Sharon Pritchard: A Kirksville Legend Whose Heart Is as Big as Her Impact
If you've spent any time in downtown Kirksville, you've felt Sharon Pritchard's influence — even if you didn't know it.
A Co-Owner Who Helped Build Something Beautiful
In July 2018, Sharon Pritchard joined four fellow art lovers — Teri Crandall, Trish Hill Bellington, Evelyn Carlson, and Joanna Marshall — to purchase and carry forward Gallery 104: Art on the Square. Located at 104 N. Franklin Street, right on the downtown square, Gallery 104 offers talented regional artists a year-round retail space to exhibit and sell their work — featuring paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, handcrafted woodwork, glasswork, leather goods, and more.
Under Sharon and her co-owners' stewardship, Gallery 104 has become far more than a gallery. It's a creative hub — hosting workshops, classes, private events, and the beloved monthly First Friday receptions that bring the downtown community together. In 2024, the gallery earned the Missouri Art Education Association award, a testament to the lasting cultural contribution Sharon and her partners have made to Kirksville.
Volunteer of the Year — Because of Course She Is
It should come as no surprise that the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce named Sharon Pritchard its Volunteer of the Year. What is remarkable is that anyone who knows Sharon would tell you the award barely scratches the surface. She has been a generous donor to Kirksville Arts, helping fund public art installations that beautify the community for everyone. She is a support of Main Street Kirksville's KV Winter Lights decorating the downtown square for the holidays, lending her creative eye to make Kirksville shine for its residents and visitors alike. She has shown up — time and again — for Visit Kirksville, for Main Street Kirksville, for the arts, and for her neighbors.
Sharon's philanthropy isn't loud or self-promotional. It's consistent, genuine, and rooted in a deep love for this town. That is the mark of a true community legend.
"Sharon Pritchard is the kind of person who makes you believe in the goodness of community. Main Street Kirksville simply would not be what it is without her. Her generosity, her time, her heart — she gives it all freely and asks for nothing in return. We are endlessly grateful." — Laci Cook, Executive Director, Main Street KirksvilleThis Friday: First Friday at Gallery 104 — Don't Miss It!
There's no better time to experience the magic of Gallery 104 than this Friday, May 1, 2026, for the monthly First Friday reception — and what a fitting way to celebrate one of Kirksville's greatest treasures.
📍 Gallery 104: Art on the Square
📌 104 N. Franklin Street, Kirksville, MO 63501
🕔 5:00 – 6:30 PM (free & open to the public)
Stop in, enjoy a drink, a bite to eat, and a conversation with local artists and art lovers. Browse original paintings, handcrafted gifts, and one-of-a-kind pieces you won't find anywhere else. And if you see Sharon — tell her Kirksville is lucky to have her.
Gallery 104 is open Thursday–Friday 11AM–5PM and Saturday 10AM–2PM. Appointments available outside regular hours.