Bill Quatman. “We will also issue a Request for Proposals next week to local sculptors who can design and fabricate a new statue of Our Lady of Fatima to replace the one that was lost to the tornado,” he said. Three Ohio sculptors have been short-listed for the new statue, which will be about 20 feet tall. ASE has planned an August 15, 2026 dedication for the new shrine, estimated to cost about $1.2 million, including the new statue. The design plans will be put out for bid to area contractors next year, according to ASE’s project schedule.
For more information, visit:
www.ase-gbqfoundation.org or www.artspacelima.com
The American Society of Ephesus, Inc. (George B. Quatman Foundation) is a non-profit private foundation formed in 1955 and based in Lima, Ohio whose mission is to promote a greater realization and appreciation of the teachings and wonders of God; to preserve and erect religious shrines, and to restore and preserve the burial grounds of outstanding religious leaders.
ArtSpace/Lima is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual arts to all throughout the Lima area and beyond. The mission of ArtSpace/Lima is to enrich the community with creativity through exhibitions, educational programs, and events relevant to all cultures and populations. ArtSpace/Lima is supported by grants from the Ohio Arts Council and Arts Midwest.
The Our Lady of Fatima Shrine at Russells Point, Ohio was one of the tallest statues of the Virgin Mary in the United States. Dedicated in August 1964, the 43’ tall monument included a rotating 19’-6” fiberglass statue on a concrete pedestal with fountains, music, and lighting. It was damaged beyond repair by the March 2024 tornado before a planned 60th anniversary celebration. The shrine property is located at 261 Chase Ave., Russells Point, Ohio.
