Merrill Asher was born in the Bronx, New York, and has lived in Sidney, Ohio since he was twelve. Although he has always loved drawing, he humorously notes he could never draw a straight line. His interest in photography grew while attending art shows with his wife, Ann, and participating in art competitions with her students. A self-taught photographer, Merrill’s hobby developed during his career at Superior Wholesale Distributors, where he retired in 2017. There, he created a custom pizza design category using clip art and logos, which helped him improve his computer design skills. Many of his photographs reflect his extensive travels and have been digitized or creatively altered.

Ann Asher is a graphic designer and freelance artist whose work has received numerous awards and is displayed worldwide. After teaching art for 35 years in the Sidney City School System, she retired and has contributed to art education programs. Originally from England and raised in Cincinnati, Ann graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Cincinnati. She earned her teaching credential from Wright State University and the University of Dayton, along with a Master’s in Education and an Education Specialist degree focused on Educational Leadership. Her accolades include Copeland Corporation grants, the Ohio Governor’s Award of Excellence, and inclusion in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” Ann’s artwork has been exhibited locally and internationally, and she has been involved in judging art shows and mentoring other educators. Ann is married to Merrill Asher, and they have one son, Ben, a daughter-in-law, Pam, and three grandchildren: Max, Matthew, and Rachel, who bring her great joy.