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Parkersburg Art Center makes big waves with small pieces

Photo by Brett Dunlap Louisa Westfall, of Vienna, and JoAnne Shirey, of Vienna, look at various pieces of art Sunday at the Parkersburg Art Center for the “6 x 6: The Next Small Thing in Art” show and sale. People were able to buy original pieces of art on a 6X6-inch surface for $20 each.

PARKERSBURG — People from all over the area got a chance to pick up some small pieces of art in time for the holiday season.

The “6 x 6: The Next Small Thing in Art” show and sale was held Sunday at the Parkersburg Art Center. The exhibit included around 2,600 works that are all six inches square.

“We have been preparing for this for eight months, soliciting artists from all over the area, the state and the country,” said Dorsey Northrup, Parkersburg Art Center Board of Trustees member and chairperson of the exhibit. “Anyone could create a piece of artwork.

“It could be 2-D or 3-D. It just needed to be on a 6-inch by 6-inch surface.”

The artwork was in all mediums and styles, from paintings to photographs to paper-craft to three-dimensional pieces to ceramics to wood and more. Each piece was $20. Affordable framing was also available at the museum.

Photo by Brett Dunlap Jan Crego, of Parkersburg, and Kyra Smith, of Parkersburg, try to decide on which pieces of art they wanted to buy Sunday during the “6 x 6: The Next Small Thing in Art” show and sale at the Parkersburg Art Center.

Artists included amateur and professional, some high school art students, people of different ages and many others.

“We have artists who sell pieces for thousands of dollars who donated pieces to this show,” Northrup said. “We have a wide range of artists and it has been really fun to see what people pick out.

“Some are excited to get artwork from amateurs as well as professionals and everyone in between.”

People gathered for an hour to first look at all the art available in the show Sunday afternoon. After that first hour, organizers rang a bell, gave the signal and people could immediately go and pick up the pieces they wanted to purchase. Although there was a surge, Northrup said everyone was polite.

“People were able to get the things they picked out and immediately put them in their shopping bags,” she said. “I think they have had a great time buying for Christmas gifts and their own collection.

Photo by Brett Dunlap “Steampunk Clock” by Tracy Love of Belpre was an example of some of the artwork on display and for sale Sunday at the Parkersburg Art Center during the “6 x 6: The Next Small Thing in Art” exhibit. Her work featured two squares which went together to form one final piece.

“It is a great way to start your own original art collection. All of these are original artwork.”

Originally, organizers were hoping to get around 1,000 pieces of art, but when pieces began coming in the number continually grew.

The center is so appreciative of the support they have gotten from area artists.

“I want to thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart, plus everyone who came to support us (Sunday),” Northrup said. “Nothing like this has ever been seen in the area.

“Everyone is just so excited about it.”

Photo by Brett Dunlap The “6 x 6: The Next Small Thing in Art” show and sale was held Sunday at the Parkersburg Art Center. The exhibit included around 2,600 works that are all six inches square.

Tracy Love, of Belpre, was one of the artists featured. She did a number of pieces in acrylic paints. Her pieces included “Steampunk Clocks,” some roses, owls and various pieces.

“Any opportunity to be creative and to support a local business is always an awesome opportunity,” Love said.

She was impressed with the turnout with a lot more people attending than she was expecting.

“It is awesome,” Love said. “It is a beautiful display of color.”

Many people came for different reasons. Louisa Westfall, of Vienna, said she was curious about the show and wanted to see what was available.

Photo by Brett Dunlap The “6 x 6: The Next Small Thing in Art” show and sale was held Sunday at the Parkersburg Art Center. The exhibit included around 2,600 works that are all six inches square.

“I wanted to see the art,” she said.

JoAnne Shirey, of Vienna, was looking for gifts to give those close to her.

“I am looking for Christmas gifts,” she said.

Jan Crego, of Parkersburg, was also curious about the show after seeing it advertised in the area.

“I was coming to get some Christmas gift ideas,” she said. “I think they have some wonderful choices.

“I have really been impressed with what I have seen.”

Kyra Smith, of Parkersburg, was also looking for some unique pieces of art.

“I was also looking for Christmas gifts and some artwork I could use to decorate my consignment shop, The Walk In Closet on Rosemar Road.”

In a couple of weeks, during Small Business Saturday, the remaining pieces will go back up in the museum and people can come in and purchase some, for $20 each.

“That is a wonderful value,” Northrup said.

The event was held to raise money for the art center and all of its programs.

“We are truly a community center and we do so many different things,” Northrup said. “We want people to be able to help the art center and we want them to come and see all of the wonderful artwork.

“It is all to help promote art. It is also a chance for people to visit the art center and just appreciate how special this place is for our community.”

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