Athens Block Art Studio

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Over fifteen years of experience combined with ten years of education including special studies in Fine Art programs from Lumsden, Scotland, and Florence, Italy, has provided us this wonderful opportunity to provide such unique forms of art and design to Athens, Ohio. Please read more about what brought us to Athens in our Meet the Artists section.

Welcome to the Athens Block Art Studio

Athens Block collectibles by James and Erin Robinson of Athens Block Art Studio are being featured at Lamborn's Studio and Custom Framing, located in Athens, OH. Established since 2001, our artisan creates collectible objects and craft items that represent Historic Bricks throughout the Ohio area. Whether you are a graduate of Ohio University or a new student, you will find pieces that fit your lifestyle and personality. Our brick souvenirs make great graduation presents. This website contains mostly our craft items which are the most shippable. To see the fine art we create, it is best to visit Lamborn's Studio in Athens, Ohio. Contact us or visit our Athens, Ohio, local art gallery for fine art, gifts, collectibles, and crafts.

The Athens Block company, founded in 1891 by Fred Stadler, D.H. Doan and James Drew, left a legacy of finely fired bricks that are still a noticeable part of Southeast Ohio's landscape. With an initial investment of $50,000, $20,000 of which was loaned by the city, the three men created a company that became a large part of the economy of Athens in the early 20th century. With the exception of a year and a half in the mid-1890's, the Athens Block was manufactured continuously from 1893 until right around 1917. During the First World War, much of the labor force for the manufacture of the bricks was called upon to serve with the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. Pershing, and the plant closed down. After the war, many communities turned to concrete and asphalt to pave their streets and sidewalks, and the Athens Block never recovered. The bricks today enjoy a new popularity as they continue to make up many of the streets of Athens, Ohio, and are the inspiration for artwork.